COMMERCIAL pilot Owen Zupp has started his flight to retrace Australia’s rich aviation history.
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He is circumnavigating the country to celebrate the centenary year of powered flight. Mr Zupp left Perth on Wednesday. Following is his blog.
After a fantastic rest day in Perth, it was time to take to the skies again.
But first I had to bid farewell to my wonderful wife who had flown over for our wedding anniversary and then there was also a very important media interview with 2GB's Alan Jones.
It was fantastic to receive support for the flight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) from someone of the calibre as Alan Jones. My thanks go to Alan and the 2GB network.
For the first time this trip, the morning sun was in my face and it was apparent that the eastbound journey had begun. As the hills, ridges and resevoirs to the east of Perth merged into a more consistent plateau, the greens began to give way to earthy reds and yellows.
Overflying airfields at York and Southern Cross, my tailwinds had now swung to a crosswind of around 60 kmh. All the while Kalgoorlie grew closer and tell tale mines and mounds began to appear in the distance.
On arrival at the famous mining town I was met by a local aviation enthusiast and the staff at the RFDS. This wonderful base consists of a modern facility beside a rather historic hangar.
After fuel and food, the cavernous mine was flown by on departure and a course was set that was to parallel the road and rail for the next three hours. Despite all the equipment and training, the simplest navigation
sat just outside my window. And so the rail line continued into the vast expanse of the Nullarbor.
The endless horizon is far from featureless, but it is almost overwhelming in it's infinite nature. Yet there is also something very relaxing about scenery that reaches beyond the eye's focus. Apart from the occasional vehicle or train, the scene defined isolation and one cannot help but admire the original explorers and pioneers.
An oasis then loomed on the horizon in the form if Forrest with its newly painted runway and sizeable hangar. My home for the night is a cottage and dinner at the main homestead is nearly ready.
Until tomorrow, keep safe.
More than $4000 has been donated to date to the RFDS. Follow Owen's journey and donate at thereandback.com.au.
