THREE Tamworth aviation enthusiasts are using their combined pilot experience of more than a century to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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John Glynn, Guy Fitzgerald and Rob Clifton are taking part in the epic 3900-kilometre Outback Air Race, travelling “from B to B” – Brisbane to Broome – over 11 days in mid-August.
“Each day we’ll do a flight between two points,” Mr Glynn said.
“They give you 1500 points and you’ve got to plan your flight.
“You lose a certain amount of points for every second before or after the time you say you’re going to pass over a particular point. It’s more accuracy than speed.”
Mr Clifton said it was similar to the Outback Car Trek, only airborne.
“There’ll be fundraising activities planned in all the ports we stop at, things like school visits and dress-up nights,” he said.
The pilots are paying their own way, so all the money they raise will go straight to the NSW branch of the RFDS.
“We’re hoping to get a few businesses in Tamworth to support us, because it’s a great opportunity to support a lifesaving service,” Mr Clifton said.
“If they do, we can offer them an advertising spot on the plane.”
A few prominent local businesses have already jumped on board, including Stacks Law Firm, Sigma Aerospace and Challenge Community Services.
The Leader asked the trio how they would get along trapped in the confined space, hundreds of kilometres above the ground.
“We haven’t done it yet,” Mr Clifton said, as they all burst in to laughter.
“I’ll ring you from Emerald on the first night and let you know.”