Wrightsair - William Creek.

[Sunfish]

I saw several Wrightsair aircraft at Marree this week. I think most of them were running Lake Eyre tours and suchlike.

I would like to put on record my admiration for the Wrightsair pilot Guys and Gals. I have never seen more professional behaviour, starting with voice procedure, manners and professionalism right down to the evening cleaning of the aircraft.

Why a Qantas or a Jetstar or a Virgin would not want to snap up young pilots with this type of background is simply beyond me.

P.S. I hope CASA gave you and all your operations a clean bill of health at William Creek.

[Jack Ranga]

Sunny, do any of them say 'request traffic and code' (even some of the RAAF pilots are asking for 'traffic and code')

[Jabawocky]

Indeed :ok:

[Dangly Bits]

Sunny are you looking for a job with Big Trev are you? :)

He runs a good ship and in fact one of my friends just started with them. Trevor provides an excellent start to the profession of flying for many young men and women. He doesn't take shyte though so you best know how to fly properly before getting there.

I have known Trevor for years so I am a bit biased. I have never worked for him though.

Glad to see some organisations are turning out good pilot's though Sunny.

Cheers

DB

[Fondair]

Please explain what 'traffic and code' means and how would one respond to that? I'm more interested in the code part.

Here we go...
F-AIR

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

'request traffic and code'

The RFDS are doing now - so it must be right! :E

Dr :8

[RV6]

But what does it mean??

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

But what does it mean??

You're not supposed to know what it means - that's why they call it "code" ! :E

Dr :8

[Jabawocky]

It's just like ...climbing FLXXX pending clearance :ugh:

I think what the Ranga wants is a correct TAXI call or IFR departure report, and THEN you will be given all the stuff you need, including the traffic and a code. But what would I know..... :cool: just a lowly bugsmasher...:sad:

[RV6]

:O Thanks Dr!

[mcgrath50]

I always request my "airways when available", I don't want the controllers giving me something that's impossible now :8

[morno]

The RFDS are doing now - so it must be right

I'm sure if our Flight Standards department got hold of that Forky, the offending person would be made to write out the correct call 100 times!

I can't stand sloppy radio phraseology. If you can't be bothered to make the call correctly, what else can't you be bothered to do.....

morno

[Howard Hughes]

The RFDS are doing now - so it must be right!
Not in this part of the World they're not! Great idea about the lines mourno...:ok:

I always request my "airways when available",
How long before this becomes the standard, non standard phraseology?:ooh:

[Sunfish]

This reminds me of the old Army signals joke: "22 this is 23, have you received fresh radio batteries yet?"

[Super Cecil]

How long before this becomes the standard, non standard phraseology? You should have said "How long before this becomes the standard, non standard phraseology this time?" :8

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

I always request my "airways when available",

I wonder how many clearances have been given when "not available" ? :E

Dr :8

[maverick22]

It wasn't the intent, but somehow this has morphed into another R/T phraseology thread. So while we're at it, seems to be the trend lately:
"Centre, XYZ IFR Taxi"

Did I miss something new in the Jepps? I just launch straight in and give a taxi call...

[NZScion]

@maverick22 - I think it's just a bit of courtesy to let the controller finish whatever it is they are currently doing and pay attention to you, before you fire away with all of your details, only to be told to standby after blocking the freq for 15 seconds. You never know what else they may be organising on the other side of the mic...

[maverick22]

Yeah fair enough but is it anywhere in the Jepps? The plan is already in the system, so the details should already be there? I could understand this call if I was lodging details (i.e. no flight notification). :confused:

[Captain Nomad]

Jepp ATC pg AU-714 6.1.2 "The pilot of an IFR flight departing from a non-towered aerodrome must report 'IFR' when making first contact with ATS."

As NZ said, sometimes people use this as a starting point to give ATC a chance to pick up their pen before you go into the barrage of information. You would be surprised how much other stuff the guy on the console has to do apart from talk to you. Plenty of times they will tell you to 'standby' while attending to another matter before your taxi call - especially when things are busy. Put yourself in the other bloke's shoes for a moment and see what you would prefer!

[OpsNormal]

Mav.... Don't have the direct reference in front of me at the moment, but from memory it is covered in Jepps under the "Transmission Format" heading. As Capt Nomad and NZScion mentioned it is just plain common courtesy not to launch straight into a radio call as the controllers are quite often busy with other things such as co-ordinating hand-offs, datalink exchanges etc. Same deal with OCTA departure and position reports etc.

It also states straight up that on first contact with ATC one states one's flight rules if IFR. Sounds odd I know, however as usual there are different ways of interpreting the same information contained within the Jepps.

Have a good'n!

OpsN.:ok:

[maverick22]

Cheers fellas, knew this was the case with position reports, and the departure report, but not with the taxi call. It is something that I have just been hearing in the past 12 months. Will have a read tomorrow :ok:

[Natit]

Biggest f'ing thread drift ever!! :D

[Jack Ranga]

I think what the Ranga wants is a correct TAXI call or IFR departure report, and THEN you will be given all the stuff you need, including the traffic and a code. But what would I know..... just a lowly bugsmasher...

What would you know Jabba? You know what's written in AIP in phraseologies.

Request traffic and code? WTF is that? You get the traffic & code, automatic response without requesting it. Who was the ******** who came up with that radio call? And who are the sheep repeating it? It's sloppy, lazy crap. And for the the ADF to condone this garbage?

If you don't get a code squawk 2000, if the ATC doesn't give you a traffic statement, it means there is none.

What's your departure runway? What's your POB?

[morno]

I've been blasting straight into my taxi call for the last 4 years and I could probably count on 1 hand the number of times I've been told to "Standby".

A visit to Brisbane Centre confirms this is how they want it done (from the controllers I've spoken to anyway).

morno

[Lasiorhinus]

The enroute controller

a) is expecting you to call at some point
b) already knows who you are
c) already knows where you are

so when you call, they are just thinking "ah, yup, theres ABC's taxi call". Most controllers are capable of registering that, even if they happen to be doing something else at the time. There are exceptions, depending on what they're doing, but in general, there's nothing that requires their full attention. So just launch straight into the taxi call. They'll give you traffic, and a code, and a clearance when it becomes available.

I've no idea why the AIP says we have to tell ATS which runway we're using.

[Lancair70]

Ummm, maybe so if you dont give a dept report within 10 min they know which end of the runway to send emergency services to look for you ?


I always call ctr with my callsign only on first contact, sometimes theyll come straight back with my clearance and code, sometimes they tell me to stdby. Ive been told off for making my first call an all in one (vfr into CTA), I guess it depends on the controller and his workload/mood at the time.

[Captain Nomad]

I could count on one hand the number of times I have been told to 'standby' too - in the last week! Maybe the Melbourne controllers are just more busy... :}

[VH-XXX]

How about the reciprocal? When I am busy as the pilot, ATC should call me up first and see if I'm too busy to take their instructions!

[Captain Nomad]

They already do that! They say "STAR clearance available" - they don't just barrel into it. :8

[OpsNormal]

I've been blasting straight into my taxi call for the last 4 years and I could probably count on 1 hand the number of times I've been told to "Standby".

A visit to Brisbane Centre confirms this is how they want it done (from the controllers I've spoken to anyway).

I'm pretty sure you were at the ASA presentation I was able to swing for the troops back in '06, or was that when I banished you to the gulf for a week or so for sozzing a chieftain battery....??? It was covered that night, just before the drinking began.... :zzz:

[ozaggie]

You know what? That Wrightsair is a bloody good operation. I bet they get all their calls right. Oops, sorry, did I drift back on thread?

[morno]

Ops, I believe you banished me to the Gulf that week after the stupid Cheiftain broke itself on me.

But you also told me to use "pending clearance", :E.

morno

[OpsNormal]

Wash yer mouth out morno, you never got that one from me!:=

[Brian Abraham]

Just to get back on thread. Who would like a job with Trev?

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m56/babraham227/img012.jpg

[zappalin]

Resume sent!

[FJ44]

But you also told me to use "pending clearance


Hang your head in shame Ops!!

[Cessna 180]

Holy mackerel!! They are the hottest looking pilots I have ever seen!

Think I will pack my case and head over to William Ck pronto.

[knightflyer]

Now that's the way to get a thread back on track:E

[multime]

Hot hot hot, and not an epoulette in sight. :E

[Jamair]

Righto Mornos, slip into yer skirt & blouse; looks like a suitable career path has opened up for you!:E

[PLovett]

No wonder he didn't want me back - would have seriously upped the average age of his pilots. :{

The ladies on the left and second right have been with him for a few years now and seriously wracking up the hours. Certainly made the evenings at the William Creek pub more interesting. :ok:

[PyroTek]

The one on the far right has been there about two or three years I think. :ok:

[morno]

I dunno Ops, I seem to remember something like that!

Never mind, I'm sure one small thing like that vs all the other very worthy bits of advice you gave me over the years pales into insignificance.

Jamair, hell I'd almost go on leave without pay to do some time there I think, :E.

morno

[Capt Fathom]

The one on the far right has been there about two or three years I think.

I think is not good enough.

More factual information required Pyro. You just can't make statements like that. :ugh:

[PyroTek]

Fathom: I do know the girl, I'm just not sure if it was two or three years.:ugh:

Edit: It's two.

I still don't understand why you are fussing over ambiguity that has little significance to anything.

[Jabawocky]

I know two of them, the shrt one;) is no pushover either :ok:

Go girls :ok:

[Sunfish]

Well I had the Missus with me and she clobbered me over the head with her handbag when she saw me looking in certain directions at Marree.

So later, I told her about the mouse plague and pointed to the little grey furry fellows running around on the dining room floor.

..I'm now told I can go back to Marree or William Creek on my own.....

[Brian Abraham]

Good job you didn't take the wife to Willy Creek and have her try the swimming pool Sunny. Some critters extracted there from.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m56/babraham227/148312_501301244975_720419975_7196951_7330306_n.jpg

[Sunfish]

Missus just told me she would sleep in the aircraft after I showed her the photo.

[uncle8]

Congratulations on the wheelbarrow, Brian.

[PLovett]

The 'barra looks like another Trev special. :}

[OpsNormal]

Didya buy a new barbie Brian? Nice one!:D

FJ, 'tweren't me, back inya box!;)

[FJ44]

Makes dropping into YWMC for a drum or two of fuel worth while.

OpsN, which box would that be?

[jas24zzk]

Reminds me of....

Essendon Tower, Sierra Golf echo details, (full details given)

Sierra Golf Echo, Essendon Tower, let me find a pen, standby.

8 minutes later

Sierra Golf Echo, tower go ahead details.


don't know anything about that one

(blush)


Jas

[_gazelle_]

...On the topic, what is "taxiing THIS time"?

[gettin' there]

the opposite of taxing "next" time?

[propblast]

...On the topic, what is "taxiing THIS time"?

It's for pilots that managed to learn to fly without ever knowing how to read a watch.

Back on topic, now that Wrightsair is the new dream company for that elusive first job, when should pilots start heading out there. Is there a season for Lake Eyre flights.

More importantly, does anyone have any more pics. Of the lake.

[PyroTek]

Is there a season for Lake Eyre flights.
Propblast:
From what I hear, the heat of summer in the desert tends to make tourist numbers dwindle. I'm not exactly sure of the peak season, but I've been told that the heat is the main reason. (Probably a bit of weather involved too):ok:

[PLovett]

Think winter months for the "season" and you won't be too far wrong. Summer flying anywhere in Central Oz is a bummer with thermal turbulence etc.

I enjoyed flying there back in '09 although there is a sameness to the flights, especially when you are doing your third for the day and you have to run the whole spiel yet again. The flies never let up (you are in the middle of the largest working cattle station in the world) and you certainly learn all about cross-wind landings and dust storms.

The run up the Warburton River was always fascinating, probably more than the lake itself, especially if you were lucky enough to bag a charter through to Birdsville where you could follow the river to the Goyder Lagoon then up the Diamantina to Birdsville. Great country.

[galdian]

Getting back to a more important thought (regards the photo);

is it just me or does anyone else also see "....another 4 empty kitchens...." (or "....another 4 empty laundries....") etc, you get the drift.

Just asking. ;)

[mcgrath50]

By the looks of them galdian, I think they have no trouble filling thier kitchens with a stay at home bloke of their own if the need arises!

The way things are going we'll have a female prime minister next!

[Desert Flower]

is it just me or does anyone else also see "....another 4 empty kitchens...." (or "....another 4 empty laundries....") etc, you get the drift.

Who do you think cooks their meals & does their laundry now then?

The way things are going we'll have a female prime minister next!

Any one of those four girls could do a better job than the one we've got!

DF.

[Brian Abraham]

The one on the far right has been there about two or three years I think

Pyro, I wish my life was passing me by as slowly as yours seems to be, but then we may have our rights and lefts confused. i waved goodbye to Katrina (lass on the right in photo) as she set sail for the Creek at the beginning of the season last year. Alison (left in photo) spent a number of years there, but no longer.

More importantly, does anyone have any more pics. Of the lake

Plenty of pics propblast, but this is the most evocative of the area for me. Taken by the then CP I believe.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m56/babraham227/207.jpg

[Pilotette]

Wow, this is slightly awkward :O
Looks like I'm never going to escape that picture..thanks Brian ;)

[Jabawocky]

Onya Possum :ok:

Sorry I missed you gals on the way through, mind you Mrs Jaba did get some awesome sunset pics on the way past your place.

Keep up the good work.

[Desert Flower]

Sorry I missed you gals on the way through, mind you Mrs Jaba did get some awesome sunset pics on the way past you place.

Hey Jaba - ya back home now? Heard you yesterday just before 10AM local "on climb to 7,000" then just before mid-day heard you being handed off to Brisbane Centre.

DF.

[propblast]

Cheers pyro. Thats kinda what I thought. The central Australian summer is stifling. Note: A bottle of coke for lunch is not sufficient hydration for a long afternoon flight. First and only time I have been badly dehydrated in an aircraft.

Brian, that pic is awesome. I only wish mine could turn out that well when I take them.

[Jabawocky]

Gooday DF...

Was that climbing or descending?, I planned 7000 out of YBHI, but the FZL was higher than forecast there so I went up.....and to avoid sitting in cloud went higher and higher.....O2 is good ;)

WX was pretty sad out there.....I logged 3 hrs of IF time on the way home.

Can't go anywhere it seems, a Virgin Australia Captain....soon to be RV8 man also heard me there while he was enroute ML-CS. Just as well I was being a good Jaba then:O

[Desert Flower]

Was that climbing or descending?,

Definitely on climb - must have been as you were taking off out of YBHI. Wasn't really taking much notice until the callsign registered! ;) Yep, weather around this area has been pretty ordinary for the past week. Wednesday morning was a no-go zone at YLEC due to rain & low cloud.

DF.

[Pilotette]

Yeah it would have been good to catch up Jaba! As it turned out I had to head to Marree for the night anyway though. I trust you had a great trip!!?

[AnyGivenSunday99]

i'd let them hold hands with me..... :E

Miss you girls!lol

[mcgrath50]

Stopped in there this week and despite the pub having no power had a great time. Really welcoming from the two wrightsair staff members we met, even got a hand refuelling and pushing our planes around. From what was said sounds like a top place to work, well done guys!:ok:

[mtrench]

Wrightsair was awesome.. loved my time there.

[jas24zzk]

Grats on the appointment Talia!

Hope all continues well for you

:ok:


Jas

[PLovett]

Now just get rid of the Wrightsair shirt and replace with something more appropriate. :ok:

[jas24zzk]

Now just get rid of the Wrightsair shirt and replace with something more appropriate.

BOLLOCKS!!!!!

I see nothing in need of change! :p

[PLovett]

I see nothing in need of change!

I do. It should now be "Opal Air", not some tatty old "fly-by-night" organisation based in the GAFA. :} Just jokin' Trev.

Anyway, good on yer Tai. :ok:

[WannaBeBiggles]

Well done to Talia, I've also heard great things about Wrights Air and met Trevor while hour building in the outback, great bloke.


She said she believed she was the youngest chief pilot in Australia.


Unfortunately I know of at least one CP that is 1 year younger, although I would agree she's the youngest female CP out there as far as I know.

[goin'flyin]

I also know of a few CP's that are (in my case - were) younger when appointed as CP, i was 23, sadly that was a few years ago now :(.

In any case, congratulations on the appointment as CP. no mean feat at all :ok:

[Pilotette]

:O Wow thanks for the support guys...some embarrassment is an understatement, but that's ok :p Looks like my cover is blown though! :O

[LKinnon]

Yes, I know it's an old thread.

Heard Wrightsair had a change in ownership/management a while ago.

Any update on Wrightsair and how they are going now?

[mikewil]

Any update on Wrightsair and how they are going now? Pretty sure its still owned by Trevor Wright though he is no longer the chief pilot.

They are bigger than ever and have multiple bases these days, the main one being William Creek. I think they also operate out of Wilpena airstrip, Coober Pedy, Cairns and maybe another one or two bases.

They have also recently acquired one or two Cessna Caravans, so their operation is definitely growing.

If you are going to head to William Creek for a chat, make sure you have an Optus SIM card in your phone as they have recently received mobile coverage for the first time and Optus is the only provider that works there.

[LKinnon]

Thanks for the tip.

[cooperplace]

so Wrightsair is still the same tight ship?

[Desert Flower]

Pretty sure its still owned by Trevor Wright though he is no longer the chief pilot.

They have also recently acquired one or two Cessna Caravans, so their operation is definitely growing.

Recently acquired another Aerostar & one Grand Caravan.

DF.

[Desert Flower]

so Wrightsair is still the same tight ship?

Depends on what you mean by tight ship!

DF.