Continuing the legacy of their 2023 SFC Air Race for Angel Flight, which raised $20,000 for the charity, this year the goal has been ambitiously raised to $100,000.
A convoy of passionate aviators will take off on Friday, May 3, including student-pilot Nadia Ballantine-Jones, who says aviation has always been a part of her life thanks to having a mother who worked for Pan American World Airways.
With 50 hours’ flying experience under her belt, Nadia is determined to become the most respected female Flight Instructor in Australia.
Not shy of a challenge, she was quick to jump on board the SFC Air Race when encouraged by SFC’s Head of Club Events, Lynda Hamilton.
“In August 2023, I changed flying schools to SFC and was welcomed with open arms,” Nadia said.
“I was invited to join the Australian Women Pilots’ Association and have applied for a scholarship to assist in my aviation pursuits.
“When Lynda invited me to join the SFC Air Race I jumped at it, seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, travelling across outback Australia while raising money for Angel Flight, a lifeline for so many; the bonus is I get real-life flight planning and navigation experience.”
The SFC Air Race comprises 15 teams who will fly around Australia’s outback, including St George, Roma, Longreach, Charleville, Tibooburra and Lightning Ridge, using their navigational skills to compete to win each leg, returning to Bankstown on May 10.
Nadia is co-piloting a Cirrus aircraft SR22 model (VH-OMG) in Team ‘SR22 Racers’ and has to date raised $2,200 with an additional $2,000 flying through the door this week.
To support Nadia’s team: sfcairrace.com.au/t/sr-22-racers
Nadia taking off to fundraise for charity
LEADING Australian flight training academy and flight club, Bankstown Aerodrome’s Sydney Flight College (SFC), is hosting an air race across regional Australia next month to raise funds for Angel Flight, a non-emergency medical transport organisation funded entirely by donations.
