There and Back dedicated to Aviation, Airmanship and the Craft of Flying - by Owen Zupp & Robert Brus

There and Back 2010 Wrap Up

The ‘There and Back’ Jabiru J230 is now safely nestled in its hangar and I have had a short respite to absorb and reflect the wonderful experience of flying around Australia. In 18 days I flew in excess of 13,000 km and saw breathtaking scenery to the backdrop of some fascinating.

Along the way over $10,000 was raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and even more value was gained in promoting the awareness of their sterling cause. To aid my memory I have a comprehensive diary, 700 still images and over 30 hours of video footage.

In over 70 hours of flying the Jabiru never missed a beat. From the dirt strip at Barkly to the international airport at Darwin, the trusty two-seater took it all in her stride.

Burning around 24 litres per hour and swallowing up the landscape at over 200 km/h, this incredible aeroplane offered the ideal way to see this broad island nation. Operating the humid heat of the Top End or the icy climes of Tasmania made absolutely no difference to the Australian built airframe and engine. In fact handing back “Jabiru 73-81” to her rightful owners at Bundaberg was probably the most difficult task of the entire trip.

There were so many sights to be seen along the way that to highlight one or two seems almost unjust. The sheer diversity of the land beneath was enough to be left in total awe. Within an hour of departing pristine waters, one can be high above the rugged red interior or conversely, the stillness Nullarbor Plain can transform into the crashing coastline of the Great Australian Bight.

There were shearing sheds at Murchison Station and the city lights of Perth growing ever brighter as the sun sank lower. I experienced solemn moments beside the graves of aviators and the joyous roar of excited schoolchildren. I dined with dignitaries, but more often with the down to earth folk that make this country tick. The journey reinforced that this is a big country, but it is equally matched by the fullness of its people.

And while I sat alone in the cockpit, the flight was made possible by an exceptional team of support. From the outset my ‘There and Back’ partner Robert Brus helped transform the idea into reality and then converted it into a truly interactive experience through the website and Spidertracks. Peter ‘Buckets’ Buscall was my second set of eyes on the weather and flight plans as I dropped in and out of internet coverage and fax access. Hayley Dean of ‘Me Marketing’ worked tirelessly at promoting the profile of this flight through the media with astounding success and this in a large way contributed the fund-raising success.

My supporters were led by Jabiru aircraft who generously loaned me their new J230D for the flight. Champagne PC Flight Planning provided software, while Spidertracks allowed the public to follow my every move and enhanced the safety of the flight. David Clark and Hawker Pacific equipped me with the right gear, including the fantastic X-11 headsets and a life-jacket for those water crossings. At the forefront of the media interest was our own ‘Australian Aviation’ magazine, while ‘Global Aviator’ set about spreading the word internationally. My most sincere thanks to one and all.

So where to from here?

‘There and Back’ has caused a great deal of interest amongst both aviation fans and the broader community. As such, this website will continue and grow to welcome folks from all corners of the globe to the wondrous world of aviation through all sorts of initiatives. I will continue to speak at a variety of engagements and not only about the around Australia flight. In fact, it was a journey within a journey.

When Ansett Australia collapsed in 2001 and the wake of 9/11 I found myself facing forty years of age and a Centrelink representative. The past decade has been a wonderful turn-around for me, from unemployment to a Masters degree, a published book, writing awards and even more. ‘There and Back’ represented another significant step in a journey that really grew from adversity in the first instance. Given the current economic climate, I am often asked to relate my experiences along that road more than travels through the skies.

So it is back to writing, flying and sharing the privileged flight that I have just undertaken. I will continue to further share my experiences here through ‘There and Back’ and there are some very exciting projects underway as I write these words, so ‘stay tuned’. As for another flight, it is a real possibility. Where to? Time will tell. For the moment, thanks for sharing ‘There and Back’, but don’t get off now; the ride is just starting.

Stay safe.

Owen