Flying from Australia to PNG

[LKinnon]

Later this year I', planning a trip around Australia in a C206.

We'd like to also fly across the Torres Straight to PNG, then around the southern part of PNG for a week or so.

I've had little luck finding information. The websites CASA PNG and Airservices PNG have some resources, but seen orientated towards airlines rather than GA.

Any tips would be appreciated:

Customs procedures and requirements in Australia and PNG
Safest routes across the Torres Straight
GA airports in southern PNG
Personal safety in PNG ( do I need a gun?)
Any other wisdom would be appreciated.

thank you.

[geeup]

Not really possible these days... but I’ll answer your questions;

OzRunways has PNG

Clear customs at Daru
Horn Island leaving Australia arriving Daru PNG
100s mostly all unsealed bush stripes more village then touristy
Im a 2nd amendment believer
Don’t do it.

One of your main problems is fuel. Avgas is hard to find and the whole thing is a logistical nightmare.
Private flying doesn’t really excitement in PNG.

[tail wheel]

If you don't have PNG experience, certainly not recommended.

Carry a gun and you will be assured of free accommodation at either Horn Island or Daru, depending on your Court date.

Forget the bush strips, even in a C206.

[chimbu warrior]

All of the above is correct, but the most critical thing is the lack of Avgas, which makes operating at piston-engined aircraft almost impossible in PNG these days.

Another issue you may not be aware of is that the aircraft's insurance is probably not valid once you leave Australia, unless you pay a hefty loading on the premium.

Lots to see in Australia, but if you really want to go international try a trip to NZ.

[LKinnon]

Thanks for the tips. It's tricky because I hear conflicting information.

Never thought of OzRunways; neat solution. I'll double-check the insurance,

The plane has a Mogas STC, although I've never used Mogas in a plane.

Are there any GA airports in southern PNG with paved runways and a fuel?

I'm wary now, but still keen.

[chimbu warrior]

Mogas is probably just as problematical as Avgas, and most vehicles in the bush run on diesel (if they run at all).

Even in Port Moresby Avgas is difficult to obtain; elsewhere it is just impossible.

Out of curiosity what would you plan to do on this trip? Any notion that it is an idyllic paradise should be dismissed immediately. Whilst PNG has some stunning scenery and some decent people, the risks are very high and the frustrations are immense.

[Capt Fathom]

A Paradise lost! :{

[gulliBell]

Unless you're going to Goroka or Mt Hagen or Madang or Wewak or other provincial major towns you aren't going to find accommodation. As for southern parts of PNG, unless you're well connected with missionaries who might put you up in a guest house you won't find accommodation. But, good luck finding fuel.

[Kagamuga]

LKinnon,

Allow me to offer some advice; been in and out of country since Independence. There is good qualified information from long time PNG flight crew; I'll throw in my two 'bob's worth.......

AVGAS: Regardless of any arrangements made, the supply is still unreliable. Check the date of expiry on any drum fuel. The fuel will be mega expensive.
RADIO's: All aircraft entering PNG are required to carry HF radio and certain minimum number of mandatory frequencies. Depending on the type of HF radio fitted to your aircraft, the appropriate 'crystals' may have to be made. A synthesised HF is best.
NAVIGATION: Over the past few months virtually all remaining government operated Nav-Aids have been shut down. Exceptions would be ILS/DME at Port Moresby, and VOR/DME at Nadzab. Privately owned Nav-Aids continue to operate.
GPR RNAV: Totally new procedures are in place and will commence in early September. Some of the new published charts are available as in AIRAC 03/2019. Not all the charts have been issued to date.
MAINTENANCE: Not really available, due licencing inconsistencies between Australia and PNG
WEATHER: Forecasts and TAF's are unreliable.
IFR FLIGHT: Never descend below LSALT unless you are Visual, and I mean visual!
SAR: There is NO real SAR in country. In an emergency Operators tend to band together and pool resources.
WEAPONS: Don't carry any weapons as in Guns. Pulling the trigger is a lot different to just pointing the said gun.
MONEY: Don't carry money, you will be held up and robbed. Use credit cards,
I might suggest that if you don't have any real need to visit PNG, but you want to do so, fly PX of QF to Port Moresby and watch the 'fun' from there.

MOBILES: The PNG network with the best coverage is Digicel... Use a cheap phone something you can afford to loose if held up, same with your watch and camera's. Don't draw attention to yourself.
CHARTS: All the Maps and Charts in electronic format on Oz-Runways are grossly out of date, and it would be unwise to use any of the charts. (Approach/Enroute/) etc

[LeadSled]

LKinnon,
There is a reason why so many people in PNG live in security compounds with H24 for many, I hope you get the message ---- personal safety is just very difficult to achieve to a reasonable level of risk ---- many of the posters with warnings for you are old PNG hands, take their advice.
In very recent times, with an organisation with which I have some connection, in the end the Lae base was moved to an encampment behind barbed wire on the aerodrome at Nadzab. ---- and not because it was a great place to stay. Strictly fly-in, fly-out to Cairns.
Don't forget, as well as guns, one of the favorites is the good old machete in the hands of the raskols.
Sadly, these days, it ain't worth the risk, doing what you want to do, and that is before the logistics of avgas and mogas.
Tootle pip!!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/22/population.davidfickling
And that is the best of law and order in the country.

[edsbar]

What model 206 has a Mogas STC?

[harrryw]

It is so sad to hear this. I lived for 2 years in TPNG prior to independance with Telecomunications and though lawlessness was a problem in the cities a nicer group of people were hard to find. It is a very beautiful country and varied but I am scared to go back as it will kill some great memories.

[LeadSled]

It is so sad to hear this. I lived for 2 years in TPNG prior to independance with Telecomunications and though lawlessness was a problem in the cities a nicer group of people were hard to find. It is a very beautiful country and varied but I am scared to go back as it will kill some great memories.
harryw,
Sad but true, and with the new PM, in my opinion it is likely to deteriorate further quite rapidly.
He sees the "future" of the country in village agriculture and returning to "traditional" ways ---- and curbing development, and nationalizing the oil/gas and mining industries ----- and you may have read about him asking the PR China to pay off the national debt.
Tootle pip!!

[aroa]

What a sad and sorry state of affairs for what is, and could have been one of the great tourist destinations.
It has everything, tropical beaches, cool highlands, unique birds and wildlife, spectacular scenery and colorful tribal cultures.
Alas, rampant corruption, tribal violence and tourists as targets have put a stop to all that.
Maybe the Chinese will sort it all out, but I doubt it. !
OP......yr 20 years too late unfortunately

[Cessna 200]

I doubt there is a Mogas STC for the C206. Happy to be proven wrong though. If there is, can you please provide some details.

[Sunfish]

Don’t you dare go unless you have friends in place on the ground to organise safe arrival, transport, accommodation and departure and to guard your aircraft everywhere you go. Your friends will have cars, bodyguards, guns and safe barbed wire compounds for you to stay in. DO NOT take family (wife or children) either.

You need a bodyguard the second you stop the aircraft.

‘Just the walk from the international to domestic terminals - maybe 50 yards, is enough to scare the crap out of you. I was on a dive boat and we had M16, shotgun and the Captains pistol. All needed at one time or another.

[Duck Pilot]

Some of you are slightly over reacting!

Having worked and lived in various places in PNG including Mendi and Port Moresby, I can honestly say that I’m not exactly scared of the place. There are places to go and places not to go and sometimes you can get caught out. I’ve only been done over twice in the 20+ years I’ve been coming up here and I was pissed on both occasions (actually asleep on the last robbery).

I’m currently in a remote camp in the Gulf Province and we have no fences around the base at all. We’ve got a few unarmed guards around the place and a few cops as well. Even got a few helicopters here and we have never had any major problems. It really depends where you are, certainly a lot different in most areas of the highlands. Even lived in Tabubil and we never had fences up there, albeit that was a few years ago.

Forget about flying your C-206 up here, it would be all too hard.

[LKinnon]

What model 206 has a Mogas STC?

Conversion was done in the USA and from memory the documentation refers to "Inpulse". Never actually tried Mogas, but thought it might give me more options in remote locations.

[LKinnon]

Thanks for the valuable tips. I'll do some more research and might just fly around the Torres Straight.

The HF radio requirement Kagamuga raised is going to be a headache.

Sounds like a lot of work, but doubt I'll ever get a chance to do a flight like this again.

[Sunfish]

Perhaps try visiting the place first by regular public transport and then talk to a few people while you are there.

[LKinnon]

I've done a Google search for GA flying clubs in PNG but without any results.

Are there any flying clubs in PNG?

[edsbar]

Heard of the Inpulse water injection mogas system but have never seen one! Doubt you would get Mogas of the required 91 Octane, ethanol free spec in PNG other than pre ordering drums, Certainly would not trust it from the pump!

PNG is a beautiful but very dangerous country, leave the 206 at home if you feel the need to take a look ... I am fairly sure politics prevent the Government from issuing the travel warnings it deserves.

[beached az]

I've done a Google search for GA flying clubs in PNG but without any results.

Are there any flying clubs in PNG?


Negative.

There used to be an "Aeroclub" in POM affectionately referred to as "The Swamp"
Last I heard it was trashed by the Raskol's and didn't reopen. My info is a bit out of date though.
Not much aviation ever went on there though, just alot of expat lapans drinking SP, yours truly included :)

There is no GA scene at all in PNG. The best way to fly there (only way) is to get a flying job.
The place is definitely not for the faint hearted for all of the reasons previously alluded to on this thread.
There has been some excellent advise offered here by some very experiences PNG pilots, ignore at your peril! :ugh:

Another possible way to fly yourself in PNG might be to contact MAF and have an instructor hold your hand in country.
They are the only organisation that does flight training in PNG, I think based in Mt Hagan?
Or do a ride along with one of their drivers, that would be an amazing experience as they get to the really remote parts that the RPT boys can't get into.
Might be worth an email.

Don't do it yourself, leave your Balus in Oz
BAz :ok:

[tail wheel]

BAz

Are you suggesting the Temple of Aeros (POM Aero Club) is no more? :{

After the millions of dollars and Kina I and my many aviation/airline colleagues and friends invested over many, many years, the Temple is klos Pinis?

RIP.

[beached az]

BAz

Are you suggesting the Temple of Aeros (POM Aero Club) is no more? :{

After the millions of dollars and Kina I and my many aviation/airline colleagues and friends invested over many, many years, the Temple is klos Pinis?

RIP.

I harim pinis :{

[Duck Pilot]

Wheelie,
Dero was forced to closed down due the above mentioned reasons about 4 years ago. Most of the long time campaigners initially moved to the Weigh Inn, however I have heard that they have since migrated to the Car Club in Waigani. Never been to the Car Club myself, however I’m itching at the bit to get in there when circumstances allow me to do so.......

[LKinnon]

Thought I'd heard of operators doing GA charter flights between Australia and PNG, so I expected a well worn path and infrastructure for such flights, Guess it's not so simple.

[ARPs]

Infrastructure and PNG are two things that don’t go together.

[LeadSled]

BAz

Are you suggesting the Temple of Aeros (POM Aero Club) is no more? :{

After the millions of dollars and Kina I and my many aviation/airline colleagues and friends invested over many, many years, the Temple is klos Pinis?

RIP.
Folks,
How very sad, one of the well remembered events of said den of iniquity was the night I first met Torres over a few quiet greenies ( or were they brownies).
Seriously, the promise of PNG unfulfilled is a testament to the damage Australian left wing (now called) virtue signalling can "achieve" , despite the predictions made by those who actually knew the place.
That it is not a lost worse, that it has not devolved into a military supported dictatorship, like so much of Africa, is also due to the foresight of those who actually understood the place, to the extent that understanding was possible.
Tootle pip!!

[troppo]

Infrastructure and PNG are two things that don’t go together.
well they actually go together very well indeed if you are a politician...:}

[LKinnon]

I thought CASA and Air Services controlled aviation in PNG so it should be pretty good?

[troppo]

I thought CASA and Air Services controlled aviation in PNG so it should be pretty good?

hell yeah it is. tip some mogas in your 206 and head for png. leading edge things they got going on there. 🤣

[Office Update]

I'm just a little curious with all the good advice being offered that LKinnon is continuing with the post.

If I may ask the person what experience does he/she have, and are you IFR or VFR rated ?

It sounds to me that there are issues to be addressed in your quest to prove a point. Assuming you have addressed the matters of: Aircraft Insurance, HF radio frequencies, Fuel provisioning, Maps and Charts and I can confirm that all the Oz-Runways stuff is out of date. Performance charts for the C206 in tropical weather, are you familiar with % power available at runway elevations over 5,000'? Customs and Immigration, have you secured your Visa's as yet? Aircraft security and personal security issues, and the awesome responsibility of looking after any passengers. New GPS data base to encompass new procedures starting in a few weeks for IFR arrivals and departures. Do you have VFR terminal charts? again the Oz-Runways stuff is ever so out of date.

I sincerely hope we don't end up reading about you in the last and final post!

[gulliBell]

..Are there any flying clubs in PNG?

As you know, this question has been answered. But let me reinforce that answer in another way. There is a yacht club in Goroka (eastern highlands), but there are no yachts there, nor even a lake upon which to sail even if there was a yacht. Yet with all the aerodromes in PNG, there are no flying clubs.

If you really are that keen to do recreational flying in PNG, find a flying machine that burns kerosene to get you around. In getting around, you still have the problem of finding somewhere safe to stay.

[Allan L]

This is the 5th thread started by LKinnon - the other 4 all got locked. Back to my Ignore list.

[Capt Fathom]

Any tips would be appreciated:

Personal safety in PNG ( do I need a gun?)



The fact you asked that question doesn’t really fit in with the idea of a leisurely flying holiday.

[Kagamuga]

The whole post by LKinnon is a total windup IMHO

Let's just ignore the person and the post, stupidity is the key issue here.

[BigPapi]

This is the 5th thread started by LKinnon - the other 4 all got locked. Back to my Ignore list.

I must thank you for prompting me to read his other threads - goldmine.

[LKinnon]

Genuine questions and some good and relevant answers.

[tail wheel]

How very sad, one of the well remembered events of said den of iniquity was the night I first met Torres over a few quiet greenies ( or were they brownies).

How unusual! Most visits to the Temple of Aeros and I don't remember leaving! :}

I thought CASA and Air Services controlled aviation in PNG so it should be pretty good?

If that is the extent of your research I suggest you forget all about visiting PNG!!

PNG is an independent nation. They have their own PNG CASA and Civil Aviation Regulations plagiarized from the New Zealand Regs.

[chimbu warrior]

Civil Aviation Regulations plagiarized from the New Zealand Regs

Actually not plagiarised, but adopted and covered by an act of parliament. PNG even added some refinements (such as Part 100).

[LeadSled]

Actually not plagiarised, but adopted and covered by an act of parliament. PNG even added some refinements (such as Part 100).
And, folks, the whole exercise, Project Balus (?) was paid for by Australia, with a couple of ex- AU CAA luminaries doing what I regard as a very good job in the process.
The NZ version of the FARs (mostly, with some EASA flavouring) have been adopted by a number of countries.
Tootle pip!!

[cowl flaps]

Genuine questions and some good and relevant answers.
It seems like you have taken no notice of what so many have told you.
If you are still that keen about the whole thing,- go and do it ! We'll all read about you in the news. :eek:

[aroa]

Have you considered the Solomon Islands as a destination.?? On the way you can?/or could touch lightly on PNG at Misima Is , where there is ?/was a Customs guy. We had to land there enroute to Honiara to stick in just a small amount of extra fuel we carried to go the whole distance. Very nice spot and had been there before to map the gold mine.
There are other island destinations not so far away.
A few other places you can visit out of Honiara as well.. Sourcing yr fuel is yr main problem.

[geeup]

Air Tractor 502 P2-SET (formally VH-SET) just tried to do what you want to do (island hop to PNG).

Challenger 604 was launched out of Cairns last night to search.

The wreckage has been located.

Should be sobering for you.

Some people say PNG Time is over rated..

[LKinnon]

Noted, thanks.

Are there any details of the accident?

[FL235]

Looked in to see why this was still running as I thought the early answers were definitive (don't ! ) and noticed the sad news of the demise of the club in Moresby, a handy place to score any over-supply of kai from the airlines so drinking could continue without break for food collection. I still wear my badge from the days when it was the Aero Club of Papua,surprising that no one has recognised it in a long time.

As for guns, I carried a pistol for years (legally) but there is a big difference between carrying and actually using in anger, consequences of which might be nasty..

There were enough problems with tourists and PNG condiytions without the present safety situation.

The good old days are gone.

[cooperplace]

And don't forget the malaria!

[17Who]

Easy to do mate.
Contact the fuel supplier in Moresby to pre arrange fuel.. The supply situation changes. You can get it delivered to Daru or Kerima (at a price). Long range tanks are advised.
Fuel out of Horn Island was duty free.. Probably still is. Fill extra jerries and bladder if possible.
Email Australian Border Force Horn Island. They will give you all the forms and requirements. They will give you the contact for the PNG side as well.
Enter PNG via Daru or POM. (You might be able to get it delived to Hagen or Wewak but I’m not sure about that)
Daru and Morsbey and anywhere with road connections can be dangerous re crime, but that’s a separate subject.
A lot of the remote strips from the old days are still on charts but they are now closed.
ATC may let you use a Sat Phone if you don’t have a HF.
It’s easy. I’ve done it a few times.
Fuel is the biggest issue, order it well in advance. And watch out using mogas or any fuel from opened drums, it will almost certainly be cut with something and contaminated.
Flying there is not difficult as long as you are conservative with the weather. If you decided to fly in the hills remember to lean the engine for takeoff.