PPL Pilot on trip around Aus!

[R_Anderson]

Three friends and myself are heading on a trip around Australia, we are all newbies to the PPL (within the last two months) so any help would be great. Especially over Bass Straight and the Womera restricted Airspace. Also things to see and places to stay would be great.

The proposed route is:
Archerfield, Roma, Charleville, Windorah, Birdsville, Oodnadatta, Ayers Rock, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Parafield, Mildura, Swan Hill, Moorabbin, Hobart ( Then joining the Avalon Air show Air Race.)
Launceston, Avalon, Echuca, Canberra, Sydney, Bathurst, Parkes (For the Aerobatics Comp), Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale, and finally Coffs Harbour. We were also contemplating scraping Bathurst and heading for the VFR route at Newcastle.

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Cheers!

[Biggles_in_Oz]

Wow..


fresh PPLs.


Wow.


How many aircraft ?
What type of aircraft ?
How many actual pilots ?

Some of your sectors are fairly lengthy, and what's your bladder endurance ?

Take money.. lots & lots of money. (Prices are higher in the non-coastal areas., and the airport fees at Sydney will take your breath away)

Take BP, Mobil and Shell carnet cards for fuel.

Take along more money and emergency water and food and then tell at least 1 passenger that they can't go due to weight/balance issues.

Take reading material.. the weather will not always be CAVOK (especially near the coast where there are any mountains, eg Parafield)


Wow.
I like your enthusiasm :ok:, but I'd recommend doing some shorter duration trips first.

[amos2]

yeah!...I got an idea for you...

turf one of your mates off and take me along instead! Just pay all my expenses and I'll sit in the back and make life easy for you!

:p

On second thoughts, I'd better sit in the front!

;)

[R_Anderson]

There are four of us and all hold PPL's

We are taking a C-172 and a C-172RG

We have done some smaller trips already as we are all doing the CPL course at Royal Queensland Aero Club.

And sorry we are going to Bankstown not syd.

[Capt Claret]

What about the top 'alf of Australia? :}

One of my brother's (a non pilot) has for years raved about William Creek, on the Oodnadatta Track near Lake Eyre North, almost due East from Coober Pedy.

He described it as landing on the (dirt) strip, taxiing to the pub and throwing the prop over the hitching rail, then proceeding indoors for a cold beer! :ok:

[amos2]

William Creek?...yeah, been there, done that!

Still available guys!

:ok:

[R_Anderson]

Sure thing Amos after i win lotto this week i will give you a call!
:ok:

[Biggles_in_Oz]

For Bankstown and Moorabbin have a look at http://www.casa.gov.au/avreg/pilot/pilotgde.htm
and in conjunction with the ERSA and VTC extract the bits that you'll need to get in and out.

You're certainly going to see some varied countryside :p

I don't know how you're going to overnight, but often, if you call the place that you're staying at, then they'll pick you up and return you to the airport,
otherwise it can be a bit of a walk. (Coober Pedy and Leigh Creek spring to mind here)

[Atlas Shrugged]

He described it as landing on the (dirt) strip, taxiing to the pub and throwing the prop over the hitching rail, then proceeding indoors for a cold beer!

http://www.wrightsair.com.au/Airvanpub3.jpg

I still haven't been able to find anyone to tell me the end of the story about a certain CPL and the three Norwegian Backpackers disappearing up the Oodnadatta Track in the back of a Kingswood ute! ;)

[OpsNormal]

Just don't do what Trev or Adam or whoever did by leaving the aircraft with the tail pointed towards that open door of the pub....... Or if you do make doubly sure you can taxi and take-off real quick!

Regards,

OpsN.;)

[olderbutyzer]

otherwise it can be a bit of a walk. (Coober Pedy and Leigh Creek spring to mind here)

No problems with Leigh Creek if you ring the refueller beforehand. She will give you names & numbers of places to stay & which is best as far as airport pickups & drop-offs go.

[Atlas Shrugged]

Ahhh....the lovely Rose!

She used to have an old Hillman Hunter (with a Hemi 345 donk in it!!) that she used to race and occasionally, would give you a lift into town in.

Anyone know if she's still the Mayor?

A