East-West Odyssey 2011 - Faraday, Australia
Faraday, Australia
Where I stayed
Aeroclubs and pubs
What I did
Flew East to West Across Australia
The challenge was to fly a Cessna 172 from the Eastern most airfield of Australia to the Western most airfield. Lord Howe Island (YLHI) is 319 nm (nautical miles) East of Port Macquarie (YPMQ), and as an island region of NSW, is hence the most Easterly airfield of Australia. The most Westerly airfield in Australia is Shark Bay at Denham in Western Australia, some 50nm South of Carnavon.
The pilots are Alan Elliot (that's me) and Des Pitts. The aircraft is a single-engined 1975 Cessna C172M, which I have owned for just on 25 years, and flown for well over 2000 hours. The registration is UGD and hence the aircraft is affectionally known as theUGlyDuckling---after all, in the nursery rhyme the duckling turned into a beautiful swan!!
Original Plan, altered en route (see below)
The flight will leave Kyneton (YKTN) on Wednesday 29th June 2011 with the first leg to Temora (YTEM) for lunch and then on to Mudgee (YMDG) for the night. Next morning it will be on to Port Macquarie (YPMQ) prior to the 319nm leg over the Tasman to Lord Howe Island.
So THAT'S a WAC CHART!!!!!
Co-Pilot Des left Portland at 0750 this morning and cruising at 7000' arrived at Faraday in the Triton for a four point landing at 1130. After a healthy Subway lunch it was down to Kyneton to pack the aircraft and then back for some serious planning. Note how two WAC charts (World Aeronautical Charts) are needed for the milk run tomorrow from YKTN to Mudgee . There must be an opening for a serious young cartographer to invent something more pilot friendly. The school ruler in the foreground is an optional extra for flight planning; in addition to it's historical importance as a remnant from the former Faraday School.The WX (weather) has been KAVOK (Kloud and Visibility OK) all day and we hope to get out of YKTN soon after sparrowfart in the morning!!!
WEDNESDAY 29th June
Temora aero club--no one home!!!!
It all starts today. The sparrows let out several triple veeps and a couple of follow throughs and so we were up by 0700 for breakfast, then down to YKTN by 0800. Took off into a cloudless sky at 0900 and cruised at 5,500' all the way to YTEM. Landed for lunch of home made silverside and pickle sangas at 1200.
Tee-Shirts on at Temora
The WX towards YMDG was looking a bit ordinary. Des flew this leg, mostly at 5,500 then down for a bit of scud running some 20nm from Mudgee. A few light showers, but an uneventful landing. Refueled, tied down and are now sitting in a warm terminal (Des's ASIC did the trick), and my sister-in law Ros (Elliot) will pick us up for (hopefully) some more sustenance and a bed soon. Fuel at YMDG $1.946 and we got 27.78l/hr for the day which is pretty good, with an average of only about 95 knots (190Km/Hr) (100Kts is about 200 Km/hr)
The "Mullamuddy Hilton" Taxi arrived on time and back to Ros and my brother Max's farm outside Mudgee for a fine meal, a great shower and bed. A brilliant house with far too many rooms for a couple who (should) have finished breeding years ago!! WTF did I do wrong? But Heather and I love our little old Faraday humpy!
THURSDAY 30th June 2011
Next morning, into Mudgee for some free wifi and breakfast at the famous Mudgee brewery, recommended by an anonymous pilot. Of course it was 'at least 8 hours since last throttle', and a beer aficionado always prays to Baccus prior to the first sip! The brewery (open 6am) also has brilliant coffee and hot chocolate!!
Posers or pissheads??
Breakfast at the Mudgee Brewery
Out to the airfield for an interesting flight to Port Macquarie. Lots of those large solid lumpy bits on route and initially at 5,500' the cloud base fell away and we were forced into Scone, quite a bit off track. Re-planned and decided to follow the low stuff along the Hunter river for a while, which ended up getting us well left of track.
Decision time; so called up Brisbane centre and requested estimate of cloud tops. Decided to climb on top, and at 9,500 levelled out with holes here and there, but now well above terrain. Brisbane gave us a discrete squark code and kept updating the WX at Port Macquarie. About 20 miles out, we were requested to change to CTAF, and descended through a hole and the field soon became visual. Joined downwind for 21 (210 degrees runway direction) with a Qantas Dash Eight (approx 80 seats) up our jack. Told her we'd extend downwind and let her in, but "no worries, I'll go round!!"~as it should be!!--why should I waste fuel!! To the fuel bowser, $1.90/l with carnet--but card didn't work so the prick topped us up and we paid $2.00/l in cash--bet he had a good night at the pub!!
VERY wet at YMPQ, but we conned a ride into a cheap caravan park and it was time for a liquid relaxant at the nearby RSL/Bowls club. We didn't need any rocking to sleep last night.
FRIDAY 1st July 2011.
"REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT"
HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL YOU CAPITALISTS, and shame on the Greens. Called the Met office on YLHI and things a bit less than 'perfick'. Actual at YPMQ also rat ****. Decided at 10AM to have a rest day here, catch up on the laundry, put in a flight plan for T/O by 0800 tomorrow for Lord Howe, before Williamtown Restricted area which extends directly out to sea for 80nm, becomes active at 0900.
Tee-Shirts too!
A great welcome at the Hastings and District (YPMQ) aero Club--we have tea/coffee facilities here, have been given a key to the clubrooms, a room to store unneeded items for Lord Howe, and plenty of room to set up our bunks for tonight. And, it's the Friday night sausage sizzle and beer b q, but we will retire early.The flyers arrived at 5pm, the bar opened and the snags sizzled. Met lots of nice club people, and Bill Lane (ex-St Arnaud) is still instructing here in float planes. During the afternoon a lady called the Club intending to arrive this evening, on her way back to New Zealand in a Tecnam!! We were hoping to catch up with her but she didn't make it in till the next day.
Lies lies and more lies. Like Sherlocks' hat--
it keeps his buckaneers warm
The stayers cleared by 2100 and we were in the sack ( me on the couch) by 2130
SATURDAY 2nd July 2011
Up at 0430 and outside for a dingos breakfast--sky full of stars and nil wind, looking good for YLHI. Put in a SAR time (Search and Rescue) for YLHI. More breakfast inside a bit later; toast and tea. Checked our manifest thoroughly, then out to a very wet aircraft at 7am to pack and pre-flight.
It had rained heavily early in the evening.
Started up, warmed things thoroughly and rolled on runway 21 right on 0800 for YLHI. Climbed out over the water to 7,500 with fluffy Cu above, then up to 9,500 to stay on top. Very smooth but only 75-80Kts, quite a strong headwind component. At 150nm out is was half way. Des flew a lot of this leg.
Lord Howe in rain
I took over about 45 nm out from YLHI and descended through a hole, only to just make out the island in RAIN!!!--just what we needed. Couldn't quite make out Balls' Pyramid, and as we flew over to join the circuit it was pouring rain and quite turbulent, and as the pics show, raining on final.
Those giant lumps in rain
Airfield centre of photo
Oh ****, not again!!
So we landed on YLHI on runway 10 in rain, with I'd say only about a 6.5 score!! Called Brisbane Centre of VHF radio on the ground and cancelled our SAR.
Tied up in the lee of those turbulence generators!!
Not many 172's here !!!!!!!!!
WOW---fantastic effort for 1931!!
Caught the courtesy bus to Ocean View Appartments--only $150 per night (no meals) c/f Capella which is $1,200 per person per night!!! Then it was time to get into uniform at last---
Back in uniform at last
Feeding the fish at Ned's Beach Lord Howe Island
---and a 2Km walk down to Neds beach to pat the fish!!
At 6:30 our Ocean View schuttle picked up for various Saturday night revellery. We selected the local Club for a superb meal of salt and pepper calamari followed by mains of sooooo fresh local wahu. Then back for a game of pool, Des won 2-1 'by default', and to noddy land by 10pm.
SUNDAY 3rd July 2011.
A big flight today. Shuttle to the airport at 0730 local, and off into a slight south easterly. Visited the MET office and put in a SAR time for our return to YPMQ. Then off and up to 9,500 again to remain on top of cloud. Some 20nm out we had a call from the Tecnam lady inbound to YLHI and we were able to advise her that runway 28 was fine for a straight in approach with winds almost straight down the track. Some 50 miles from YMPG we descended down through a gradually vanishing hole to 4,500 for the run into YPMQ. Cancelled SAR again, refeuled (2.20/l), then a quick sanga and back in the air to get over the tiger country to Mooree (YMOR). Again, we are staying at the Mooree aero club--more like a ballroom. Bunk beds, wifi, food prep areas and our own portable bar which we really needed--6.3hrs flying for the day and Des has earned the certificate for his first ocean crossing. We are now over the lumpy bits and the rest of this vast country heading west is as flat as a **** carters hat. Tomorrow, look out Bourke and Tibboburra and maybe Oodnadatta, here we come. Fuel prices today--YPMQ 1.900/l, and YMOR 1.91/l--hey that's cheaper than mates rates at YKTN!!
VH-VGD#$@!!
BUT--after wondering why my NEW BP card kept getting rejected as 'invalid', it was up to some nameless prick whose initials are Des Pitts to point out that BP had issued me with VGD, not UGD!!
20 cents at Bunnings
The trophy in the picture is achieved by taxying through an unmarked 'dip' on the parking area at YMOR. It is a rear tie-down hook which made a **** of a scraping noise and embeded itself in the tarmac. (The lowest rear point of a C172). Checked out the with local LAME (licensed aeronautical engineer)--absolutely no structural damage or damage to the rear feathers, and the only cost will be $US14,236.99 for a replacement from Cessna!!!!!
Again we scored accomodation for gratis at the Mooree Aero Club, a substantial structure with room for a ball, commercial kitchen, TV, wifi with a password, fold out beds, bar and showers and bogs. And an ancient Beale piano which I spared Des from. We cooked our own provisions for tea--canned snags and veg on toast (yuk!), cheese and microwaved bacon on toast (double yuk); washed down with a we drachm from home.
Don't all matresses go on top??
Then to bed beyond snoring distance from each other ie: half a mile apart. Obviously Des sleep walks with MY camera!!
MONDAY 4th July 2011
Made fresh sandwiches for lunch (baked beans and cheese to keep each other awake), then toast and tea for breakfast. Out to theUGlyDuckling by 0830 and taxied to a huge maintenance hanger and bought 8 litres of Shell W100 at 6.60/litre for an oil change at our next stop at Bourke. Also more air in the main gear tyres, and then up, up and away at 10:00 with 206nm to Bourke. Tracking west we could only get 80Kts at 4,500, 70Kts at 6,500, and slightly over 80Kts down at 4000. Des landed (right hand seat) at Bourke and we taxied in for fuel, lunch and an oil change. Met up with Graeme Boatmans' crew here from Stawell. His C206, a Bonnaza, several Pipers, a Technam and a Jabiru.
Peak hour at YBKE with the Boatman Safari
Then on for another 206nm to Tibooburra for the night. Quite lumpy out this far and also slow. Found the town around 1700, circled the pub twice as advised, and by the time we landed and tied down, 6Km away, the pub 4 wheel drive was there to take us in to the city--population 38!! Tired and parched it was time for a heart starter and the first Carlton Draught ON TAP since we started, although all the locals drink Barbed Wire (XXXX)
Sharing a glass with the locals
Possibly does if you let it!!
Had a great meal, great shower, cold beer and off to bed. Only $55 for a twin room but no meals included. We will do our own thing.
Tibooburra Stubby Holder
Now I think I need to explain the altered route, which obviously varies from our Google map. I initially thought Byron/Ballina Gateway was the easterly-most airfield in Australia, but then confirmed that Lord Howe is part of NSW, so THAT was the starting point. Hence from YKTN to YPMQ, then out to YLHI for the starting point. From there it was back to YPMQ and then over the 'tiger country' to Moree, then on to Bourke. As there turned out to be no fuel at YTIB, we filled up at YBKE and changed the route a bit to get to YTIB, and then to MAREE for fuel tomorrow, which will then get us back on our track at Oodnadatta. Also will probably stay at Curtin Springs, 30nm east of Ayres Rock the next night (no fuel though) so will only land at Ayres Rock for fuel for the next long leg.--accomodation at the rock is far too expensive for this pensioner!! So we will miss William creek, but track over Lake Ayre South and North tomorrow, to Oodnadatta.
TUESDAY 5th July 2011
Up early at YTIB and toast and hot chocolate for breakfast at the local cafe next door. They also made us a couple of sangas, I got chicken and chutney. And a Cherry Ripe for a snack on the trip to YOOD. Got a ride out to the airstrip at 0900 and into the air. Still only getting 75-85Kts initially. Aircraft everywhere on the NOTAM frequency for lake Eyre, and we landed at Maree for fuel and had to join the queue.
Lake Eye
Then tracked on over the vast inland lake with the sightseers mainly at 500' to 1000', down with the pelicans!! Eventually arrived at Oodnadatta and landed on about the worst strip for large loose gravel in Australia.
A sad neglected place, but with a strong, warm and welcoming local spirit. Last time here there was a huge sign at the airfield fence--"Welcome to the ******** of South Australia." Local pride has removed the sign, the Pink Roadhouse is thriving and there are new owners at the local pub. Everything is nipple pink
Julia should visit Oodnadatta and just take a look at real outback Australia and inject some of our waisted money. There are not even any Councils in outback S.A. and the locals keep apologising for the basic facilities.
THE Pink Roadhouse
Living rough, and he's a bloody builder too!
WEDNESDAY 6th July
Today we flew from Oodnadatta to Ayres Rock and it rained all the way. Literally. Curtin Springs was closed due to the rain, a great pity! Climbed up to 3000 feet and stayed there under 8/8 cloud all the way, however about half way we actually got over 100Kts for about the first time. Landed at Connellan Airport with a Virgin A320 up our clacker. Re-fueled ($2.60/l) then tied down.
Sorry chaps, you've had a long free ride. It is OVER!!
There seems to be a mice plague all over Australia, and they like flying I guess, but these two caught in the aircraft back at Kyneton won't be returning home. Got the courtesy bus into the outback hotel, and into a cabin for a mere $220--rip off!! Cooked tea at the outdoor BBQ--I had snags but there was also roo, emu, and croc--probably all road kill.
Des ordered a hamburger (only$20), but they had run out of buns so the tin-***** prick got a full refund, and still helped himself to a great pile of free veg and salad!!
Met up with a C210 (Cessna) driver from Brisbane at tea time (the tall bloke ) and he will run us out to the airport in the morning.
And this is the stone all the visitors come to look at!!
Thursday 7th July 2011
Today we will be flying 245nm from Ayres Rock to Warburton Station, a 'community'.
Beautiful WX at the rock today and we have just watched the sunrise over it and the Olgas from the observation platform.
The Olgas
(Last time I flew here I CLIMBED the rock, but was 14 years younger!!) Settled up our bill at reception and of course asked for a discount for cash. The girl asked if I was a 'local' to which I replied 'of course'! But I forgot that I'd entered my home address when we booked in so she looked a bit sceptical to say the least. "Where are you visiting from?" (Alan thinks quickly, it's morning after all)"--oh, home is in Victoria, but we're up here flying quackers over Lake Eyre" "Well, I'll get you a pilot discount then"--and suddenly the tariff was reduced from $220 to $110!! I'd prefer to regard it as a sort of Robin Hood affair, after all the place is a total rip-off, and I didn't say I was a commercial pilot, or charging for flights. So there; you win some, and loose a lot! The landing fee was $58 and we bought a lot of avgas at $2.60/litre.
We said goodbye to our new friends and to the local livestock which will probably be on the menu tonight. (I even tried Camel Jerky--the first bit tasted like part of the saddle and the rest was made up of humps and arseholes.
As we climbed out of YARE we got a great view of the Olgas, just on our port side.
The flight to Warburton (245nm) was smooth and quick for a C172. Got 110-120Kts at 4,500 all the way with a nice tail wind and 8/8 sunshine. Landed an YWRB and the refueler drove us into the ONLY accomodation at the 'community'. I DO have wifi here with a 'dongle'--what an unfortunate name!! (Check out Ronny Corbet's "My Blackberry is Frozen" on U-Tube). Des and I are staying in adjoining shipping containers for $100 each a night!! The 'compound' is locked up at 5pm local. And the airfield gate is left open, so we went to the cop shop and asked if they did regular checks during the night--"No, we knock off at 4pm"!!!! So much for security.
And of course no alcohol is allowed. Note that I am in cell block number 171, shipping container #4. And it's bloody freezing--even ice on the screen at YAYE this morning!
FRIDAY 8th July
Warburton to Meekathara today, a VERY long flight without a bladder stop---435nm--- will need the 'hospital container' for sure!! We tunnelled our way out of Starlag 17 at 6am local and warmed up last nights snags for breakfast in the camp 'kitchen'--a very basic affair to say the least. Got a ride out to the airfield at 8am local and the UGlyDuckling WAS still there and the fuel hadn't been drained!!.
We are so pleased to be leaving this god forgotten compound where lead is still added to the fuel to somehow discourage sniffing--I try not to be a racist; I didn't steal their land, COME ON!!! They get everything, want much more, and trash the precious land they cherish--"Welcome to Country"!!!!
Easterlies are forecast at about 7 Kts for the run to YMEK so we should get there by lunchtime.
After takeoff we climbed to 4,500' which seemed the best altitude and got a ground speed
of 125-Kts initially.
There is a vast amount of totally nothing in this enormous central WA but from the air is looks both totally inhospitable yet somehow very beautiful.
About 30nm miles out we passed over the Heather Highway, a dirt track that seems to goes on forever, and is shown on the WAC chart. We then flew over lots of inland lakes and waterways which seemed permanent features.
And then over some serious mines, and landed at Wiluna---for a much needed bladder stop.
And then on a further 90 nm to Meehathara for fuel. At this stage we were getting such a good ground speed we decided to continue on, save a night stop here and get to Shark Bay--the Westernmost airfield in Aistralia.
And so on and over the beautiful bay and landed at Shark Bay late in the afternoon after a very long flight!!
HOWEVER, WE FOUND OUT HERE THAT THE WESTERN MOST AIRFIELD IN AUSTRALIA WAS A FURTHER 26NM OUT TO SEA, A PRIVATE STRIP ON DIRK HARTOG ISLAND. OF COURSE WE WILL LAND THERE IN THE MORNING.!!!!
Margaret,the lady doing charters out of Shark Bay kindly drove us in to Denham for the night, and we at least stayed in the most Western pub in Australia.
We've done it--OR HAVE WE?????????
Next morning it was up early to complete the goal of landing on Australias' most Westerly airtfield. A ride out to Shark Bay airfield cost us $20 each. We packed up, pre-flighted and took off and tracked out to sea to Dirk Hartog Island and landed there on a pretty ordinary private clay strip with a few potholes and clumps of salt bush.
On Final for Dirk Hartog airstrip
HERE IT IS!!!! NEXT STOP CAPE TOWN
WE hopped out for a look over this pretty barren Island and I found a piece of driftwod timber which is of course probably from Dirk Hartogs' ship of 1616, which will be taken home and suitably engraved and mounted!!!!
Initial carbon dating indicates this piece of shipwrights timber would have been harvested around 1500, probably Dutch Elm, and soil tests suggest it would have been left on Dirk Hartog Island between 1615 and 1617---to be confirmed, of course!!
Then lifted off from Dirk Hartog Island and flew over some pristine waters and bays and then about 5nm out to sea for most of the 280 miles to Geraldton (YGEL). Here we were met by Ray Clarke, Des's friend who took us to his home to meet his wife Maxine, and then for a real Cooks Tour of the town and their families, then back to their home for a great three course meal, and I was off to bed early. It had been a VERY BIG DAY.
Next morning after a hot shower, Maxine cooked us a great breakfast of cereal, bacon and eggs and toast and jam.Then we all drove out to the airport just as it was starting to rain. Ray and Maxine took us for a look at the monument to the ship Sydney which was found recently.
The bronze statue is allegedly a lady looking out
to sea for her lost husband. Ray had to pat her on the bum!
Their family arrived also as "the hamster" (Hamish) wanted to sit in the aeroplane!!
Ray, Dean, Maxine and Hamish with Jo
We loaded up and took off in steady rain, and soon after climbing out passed through a cloudburst. I was about to turn back when we passed this and continued on in steady rain for over 250nm. Most of the time we were at about 2000' with Des glued to the WAC charts navigating like a champion.
It cleared 20nm short of YPKG (Kalgoolie-Boulder) and we landed, tied up and walked to the aero club, and after some initial constenation it was agreed that we should spend the night at the Club. Several other members arrived including President Mick Balderton and we shared a couple of ales.
Kal-Boulder aero club--the "old" terminal--great!!
Afterwards we cooked out tea there and slept like logs in a warm clubhouse.
Same as above except for the handsome bloke on the left
MONDAY 11th July 2011
Today we head off for Forest (YFRT) Called the refueler and
the tanker arrived, and it was raining again. Loaded up, pre-flighted, and took off of 09 (east runway) at YPKL, into light rain. Flew over the 'holes'-enormous mining pits, and set track for Forrest.
Full cloud cover but the rain stopped and we climbed to 5000'. After half an hour, tracked to the south to meet the railway line and then followed it all the was to Forrest. Saw a train up ahead, so descended to about 1000 feet to take pictures.
I counted 70 carriages, most trains out here are over a kilometre long. Did a straight in approach to Forrest for 09 and taxied the long way back to the fuel bowser, and we had the plane inside the giant hangar for the night. We stayed in one of the old railway houses and had a home cooked meal with the managers-Claus and Tania. They are here for a year to fund their trip in a caravan round Australia.
TUESDAY 12th July 2011
Raining in the morning AGAIN, but we were up early and it may settle before we head for Ceduna (YCDU). After packing up and taking a few photos we took off again in rain under 8/8( total) cloud. Ten nm out it was down to the ground, so a 180 degree turn, and followed the railway line back and landed again on 09. Parked in the hangar, decided we will loose another day here, so took the cowl off and did the second oil change for the trip (each 25 hours). Prior to 'shut-down' I had done a magneto check and noted a big drop in RPM on the RIGHT magneto!! However, there had been no rough running at any time in flight. So, phoned Horsham Aviation and was given advice on how to determine the fault. Removed what appeared to be the offending spark plug and cleaned it as best as we could. Replaced the plug, did another run-up and the fault still persisted. Do we leave here with a faulty plug or magneto lead?? Called Tony at Horsham again and he suggested it may not be critical. Oil was $13.20/l, and fuel $2.75, the dearest of the trip. Topped up the fuel again,
Could be here till; Xmas, do I start a vegie garden?
and back to our 'camp' for another day. Not much to do on a wet day at Forrest. In the evening, another meal with managers Claus and Tania and a bed again for $120.
We all get a bike--it's a long way to walk the Nullabor
And this is this is the managers' palace--Claus and Tania
Too wet to bike it to the hangar so we got a ride to collect provisions from the aircraft, which are running short!!
Another meal with the managers.
Wonder what we'll have for Xmas??
The huge former WW2 Hangar at Forrest, built by the Yanks
The Indian Pacific passes here and drops off
a few provisions weekly, but it's a
long way to cart fuel from Perth
And we have reclaimed the DC3 Tyre that Kyneton member Col Griffin left here a l-o-n-g time ago!!
WEDNESDAY 13th July 2011
My eldest daughters' 45th birthday and while she is in sunny Yangon, Myanmar, here we are stuck in the wettest place on the Nullabor, at Forrest. At 7am it was pouring rain again and our chances of leaving for Ceduna looked pretty unlikely. After breakfast the rain subsided to a steady drizzle.
The Indian Pacific called in, 112 carriages of freight.
We decided to have another escape attempt on the understanding that if things turned to S**T we would again do a 180 turn and track back to Forest. The right magneto RPM drop still persisted but we decided to have a go! And so we climbed out and got to 800 feet, just under the clouds. After fifty miles we managed to climb to 1,000 feet for the 274nm trip into Ceduna. Very concentrated flying and navigating to stay above terrain and below cloud and misty rain!!
We passed over Nullabor roadhouse and airstrip on the Ayre highway, only a bit off track, and then over the coast and cliffs of the Great Australian Bight into Ceduna for a bladder stop and more fuel. Did a pre-shutdown magneto check and the problem had corrected itself; possibly the suspect plug had cleared itself, and we had no further magneto RPM drop at each run-up or shut down.
The fuel bloke was ON the field waiting for a group of aircraft due in, but when I looked at the receipt later, I noted he had charged a $38 'call-out' fee. I WON'T be wearing that one and he will be hearing from me, as will BP for the Carnet Card that doesn't work, and thus fuel price becomes about 10 cents per litre extra for cash!!
Nullarbor roadhouse and airstrip, Ayre highway
Smooth flying over the 'Bight with high cliffs and sandy shore.
There was still about 2.5 hours of daylight left so we decided to press on in reasonable WX for another 217 nm to Port Pirrie, tracking directly over the Spencer Gulf. At YPIR we were met by Steve the local refueler who not only let us camp in the aero club but also lent his car for us to drive into town for a much needed counter tea. What a friendly man and place this is!! Highly recomended for fellow aviators. We left a generous donation for his pet charity, 'Make a Wish'.
Steve and his Maltese X pup in the clubhouse
THURSDAY 14th July 2011.
Ready to depart Port Pirie for HOME!!!
Today should be the 'home run' if the WX is kind for a change!!
We took off from Port Pirie at 9am and climbed to 4,000 feet just under cloud, but high enough to easily clear the Lofty Ranges north of Adelaide and over the very pretty Barrosa Valley.
The "Greenies" have set up wind turbines on the
ridges over the Barossa. Look shithouse from the air
but think of all the Carbon Tax they'll save!!
We handed at Horsham at 12:45 and Des's Daughter Kathryn and Grandson Harry had brought out lunch for us. I walked over and had a yarn to Tony Brand my L.A.M.E. (Aircraft Engineer)--the faultless performance of theUGlyDuckling on my longest flight EVER is testimony to a large extent to his maintenance.
I phoned the local paper who were keen to meet us at YKTN and take a picture and a bit of a story, and Chris Yeend from the Midland Express arrived just as we landed at YKTN at 15:45
And so we are HOME after another very long run. The UGlyDuckling is back in the hangar, we are home, happy and very tired.
Come on Des, MY turn now, go and get me a champagne!!
The dark blue line represents this trip.
(Lighter lines previous flights)
A few statistics:--
Total distance 5667nm (From GPS)
Total Flight Hours 63.1 (From GPS)
Average speed 89.7Kts (From GPS)
(GPS stats would include taxiing, climbing and descending. Time includes start-up and shut down, and is in effect total logged time (ie: same as VDO))
Dearest fuel $2.90/litre Oodnadatta
Cheapest fuel $@1.91/litre (Moree and Bourke)
Longest Leg 6.8 hours (Meekathara to Warburton, including bladder stop at Wiluna)
Shortest Leg 2.3 hours (Maree to Oodnadatta)
Lowest Fuel consumption 27.7litres/Hour
Highest Fuel consumption 38.4litres/hour
Total Fuel 1909 litres
Total Flight time 66.3 hours
Average fuel consumption 28.8 Litres/hour
Total Fuel cost $4991
Best Airstrips Meekathara or Forrest (Sealed, very long)
Worst Airstrips Ooodnadatta (Gravel) or Lord Howe (Sealed/short)
The ULTIMATE airfields Lord Howe Island (Sealed, short, turbulent and ******* with rain) and Dirk Hartog Island!!! (Clay, deserted, ruts, and saltbush!!)
The BEST aeroclubs, WITH ACCOMODATION!!----Hastings and District (Port Macquarie),
Mooree, Kalgoolie and Port Pirrie.