SUBSEQUENT TRIP REQUEST: 5th flight.

Thirteen year old Sally from Broulee near Moruya has Leukaemia and is undergoing chemotherapy at the Sydney Childrens Hospital. The distance of travel by car is very taxing on Sally and financial constraints on the family are making things hard for them. This Angel flight helped make things a bit easier.

Peter Gibson - Pilot

A Country Care Link volunteer driver was the Earth Angel
(CCL's 300th Angel flight)

Angel flight 1 by Peter Gibson
This is Peter's 38th Angel flight

Comment by Peter

"Pleased to report, all were delivered to Ronald MacDonald House in Randwick safely, but rather later than originally planned. The flight was initially delayed due to the need for some tests before Sally was allowed to fly. This unfortunately left us in a somewhat marginal weather situation.

On my first attempt to leave Moruya with Sally and her mum Jenny on board, as we approached Nowra Control Zone, I was warned by Air Traffic Control that there were several large 'angry looking' storm cells with hail approaching Nowra from the west and that they would arrive at Nowra about the same time as we would. Although the forecast indicated this would be the only chance to get through to Bankstown that day, I decided we had no choice but to turn back to Moruya.

When we landed back at Moruya, we deliberated on what to do but it seemed we would not be able to do much and so Col, Jenny and Sally kindly took me back for luch at their place in Broulee. From there, I phoned Louise in the Sydney Met Office, who confirmed that the weather in Sydney was indeed very ugly and Bankstown had current and active thunderstorms and was restricted, but she advised me to ring back in about half an hour as there may be a 'window'. When I did so, Lousie had found us a window! I quickly put in an IFR plan and we rushed back to the airport, jumped in the plane and headed for Wedderburn.

The good thing was that Sally's sister decided to join us for the trip to Sydney. Now I had 3 beautiful young ladies (and their baggage!) to transport. As we followed the coast north, Louises's predicted corridor was there but there was some very black angry looking weather out to the west, which ominously closed up behind us as we progressed north. However, we were able to stay clear of cloud most of the way.

We landed safely at Wedderburn, had a quick drink in the Wedderburn clubhouse and an easy drive to Randwick via Sydney's M5. Apologies to Brian the Earth Angel for not making it and having a wasted trip to Bankstown. Thanks to Louise and a very helpful Rex crew at Moruya for help in finding a way around the weather. Total flying time: 2.7 hours."