Flew solo in the London to Sydney Air Race in 2001 in my old and tired 1943 US Army Piper cub, G-KIRK. I arrived at Sydney harbour first, but later, only to be surrounded by 3 police helicopters suggesting, in their own charming way, that `Air race 35` was quite close enough to the `Old Coat Hanger'...
The advertisement in the aviation magazines, before the race, went somethiing like this...... "Maurice Kirk seeks sponsorship for single non return ticket to penal colony. CAA may apply." They didn't. London to Sydney...I had made it and landed first..just one last manoevre....HHASELL CHECKS...
M arrived at Bankstown for the second time. He had flown in early before returning to Sydney Harbour for the fly past. Genevieve and I were at the Opera House to watch him complete the final part of the route, but we waited and waited..... we saw the Campbell team land the Albatros and some of the subsequent...
Having stopped short of Coolangatta at a cattle station at Goolawindi (apologies that I can't get this name right) M telephoned on Friday morning and left a message of my instructions for that day! I was to purchase 6 AA batteries (for his radio), 1 pair of size 11 RJ Williams boots, get his video...
I was sad to leave Alice Springs after a very short stay - such a beautiful place. An unusually high rainfall this season has caused it to be green and lush. I'm definitely coming back (soon). We watched G-KIRK and M fly out of Alice at approx. 08.00hrs. Remarkably, G-KIRK (the other one) who is...
After another early start M and G-KIRK battled against headwinds to Tenneant Creek for refuelling after which they set off again towards Alice Springs but were brought down by darkness. This time, as a variation, they landed on a small road at Attack Creek, near a campsite where they spent the night...
Since my last message G-KIRK (the other one) and I did indeed pack our bags and set out for Darwin via Heathrow, Los Angeles, Sydney and Alice Springs. To those of you who warned me that I was insane to attempt this in one hop with a two year-old - you were right - but we made it. I am not so sure that...
M is better - his gut difficulties have resolved. Today has involved a further 9 (or 10?) hours of flying. When we spoke he was fascinated by the geography and formation of Sumatra. "It's just one huge bog with 2ft deep water and trees scattered about - a pilot's absolute nightmare where...