Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover to feature famous Explorers’ descendants

Organisers of the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover have downsized plans to see more than 200 aircraft follow the path trodden by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth two centuries ago.

But while a shortfall of participants and financial backing has forced the downsizing of the event, the flyover, on Saturday May 25 this year, has been boosted by the support of several descendants of the explorers who will take part in participating aircraft, alongside the renowned RAAF aerobatic team, the Roulettes, and German aviation legend Matthias Dolderer.

More than 35 civilian pilots have so far registered their interest in participating in the event, flying the same route travelled by the famous explorers, from Emu Plains through the Blue Mountains to Mount York. The aircraft will then go via O’Connell and on to Bathurst where the Bathurst Aero Club will host a BBQ for all participants in the flyover.

A major viewing site and air activities will be at Melrose Park in Katoomba. Along with Melrose Park there will be 12 other recommended live viewing sites along the route.

Businesses Supporting the Bicentenary Director Phil Hammon said that he was very excited at the inclusion of the descendants, and looking forward to their reaction at viewing their ancestors’ route from the air.

“We still have every intention of making this event something to remember the Bicentenary by, and to thank those that have backed the event and commemorated the achievements of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth,” Mr Hammon said.

“There is no doubt that those pilots that participate and the relatives of the explorers will be impressed by the beauty of the Blue Mountains and the courage of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth.

“It will also be a great spectacle for the people that view the aircraft flying overhead from Melrose Park or anywhere else along the route that can be found at www.visitbyroad.com.au.”

Flyover coordinator Matt Hall said he was still able to include further aircraft and pilots to fly alongside those already committed.

“We are honoured to have some of the descendants of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth joining in the flyover and have room for more pilots to join them,” Hall said.

“Interested parties can read more about the event and download a registration pack at www.matthallracing.com.”

Hall is currently working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to allow participating pilots to brief for the flyover via video rather than in person.

“I am talking to CASA about making things as safe as possible and one way is to have a video brief available that pilots can look at over and over to ensure they are on the right page,” Hall said.

“That way pilots won’t have to make plans to fly into an out of the way airport for a brief and can just meet us in the air at the right place and time on route.”

Whilst some areas of support for the event have fallen short of forecasts, aviation insurer QBE has come forward to offer all participants, regardless of whether they are QBE clients or not, top up cover to $10million for their liability insurance.

The flyover will be part of the Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary 2013-2015 program of events to mark the first recognised European crossing of the mountains by Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth.

For more information about the Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary 2013-2015: www.bluemountainscrossings.com.au or visit the Flyover’s facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/BlueMountainsBicentenaryFlyover

Schedule Update: Matt Hall starts to fill 2013 schedule

With February already upon us Matt Hall Racing are pleased to release the updated 2013 schedule.

The new list of events includes six events courtesy of QBE, a return to the V8 Supercars for their Symmons Plains round and the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover.

The schedule release comes just weeks after Hall launched his biography, The Sky Is Not The Limit.

Hall said he was excited for what lay ahead, starting with the Australian International Airshow at Avalon later this month.

“Things are really starting to take shape for 2013 and Avalon is going to be huge,” Hall said.

“We will be doing a number of appearances for QBE and will also be at the Matt Hall Racing stand in the general aviation area each day.”

Remember Matt’s displays at the 2011 Avalon shows

 

Hall also said while Avalon was a major highlight on any aviation calendar, things only get busier for him after the Victorian show.

“We have joined forces with QBE and will have an announcement regarding that partnership soon. We are also looking to display at several more V8 Supercar rounds and have a number of other opportunities to display the aircraft and talk to corporate groups in the pipeline.

“Perhaps the most exciting thing however is the Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover. It is shaping as such a unique event that I have had interest from all over Australia and even from a few pilots overseas. People have until April to officially register and can get an information kit with an application form by emailing joyflights@matthallracing.com.”

1813Flyover-LOGO-HZ web

While Hall is busy moving around the country the Matt Hall Racing joy flight operation will be offering joy flights at various locations, including the home base hangar at Maitland. The joy flight aircraft – the super slick Extra 300L – will be in Melbourne and available for flights from Tuesday February 19 for six days. Enquiries via joyflights@matthallracing.com.

 

Matt to join action at Top Gear Festival in Sydney

Today the official schedule for the greatest outdoor motoring festival on earth was unveiled with Matt Hall as one of the star attractions.

Hall will fly in a Car v Plane race at the first ever Top Gear Festival Sydney taking place at Sydney Motorsport Park, Eastern Creek – for one weekend only – and only in Sydney on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March 2013.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and The Stig will be joined by Australian co-host Shane Jacobson and a host of international celebrities as they descend on the newly refurbished Sydney Motorsport Park with over 9 hours of live automotive mayhem each day across two race circuits and live action zones.
For the first time ever on a Sydney track the Red Bull Racing Formula One team together with Mark Webber will take pole position on the new and extended Circuit. As well as attempting to break the lap record they’ll be squaring off against reigning V8 Supercars champion Jamie Whincup and racing legend Craig Lowndes in The Ultimate Race: F1 Vs V8.
It will be a weekend of motoring firsts as Clarkson throws down the gauntlet to various forms of transport in Clarkson Vs, James May attempts to speed up the Express Postal service with help from a few MotoGP legends with the Postie Bike Challenge, and The Stig sets power lap times in some of the rarest supercars the country has ever seen. Alongside the opening round of 2013 racing for the Touring Car Masters series featuring John Bowe and Jim Richards, and Radical Australia Cup, a world renowned athlete will be taking on Clarkson in a 100m race and we will see if we can get a man to jump a Lamborghini at 100kph
Three celebrity teams will battle it out in the inaugural Tri-Nation’s Cup; a series of motoring challenges that risk life and limb, but ends in glory and possibly a small trophy for the winners. Australia wil be lead by Craig Lowndes, New Zealand skippered by Fabian Coulthard and the rest of the world captained by none other than The Stig. If that’s not enough we’ll be running myPlates Star in a Reasonably Priced Car challenge  each day on the technical 1.8km myPlates South Circuit. Australian Socceroo Brett Emerton, Olympic Gold medalist Steve Hooker, cricketing legend and TV personality Michael Slater, Channel 9 reporters Roz Kelly and Emma Freedman and the Triple M Grill Team boys Matty Johns, Gus Worland and Mark Geyer are just a few of the celebrities who will test their limits behind the wheel of our reasonably priced car.
If it’s got wheels and an engine we’ll be pitching it into battles on track. Former F1 World Champion Alan Jones will be setting his 1980 Williams F1 car against Bathhurst legend Colin Bond in Alan Moffat’s 1977 Ford Falcon. Jamie Whincup will be taking on aerobatic  pilot Matt Hall to settle which is faster round the track In the Car vs Plane Race. And we’ll be attempting to jet power Clarkson so he can drag race himself down the main straight…
Australia is only the second country in the world to host a Top Gear Festival, and it will only take place in Sydney. Across the Festival weekend the Yokohama Stunts & Jumps Zone will feature extreme stunt rider Matt Mingay, Showtime FMX with their own brand of insane freestyle motocross action, Jack Field and the Flair Action Riders, and Stunt Driving School  offering visitors the chance for a white knuckle ride.
Sixteen of Australia’s finest drifters will also take to the myPlates South Circuit in the Just Cars Drifting sessions to tear it up and show the true extremes of drifting lead by Beau Yates, Luke Fink and Rob Whyte. World famous Deus Ex Machina will take to the track, with on-track parades daily to include their world famous creations.
The Variety Family Zone will be filled with fun and entertainment for the younger generation; Land Rover Discovery and freestyle trial bike will be showcasing their skills on the brutal Onsite Rental Group Off-Road Challenge; and there’s a wide range of delicious food and drink experiences, including cider gardens, all combining to create an unmissable weekend.
Jeremy Clarkson was quoted as saying, “it’s another chance for us whinging poms to get sunburnt and attacked by spiders” when Sydney was sighted as the perfect place to host the massive outdoor track festival.
Top Gear Live Creative Director, Rowland French, said “as usual we’ve made it as ambitious as humanly possible, and if we pull it off this will be our greatest festival yet. Nowhere else in the world allows petrolheads to witness Top Gear challenges from the comfort of their own piece of sun drenched grass. What could possibly go wrong, right?”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, is proud that Sydney was chosen as a global location for the Festival, saying, “The exciting line-up of world-class motoring action and driving talent at Top Gear Festival Sydney 2013 offers festival-goers from Sydney, interstate and overseas a fantastic weekend for the whole family at Sydney Motorsport Park.
I encourage everyone to experience this wonderful live outdoor event based on the internationally renowned Top Gear television program and successful live arena shows right here in NSW.
“The New South Wales Government is committed to building and delivering the best major events calendar in the country and events like Top Gear Festival Sydney, ensure that we continue to deliver on that promise.”
The Festival is open from 8am till 6pm each day, with free CityRail public transport available on presentation of a valid Festival ticket. The closest station is Blacktown, and shuttles will run all day to and from Sydney Motorsport Park.
Tickets start from just $29.00 for a child’s General Admission, and $79.00 for an adult’s General Admission.  Discounted Family General Admission Packages are also available and start at $180.00 for x2 adults and x2 children (4 – 12 year olds).
Tickets are available from Ticketek – 132 849 - http://www.ticketek.com.au/topgear
In Australia, Top Gear series 19 can be seen first on Foxtel’s BBC Knowledge from Sunday February 3 at 7:30pm (AEDT) and then on the Nine Network and Go!
Top Gear Festival Sydney is proudly supported by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and is a key event on the NSW Events Calendar.
SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK – Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Sky Is Not The Limit: SNEAK PEEK

The Sky Is Not The Limit – the life of Australia’s Top Gun written by Matt Hall and co-authored by David Lyall, is a walk through the extraordinary life of Matt Hall.

The biography, that has been a lifetime in the making and two years in writing and editing, will give readers an insight into Matt’s love affair with aviation, his time in the Air Force including a graphic account of his service in combat over Iraq, the trials and tribulations of the Red Bull Air Race and Matt’s lessons on chasing your dreams.

The thrill-a-minute tome, with a forward by Air Marshall Geoff Brown AO, the Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force, will captivate, inspire and entertain, all the while encouraging the reader to be the best they can be at whatever they choose.

The book, published by ABC Books, will be in stores on January 29, 2013 and the RRP is $32.99. Matt will also be travelling the country promoting the book in February including at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Melbourne. E-books are also available from the usual suppliers.

For a sneak peek of The Sky Is Not The Limit, click here.

Hall to coordinate massive flyover

A flyover of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Bathurst involving up to 300 different aircraft is being planned as part of the activities marking the Bicentenary of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth’s Blue Mountains crossing.

It is hoped that everything from helicopters to small private fixed wing aircraft to World War ll fighters and modern day military jets will take part in the event on May 25 next year.

Organisers are working with the RAAF for their assistance with resources such as staging areas and aircraft participation. Once airborne participants will follow a similar path to that blazed by the three explorers in 1813 with viewing areas planned for Penrith, Glenbrook, Springwood, Hazelbrook, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, Blackheath, Mt York, Lithgow and Bathurst.

Former RAAF Wing Commander Matt Hall, Australia’s leading aerobatic display pilot, is coordinating the event on behalf of Businesses Supporting the Bicentenary and Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism.

Discussions are also underway about a public event at Bathurst Airport where the flyover will conclude, allowing spectators to see the aircraft on the ground, take joyflights and purchase memorabilia.

Businesses Supporting the Bicentenary director Philip Hammon, who owns Scenic World at Katoomba, came up with the idea of a flyover to enable thousands of people to view the event and celebrate the Bicentenary from within their local communities.

“A flyover is something that demonstrates just how far we have come in the last 200 years since Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth made their historic journey,” Mr Hammon said.

“With viewing areas all the way from Penrith through the Blue Mountains to Bathurst people will be able to see what is going to be a spectacular event that the entire community can get involved in.”

Hall, who served time in combat over Iraq while on exchange with the US Air Force in 2003, said the flyover had the potential to be one of the largest gatherings of aircraft in Australian history.

“We are looking for aviators with aircraft of all shapes and sizes to be involved in what will be a truly unique experience,” Hall said.

“To be involved in a co-ordinated flyover like this is something that’ll be pretty cool and we will be calling for participants before the end of the year.”

Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism chairman Randall Walker congratulated Mr Hammon on instigating the flyover.

“This event promises to be one of the most spectacular ever to have occurred in the Blue Mountains. To celebrate a crossing by foot 200 years ago with a crossing by air, with historic aircraft will be an unforgettable experience,” Mr Walker said.

“To celebrate one milestone in the nation’s history by creating another is a wonderful masterstroke of visionary Philip Hammon.”

For more info on the Blue Mountains Crossing Bicentenary: www.bluemountainscrossings.com.au

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BlueMountainsBicentenaryFlyover

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMBFlyover

Matt Says: October 30, 2012

I am currently sitting in my hangar about to do an interview for Wish magazine then take the editor for a quick run in the Extra, and thought I would take a moment to quickly put together a summary of the last few weeks.

As mentioned in my last posting, we have a few things on the go that we had not talked about just yet. Well if you follow us on our facebook, twitter or website, you will no doubt be aware of the latest announcements we have made.

We have been successful in securing the next 2 years doing the New Years Eve celebration displays over Sydney Harbour, this year putting up a formation in the first display. Once again, we are really looking forward to that. I just completed the CASA application, and one of the required fields is number of spectators expected. It is the first time I have written 1 000 000 in that area!

We have also announced the book we have been working on over the last year or two. A biography, co-authored by my Operations Manager Dave Lyall, which follows through all the processes I have been through and developed in achieving my dreams and goals to date. The release date for the book is 22 Jan, in the lead up to the Australian International Air Show, which should fit well!

Otherwise, I have still been working on my Helicopter CPL, with one exam remaining and about 10 hours flying. My aim is to have all this completed (time allowing) by the end of the year.

I followed through with some more coaching and flights in Echuca, and been quite busy setting up a few more events and developments for next year (you will have to wait to find out what they are!).

On the family side of things, we have been watching Mitchell take up a love for cricket, just like any Aussie kid, and enjoying playing some back yard cricket. We took the opportunity to fly a chopper down to my sponsor’s house for lunch (landed in his front yard!), and then had a game a cricket there too!! Just like what I used to do when growing up (apart from the helicopter bit).

A busy week coming up, then off to Malaysia early next week for some more aerobatic coaching, prior to returning for a full end of November with 3 keynote speeches, 1 display, and a heap of joyflights.

Talk soon.

Matt.

Hall set to brighten New Years Eve showpiece

For the third year in succession Merewether-based aviator Matt Hall will provide the pre-fireworks entertainment over Sydney Harbour for the City of Sydney’s world-renowned New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Hall will fly his MXS-R in formation with team newcomer Dan O’Donnell piloting the Matt Hall Racing Extra 300L for the evening’s first display at 6pm before returning to the sky overhead the pristine harbour for a dynamic low-level solo routine at 8pm before the night’s two fireworks displays.

It is the first time in his three years with the City of Sydney showpiece that Hall has included a formation routine and the former RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor is brimming with excitement about the night.

“It goes without saying that New Years Eve is my favourite event of the year because it’s not every day you fly right over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then get to perform low level aerobatics within a stone’s throw from the Bridge, the Opera House, Fort Denison and a million people,” Hall said.

“To be able to bring a second aircraft this year and have Dan there with me flying formation in the Extra just makes it even more special.

“We’ll simulate a few races, do some basic dog fighting routines and generally show off what both aircraft can do before I come back at 8pm and display in the MXS which is the fastest, most powerful and manoeuvrable aerobatic aircraft in the country.”

The New Year’s Eve displays will close a busy 2012 for Hall and provide the perfect segue to 2013 where he will be one of the headline acts at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon near Melbourne, release his biography and continue to grow his burgeoning Maitland based joy flight business.

Watch highlights of Matt’s 2011 New Years Eve display here:

Matt Hall will return to the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in 2013

Matt at Avalon 2011 by Peter Redmond

Matt Hall Racing is pleased to announce that Matt will be displaying his MXS-R at the 2013 Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria.

‘Avalon’ – that will run from February 26 – March 3 – is the biggest aviation event in the southern hemisphere and a must see on the calendar of airshow enthusiasts the world over.

Hall displayed the MXS-R to a rousing reception at the 2011 Australian International Airshow at Avalon and is honoured to have been invited back to perform.

“Avalon is the number one ticket on the Australian airshow scene and is considered a major event globally, so to be able to perform for the second time in a row is fantastic,” Hall said.

“There are not as many airshows in Australia as there are in other parts of the world but Avalon just about makes up for it.

“It’s a massive week with the aerospace and defence exposition and the airshow and I am looking forward to not only performing a new routine in the MXS, but meeting as many people as possible and talking about aviation.”

The event will mark a busy time for Hall as it follows on from the early February launch of his biography – a true account of the life and times of Australia’s real Top Gun.

For more information on the 2013 Australian International Airshow, click here.