While not technically a 'race', the aircraft and aviators compete in a GPS-based navigation time trial which will take them throughout the remote Australian outback. During each leg, pilots nominate an elapsed time between two visual waypoints, receiving points for both time and location accuracy.
Approximately 100 competitors in 37 aircraft departed in 3-minute intervals from Archerfield on Sunday morning and ventured via the coast up to Bundaberg Airport where they were welcomed by the local Bundaberg Aero Club who were hosting an Open Day at the Airport.
On Monday 20 August, after an afternoon and evening of entertainment, all 37 aircraft departed Bundaberg Airport for Longreach Airport with one aircraft – Western Australian-based Van's RV-7A VH-ZIC – nominating a really scenic route via Hamilton Island Airport!
Competitors will now enjoy a lay day before continuing to Mount Isa on Wednesday 22 August. From there, the Air Race will see competitors and their aircraft fly through the Northern Territory and into Western Australia where the race will end in Broome on Friday 31 August.
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| UPDATE! VH-ZIC also got creative while flying from Longreach to Mount Isa! |
The Classic Safari Company Outback Air Race is held every three years and exists to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS). Since 1996, competitors and spectators have raised over $2.1 million, with funds from each race going towards outfitting RFDS aircraft with essential medical equipment, vital for treating sick and injured patients.
You can check out some great photos and other highlights of the entire race on the SOAR website: http://www.outbackairrace.com.au/
We wish all the participants the very best of luck in their flights and urge you to support this great cause!
Sincere thanks to the Bundaberg Aero Club for allowing us to share their images from Sunday's Open Day!
UPDATE! Thanks to local aviator and aircraft enthusiast, Russell Legg, here is a list of participants that were noted parked at on the Tindal General Aviation (GA) Apron in the Northern Territory on Sunday 26 August:
The 2018 event participants (36) tied down at Tindal GA as of 1700 local were (listed in order of Race #):
1 VH-EIL Cessna 182Q
2 VH-SJT Mooney M20J
3 VH-IPF SOCATA Trinidad TB-20
4 VH-PYH Cessna T210N
5 VH-OMB Van's RV-7
6 VH-WKG Piper PA-32RT-300T
7 VH-WOB Van's RV-7
8 VH-LHH Sling LSA
9 VH-STF Piper PA24-260
10 VH-ZIC Van's RV-7A
13 VH-DTQ Raytheon A36
14 VH-FCI Cessna 172RG
15 VH-RCK Cessna 172M
16 VH-CMO Mooney M20J
17 VH-ZKV Van's RV-6
18 VH-HWM Cessna 182Q
19 VH-WWW SOCATA Tobago TB-10
21 VH-DKY Cessna 310J
22 VH-SFH Cessna 182Q
24 VH-JCU Cessna R182
26 VH-JJO Cessna U206G
27 VH-XQQ Van's RV-14A
28 VH-CAI Mooney M20J
32 VH-CKS Zenith Zodiac 601 XLB TD
34 VH-TZT Lake LA4-200
35 VH-IXI Amateur T-18
36 VH-FSC Cirrus SR-20
37 23-1160 Bristell
39 VH-GWW Piper PA-32R-300
40 VH-RMM Beech A36
42 VH-EON Piper PA-22-108
45 VH-KTE Cessna 210N
48 VH-YLA Cirrus SR-22
49 VH-PGX Van's RV-10
50 19-8850 Savannah
51 24-8514 Sling 2
Participant #11 - VH-FGE Piper PA-28R-201T - appears to have stopped at Adels Grove and the remaining gaps were non-starters.
Each aircraft has a race sticker/number and several had additional and numerous sponsor/fundraising stickers/motifs.
The official race number/sticker layout included motifs/titles representing: 'Outback Air Race 2018', 'Proudly Supporting 90 Years - Royal Flying Doctor Service', 'The Classic Safari Company', 'Recharge' & 'CASA'.
Thanks Russell!
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