A team of four students is heading south for the Moomba Birdman Rally next weekend (Sunday, March 8) with pilot Steve Graham from Lake Cargelligo and a support team from the school and sports aircraft association.
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The Birdman Rally is a competition for home-made gliders, hang gliders and human-powered aircraft.
Crowds line the banks of the Yarra River each year to watch the jumpers - some serious, some seriously funny - take off from the launch ramp and land in the river.
The Parkes Bombers are one of six entries in the Hawk category of serious competitors.
That means they intend for their craft to fly.
Everything from design and the experience of the sports aircraft association says it should fly - and it certainly seems keen to take off in a breeze - but they probably won’t get a chance to test it until the day of competition.
After transporting the craft to Melbourne, the team has to assemble it on site on the morning of competition.
Three of the students will support the wings and tail as pilot Steve runs toward the launch point.
As it picks up speed and catches the breeze, they will let go and let her fly.
The record for a Birdman flight is about 50 metres and the students would love their craft to fly that far … and then beat it next year.
Regardless of their success, the team is already brainstorming for a 2016 entry.
Neil Unger says it has been a great experience and a lot of fun for them all.
Students thanked the sports aircraft association and also Lindsay Wall from the aero modelling club for their work in getting them ready for the challenge.
Students have so far raised $1600 for their charity.
For every $1000 they raise, they will be credited with an extra metre of flight distance.
To support them contact Parkes Christian School.
