Nostalgair

Thanks for the feedback. I've just posted another story this morning. I think there's about a dozen now. I'll keep regularly posting at http://www.owenzupp.com/_blog/Owen_Zupp and advise thereof at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Owen-Zupp-Author/254292941294710 Cheers Owen

Hi All, Seeing there was interest in the 'Jabiru Dawn' image, I'm putting some of my writing 'out there' as well. Here's an article titled 'Golden Days' I wrote a while back. http://www.owenzupp.com/_blog/Owen_Zupp/post/Golden_Days/ I hope you enjoy it. Cheers Owen www.owenzupp.com

My avatar features the 'There and Back' Jabiru J230 with a RAAF FA-18 as the backdrop. A great memory from a great trip around Australia.

Thanks for the feedback; I'm glad you like the shot. I'll see what else I have as I'm going through all of my stills from the 'There and Back' flight and slipping some of them into the DVD that I'm currently editing. Cheers Owen

Thanks Dazza, I'm glad you liked the photo AND the Tecnam 'Air Test'. Writing can sometimes be a solitary endeavour, with minimal feedback. I have been busy flying, but there's always a lot going on anyway and never any shortage of articles to attend to. It's all good fun! Cheers Owen

Hi All, I was just going through my many photos from last year's flight around Australia and thought I'd share this one. It was taken just before sunrise at Kalbarri W.A. I was the only one out at the airfield and it was wonderfully silent. And before the sun rose it was absolutely pitch black. I hope you like it. Cheers Owen www.owenzupp.com

Hi All, I just noticed this forum thread and thought I'd answer some of the questions to the best of my ability. Firstly, the 'There and Back' flight was one of my best flying experiences to date. The people and places made it a journey that I'll never forget, while the challenge of executing it as precisely as possible was very satisfying. Would I do it again? Yes. In a heart-beat. Secondly, I did go through the necessary training to attain a RAA Pilot Certificate. It was a straightforward process that I thoroughly enjoyed and my dealings with the RAA were first class. As for the flight as a fund-raising exercise, it was a private operation that I funded up-front. Before I 'unveiled' the flight, I made a proposal to the nominated charity with my idea and gained their approval; in this case the charity was the Royal Flying Doctor Service. On this point I would like to emphasise that the fund-raising was kept entirely separate from my expenses. All donations went DIRECTLY to the RFDS via an online donation page, into their registered donation tins or via cheques made out DIRECTLY to them. I think it is important when undertaking these flights to keep those two issues absolutely independent of each other or the exercise can be perceived as being funded by donations. In summary, such a flight is most definitely possible and the ability to support a worthwhile charity makes the flight even more satisfying. To do it properly, there is a lot of work involved in the preparation, execution and conclusion of the flight. I was fortunate to have wonderful support from a great team. Also, it must always be remembered that regardless of the cause that is being supported and the media interest that is being generated, at it's core, it is first and foremost a flight. As such, safety is the absolute priority at all times; everything else is secondary. I hope this sheds a bit of light on the subject. Thanks for the interest and the kind comment about my writing efforts too! :big_grin: Safe flying. Owen Zupp

Hi All, It's great to be back from the 'There and Back' flight around Australia. Thanks to everyone who emailed and messaged me, as well as those who came out to the airfield to say g'day. And in some cases, even fly along for a while. The trip was a great success and we have just passed the $10,000 mark raised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. $10,000 target achieved! Thank you! | I will endeavour to respond to all of the emails and queries I am getting; particularly about the trusty Jabiru J230D and the upcoming book. In a nutshell, yes, a manuscript is underway, but there is also a lot of interest in publishing a handbook relating to planning and executing a flight like this. Given the interest www.thereandback.com.au will continue as a website for aviation enthusiasts, so feel free to visit. Finally, my sincerest thanks once again. The messages and donations to the RFDS have been nothing short of uplifting and made the entire journey very worthwhile. Cheers Owen

Hi Frank, That planning decision was a real tough one; I have family up your way! There were a couple of other areas I wanted to visit as well, but couldn't. Unfortunately time constraints meant that dog-legging back to Longreach from FNQ was not possible this time around. That's not to say that it isn't firmly in my sights for the future. ;) Thanks for your support. Cheers Owen

The 'There and Back' Jabiru shows her new colours! Hi All, Here is the 'There and Back' Jabiru showing her special scheme for the flight. Read more at http://thereandback.com.au/?p=1345[/url] Cheers Owen

Hi Bas, Just overflying and capturing some footage for the DVD. Sir Hubert Wilkins contribution is too often forgotten and I thought it would be special to overfly his childhood home. Thanks again for staying in touch and I hope to see you in Adelaide. Cheers Owen

Hi Shags, Brisbane may well be an overfly, much in the way that I will fly past Sydney Harbour. I am planning to arrive at Caboolture around 0930 to position for the final sector to Bundaberg. I have received a number of emails from folks suggesting that they might fly along for that final stage as well. There's always the 'Hinkler Hall of Aviation' Hinkler Hall of Aviation to visit if you make the trip. I hope to see you at Caboolture as I will stop there for a while enroute. Cheers Owen

Hi All, Thanks for the messages of support; I hope to meet some of you on the way around. I am meeting up with some media at Kununurra, so I'll be there for a little longer than the standard fuel stop. I can't wait as that's my old 'stomping ground' from my charter days 20 years ago.....or more. I'll be dropping in at Caboolture too as I have mates there and I want to catch a few shots of Ralph Cusack's Beaufort that's under restoration. Some GoPro shots would be great too! Thanks again to one and all. Please keep the messages and emails coming and I'll endeavour to get back to everyone ASAP. See you soon, Owen

Hi All, My 'There and Back' departure from Bundaberg on May 5th is looming large. The flight around Australia in the Jabiru will consume most of the month, returning to Bundaberg on May 23rd. I'm listing the route below and would like to invite anyone along the way to come out and say g'day. For more precise timings, my position will be updated via satellite on the 'There and Back' website. Track My Flight | I am particularly keen to see any photos or film people might catch of the 'There and Back' Jabiru in flight. Obviously that's one angle my onboard cameras won't capture as well. :big_grin: Anyway, look at the route below and it would be great to say g'day. Cheers Owen 5 May: Bundaberg – Rockhampton – Emerald - Longreach 6 May: Longreach – Winton - Julia Creek – Cloncurry -Mt. Isa - Barkly Homestead 7 May: Barkly Homestead - Tennant Creek - Katherine (Tindal) - Darwin 8 May: Darwin – Kununurra – Derby - Broome 9 May: Broome - Port Hedland – Carnarvon - Kalbarri 10 May: Kalbarri – Geraldton - Perth. (Jandakot) 12 May: Perth(Jandakot) – Kalgoorlie - Forrest 13 May: Forrest - Ceduna - Streaky Bay - Port Lincoln. 14 May: Port Lincoln - Minlaton - Wilkins Homestead - Adelaide (Parafield) 15 May: Adelaide (Parafield) – Hamilton - King Island - Launceston 16 May: Launceston - Flinders Island - Point Cook 17 May: Point Cook – Wangaratta - Wagga Wagga – Temora - Canberra 19 May: Canberra – Wollongong - Stanwell Park – Mittagong 22 May: Mittagong – Sydney – Newcastle – Tamworth - Toowoomba 23 May: Toowoomba – Brisbane – Caboolture - Bundaberg P.S. Thanks to all who have donated via 'There and Back' to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We clocked up $2,000 for the RFDS today.

Counting down the days! One month to go until ‘There and Back’ departs Bundaberg on May 5th! I checked out the aircraft this weekend at Temora’s NATFLY and the Jabiru J230 looks fantastic. More importantly, it ran like a Swiss watch for the flight from Bundaberg. There was also an opportunity to assess the rig for the onboard HD camera and it promises to capture some great images on the way around Australia. Counting down the days! | Cheers Owen

Red Bull Air Race season 2010 is set to roar tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. Our own Matt Hall qualified 4th fastest. Go Matt! More details at; http://thereandback.com.au/?p=1107

Hi All, I was lucky enough to attend the Centenary Air Show last weekend, so now I'm busy downloading the images. As always, Chris Sperou was a highlight. Air Show Action! | Cheers Owen

Hi Tomo, The team from Jabiru at Bundaberg are flying the aircraft to Temora for NATFLY, so I'm not sure of their route and timing. I might see you there though as I am coming down over the weekend. Cheers Owen

Hi All, Despite the weather's best efforts to spoil the show, the 'There and Back' Jabiru has now completed it's test flying program. The wait for the May 5th departure now begins. For more on the completed J230D and its upcoming events, including NATFLY, check out | Thanks also for all of the good wishes I'm receiving from RA-Aus folks through the website. Cheers Owen

Hi All, The test flying of the Jabiru J230D is underway at Bundaberg and I hope to post some photos here and on the 'There and Back' gallery in the near future. The departure date of May 5th is looming closer and I can't wait. Check out the route and schedule and come out to say g'day when I'm in your part of the world. The Route | Also, after only a week, the online donation facility for the Royal Flying Doctor Service had nearly raised $1,000! Thanks to everyone who has chipped in. Every 'Dollar for the Doctor' counts. http://thereandback.com.au/?page_id=56 Thanks again, Owen

Thanks Dazza, I can't wait until she flies! I'll be sure to post here as soon as that happens. Cheers Owen

Hi All, Well, the 'There and Back' Jabiru was completed and ready to test fly this week. Unfortunately, the weather intervened and the first flight was not possible as evidenced in the photo from the team at Jabiru. With the aircraft ready and other aspects of organisation in full swing, the around Australia flight now seems to be just around the corner. The days to May 5th are counting down. Importantly, please note that we have also just launched our online donation facility for the RFDS. Please consider donating a 'dollar for the Doctor' and assist the RFDS in their great work. http://www.mycause.com.au/mycause/raise_money/fundraise.php?id=4389 Keep checking back for the latest updates at There and Back Cheers Owen

Hi All, There are more new images of the Jabiru J230D's progress as it comes together for the around Australia flight. The wings are now on and the systems are being readied for test flying. Check them out at Gallery | Cheers Owen

Hi All, There are new images of the Jabiru J230D's progress as it comes together for the around Australia flight. Check them out at http://thereandback.com.au/?page_id=847 Cheers Owen

Hi All, I've just put together a short vid on the Jabiru. It's a variety of airborne shots and some of the construction process for those that may be interested. Jabiru Dawn. | Cheers Owen