Jon Johanson RV4 Plane Appeal: Amber learns about some of the amazing adventures of Jon Johanson, at the South Australian Aviation Museum in the Adelaide Coast region of South Australia

During his incredible flying career, South Australian aviation pioneer Jon Johanson has captured Australia's imagination by notching up 53 world records. His most famous adventure came in 2003 when he became the first person to fly solo over the South Pole, creating a diplomatic row in the process when a mix-up over fuel saw him temporarily stranded at McMurdo Base in Antarctica.

The one time carpenter, qualified nurse and practicing midwife did it all in a kit plane he built himself and Jon's single engine RV-4 is the latest addition to the South Australian Aviation Museum at Port Adelaide.

It helped Jon set his string of records including the longest flight in a single engine aircraft - that meant 26 and a half hours squashed into the small cockpit… with the heater turned up full blast!

Jon Johanson: "I have seen it as low as minus 48 degrees - that was very, very cold. And there's only one little piece of aluminium between me and the outside world but the heater kept me warm as toast."

Sitting proudly in the cockpit is a tiny teddy bear - Kingsford was Jon's mascot.

Jon Johanson: "Kingsford the Bear is a very special bear. He's collected badges from all around the world often from kids and when Jon was too busy Kingsford would write to the kids - so he's a very special bear. There's a lot of kids out there that just love him."

Kingsford, named of course after that other great Australian aviator, Charles Kingsford Smith, became Jon's crewman quite by chance when a friend insisted he have someone to talk to on his first long solo flight.

Jon Johanson: "I was about to fly to New Zealand and she said you've got to take a mascot and I'm thinking I don't want any more weight in my aeroplane. The next morning Kingsford appeared on my desk with a little note saying my name is Kingsford, I only weigh a few grams, please take me with you - I promise to be good. So there's Kingsford."

The museum display includes a film about his amazing adventures which Jon says began when he was at primary school. He remembers standing in the playground watching a plane do aerobatics and not long after, his father shouted him a joy-flight and he was hooked. It's a passion that has done much more than take him around the world and into the history books.

Jon Johanson: "Life can be a bit of a challenge at times - when I get up there and look down on the world it changes perspective. It's re-charging the batteries. Why not - I just love it."

From the North and South Poles, to the Grand Canyon and Nullarbor Plain - Jon's seen it all from the air. And the push is now on to keep the plane he saw it from here in South Australia. Recognising it as an important slice of state history, the Aviation Museum needs to raise $54,000 to prevent it from going to a museum in the United States. Donations can be made at the Aviation Museum which is open from 10.30 until 4.30 7-days a week. You'll find it at Lipson Street in Port Adelaide. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Jon Johanson RV4 Appeal
South Australian Aviation Museum
Lipson St
Port Adelaide
Open daily 10.30am-4.30pm
Ph 8240 1230

Published 27th June 2010