Point Cook? Hangars? Action?

[Sunfish]

CAn anyone update me on the current state of play at Point Cook wrt GA access?

[dartman2]

It is a military base and as such only those with a user agreement may access it (unless visiting the museum).

[peterc005]

Since the RAAF took control of the base instead of using private contractors things seem to have improved over at Point Cook, but there are still limits on how much GA is permitted over there.

Pity, because it's a fantastic airfield to fly into.

[Squawk7700]

Serious question. What makes it a fantastic airport? Facilities, cafe, fuel, buses, transport / train, runways, beaches weather?

Have been there a few times to visit the museum and know a few with aircraft there.

[peterc005]

There are two massive runways in excellent condition. Infrastructure like runway lights always seems to be in top condition.

It's close to the city with a very scenic coastal vista.

Right next to heaps of CTA for training, but OCTA so you don't need clearance. There is also a pretty decent aerobatic training area close by, although a forced landing in a sewerage farm would not be pleasant.

Heaps of interesting planes there, both from the museum and RAAF planes that drop in. My son landed there recently and parked next to the Roulettes. You might even get to share the CTAF with a flight of F18s.

Being a RAAF base security is good. The RAAF people seem good to deal with once you know them and the way they operate.

Small and friendly flying club.

Fantastic place to fly, with a bit of traffic sometimes, but never too much.

It's like a small country airport, except it's right next to the city, with great runways, a big museum and random military hardware.

[kaz3g]

Grass all over!

Kaz

[BlatantLiar]

aerobatic training area

lol

My son landed there recently and parked next to the Roulettes.

Cool story bro

You might even get to share the CTAF with a flight of F18s.

Yeah because they still routinely operate there

[junior.VH-LFA]

BL, is there any reason at all for your attitude you just posted with?

Getting to fly into a field next to the Roulettes for some, myself included, would be a cool experience, certainly something different.

Hornets don't routinely operate there, but there is no way of knowing what might come through PCK on a training flight, everything from C-130 to PC9 routinely pass through on training sorties.

[BPA]

You will never see any of the RAAF's fast jets on the ground for training flights. They were there earlier this year to celebrate 100 years of the RAAF. So if you think you have a Hornet or a Hawk pull up next to you, you're dreaming.

Yes you will see the occasional PC9 and Herc, but they also fly into most of the other country airports around the country, so you have just as much chance of seeing them at one of these airports as you do at PCK.

[junior.VH-LFA]

Isn't that more or less what I just said?

And you're far more likely to run into a PC9 at PCK than at any other small airfield in Victoria..

[allthecoolnamesarego]

let's hope no one actually 'runs into' a PC9:8:p

[ACMS]

Last time I flew into PCK it was quite straight forward.

My only complaint was that there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in the Museum, not even a vending machine..........:=


Chances of seeing a fast Jet there? ZERO.

The crap they had to go to flying them in for the Airshow means they ain't gunna just drop by anytime soon.:D

[BlatantLiar]

BL, is there any reason at all for your attitude you just posted with?

Yes, I'm allergic to bull****, particularly like this:

Hornets don't routinely operate there, but there is no way of knowing what might come through PCK on a training flight, everything from C-130 to PC9 routinely!!!!11!! pass through on training sorties.

And this:
http://www.pprune.org/search.php?searchid=2142473

[peterc005]

Lot's of war bird stuff at YMPC, both old and new.

Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.

Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.

There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.

[jas24zzk]

He's partially correct BL.
They do often pass through, but they RARELY stop

FL450 is still passing through ain't it? :O

[jas24zzk]

My only complaint was that there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in the Museum, not even a vending machine..........

That's been an issue for over 20 years!...

its not pilot friendly at all, you can't even get a watered down caffeinated beverage at temperature cold!

[junior.VH-LFA]

I guess the C-130's that take OTS students to RAAF Williams aren't really there then... A figment of my imagination it seems :) .

I'm not saying that it's an everyday occurrence, but it's not exactly never seen.

Someone should tell the RAAF not to send the PC9 to PCK this week, seeing as they don't ever go there..

They fooled me good!

[junior.VH-LFA]

Lot's of war bird stuff at YMPC, both old and new.

Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.

Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.

There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.

I do hope they get the Mustang flying again one day. Here's to hoping!

[gerry111]

Junior,


Perhaps the best way to get the RAAF Museum's Mustang flying again would be for you to talk to David Lowy? I'm rather sure that it will never fly again if left at PCK. Temora Aviation Museum probably have the resources required.

[peterc005]

If the RAAF opened PC upto GA and allowed usage of the old Bellman hangars on the southern end of the field it would be great.

I get the impression the previous private contractor managing YMPC was a bit paranoid and sometimes over-regulated things a bit. The RAAF guys managing it now are more approachable and sensible.

It's interesting to see the RAAF guys in action managing an airfield. I guess they have to have the resources in place to possibly setup airfields overseas in the event of conflict, and maybe they use PC to practise this. A couple of times I've asked questions and the RAAF people have come straight back with simple and straight answers.

There is an enormous amount of history at PC. Recently I even saw a photo an an ME262 parked there after WW11.

There are people here who criticise Julia Gillard, but a few years ago when she was both PM and the local House of Representatives Member for the area that included YMPC she stopped the airfield being redeveloped into a new suburb.

[500N]

There are people here who criticise Julia Gillard, but a few years ago when she was both PM and the local House of Representatives Member for the area that included YMPC she stopped the airfield being redeveloped into a new suburb.

Having here as out local MP did have a few benefits.

Pity Laverton closed down but I hope PC never does, too much history.

[junior.VH-LFA]

Junior,


Perhaps the best way to get the RAAF Museum's Mustang flying again would be for you to talk to David Lowy? I'm rather sure that it will never fly again if left at PCK. Temora Aviation Museum probably have the resources required.

I think the idea has been kicked around, but I'm not sure what will come of it. The Mustang is the apple of many of the volunteers eyes at the Museum, so letting it go would be hard.

That said, I think you're right.

[AirBumps]

There are people here who criticise Julia Gillard, but a few years ago when she was both PM and the local House of Representatives Member for the area that included YMPC she stopped the airfield being redeveloped into a new suburb.

Given PCK is the oldest continually operating Air Force Base in the world most of it is heritage listed and can't be touched. I'm not sure Jules is responsible for that.

Laverton from what I understand is another matter, although I believe the hangers adjoining the remaining apron are heritage listed as well which would cause most developers a few headaches.

[Username here]

I guess the C-130's that take OTS students to RAAF Williams aren't really there then... A figment of my imagination it seems .

Must have been a figment of your imagination mate...

OTS hasn't been at PCK for years....

[junior.VH-LFA]

Really? :D

I wouldn't have been talking about the organised trips they do during the course, flying from ESL to PCK (usually in a Herc), to you know, give the students an insight into the RAAF's history, or anything like that... :E

Geez.

[gerry111]

The last time that I visited PCK was with Clinton McKenzie in his BE35. That was around two or three years ago. There was a rather new concrete apron on the Southern side of the museum hangars. And it was purposely painted with C130J taxi markings. So I'm prepared to believe that RAAF Hercs may still visit the place.


Thread drift... Does anyone know what happened to RAAF Mirage, A3-72 that used to be displayed near the old parade ground at PCK?


(A3-15, A3-48 and A3-72 were the 77Sqn Mirages that were painted white for the RAAF 60th birthday Amberley Air Show in 1981.)

[Sunfish]

The concrete apron was added after a C130 taxi'd a little off centre and went through the tarmac one display weekend quite a few years ago and got bogged. There was much digging, jacking, ringing of phones and finally hours later the skipper drove it out with much noise, like in the scene in "Airport" - but with no cigar (smoke free workplace).

[AirBumps]

Must have been a figment of your imagination mate...

OTS hasn't been at PCK for years.... Whilst OTS hasn't been at PCK for years, thats not what junior was saying.

He clearly and correctly pointed out that from time to time a Herc will stop in with a load full of OTS students from ESL doing a tour of the museum. I very worthwhile activity and a much needed change in scenery around the week 7 or 8 mark.

Unfortunately, sometimes the hercs are otherwise tasked and some poor students need to take the bus :*

[gerry111]

AirBumps,


Hopefully with the introduction of the Spartans (Caribou replacement) these sorts of training flights may become available once again. I well remember my first flight in a Caribou from LAV to ESL in 1978 for flight line experience during Avionics Technician training.


(I managed to score a passenger flight in a Central Flying School Macchi whilst at ESL doing "Ground Controlled Approaches" No Simulators for the Air Traffic Controller trainees in those days, fortunately...)


It was even better fun as Flying Officer Steve Nelson was Captain of the Caribou. (He was a fellow South Australian and we had both been members of the same aeromodelling club in Adelaide.)


About two or three years later, I was in a RAAF B707 on a flight from WLM to LMO for a Mirage deployment. Steve was co-pilot and handling pilot. Lots of fun to be in the cockpit for the landing!


Such a small world! :ok::ok::ok:

[Old Fella]

Was based at Point Cook from late 1960 through to 1963. A full flight line of Winjeels to work on. The museum was in it's infancy. Guard duty meant walking around the airfield punching "Bundy Clocks". Gerry111, I may well have been the F/E on the flight in the B707 with Steve Nelson you mentioned. Steve was one of the first pilots, along with Nev Lines, to come to the B707 and be trained "in house" around 1980 I guess. I'm pretty sure he would have had his B707 command by the time I left the B707 and the RAAF in 1981.

[gerry111]

Old Fella,


The 77 Sqn deployment from Williamtown to Learmonth was for Exercise "Western Reward" and my flight in either A20-624 or 627 was on perhaps 3rd October 1980? Such a great way to travel rather than by Herc!


My first work visit from LAV to PCK was in 1975 and the job was to clean the bird sh*t off the Vampire, then on a pole at the front gate. We were (inappropriately) given Scotchbrite pads...


Another more pleasant memory of PCK was in 1976. One Saturday, I drove over and managed to get myself a free flight in a DH-84 Dragon. We flew over Port Philip Bay for about an hour. I'll always wonder if the pilot was perhaps Mac Job? There were only the two of us on board and I do remember having a great chat with the relaxed, very competent pilot. :ok::ok::ok:

[Old Fella]

Gerry111. Checked my log book and I did not do that trip. Had only got home from a LAX-SFO trip on the 1st October 80 in -624. I remember that trip if for no other reason than we followed a QF B747 across from HNL, on 28the Sept about 10 mins behind, and landed before it at LAX. Apparently they had opted for a visual approach and at a late stage realised that they had set up for the wrong airport, probably Hawthorne Municipal. We met the crew later that evening in SFO (they slipped up there I guess) and when we arrived at the Hilton later it was their shout. I believe the papers back home were full of it next day.

[gerry111]

Thanks, Old Fella.


The 77 Sqn Mirages staged through Alice Springs on their way then direct to Learmonth. At some time later it was determined that they had insufficient fuel. So all the aircraft lobbed in to Paraburdoo with an E model Herc containing the maintenance guys for the East - West deployment.


One thing that I'll never forget about that trip to LMO was the fantastic Mirage "beat up" of the place by Bob Veneziano AKA "V8".


Just under the speed of sound a few feet above the runway threshold.....


Great memories of simpler times!

[Jerr]

The RAAF MUSEUM is restarting its flying displays after extensive runway and apron works at RAAF Williams - Point Cook - YMPC.

On Sunday April 17th the RAAF Roulettes will be part of the flying display.

For more info re flying into Point Cook visit the RAAF Museum website.

The Point Cook Flying Club situated at the northern end of the airfield will be firing up its BBQ and can assist with airside access.

You can also drive in to visit the Museum.

JERR

[Sunfish]

The RAAF MUSEUM is restarting its flying displays after extensive runway and apron works at RAAF Williams - Point Cook - YMPC.

On Sunday April 17th the RAAF Roulettes will be part of the flying display.

For more info re flying into Point Cook visit the RAAF Museum website.

The Point Cook Flying Club situated at the northern end of the airfield will be firing up its BBQ and can assist with airside access.

You can also drive in to visit the Museum.

JERR

now all we need is to open it to GA, build some hangars and turn it into a centre for restoration on of antiques and warbirds.......

[The name is Porter]

now all we need is to open it to GA, build some hangars and turn it into a centre for restoration on of antiques and warbirds.......

It's a RAAF airfield, they own it, why should it be opened to GA?

[Godot64]

It's a RAAF airfield, they own it, why should it be opened to GA?

Because it's not the RAAF that owns it - they're just the operator. It's the Commonwealth that actually owns the airfield and our Federal representatives have long-standing, bipartisan form in selling underutilised Commonwealth aviation assets to the likes of property developers.


The RAAF is perfectly capable and skilled in conducting their operations in harmony with civil operators and GA. Just a couple a weeks ago I was operating a PA-28 out of Townsville, another RAAF operated aerodrome, fitting around the operations of a number of flights of F/A-18s. As far as CASA and Airservices are concerned, Point Cook is just another CTAF, so there's little impediment to the RAAF at least considering increased access for GA. They may even make a little money from it to help with funding the Museum!

[Stanwell]

Oh that's good - the PCFC can assist with airside access to attend their sausage-sizzle.
Does that mean I won't have to wear a fluoro vest and ASIC dog-collar?

The RAAF Museum even require visitors to present Photo ID so that they may be permitted to view the museum exhibits.
What?
That makes me wonder, also, whether cameras might have to be surrendered at a security desk.

Can't be too careful with national security matters, y'know.


Having finished with my snide remarks, the Museum is indeed underfunded and largely kept alive by a struggling, but dedicated, band of volunteers.
As Sunny and Godot point out, allowing increased GA access to directly help fund the Museum would be a step in the right direction.
.

[junior.VH-LFA]

Point Cook is open to GA arrivals if you put a bit of effort in rather than just expecting to turn up.

1. 24 HR PPR for all visiting CIV and MIL ACFT MON-FRI. 48HR PPR for all visiting CIV and
MIL ACFT weekend movements.
2. Air Base Command Post is manned MON-THU 0800-1700 and FRI 0800-1500 LMT. After
hours CTC duty mobile 0458 263 124.

What's the problem with asking visitors to an active military base to present photo ID on entry? Aside from the museum there are other units on base, and during busy periods (like Avalon) PCK hosts large numbers of ADF personnel. Is that really such a burden? Cameras are totally fine at PCK. Maybe you were being sarcastic in which case, my bad.

It's a very nice airfield to fly from, probably the thing it lacks the most is a cafe/tea and coffee facility. The museum does the best it can within the constraints it has.