Three flight simulators representing various periods in Australia’s aviation history have been installed in Hinkler Hall of Aviation, with ties to Bert Hinkler’s life.
Bundaberg Regional Council Economic Development portfolio spokesperson Cr Greg Barnes said he had no doubt the new exhibition would be sending the imaginations of kids and adults alike sky-high.
“He’s Bundaberg’s most famous son and now all of the region’s residents have the opportunity to fly like Bert!” Cr Barnes said.
“The installation of these interactive displays is a huge milestone for our Hinkler Hall of Aviation, particularly as it features a simulation of the de Havilland Puss Moth which is the aircraft in which Bert made his daring flight to become the first person to fly solo across the South Atlantic.
“This treacherous journey, flown in extremely bad weather, won Bert a number of prestigious awards and went a long way towards showcasing Bundaberg on the world stage.”
The other two simulators include the Sopwith Camel which represents the early, innovative age of aviation and a simulation of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Super Hornet, in use by the Royal Australian Air Force since the 1980s.
“Visitors to the hall can feel the thrill and excitement of taking off from three different airports around the world and navigating their way through the skies.
“The simulators operate using joystick and throttle controls, with pilots of the Camel flying through Bundaberg, the Moth flying through Southampton, UK and the Hornet Flying through Darwin.
Cr Barnes said the simulators are an integral part of Hinkler Hall of Aviation’s exhibit development program which would help to ensure the hall remained a fun, contemporary facility and continued to attract visitors to the region.
Cr Barnes said what made the project particularly rewarding was that the simulators were built by local company Gilmour Space Technologies.
“To have an interactive display of this calibre, custom manufactured for Hinkler Hall of Aviation is wonderful, but to have them designed and built right here in Bundaberg by locals is simply incredible.
“I think most residents would agree that this new display is a prime example of the things our region has to offer.”
The three simulators will be installed behind a mural wall depicting a Bundaberg landscape from the Burnett Traffic Bridge to Mon Repos.
Use of all three simulators is included in the admission price for Hinkler Hall of Aviation.
