Australian Campaign Phase One. Planning

[Pdtofly]

Vlad,

First, you should not have a problem flying a N registrated aircraft as long as it is flown by a person with a US license. I needed to get a Oz license to fly an Australian registrated aircraft, but that is just the start.

If you ship it down in a container, then you will have to have it inspected by their customs, and they will go through it with a fine tooth comb looking for any type of agriculture items in it like dirt, grass, etc, as they have very strick quarantine laws there. It might cost you a pretty penny to have it cleaned to their satisfaction.

Second item to consider is insurance while you are down there. Yours might cover it, but you might have to get a rider on it.

Third, their gas prices will be higher than anyplace you found over here, but the exchange rate will help.

My wife is from there, so I have spent a lot of time down under. When you get out of the big cities, you will love it and really enjoy the people.

Enjoy your trip, but do your homework before you head out.

Brian

[rjtjrt]

Originally Posted by Pdtofly

Vlad,
......
If you ship it down in a container, then you will have to have it inspected by their customs, and they will go through it with a fine tooth comb looking for any type of agriculture items in it like dirt, grass, etc, as they have very strick quarantine laws there. It might cost you a pretty penny to have it cleaned to their satisfaction.

.......

Whilst this is correct, I have imported a couple of aircraft into Australia, and the inspection for agricultural quarantine purposes has gone smoothly and not needed a new clean once here.

The trick is to clean THOROUGHLY before it goes into container and get evidence of it being done. They are especially concerned re soil/dirt anywhere and everywhere. when I say thoroughly I mean it has to be pristine re cleanliness.

If you fly it in no problem. Much easier in all respects.

[PIN 37]

The picture of the aeroplane on the $20 note (in the first picture) has the same call sign (rego mark) as my RV7.

[KRviator]

You can expect to pay anywhere between $1.90AUD/L ($5.30USD/USG) to $3-4AUD/L depending where you fly, with the more remote airfields being incredibly expensive.

To get anywhere in Australia, you need to fly for a long time. To get decently-priced fuel you need to fly even longer! So consider that in your planning. Most everyone down here now uses OzRunways or AvPlan on their Ipads, both for planning and in flight. OzRunways now talks to SkyVector, so you can plan on SV, and export it to OzRunways.

One thing you must do, is fly Sydney Harbour. To do this, there is a VFR corridor that follows the coast called Victor 1, call up Sydney Radar and request a
harbour Scenic. You'll (hopefully) be cleared for a HS1 or HS2, fly into the harbour, do a couple of laps near the bridge and Opera House and fly back out to Victor 1 to continue tracking down the coast.

We live an hours drive north of Sydney, 15 min flight time. There's a small, private airport just down the road at Somersby, where my -9 lives now, owned by an RV'er, so you should be made to feel quite welcome.

[eddieseve]

Hey Vlad

Feel free to reach out with questions during planning I would be only to happy to help and and also provide accomodation while in Oz.

You'll probably find you get free accomodation for your entire trip if we get the word out.


Cheers

[AJ85WA]

Hey Vlad

Hi from Western Australia, Been following your trips on VAF for a long time now! If your on the western side of australia be sure to hit me up for some hangar space and a spot to stay

[ty1295]

Vlad, I am sure you get more than 1 week vacation a year. What are you going to do after the 1st week and you have been to every airport in AUS?

You need to come up with a much more extensive plan I believe.

[newt]

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

Just don't go here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E0aZ387M_I

- mark

[newt]

Originally Posted by rjtjrt

when I say thoroughly I mean it has to be pristine re cleanliness.

It'd probably look a lot cleaner if you put a bit of paint on it, too.

- mark

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by 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

Mal thanks appreciate it. Won't miss Tasmania for sure it looks like a pretty place.

Originally Posted by Pdtofly

....

If you ship it down in a container, then you will have to have it inspected by their customs, and they will go through it with a fine tooth comb looking for any type of agriculture items in it like dirt, grass, etc, as they have very strick quarantine laws there. It might cost you a pretty penny to have it cleaned to their satisfaction.

Second item to consider is insurance while you are down there. Yours might cover it, but you might have to get a rider on it.

Third, their gas prices will be higher than anyplace you found over here, but the exchange rate will help.

My wife is from there, so I have spent a lot of time down under. When you get out of the big cities, you will love it and really enjoy the people.

Enjoy your trip, but do your homework before you head out.

Brian

Brian I started my homework thanks for tips.

Originally Posted by rjtjrt

The trick is to clean THOROUGHLY before it goes into container and get evidence of it being done. They are especially concerned re soil/dirt anywhere and everywhere. when I say thoroughly I mean it has to be pristine re cleanliness.

If you fly it in no problem. Much easier in all respects.

John I received all your information now digesting it. Thanks. I have couple alternative quotes and they seem higher then your recommended shipper. Flying in is out of question. I communicated with Michael Smith after he finished his odyssey and he opened my eyes on transit fees. One fee (Japan)could cover shipping costs plus some gas.

Originally Posted by KRviator

One thing you must do, is fly Sydney Harbour. To do this, there is a VFR corridor that follows the coast called Victor 1, call up Sydney Radar and request a
harbour Scenic. You'll (hopefully) be cleared for a HS1 or HS2, fly into the harbour, do a couple of laps near the bridge and Opera House and fly back out to Victor 1 to continue tracking down the coast.

We live an hours drive north of Sydney, 15 min flight time. There's a small, private airport just down the road at Somersby, where my -9 lives now, owned by an RV'er, so you should be made to feel quite welcome.

Thanks, will do.

Originally Posted by eddieseve

Hey Vlad

Feel free to reach out with questions during planning I would be only to happy to help and and also provide accomodation while in Oz.

You'll probably find you get free accomodation for your entire trip if we get the word out.


Cheers

Eddie,
I am compiling an email to you with tons of question.

Originally Posted by AJ85WA

Hey Vlad

Hi from Western Australia, Been following your trips on VAF for a long time now! If your on the western side of australia be sure to hit me up for some hangar space and a spot to stay

That's how we do it. No need for a hangar but would appreciate a spot to stay.

Originally Posted by newt

It'd probably look a lot cleaner if you put a bit of paint on it, too.

- mark

Not gonna happen Mark. Barely have time to fly. The RV could get a recorded power wash just before going into sea container.