VFR flight in WA - advice

[windy1]

I have looked at the AIP and NAIPS websites, but still have a few questions:

1 SARTIME: How should the alerting time be calculated if departing a non towered airfield out of mobile phone coverage?

2 Are there any flight guides published for WA which give basic data (rwy orientation, length, slope, surface, elevation, approach/departing obstacles) for those minor and private airfields which appear on WAC charts but which are not listed in the AIP.

3 What is the best source of info for Danger Areas outside the VNC area(status hot/cold, controlling agency). I only found restricted areas on the NAIPS website.

4 What is the lowest altitude for VHF Flight Information service within 150nm of Perth. Ditto for flight following (radar service)

5 Joining Circuits: Is it correct (VFR Guide) that base leg joins are not permitted (subject to traffic)

6 Bush fires are presumably notamed and don't cover big areas quickly? What typical lateral and vertical distance needed to remain vfr?

All comments/advice welcome

[NOtimTAMs]

1 SARTIME: How should the alerting time be calculated if departing a non towered airfield out of mobile phone coverage?

Depends - if there's a phone at the airfield, use it. If not, be sure you've got someone to pick you up and take you to a phone. If either not possible, you can try the Flightwatch or the Area Frequency when in the circuit instead - not encouraged, but what can you do? Allow 30-45 min margin - you can update SARTIME en route through Flightwatch (see ERSA In-flight Briefing for the frequencies and locations)

2 Are there any flight guides published for WA which give basic data (rwy orientation, length, slope, surface, elevation, approach/departing obstacles) for those minor and private airfields which appear on WAC charts but which are not listed in the AIP.

Yes - there's the AOPA Airfield Directory (visit www.aopa.com.au (http://www.aopa.com.au)) and there's a flip top spiral guide series for each state - try an on-line pilots shop like SkyLines (http://www.skylines.com.au/index.php?subheading=90).

3 What is the best source of info for Danger Areas outside the VNC area(status hot/cold, controlling agency). I only found restricted areas on the NAIPS website.

Outside VNC/VTC Coverage, boundaries on the ERC Low and/or TAC charts. Controlling agency, etc. found in the PRD (Prohibited, Restricted & Danger Areas) section of the ERSA (available online as PDF through the Airservices Australia (http://www.airservicesaustralia.com.au) site)

4 What is the lowest altitude for VHF Flight Information service within 150nm of Perth. Ditto for flight following (radar service)

Shouldn't be too bad at any altitude so close to Perth - but not a local, so someone else will help you there.

5 Joining Circuits: Is it correct (VFR Guide) that base leg joins are not permitted (subject to traffic)

Must fly three legs of circuit (e.g. join x-wind or downwind) or comply with straight-in approach requirements. Beware airfields with non-standard circuit directions.

6 Bush fires are presumably notamed and don't cover big areas quickly? What typical lateral and vertical distance needed to remain vfr?

Bush fires are reported on the Area Forecast along with viz. The locations ofthe fires are not specifically NOTAMed - you will also need to watch the news!! Viz requirementsfor VFR are unchanged whether its a fire or mist....

Sounds like getting in touch with a Perth flying school and also checking out the requirements for a foreign pilot operating here would be a good idea....

[scrambler]

Agree re asking the school you are flying from.

As for the bushfires, keep a distance as there is a good chance that there will be aircraft operating over / near them. Nothing worse than trying to avoid "rubber knecks" whilst on fire ops

[BrazDriver]

Enjoy WA its a great place!

[Knackers]

QUOTE]What is the lowest altitude for VHF Flight Information service within 150nm of Perth. Ditto for flight following (radar service[/QUOTE]

VHF comms are pretty good within 150nm of Perth, provided you switch to the correct area frequency. For low level flight there are gaps to the north of Bunbury/Collie/Narrogin area on 130.0, so if you're southbound, switch to 124.9/125.4 a bit early. Cunderdin, also, and eastwards is a bugger on 130.0 until you gain a bit of height, so an early switch to 123.4 if you're eastbound can help.

Radar coverage within 80nm of Perth, B050, is good, with some gaps if you're low, but by the time you're getting 150nm away, you'd need to be about FL140. If you're a newbie operating into and out of Jandakot/Perth a submitted flight plan can speed things up if you should want navigation assistance. Otherwise there's a delay while we get your details while still servicing everyone else. It can be pretty busy out there.

[west atc]

The frequency north of Bunbury and in the Cunderdin area is no longer 130.0 but 120.3. Otherwise agree with Knackers on the frequency coverage.

Also a flight plan is definitely recommended as the airspace around Perth is very busy and having a flight plan will make clearance more likely.

Above A085 the area frequency is 133.9 between 50NM and 90NM to the east of Perth but RIS is unlikely because it is a control frequency.

Make sure you check the current NOTAM on the Pearce, Lancelin and Stirling restricted areas, there are a lot of areas along the coast.

[windy1]

Thanks pruners: All your inputs very much appreciated.

One flight I was considering was Perth- Hyden (guess why) so apart from missing that little mountain near the direct track, is there much else to watch out for?