Queensland’s longest-serving Royal Flying Doctor Service remote pilot has spread his wings toward a new tourism venture from the Sunshine Coast.
Over nearly 20 years, Greg King has helped thousands of people in far-flung corners of the state, flown more than 1.63 million nautical miles (the equivalent of about four return trips to the moon) and refueled countless times at the RFDS base in Mt Isa.
In 2017, he was presented with the Spirit of Mount Isa Award at Mt Isa’s Australia Day celebrations.
During his time with RFDS, he received multiple awards, including Pilot of the Year in 2014.
Although Greg described flying with the RFDS as his “absolute dream job”, it was his love for family that brought him and his wife to the Sunshine Coast, where he worked as a commercial pilot.
But when travel restrictions saw him and thousands of other commercial pilots grounded, Greg decided to give back to the Outback by combining his love for flying with rural Queensland adventures.
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He recently partnered with two other pilots to launch Aviation Tours, providing small-group aviation touring holidays.
The tours are expected to inject much-needed tourist dollars into remote parts of Australia, which have been hit hard by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Inland stops include: Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Roma, Cooper Pedy, Broken Hill and Carnarvon Gorge.
Among the tour highlights are the Undara Lava Caves, Cobalt Gorge, Copperfield Gorge and Chillagoe Caves.
Guests will also experience coastal destinations, including the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef and Thursday Island.
“Bringing air tours to the outback will help bridge the gap between the city and the country,” Greg said.
“Our guests will help rebuild local economies and increase the understanding of how different life is in remote areas.
“With Aviation Tours, we get a chance to introduce people to this way of life, as well as to experience the magnificence of our great open spaces.”
Aviation Tours’ private aircraft accommodates up to eight guests, and holiday packages include all flights, tours and accommodation.
Visit Aviation Tours.
