Australian Campaign Phase One. Planning

[Vlad]

I had a visitor from Down Under the other day. To him I relayed my dream plan and we had a great talk over the beer. We didn't talk much details but rather about strategy. If I bring my RV to the land of Oz in a shipping container how difficult would it be for N-registered airplane to fly around the continent VFR? I've read a lot of travel stories with beautiful pictures and I am fascinated with Australia. If you hit a lottery and the winning prize would be fuel for 100 hours and lodging for it how would you burn it? Where would you go?

[XOverZero]

Seriously, that's my dream trip, too...(not to be confused with the indigenous "Dreamtime").
When this trip is done, you'll have to start building another ship, because your 9A will need to go to a museum. Seriously.

[flyboy1963]

....WE DON NEED NO STEENKIN SHIPPING CONTAINER.

Ok, so you might be a tad short on gas.....maybe the sea can IS the best way.
...and save fuel!!!

or you could get Jon Johanson to ferry it for you?

https://www.vansaircraft.com/public/JJ2.htm

[Captain_John]

Vlad,

I will post this again...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw

Johnny Cash has nothing on you!

CJ

[Malndi]

Hey Vlad

Recommend watching old episodes of Bush Tucker Man in preparation for this trip.

There are RVers all around Australia and I'm sure you'll find good suggestions and support. Some local knowledge is essential for planning in the remote areas, unsealed runways can become unserviceable after rain and fuel stops are often 350-400 miles apart.

For suggestions I would include:
White Gum Farm (YWGM), 50 miles east of Perth. 5 runways and none of them sealed.
Don't forget Tasmania, with stops at Flinders and King Islands on the transit
You really must stop in at my home base of Wedderburn (YWBN) which is a sport aviation field in the Sydney area.

Mal

[mike newall]

Pulleeeeeez....

Watch this..

What could possibly go wrong ?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107556/

Man up Vlad - you can do it !


In a serious mode, there is a book called Emergency, Crisis On The Flight Deck by Stanley Stewart.

He works for British Airways and wrote a book about incidents.

This featured in the book.

Really worth a read - nobody dies, but I will guarantee you will be in bed shouting - no, no, he isn't..... OMG, he did !

Come on Vlad, I can't wait for the vid on YouTube.

Comrade, here is my video, it is 5 1/2 hours long, it shows my crossing to a small island, you will get solace from it......

[Wedgetail]

Really good read from a guy who recently flew a single lancair US-Aus here:
http://www.lancair.com/journey-to-coolangata/

All I can say is your two favourite colours must be blue (sea) and gold (sand)

Nearly the same size as the continental USA, just we have a lot of sand in the middle.
Oh, and a big rock.
Population about 25 million people , Tee up your airport connections - it ain't like the USA where every aerodrome has a rental car and attended fuel.

South east coast has best flying conditions around Easter. Qld gets a bit tropical during the build up (Nov+)

Plenty of good places to visit , plenty of remote places to visit - million acre stations (farms)
I reckon the container is a great idea - It'd reduce the personal risk, and keep one fresh (er) for the circumnavigation

In no particular order
Tasmania (cradle mountain worth a peek) or simple, King island
Apollo Bay
Merimbula has great facilities and close to the beach

City of melbourne will have people - (Moorabin or Essendon?)
Anywhere along the great barrier reef (Hamilton island?)
Kakadu
Ningaloo reef
Wirrealpa station
Birdsville hotel (for the horse race?)
Broken Hill ( good source to keep the noise going) for a couple of outback stations ie Trilby station (Darling river),
Noccundra Hotel, Kallara station

I've left some big gaps in that lot - maybe someone else will fill them in !

[Tassie]

Originally Posted by Captain_John

Vlad,

I will post this again...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
Johnny Cash has nothing on you!

Inappropriate version. For planning this trip, you would need the original lyrics, as written by Geoff Mack back in 1959:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeadSspZDzM

[Shimoda]

I am fascinated with Australia. If you hit a lottery and the winning prize would be fuel for 100 hours and lodging for it how would you burn it? Where would you go

?

Come to New Zealand !

[Captain_John]

Originally Posted by Tassie

Inappropriate version. For planning this trip, you would need the original lyrics, as written by Geoff Mack back in 1959:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeadSspZDzM

Omg! You are so right!

I had no idea there was an original version let alone an Aussie one!

Cool!

CJ