Flying in Sydney

[balboa]

Hello- anyone have any experience of doing an hour or so flying in the Sydney area and can recommend a club etc

thanks people

[DaveW]

If you'd like some aeros instruction in a Robin 2160 (or Pitts Special now, I see), I'd recommend these guys (http://www.redbaron.com.au/flight_training/) at Bankstown. I flew with them 18 months ago - very friendly and professional.

[balboa]

Hey thanks guys- oh fixed wing by the way- that Richtoffen stuff looks fun but I was after something rather more sedate and ordinary!

[Trinity 09L]

I did the trip around Sydney from a airfield at Camden in a 172. Very accomodating - you pay the same as for instruction, but cheaper than UK. If you wish to pm I will give details of the flying school - but it is pretty obvious using the name of the airfield and search on the web:rolleyes: I forgot the name of the specific route which allows the flight, but again search on the Australian Civil Aviation = the answer - well worth it:D

[DaveW]

and if you need a licence contact CASA in advance to ensure the i's and t's are dotted/ crossed before you get there

Quite so. A long time in advance - think several months, not weeks, sadly. Also, you cannot sort things out with CASA at Bankstown; everything has to go through the HQ in Canberra (unless things have changed in the last year and a half). The CASA fees are pretty eye-watering too; that, coupled with the timescales, is why I didn't bother for one short trip. Search in here and in the "D&G General Aviation" forum for chapter and verse, or see the CASA website (http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/overbr.htm#special).

A really great shame it's so time consuming and costly.

[helicopter-redeye]

In 2003 (well post 9/11) it was a trip to a field office in Mascot (next to KS airport) and about 90 AUD and about 10 minutes. I suggest you locate a school at YSBK or other and get advice from them. I was there for several months so it was worth it.

h-r;)

[DaveW]

Sadly no longer, h-r.

From the CASA link above:

Should you only wish to engage in private operations whilst in Australia, (for example, while on holidays) a Special Pilot Licence can be issued on the basis of your overseas licence, provided it is current.

...

Application for a Special Pilot Licence
Processing can take several months

(Fill out three forms and...)

Attach certified true copies of your overseas licence, medical certificate and a copy of the latest opening of your logbook

...

Certification of documents can only be made by a Notary Public or a CASA DAME in your home country. Alternatively, an Australian official at any Australian Embassy or High Commission.

...
NB. fee for issue of Special Pilot licence for recreational purposes is $260AUD + $260AUD for an aircraft endorsement.

...

Note.To process and issue a Special Licence can take several months due to time required to undergo all the mandatory security checks.

[bcfc]

It was a while back, but I pitched up at Basair at Bankstown, hired a 172 with an instructor and just said I wanted to fly locally. He made it legal, helped with the local procedures and we ended up doing the low-level route around the Bridge. Unforgettable flight with none of the hassle with special licences, the instructor was relaxed and only helped when needed and with mate in the back, we had loads of fun.

Well worth it if only looking for an hour or so when you're there.

Very jealous ;)

[DaveW]

It's worth noting that there is an alternative to the Special Licence mentioned above, but it is only valid for 3 months, costs $260 (+ £39 to the CAA) and still requires notarised documents to be submitted to Canberra. It's called the Certificate of Validation - more details from the CASA link above.

[Ozzymick]

I did my fixed wing training with BASAIR at Bankstown, Sydney back in 97, I know they are still running and the Chief Instructor is still there.

They looked after me well but I ran out of money (as usual)

Good luck

[jeab]

You may find the guide for the Sydney basin useful: http://www.casa.gov.au/pilots/pilotgde.htm

...and the AIP: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au/publications/aip.asp

[jeab]

You may find this guide to the Sydney Basin useful: http://www.casa.gov.au/pilots/pilotgde.htm

and the AIP: http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au/publications/default.asp

[egbt]

I can recomend these guys from a visit last year http://www.airborne-aviation.com.au/
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/JohnL52/Flying/SydneyBondi397-2-1.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u129/JohnL52/Flying/SydneyOpera.jpg

[Trinity 09L]

Jeab - thats the good link for Victor route - worth downloading and reading on the flight out:hmm:
EGBT - thats the link for the airfield/club I used very good - I used the 172R in the picture.

[Islander Jock]

If you already have an Aviation Security Identification Card, the issuing of the C of V for your UK licence should be fairly painless but you need to check first. I will advise here as I have advised on other threads, DO NOT apply to CASA for your ASIC as they are expensive and notoriously slow, however they are improving.
I'd suggest contacting Aviation ID Australia (http://www.aviationidaustralia.net.au)and get them to sort out your ASIC before you arrive which may then only require the immigration check upon arrival. Then you can go to CASA and get your C of V.
Yes it is bloody expensive and we are paying more and more for continually deteriorating levels of service in Australia by the regulator.
I don't know how it was done but one pilot from Europe actually had his card issued prior to him arriving in the country. He just had to go along to the nominated flying school to pick it up.

Dave W,
That ruling regarding certification of documents seems to be CASA's interpretation only. I have received advice that it is up to the ASIC issuing authority to accept that the certification of ducuments is carried out by an appropriate person. I don't see what the issue is anyway. YOur ASIC in most cases WILL NOT be posted to you overseas so you can produce originals of the documents when you collect your ASIC.

[skua]

In 2001 I hired a Saratoga from a chap called David at Camden. Fraid I can't remember his surname, but he was very helpful (including sorting out an Oz licence), and thE a/c was in quite good nick.

Good Luck
Skua

[boostsnare]

Hi all,

I recommend you to fly in Hoxton, that's no bad cheaper than Bankstown.
I can recommend you to fly along the Victor1, it's really nice.

Enjoy.:ok:

[On the Spot]

I'd second Hoxton Park as it is quieter than Bankstown and so easier to get in and out plus there is/was a choice of schools. I went to Phoenix Aerro club and found them helpful and sociable.
Enjoy !

[kookabat]

Not for long, bootsnare. YHOX gets closed at the end of 2008... many of the operators from there (McIver amongst them) are now based out of Bankstown.

Pity really - was a nice field.

Myself - I'd recommend going out to Camden for the same 'quieter than Bankstown and so easier to get in and out' reasons. Plus there's a certain school there with some very nice Citabrias. No I'm not biased at all!!

[On the Spot]

So the house developers won - they were closing in when I was there last. What a shame.

[jonnoboy]

'On the spot', when were you last there? It would be a great shame to loose that airfield to bloody housing devleopers. I was last there Feb 2007, and flew regularly from Rene's Liverpool Flying School. A great little airfield, and thoroughly enjoyed aerobatting his Super Decathlon.

If it is still there, I'd recommend the place as it is quieter and much more easy going. 10 minutes flying from the blue mountains, and 10 from the Harbour bridge!

I miss the place!

[kookabat]

Still there as of now, yes. But closes end 2008.

[On the Spot]

it must be 3 years since I was last there. The houses were gaining ground all the time and it will be a sad loss when it closes in 08.