Summary
- Australia is home to some of the world's longest commercial flights, including the nonstop Perth to London route of over 9,000 miles.
- Domestic flights within Australia can also be lengthy, such as the 2,258-mile journey from Perth to the Gold Coast.
- Aviation plays a crucial role in supporting Australia's mining industry, transporting crews and equipment to and from mining sites.
Australia, with its vast landscapes and stunning natural beauty, is not only a traveler's paradise but also a hub of aviation innovation and activity. While kangaroos and koalas might be the first things that come to mind when thinking of Australia, the country's aviation scene holds a few surprises of its own. From pioneering achievements to a thriving aviation community, here are five things that might leave you pleasantly surprised about Australian aviation.
1 Four of the world’s ten longest flight routes
Being a land mass that is isolated from most of the world’s major cities, Australia is home to some of the world's longest commercial flights. Qantas' nonstop Perth to London route covers over 9,000 miles (14,484 km), making it one of the longest flights by distance.
Melbourne to Dallas, USA (8,992 miles / 14,471 km), Darwin to London, UK (8,620 miles / 13,872 km), Houston, USA, to Sydney (8,596 miles / 13,834 km), and Sydney to Dallas (8,576 miles / 13,802 km) are also among the top ten longest commercial flights in the world.
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2 One of Asia-Pacific’s longest domestic routes
Not only are long flights crucial in connecting Australia to the rest of the world – as the sixth-largest country (by area) in the world, domestic flights within the country tend to be quite long, too.
Flying from Perth, on Australia’s west coast, to the eastern destination of the Gold Coast involves traveling 2,258 miles (3,633 km) over a vast expanse of land. To put things in perspective, one of the longest trips on the continental US stretches between Boston and Los Angeles, at 2,611 miles (4,202 km).
3 Rich indigenous aviation history
Australia's indigenous peoples have a rich cultural history intertwined with the land, and this connection extends to aviation as well. Organizations such as the Australian Indigenous Aviation Foundation and First Nations Aviation support the promotion of aviation among the country’s indigenous population.
Indigenous icons – like Len Waters, the first Aboriginal Australian military aviator, David Ngunaitponi (Unaipon), an aviation innovator and inventor who is featured on the Australian $50 note, and Uncle Harry Allie, an important contributor to the Royal Australian Air Force in recent history – serve as inspirations to the next generation of aspiring indigenous aviators.
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4 Aviation and the mining industry
Aviation plays a significant role in supporting one of Australia’s biggest industries: the mining sector. The country is one of the world’s largest miners of mineral resources, which relies on charter flights to transport crews and time-sensitive equipment to and from mining sites.
While aviation might not be an immediate thought that comes to mind when discussing mining, it’s safe to say that Australia would not have such a flourishing mining industry if it weren’t for aviation.
5 A thriving aviation community
Australia boasts a passionate community of aviation enthusiasts who come together to celebrate their shared love for flight. Airshows like the Australian International Airshow – the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – attract aviation enthusiasts, professionals, and curious onlookers from around the world.
Aviation enthusiasts in Australia also indulge in their hobbies in a variety of ways, such as by building their own aircraft (think gyroplanes). One of which went on to achieve a Guinness World Record!
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Australia's aviation landscape is a tapestry woven with tales of innovation, perseverance, and a deep connection to the land. From long-haul flights that bridge continents to inspiring feats, Australian aviation has continually evolved to meet the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this vast and diverse nation.
As you gaze up at the southern skies, remember that there's more to Australian aviation than meets the eye – a world of surprises waiting to take flight.
Source: First Nations Aviation