Harry Oberscheider and dad Chris will represent Jerrabomberra later this year – thousands of metres into the sky. Photo: Harry Oberscheider.
Two Jerrabomberra locals spend more time in the air than most of us, and they’re putting that knowledge to good use.
Chris Oberscheider and his son, 14-year-old Harry, are based in Queanbeyan, but they often travel to Canberra – and beyond.
Chris started flying when he was 16 – “so before I could drive” – and holds a commercial pilot’s licence.
With Harry as co-pilot, the pair has already explored the NSW South Coast, and inland into Narromine, Mudgee and parts of Victoria for short visits.
“I can fly anywhere that’s willing to [let me] hire an aircraft,” Chris says.
“We can just grab our plane, do the checks that we need to do to get the clearance, and off we go. I’m a big believer that with flying, you want to do something [with your trips].”
In August, they will take on a new challenge when the Outback Air Race returns, competing against other teams through central Australia.
The race is held every three years and raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Chris says stories from a friend and fellow pilot revealed the impact – and struggles – of the RFDS.
“I went to university and did flight training with him, and he was a Royal Flying Doctor pilot,” he says.
“We used to hear the stories of what they do and how difficult it is for them to be able to continue to deliver the care that they do … logistically, geographically and financially.”
When the race starts in August, more than 40 aircraft will take flight at Uluru, in the Northern Territory, and land in Western Australia’s Carnarvon about two weeks later.
Each team will navigate its way across the remote terrain in stages.
In early July, Chris will head to Bankstown to pick up their plane for the race before flying it back to Canberra.
“I’ve selected the plane specifically for the air race,” he says. ”It’s a robust type of aircraft and has a little bit of a longer range [than what we normally fly].
“It can carry a bit more weight – with two of us it isn’t super critical, but it means we can carry more fuel.”
Chris will be flying the plane while Harry keeps careful watch on what his dad describes as a “glorified iPad”.
“I’ve told Harry our aim is to not finish last!”
Harry’s job will be to keep the Oberscheiders on track during the race. Photo: Chris Oberscheider.
Harry says he’s been studying the route to prepare for his longest trip.
“You have to nominate a [travel time] between Point A and Point B … I would say that we need to pull the throttle back, or we need to go left a few degrees to keep us on track,” he says.
“I thought it’d be a good experience because I’ve always wanted to see what the other side of Australia is like … [it will be] a good bonding experience.”
But before the duo can taxi down the runway, Chris and Harry have soared past their initial $5000 fundraising goal.
They’ve already raised more than $7000 for the RFDS.
Chris has been “blown away” by the support, but says there’s more to come.
“We’ve done a Bunnings sausage sizzle, we’ve done talks to Harry’s school,” Chris says.
“Our focus is trying to find a sponsor [to help cover the costs of the race] … we’re trying to find someone that has a link to the regional community.”
Donate to the Q-Town Jets through their fundraising page, or learn more about the Outback Air Race online.
