Page 96 - AA 2018_11

For Daley, the Lake Argyle At the time of writing. Daley was Team Atom in Vans RV‑6 VH‑ZKV. was made up of Ken Doncon, Peter
experience achieved an ambition he had on the final leg of a trip home to NSW, stuart payne Bennett, Len Morton and Ray Ness.
spelled out when seeking sponsorship close to three weeks after the end of This year, the race with 38 aircraft
for his team effort in the 2018 race, he the event, after spending time making and more than 85 crew, is forecast to
was candid in wanting to be the first the most of the trip home from earn around $550,000. Overall, to
pilot to take off from Lake Argyle. Broome. date, the race has raised more than
Later, in speaking with Australian The Outback Air Race 2018 is $2.5 million for the RFDS.
Aviation, modesty prevailed and he on the way to registering an event Contemporary teams, with
admitted that he could not claim to be record for the RFDS, the world’s inventive team names, raise money via
the first. “Who knows”? he asked. largest aeromedical organisation, with sponsorship through the Every Day
“Yes,” he said, the Lake Argyle $516,647 already in the kitty. Hero charitable contribution access
experience was special. But his The OAR is described as a “unique point. And to make it fair for all, the
particular highlight came after triennial aeronautical challenge held race is based more on navigational
the race destination days before at across the remote Australian Outback, prowess and accuracy rather than
Longreach. guaranteed to cover some of the speed.
“The Thomson River was most scenic, rugged and spectacular That delivers a level playing field
enormous fun. geography and iconic townships ‘It is not for the slowest amateur-built or
“I went out on a cruise boat with in Australia.” The inaugural Mobil vintage aircraft as well as the fastest.
the rest of the air race people so had Outback Air Race was held from strictly a race As the race instructions point out
the opportunity to survey it from water August 10-24 1996. Twenty-nine it “is not strictly a race but rather a
level. It was surprisingly wide and Flying Doctor Service before leaving but rather a time trial and navigation exercise”.
teams raised $130,000 for the Royal
surprisingly straight in a lot of areas Competitors accrue points by correctly
and so I thought, gee, I might come Jandakot, with further funds raised time trial and estimating the time it will take to fly
over here tomorrow and have a splash along the way. from a designated visual start point to
in the water.” ‘Flynn’s Flyers’ were crowned navigation a designated visual endpoint as well
So he did. Charity Queens at a gala ball in as the accuracy in locating and flying
“And then we had a splash in the Geraldton after a fantastic effort exercise.’ over each point.
dam at Mount Isa as well.” to raise over $23,000. The team “Waypoints are identified with

96 AUSTRALIAN AVIATION