Flight around world for homeless parents by Oakville pilot takes off in Burlington

Callum Wallace’s Flight for Hope is ready for lift off.

The Oakville native is set to take off from the Burlington airport on Tuesday (Aug. 1) in his V35B Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft on a flight around the world to help raise money for homeless single parents in Halton Region.

The Oakville real estate advisor looks to become just the fourth Canadian and one of some 140 pilots in the world to ever solo circum navigated the world in a small single-engine airplane.

“There’s only been about three Canadians that have done that, so I set the goal to do something good for other people,” the 28-year-old told halton.insauga.com in a previous story. “I see it as knocking something off the personal bucket list, tackling a challenge and thirdly it’s a way to spread awareness.”

Wallace will spend some 200 hours in the air alone on the three-month 45,000 kilometre trip.

Despite the grueling effort that is required to make his life-long goal of flying around the world a reality, Wallace knows it’s for a great cause.

He’s hoping to raise a million dollars for Home Suite Hope, which helps homeless parents in Halton Region get back on their feet. The four-year program provides access to childcare, employment supports and rental subsidies among other things.

While helping builders buy property as a real estate agent, Wallace would often find the bungalows would sit empty while they were pursuing permits to build. The program helps put a family needing a home in the empty house.

“Obviously affordable housing is a problem right now, even for people that make an average salary,” Wallace said. “Rents are so high that you’re not able to save any money and make a down payment. Even if you are the prices are going up so fast you’re not going to catch it.

“I’ve seen it firsthand, even with my friends and I’m trying to help them.”

While most of his trip will be over water, his plans will see him fly east from Canada with stops in 26 countries while crossing Europe, Africa and Asia, and even set down on a tiny island coming off the Pacific from Australia.

“I hope to encourage other people to give back,” he said.

For more information about Flight for Hope or to make a donation, visit here.