Listeners of the Airplane Geeks podcast will recall our mention of Owen Zupp's around Australia charity flight (Episode 94). Owen sent the following message:

Hi All,

I’m not usually a fan of the ‘broadcast email’, but I thought I would break my rule in this instance.

I depart on Wednesday to fly around Australia in an attempt to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The trip is titled, ‘There and Back’. www.thereandback.com.au

With cheques and online donations, we have already raised over $3,000 before the wheels lift-off and to those who’ve already chipped in ‘Thank You’.

If you are able to spare a dollar or two for this great Australian service, the Flying Doctor, please visit http://www.mycause.com.au/mycause/raise_money/fundraise.php?id=4389 and contribute what you can. I am self-funding the flight, so all of these donations go straight to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Many thanks in advance, your help is greatly appreciated.

Owen Zupp
www.thereandback.com.au

Please consider supporting this worthwhile event if you can.

Dubai based charter operator Eastern SkyJets announced it has been chosen by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) as its preferred aviation partner for its humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

ESJ has now positioned its McDonnell Douglas DC9 32 aircraft in Kabul to serve the UNWFP. ESJ has also based its full set up of highly experienced crew and engineers at Kabul to provide all round support to the flights. It conducted the inaugural flight on 20th December amidst loud cheers from all the ESJ staff.

The WFP provides food to about 90 million people per year (more than half of whom are children) helping those who are unable to produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families.

Eastern SkyJets caters to a wide range of needs including corporate, regional, and international travel services, as well as leisure travel and medical evacuation. They consider themselves to be an industry leader for operations into hostile environments in that region.