Fuel Availability Birdsville - Tobooburra - Leigh Creek Region

[Sunfish]

OK, so there is no fuel at Leigh Creek until the new system goes in.

Does anyone have the recent story for Maree, William Creek, Birdsville and Tibooburra?

Does Cameron corner have Avgas? Is there anywhere else in that region apart from Broken Hill and Arkaroola?

Just doing some planning and maybe save a few phone calls........

[tail wheel]

Birdsville and Windorah should have avgas.

[Desert Duck]

Birdsville & Windorah normally have AVGAS & JETA1 - but with the traffic and useage of late I would ring first & check

[Nil details]

Marree has Avgas at $2.60 and Olympic Dam has AVGAS at $2.00 with a $55 call out fee outside the RPT times.

[rattly_spats]

When we flew out there in June 2009, William Creek had an avgas bowser. We had previously rung Wrights Air to verify this before we departed. Both Tibooburra and Marree had drums only at that time, and only by pre-order as well.
In the end we purchased fuel from bowsers at Broken Hill, William Creek, Oodnadatta, Birdsville and White Cliffs. We didn't use any drum fuel on that trip.

Rattly

[Arrrj]

Maree has avgas, although the set-up is "special"...stand clear when the fuel guy starts up the pump by jump-starting it from his car, whilst smoking !

Rawnsley Park (very nice chaps) have fuel. That's where we filled up (numerous times) when flying heli's around there last December.

Rawnsley Park Station :: Watch the sky turn a brilliant red as it sets over Wilpena Pound. Be inspired by a landscape that has captivated poets and painters for generations. Marvel at Australian native wildlife and flora in its natural habitat. (http://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/)

You will need to call both first - and then re-call the day before.

It's a fun place to fly, enjoy. :ok:

Arrrj

[_gazelle_]

As of today fuel available at LEC. AVGAS & Jet through Stark. Two x 10 000L tanks.

[Desert Flower]

As of today fuel available at LEC. AVGAS & Jet through Stark. Two x 10 000L tanks.

I can confirm this. Payment is by either credit card or company card.

DF.

[jas24zzk]

you back on the job DF ?

[Desert Flower]

you back on the job DF ?

Nope - I'm retired now. Or should that be just tired? ;) Since it's card swipe, no need for the friendly refueller who used to give runway info, keep snacks in her fridge etc. :{ According to my sources, fuel only has to be checked once a month for quality. I find that strange, after having to do it daily for nigh on 20 years!

DF.

[jas24zzk]

They really do lack vision these been counters. The 'service' at LEC made it all the more worthwhile visiting.

[headscratch] don't ever recall leaving the airport to tourist the rest of the place though, seem to recall getting everything needed at your one-stop shop. :ok:

[Jerr]

I usually refuel at YPIR - Port Pirie on my way up north.

Usually much cheaper than elsewhere per litre, and no landing charge.

Also there is a club room where you donate a gold coin for tea or coffee.

Fuel also much cheaper at Coober Pedy YCBP than elsewhere.

Safe flying

JERR

[Desert Flower]

seem to recall getting everything needed at your one-stop shop.

The one stop shop (aka "The Confessional") now resides in my yard alongside the house. Still have all my models hanging from the roof & business cards on the walls. :ok:

DF.

[mostlytossas]

Anyone know the cost /liter at Liegh Creek ? I guess whatever it is it has to be cheaper than YOLD with the $55 opening fee. Might start seeing some traffic to Birdsville again from the South.

[Desert Flower]

Anyone know the cost /liter at Liegh Creek ? I guess whatever it is it has to be cheaper than YOLD with the $55 opening fee. Might start seeing some traffic to Birdsville again from the South.

Will swing by there today & have a look for you. Stay tuned!

DF.

[mostlytossas]

Your a champ DF:ok:

[Desert Flower]

Your a champ DF

Lol, thanks. Now here's the goss. Went out & had a look at the setup - very nice. All it needs now is a Coke machine & a Mars Bar dispenser in the terminal! Anyway, Avgas price is currently $2.121 & Jet A1 $2.020. I have no idea how often this will change, I used to change mine once a month but because this is electronically controlled the price might change on a daily or weekly basis.

DF.

[mostlytossas]

Thanks for that DF. As for the price changing electronically probably soon as you insert your credit card.lol.

[chimbu warrior]

Since it's card swipe, no need for the friendly refueller who used to give runway info, keep snacks in her fridge etc.

Well that might work in theory, but not in the real world. Was at YCAB twice recently and the card swipe "declined" all cards offered. Press the help button on the bowser, no help. Call the help-line by phone, listen to recorded message about how (large Dutch multi-national oil company) values my call, then eventually a real person answers.

I explain the situation, he responds with thinly disguised platitudes, but "...we are aware of the issue and seeking a resolution..." is all he can offer. I express frustration, he suggests real problem is actually someone else's fault (of course), then suggests I go elsewhere.

Fact is, without fuel I go nowhere.

This same oil company "reviewed" their network of outlets a year or so ago, and closed several Avgas facilities in what (to GA operators) are strategic locations. No doubt when they "review" sales performance at YCAB it will be seen to have "...not met sales targets.." and perhaps discontinued. :ugh:

So the friendly refueller is usually more than just a pretty face; they are a lifeline in the bush.

[jas24zzk]

on the money Chimbu!

Having done a few race trips to BDV, and coming home via LEC, there was nothing better than introducing the pax to DF's salad rolls.
They skipped breakfast..prefering to dry heave at the thought of the rotary clubs $10 all you can eat CHAR grill eggs and bacon. By the time we reached LEC, DF's rolls were well appreciated. Not saying they looked crap, but they certainly tasted better than they looked. Never had a pax complain after chowing down on one. Pretty hard to beat the food 'your mum makes' but they are up there :ok:

Maybe theres an opening there for you there DF, official caterer! :suspect:

Cheers
Jas

[Desert Flower]

Well that might work in theory, but not in the real world. Was at YCAB twice recently and the card swipe "declined" all cards offered. Press the help button on the bowser, no help. Call the help-line by phone, listen to recorded message about how (large Dutch multi-national oil company) values my call, then eventually a real person answers.

Chimbu, the same thought crossed my mind today as I stood there reading the operating instructions & who to contact if something went wrong. What the hell are a company that is in the capital city several hundred k's away going to do? With my installation I had to fix things myself if something went wrong, or (very rarely I might add) get hubby to give me a hand.

DF.

[Desert Flower]

Maybe theres an opening there for you there DF, official caterer!

I seriously doubt if the traffic from Birdsville will ever get back to making that option worthwile. I think the last time before I was shut down there were less than five aircraft came back on the Sunday.

DF.

[Wally Mk2]

Gee 'DF" I haven't been into LC since the late 90's in either a C404 or a PA42 on the way back from around Oz doing rich folk tours:-) I must have come across you as everyone talks about you:ok:
I'd hate to be buying fuel these days in outback Oz, dearer than gold!


Wmk2

[Desert Flower]

Gee 'DF" I haven't been into LC since the late 90's in either a C404 or a PA42 on the way back from around Oz doing rich folk tours:-) I must have come across you as everyone talks about you

Were you doing the Rod Dyer trips? Rego of the PA-42 would have been NMA & C404's would have been TTK or TTZ if my memory serves me correctly. Those who really know me know how much I love the sound of a pair of GTSIO's!

DF.

[Wally Mk2]

Correct weight there "DF"...rego's are spot on:ok: Dianne was often the tour guide, top chick too:ok:
Ah the good 'ole days when flying was fun:) Had the best time going to all these tourist joints & getting paid to do it....crazy!:)

Let me send you a tape recording of a 'GTSIO" donk running so you can slip it under yr pillow of a night listening to it & dream of far away places:E


Wmk2

[Desert Flower]

Let me send you a tape recording of a 'GTSIO" donk running so you can slip it under yr pillow of a night listening to it & dream of far away places

Wally, I still dream I'm out there at times! Do you know if Rod Dyer's still going or has he left us? The last time I saw his son he said his dad's health was failing.

DF.