AN aircraft built in a farm shed will be put to the test in the name of charity.
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Andrew and Fiona Hamilton of Rose Vale, Illabo are preparing for the Outback Air Race – a fund-raising event for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
In addition to being a farmer, Mr Hamilton is a qualified pilot and he began the project in his shed when the first parts of a plane arrived in 2003.
Since finishing building the plane in 2008, Mr Hamilton has flown to every Australian state, except Tasmania.
The plane, which looks no different from something you’d see at Wagga, Sydney or Canberra airports, will take the Hamiltons on a journey from South Australia to Queensland and the Northern Territory over 10 days.
The two-seater plane contains a 180-horsepower engine, which can cruise at 180 knots, or 300 to 350 km/h.
Some sponsors have already been secured to help the Hamiltons on their way to the fund-raising goal of $10,000 for the RFDS.
But to help reach their goal, the To help reach their goal, the Hamiltons have organised an auction and gourmet pizza night at the Illabo Hotel ‘n’ General Store on Saturday, August 4. From 6pm, locals can enjoy a tasty pizza and a beverage, relax after the Riverina Schoolboys carnival and help raise funds.
For catering purposes residents are encouraged to RSVP to Fiona Hamtilon on 0428 245 446 or the Illabo Hotel on 6924 5409.