Wings without Barriers

On the 22nd of December, I made the trip to Esperance. It was a shorter flight, and I departed a little later as I had some things to do on the ground- taking NCO out of the hangar and refuelling. I also got to chat with the President of the Aero club there. I arrived in Esperance around midday and was glad that I wasn’t delayed any further, because the winds picked up after I landed. In those strong conditions, I’m definitely happy to be on the ground rather than trying to land!

I wasn’t on my own at Esperance and I had the incredible honour of being greeted on the ground by someone who has a lot in common with me. Hayden Mcdonald is another young aviator who has just completed his solo circumnavigation of the country. He met me at the airport and I had the opportunity to see his Jabiru 7315 at Myup. I really enjoyed spending time together and hanging out, as I think we both completely understood the other’s experience of taking a small aeroplane around the country.

Hayden and family were really accomodating, especially this close to Christmas, as I stayed with them for the evening. I particularly loved going out to get dinner with Hayden, his mum Fleur, grandparents, sister and partner. The whole family were really wonderful to me, and I loved the smaller moments- such as flight planning whilst drinking tea at the kitchen table.

Even better, I had the opportunity to fly with Hayden on the morning of my departure! I was up early to ferry NCO over to Myup where we took photos of the two aircraft and then went up for a fly, Hayden accompanying me in his Jabiru for the first 25 miles of my departing leg.