Paramotoring pilots attempt world record flight across Australia – صحيفة الصوت

Paramotoring pilots Tim Rowlinson, David Tymms and Gary Bell are ready for an expedition of a lifetime as they prepare to fly across Australia from Western Australia to the east coast. 

“It’s something that’s never been done before by anybody,” Mr Rowlinson said.

Paramotoring — also known as powered paragliding — uses a harness, engine and paraglider to thrust the pilot into the air, reaching speeds between 40 to 60 kilometres per hour.

The trio arrived in Kalbarri, about 570 kilometres north of Perth, earlier this week.

They said people had been fascinated to see them practice flying along the foreshore.

Paramotoring without boundaries 

Mr Tymms, from Victoria, said he felt privileged to see the world from a motorised chair.

He said he had been gliding over the Pink Lake in Port Gregory and spotting whales along the coast.

“So, for all three of us to get together and go flying across this great country is very special,” he said.

Mr Tymms, who has been paramotoring for seven years, is also a paraplegic.

He said there were no barriers when he flew.

“It gives a few extra challenges taking off and flying, but there’s no difference from these guys,” he said.

Mr Tymms said paramotoring was a niche sport in Australia and there weren’t many licensed pilots.

“Flying is very special, for all of us,” he said.

“We’re a couple of very few pilots, there’s roughly about 350 paramotor pilots in Australia.”

Flying for a purpose

The trio will also be raising money for men’s mental health and wellbeing charity Grab Life By The Balls.

Mr Bell, from New South Wales, said he wanted to inspire others to live life after he survived a brain tumour nine years ago.

“So many people have got their dreams in the shed, they’ve got lots of them, they’ve got sports cars they don’t even register anymore … people keep working and don’t actually follow their dreams.”

When the journey begins

The trio hope to take off from Kalbarri tomorrow, if weather conditions are ideal.

“That’ll be the first flight in what I hope to be maybe 100 flights across the country,” Mr Rowlinson said.

He said the trip would take about two months.

His team has also applied to have the feat recorded by Guinness World Records.

“I just want to try and get across in one piece, achieve that goal as my main aim,” he said.

They will have live trackers for people to follow along the journey.

“It’s really special for us, a special world out there and it’s not on the lounge,” Mr Bell said.