Pilot to fly for fundraising

PILOT Owen Zupp is almost clear for take-off with only eight weeks left until he begins his around-Australia flight.

PILOT Owen Zupp is almost clear for take-off with only eight weeks left until he begins his around-Australia flight.

Mr Zupp will begin and end his journey in Bundaberg, covering 7000 nautical miles to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

“All of the operational planning is pretty much set,” Mr Zupp said.

“Now it’s the flying and fundraising to take care of.”

The Qantas pilot will be trading his usual 737 for a Bundaberg-designed Jabiru for his flight, which falls in the year of the centenary of powered flight.

“I’ve always harboured the intention to fly around Australia and the centenary was what really motivated me in the end,” he said.

Mr Zupp said it was hard to choose which part of the trip he was most looking forward to.

“Flying through the Kimberleys will be a personal favourite, from my memories of flying there as a young pilot,” he said.

“Having Bundaberg as my start and end point is very important to me as well. It is the home of Bert Hinkler, who was one of my childhood heroes.”

The experienced pilot said he was not nervous.

“We have done a lot of planning and have contingencies for a really diverse range of situations, so I’m feeling confident,” he said.

Mr Zupp will begin his trip on May 5 and is encouraging the community to give the fundraiser wings.

“No matter how small the donation, it all counts.

“I am paying for all my expenses so every dollar donated will go straight to the RFDS,” he said.

To make a donation to our flying doctors, go to thereandback.com.au.

The site has details about Mr Zupp, his journey and the cause.

Originally published as Pilot to fly for fundraising