A small team from the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society has returned from the United States where they inspected the Boeing 707 Hollywood star John Travolta is donating to HARS.
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The visit to Georgia was to determine the next steps in bringing the famous aircraft to Illawarra Regional Airport in November.
HARS president Bob De La Hunty, project manager Maureen Massey and engineers Jim Marshall and Wayne Studdert arrived back at Illawarra Regional Airport very positive that the Travolta plane will arrive with the Hollywood movie star on board in late November. But the exact date is still to be determined.
"We ran all four engines while we were over there," Mr De La Hunty said.
"We were there for one week and we got everything we need to go back to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It was all positive. We are moving step-by-step through everything we need to do. There is really not a lot for us to do with any spanners on the aircraft. It is in really good condition. Most of the work will be inspections and paperwork".
Mr Marshall had already been to Georgia in March to inspect the 707 and said the latest trip was about making more arrangements and to assess whether any maintenance was required before flying the aircraft to its new home.
"I thought it was in absolutely excellent condition," Mr Marshall said.
HARS vice president Maureen Massey said donations were still welcome. She said even though no significant maintenance was required flying the 707 to Shellharbour is going cost around $0.5 million. Travolta has kept his movie schedule clear so he can join the crew on the last leg of the journey which is expected to go via Europe and Singapore.
Read more:
- Meet the HARS crew preparing to fly John Travolta's Boeing 707 to Albion Park
- John Travolta may stay several days in the Illawarra when he arrives at HARS in November
- John Travolta to fly into Illawarra on Boeing 707 he donated to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society
- John Travolta's message ahead of Boeing 707 delivery to HARS at Albion Park Rail
- The day John Travolta walked up in his swimmers and asked Wollongong's Allison Dawson for some sunscreen