edgray

Hi to you on this adventure. I have just joined your forum, found whilst browsing for some prop information. Your planned trip caught my eye as I have been considering the possibility myself. In september 07 I undertook a 1600 km xc across NSW, with a mate , on Flykes unsupported raising money and awareness for cancer research fund raising venture 'Relay for Life'. It was quite a trip, we met many lovely people and had lots of laughs but it was very difficult to keep to any sort of schedule. We were going to the 10th annual Pico-light (ppg oz talk) convention, just out of Wagga Wagga in NSW. We did make it arriving on the morning of the first day but did a lot of headwind road miles and a fair bit of bush mechanic-ing along the way. I am interested in what you are planing and extend an offer of support to you. I have a fair knowledge of most of the route though have only been up to cape york north of the Daintree by sea. I have been flying HG since '77 PG since '99 and PPG for 4 years. I have a good network of contacts within the flying community including the admin side. To do any aerial work of this sort you will need an 'air operators certificate' issued by CASA. They are available by jumping through many hoops over a protracted time. It would be the first bit of red tape to get moving on. Will Gadd recently did some paramotoring whilst filming on the Barrier reef for a Discovery Channel doco. The permissions and logistics for it were quite extensive and I think they opted to work through a Helicopter charter company who has one. An expensive option. Your route would be over and through Native title land which would require sensitive negotiation, but again a must have. Local councils along the planned route also will have their greasy palms out. your plan is ambitious (I like that), weather dependent (8 weeks will be pretty tight) but most importantly great fun. Good Luck !! Regards Eddie