ask him how he was feeling now, having
flown across the continent on his own
and with so much flying still ahead of
him. “There are points when it’s been
hard, like when the weather caved in
around Cooktown. It was difficult to
get up the coast and stay VFR. But
to get myself out of trouble, I used
some of the old New Guinea flying
techniques, which were legal, and I’m
glad I’d had that training.”
But for the most part, he’s been
happy in the cockpit and loving the
adventure. “I have a good radio, a
transponder and a portable GPS
mounted with a decent screen which
suits me very well. I’m carrying an
iPad with me too, so I can pull up the
weather and NOTAMS, so that’s been
great. And I phone through a flight
plan every day.”
Here comes that big smile again.
“The thing about this trip is all the
magical things that have happened, like
you and Rossy helping me with my pegs,
and the old blokes who gave me a hand
at the Casino Aero Club when I called in
for a cup of tea. I’ve really met the most
wonderful people.”
Bert feels strongly about adhering
to the limitations of his RAA licence.
“You’ve noticed I have avoided all
the main airports. I believe I’m
obligated to, as the licence dictates
that I don’t f ly in controlled airspace
and that is the law.
“The RAA licence is a real boon to
pilots who would like to fly. But I’m
aware that now I’m 90, I’m not as
good as I was at 50. I sit up there
and listen to Qantas and the other
airliners broadcasting and I can
follow what they’re saying, but I know
I’m not as quick as I once was. Not
everybody agrees with how the licence
is applied, but I’m all for it, and the
fact that it allows me to legally fly an
aeroplane is wonderful.”
As I go to leave, Bert’s mobile rings and
he quips that it’s right on schedule, same
time every day. I nod my goodbye, happy
in the knowledge there’s a guardian angel
checking in with our inspirational solo
aviator so far from home.For Shelley’s full interview with
Bert, see flyingtheoutback.com.
au/blogABOVE: You’ll be
needing all that
bench space to
clean and gut your
haul before firing
up the barbie.
R IGH T: Under
guaranteed blue
skies, Kooljaman
makes it
memorable.australianflying.com.au 25
January - February 2015 AUSTRALIAN FLYING