In the spirit of Bert Hinkler, Bundaberg’s Peter MacSween will strap himself into a powered parachute and set sail to circumnavigate Queensland and raise money for Mission Aviation Australia.
In the daring and charitable endeavour Peter, along with the assistance from the Mission Aviation Powered Parachute Attempt groundcrew, will take flight from Bundaberg on 1 June in the venture which is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.
An experienced pilot for more than 50 years, Peter described the powered aircraft as a three-wheeled go cart attached to a parachute, and with his nerves of steel and support from a dedicated crew he said he was eager to embark on the extraordinary journey.
“We’re doing this in the spirit of Hinkler,” Peter said.
“I believe it’s the first time an attempt like this has happened.
“We will fly about 2,200 nautical miles, which is about the same as 4,000 kilometres.
“The main reason why we are doing this is for a charity Mission Aviation fellowship with the money going to defray the cost of the hangers we built in Mareeba which cost $3 million.
“It will enable the great humanitarian work MAF does throughout the world and more relatively in the Pacific and Papa New Guinea area to continue.”
The trip, with a carefully planned route to cover the vast expense of Queensland in the optimal flying weather conditions of winter, will take the Mission Aviation Powered Parachute Attempt crew north to Mareeba, west to Mount Isa, south to the Gold Coast before returning to the Bundaberg Region.
Mission Aviation Powered Parachute Attempt campaign manager Keith Mansfield said there were many technical aspects when it came to flying in a “go cart attached to an electrical parachute”.
“It’s got to be winter to get these sorts of days,” Keith said.
“We will take off early in the morning and take advantage of the first couple of hours of the day.
“If it’s raining you don’t take off as you can’t fly a wet parachute!”
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said it was great to see such a dedicated team take on the venture for charity.
“I’ve always been passionate about aviation, and I take my hat off to Peter and Keith for embarking on this incredible journey,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“Mission Aviation Australia’s impact on improving access to basic healthcare supplies and resources to remote regions is profound and as a community we wish them well on this intrepid journey.”
To find out more about Mission Aviation Powered Parachute Attempt or to make a donation follow their Facebook page.
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