DAVE SYKES COMPLETES UK-SYDNEY FLIGHT

16 Aug 2011

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BRITISH paraplegic pilot Dave Sykes has reached Sydney, Australia in his flex-wing microlight. It has taken Dave 120 days to fly from the UK to Sydney, through appalling weather at times.

On Dave's blog, he writes about the arrival in Sydney, filmed by Australian TV (click here), "A beautiful sunny day and very light winds – this is what I had wanted – no fighting with the bar for a change.

"As I headed into the harbour, I could see the bridge coming up and the Opera House sitting below it. I did as instructed and followed to the Southern Tower with the Opera House just below me to my left. I looked straight across at the top of the bridge and I could see people doing the bridge walk waving at me.

"Then I had to follow the river right up through the centre of Sydney to a race course before turning left and heading to Bankstown [Airport]. Still under 500ft, the view was very special and the TV crew helicopters were very close to me filming.

"I got cleared straight in on to runway 29 right, northern runway where a follow-me car was waiting. I followed that to Dick Smith's hanger where there were a host of different people waiting to meeting me.

"I turned the engine off and then TV crews came over, and Dick Smith came to say hello, and we had a good chat and talked to the media for a good 30 mins.

"Then I was presented with a plague from the Recreational Aviation Australia, in recognition of my flight from the UK to Australia, so a big thanks to everybody at the RAA for that, it is very much appreciated.

"And they have also pledged a cheque for the air ambulance, and also are putting up a scholarship for disabled flyers in Australia in my name – that brought a tear to my Eyes, THANK YOU."

From all at LOOP, a huge well done Dave!

LINK
Read Dave Sykes' blog here