Hollywood star John Travolta arrives in the Illawarra
Superstar John Travolta has touched down in the Illawarra and chatted about plans to donate his Boeing 707 to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society.
Illawarra Star
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Hollywood superstar John Travolta has paid a visit to the Illawarra this afternoon, flying into Shellharbour Airport to an adoring group of fans and aviation enthusiasts.
Travolta was taken for a scenic flight over the Wollongong region on the world’s only C-121C Super Constellation still able to fly.
The joyflight came just hours after his surprise visit was announced, bringing fans from far and wide to Shellharbour Airport to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood veteran.
After touching down on the tarmac, the star discussed ongoing plans to donate his Boeing 707 to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park.
While the luxury aircraft was initially supposed to land in the Illawarra this month, Mr Travolta said he was aiming to fly it into its new home sometime next year, with high repair costs and red tape around permits and flight path keeping it out of the country.
“I scheduled this whole trip to be here for it but the paper work got in the way,” he said.
“But it will happen and I hope to be here when it does.”
Despite landing empty-handed, HARS president Bob de la Hunty was thrilled to welcome Mr Travolta to Shellharbour Airport.
“HARS has done a tremendous amount of work restoring the 707 that John has donated to our aviation museum,” he said.
“Of course, that work is continuing and more time is needed to comply with regular requirements from Australia’s Civil Aviation Authority (CASA) and the United State Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“While it is a shame that, due to circumstances beyond our control the aircraft [didn’t arrive] with Travolta, we are honoured to be welcoming him and look forward to showing him around the museum.”
Mr Travolta, who also used to own a Super Constellation, said he was tempted to take the wheel during the scenic flight with Mr de la Hunty.
“It’s part of my aviation history and you are the only people in the world keeping it alive at this level,” he said.
It wasn’t hard to see the movie star had a real love for HARS, praising the work of its dedicated volunteers and engineers.
“This museum is a museum that keeps aircraft flying,” he said.
“I think that static pieces are nice but they aren't as exciting as keeping a very historical aircraft flying, That's’s the most important thing.”
As well as touring the museum and its aircraft, Mr Travolta was more than happy to stop and pose with his fans.
While the visit was short- Travolta was still able to get a good look at the region’s biggest attraction- the coastline.
“[It’s] extraordinary. I mean, really?”
“That coastline is exceptional. Sydney has so many icons, the Opera House, the Bridge then you forget the beauty that compares to any great, epic beauty in the world, that coastline. I was sold on that.”
