Mallard ???

[xxgoldxx]

Passed through Darwin the other day and told to line up behind "the Mallard on final "... never seen one before but have done some float time... does anyone have know what these machines do or what you need to do to get a gig ??

[forgetabowdit]

They do Crew Changes to pearl farms between Darwin and Broome amongst other things I guess. Paspaley operates them privately I believe. I dont know much about getting a gig on one, but I imagine there is a decent que to get behing and not too many people leaving the fleet I would think (just my assumption).

We used to clean them when they overnighted in broome and they are lovely aircraft. All PT6 turbine engines too after an expensive retrofit I believe.
Someone may like to correct me too, but I believe the Chalk Air (think it was) that crashed after a wing fire was not a Turbine was it?

Anyway, at sunset in Broome, I have not seen a nicer sight in aviation as the Mallard on short final... Anyone care to agree!?

Cheers

[Tmbstory]

forgetabowdit:

I agree a great sight!

About Broome, have you seen the "Stairway to Heaven" upon moonrise when looking over the bay?

Tmb

[forgetabowdit]

Yeah Tmb, was lucky enough to share a Flash place eh with a few mates right on the water on Roebuck Bay (Dunno how we afforded it on Single engine wages!@) but the Staircase to the Moon was always a highlight.

Such a top spot, such a great lifestyle.. Ah I miss it!

[Moniker]

The Mallards support the Paspaley Pearling Operation.

If you think they look good on the ground, they are stunning on the water!

Had the very great pleasure of seeing one landing and taking off over near a farm ..

very very nice bit of kit!

Contact Pearl Aviation - they'll give you the low down, or check out the web site ..

[Arm out the window]

Slightly off track, this video of a Mallard doing some wild antics on the water is fairly full on - ran across it some time ago, must have got the heart rate up somewhat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znyMx58fZqQ

[Capt Fathom]

Me thinks that may be a Grumman Goose in that video!

There were 2 Mallards at Shute Harbour many years ago. A piston and a PT6 version. I seem to recall one of the original Darwin Mallards came from this stock.

[kiwiblue]

...video of a Mallard...

certainly illustrates how much abuse they'll take! That situation could probably have been resolved simply by pulling the power and allowing her to settle. Would be interested to know the story behind that clip...

[Dave Incognito]

That vid is taken from Endless Summer 2. Still never been able to work out whether that was a jenuine crash or if it was planned. The people standing fairly close on the bank makes me think it wasn't supposed to go that way.

Those pearl mallards are some very tidy machines. Up close they looked immaculate. Used to see them a fair bit docked off the Kimberley coast but never managed to see one taking off or landing on the water...

[dmussen]

I was lucky enough to get a ride (down the Back) last year.Bme-Cone Bay.
They dropped me off on the way to Talbot and a second one picked me up PM and we were back in Bme in no time for cold beers.
Superb condition and a very handy cruise speed.
I should think the line of hopeful drivers may be rather long.
Give it your best shot.

[Ref + 10]

I always loved seeing them when doing the scenic flights out of Broome. One went past me while nearly at the Horizontal Waterfalls. I did laps around the Mallard watching it land instead of around the Hori's. The passengers didn't seem to mind either....

Apparently they get along at around 200 ktas which seems about right as it went past all those years ago.