20th anniversary of Oz Flight '99 - a flight around Australia's coast

20 years ago today, on the 3rd July 1999, I set off on a life-changing flight around the coast of Australia (mainland and Tasmania).
I'm a private pilot, not commercial or instrument rated, and when I set off I had only 400 hours flying time. But at 46 it was time for me to follow my dream.
It was a real roller coaster of a flight, with just 5% sponsorship and no partner or manager to share the load.
However, the main lessons learnt were: if you wait for ideal conditions before you attempt anything, then you'll probably never do anything, and if you want to achieve something badly enough then just persevere until you reach your goal.
The pics attached highlight not only the book about the flight but also places in Western Australia which I intend to revisit.

 
 

I invite you to join me on my next adventure by following https://www.onwingsandwheels.com/p/about.html and www.facebook.com/onwingsandwheels

Flyabout around Australia's Coast - Port Hedland

Port Hedland, Western Australia, was one of the places I landed at during my flyabout around Australia's coast.

I actually landed here twice (the airport is in the top left of the photo). The first time was on the leg from Broome and the second time after a detour inland to Newman and Karijini National Park with my friend, Ken Wansbrough.

When some people first see this photo they think that it's farm land with the various paddocks. However, it's salt pans. Some bright spark once commented about the different colours "So that's how they make celery salt and garlic salt as well as sea salt!"


Here's some more information about the salt http://www.dampiersalt.com.au/ENG/sales/1148_port_hedland.asp