Overdownunder

Like so many people, my motivation to become an ultralight pilot was fuelled by Bruce Spence's flight in the 80's movie, Mad Max. I was bitten, and the only way to be cured was, in fact, to get in the air.

I migrated as an infant to Australia in 1971. In 2007, I took my first solo above Pakenham in Melbourne. Becoming an aviator has changed my life and I encourage anyone dreaming of getting in the air to do it - don't delay it. The experience once you blast through that initial fear (if any) is just so liberating and really uplifting (no pun intended).

That initial spark was reignited decades later when I was looking for something to alleviate the boredom of my life. Keen to get in the air, I did my research and decided a Powerchute was to be my mode of transport – very affordable and portable.

Enroute around this amazingly beautiful country, via the website www.overdownunder. com.au I received countless emails from other recreational aviators on how they had been bitten by the Black Dog or knew someone else who had. Many claimed they either didn't understand it or had struggled to make any sense of it. Overdownunder was my attempt to get the message out there - that in nearly all cases of depression, the worst anyone can ever feel is the bottom of an emotional bounce and that confidence will come back, regardless of what they believe or feel at the time.

I travelled more than 12,000kms around this patch of dirt, with a front row seat on the world. I saw places no one else will ever personally experience. It became abundantly clear on my return that the success of my first flight needed a follow-up. And, so Overdownunder II was born.

Depression, suicide and bullying are not sexy topics. But the suicide toll is almost twice that of the road toll and I've made it my personal mission to help reduce it in some way – even if I save only one life. I don't need to know whose life it is. It's enough just knowing that what I (and this time a ground crew) are doing is making a difference.

So what is Overdownunder II ?

Overdownunder II (ODUII ) is not a one stint flight. I've broken it up in to 10 phases to promote a new and free telephone counselling coaching service available through the website www.overdownunder. com.au for anyone exposed to bullying, suffering from depression or at risk of suicide. This extends to the carers and people bereaved by suicide.

There will also be a smartphone App. I hope to see it rolled out across Australia by the time I fly to NSW to provide that free support for those in need. I am taking this to the people to promote it - not only in metro areas, but in regional Australia where it seems to be needed the most.

In late 2012, I will fly from Melbourne to Sydney, a 10 leg flight, which will be phase one of ten with a full support and ground crew. On the ground, I will be followed by a converted decommissioned school bus housing a powerhouse of media and technology to disseminate information on the new counselling service. A full-time crew will also film a documentary on the flight and upload footage every day to all social media.

The bus also has a portable stage with a PA system for public events and rallies, as well as a drop down screen for an outdoor cinema which will show the daily footage shot by the ground crew. It will be solar powered with deep-cycle battery power through an inverter and a backup 8kVa diesel generator, just in case.

The bus is also controlled by an iPad. It's not just painted in SmartBus orange, it's actually a smart bus too. There is also an eight metre caravan, housing a mobile workshop and ground crew conveniences – it also has two beds for those not keen to rough it in a swag.

A thrilling aspect of the sequel will be the new Powerchute, designed and co-built by me in conjunction with Fasterway www.fasterway.com.au based in Melbourne, to carry a passenger on every leg of the trip.

I didn't know what kind of an impact I was going to have first time around, although in one month alone calls to the telephone crisis service increased by 500%. This time I want people to have the continued benefit of free and instant 24/7 coaching. There is nothing worse than when you're sitting alone at night, in the dark emotionally and not able to talk to someone – this new national service will give everyone the unlimited resource of instant help, manned by certified and trained volunteer counsellors and coaches.

My team has built the website with virtualisation in mind. Any and all trained and approved people can log in from anywhere in the world and provide instant support through a virtual office. They don't have to be in any particular location; they simply log in and their hosted office is right there in front of them providing telephone, online and video conference support. This brings the service into the 21st century and reduces the administration costs of hosting such a project, which is privately funded and not a not-for-profit organisation.

The aviation community has offered support with donations in kind: Microair with a M760 VHF radio, Bolly Aviation with the amazing new Magnum Prop, APCO Australia with the 550ft mammoth wing, Rotax with a discount on the 582 water-cooled 2-stroke engine and, of course, Fasterway with the Grand Challenger aircraft. This Powerchute has a MTOW of 440kgs, 140kgs up on the one I flew first time around. That one only barely finished the journey in 2008 and has since been recycled.

If you're a fellow aviator, the sky is open for you to join me one or many of the legs around the countryside. If you're an ultralight pilot and want to ride shotgun while we spread the message, the load for everyone will be lightened and more lives saved.