The way we were - Ansett, TAA, Qantas
pppdrive - sorry about the delay in responding, I was unaware of your earlier posting (#114) until I read your PM.
I had thought your comment was written as the aircraft commander, so it rang alarm bells and I frankly I saw red - having read your post #114 I realize that I had taken your remarks totally out of context, please consider my sarcastic comment unreservedly withdrawn.
I had thought your comment was written as the aircraft commander, so it rang alarm bells and I frankly I saw red - having read your post #114 I realize that I had taken your remarks totally out of context, please consider my sarcastic comment unreservedly withdrawn.
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SOPS: "Flying with Greybeard was the most enjoyable time of my life. I wish he would stop posting this stuff...it brings tears to my eyes".
He's just returning the favour. I'm sure some of your landings brought tears to his eyes.
He's just returning the favour. I'm sure some of your landings brought tears to his eyes.
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Actually he wasn't too trying, part of a group of F/Os converting to jets mid 80s in the "Western Approaches", all had a bundle of hours, could think for themselves and enjoyed the task.
He may well remember a missed approach at ASP due a "little willy-willy" which fortunately went over the anemometer to defend our somewhat violent over the T-VASIS rock and roll, 0-45 kts and back to 0 showing a vertical line on the trace.
SOPS and others who frequent these pages were lost to Australia, do a great job in foreign parts as trainers/checkers.
Most are mid 50s or close so the industry will miss them soonish, a pity it is not what it could/should be in this age of cost run Airlines.
Pilots were once a valued commodity, now in most places are a telephone located, revenue producing unit, employed on max production, minimum cost contracts.
No I am not bitter, I had a great time defying gravity since 1961, but believe I and my peers saw the best of the game.
No air too ruff no *&%% too Tuff eh SOPS?
He may well remember a missed approach at ASP due a "little willy-willy" which fortunately went over the anemometer to defend our somewhat violent over the T-VASIS rock and roll, 0-45 kts and back to 0 showing a vertical line on the trace.
SOPS and others who frequent these pages were lost to Australia, do a great job in foreign parts as trainers/checkers.
Most are mid 50s or close so the industry will miss them soonish, a pity it is not what it could/should be in this age of cost run Airlines.
Pilots were once a valued commodity, now in most places are a telephone located, revenue producing unit, employed on max production, minimum cost contracts.
No I am not bitter, I had a great time defying gravity since 1961, but believe I and my peers saw the best of the game.
No air too ruff no *&%% too Tuff eh SOPS?
short flights long nights
I well remember that said missed approach Grey Beard, I believe a cold and frosty was enjoyed after that! But as you always taught me...No air to rough.....
confusion over post 114
Having re-read my post 114 I can now see where any confusion may have come from. I'd like to explain that in those days a lot of airlines used the system of denoting rank by stripes for ground staff as well as Flight Crew. The airline I was working for used 3 stripes for a Duty Officer, 4 stripes for a Senior Duty Officer and 4 stripes plus a star or crown for Station Manager. A lot of airlines used this sytem although most distinquished by having 1/4 inch for ground and 1/2 inch for Flight Crew. Whilst I did indeed "walk around with 4 stripes on my shouldres and sleeves" I was never Flight Crew although many times I flew in the Cockpit as Loadmaster. I'm sorry if anyone took my post as if I was Flight Crew.
Now hopefully I can get back to really enjoying this great thread. Paul
Now hopefully I can get back to really enjoying this great thread. Paul
Sunstate at Hervey Bay
The Sunstate "Terminal" at Hervey Bay during the 1990s. There was room for around 10 people seated plus another 20 or so standing. Facilities were; a toilet, free help yourself coffee/tea, flight schedule board. Equipment; Taarsan Reservations computer, a handfull of tickets (if I ran out more would have to be delivered from Town Office), Ground-air radio, baggage scale, battery start-cart and one baggage trolley
Compare that 'luxury' to the "Terminal used by Flight West and then Majestic. Facilities; one chair inside, 4 with table outside. Equipment; Ansamatic Reservations/ticketing computer (FWA only), Ground/air radio, battery start-cart, bathroom scales, 2 baggage trolley
Although basically Sunstate & Flight West were operated on a one man basis (with assistance available if needed), Majestic operated a two-man operation. My best aviation days were spent at Hervey Bay.
Compare that 'luxury' to the "Terminal used by Flight West and then Majestic. Facilities; one chair inside, 4 with table outside. Equipment; Ansamatic Reservations/ticketing computer (FWA only), Ground/air radio, battery start-cart, bathroom scales, 2 baggage trolley
Although basically Sunstate & Flight West were operated on a one man basis (with assistance available if needed), Majestic operated a two-man operation. My best aviation days were spent at Hervey Bay.
Some pics from the Ed Coates collection
VH-TBL always amused me whenever I heard her on the airwaves.
The TBL was also a lapel badge given to men who enlisted late in the First World War and who were not in fact called up. It was
designed to inform the public in the street that this fit looking young man did not qualify for the 'white feather treatment'.
Those who wore this little emblem called it the 'TOO BLOODY LATE'.
Speaking of memorable call signs , there was a gravelly voiced, with drawl, character who flew the 3- holers. I can hear him still -
"Ahh Sydney Tower . .. . . Romeo My Gecko . . . ."
And sandgropers of macky miller DC-3 vintage will remember one
Captain Mike Gent. Early one morning he got airborne from, it might have been Fitzroy Crossing. He calls up . .
Hedland . .. morning . . . Mike . . . Mike . . .. (you have to picture him peering out the window trying to read the rego.) . . . Mike .. Mike . . ahh . . damn it . .. Mike Mike Gent
VH-TJB Boeing 727-176 (c/n 18742)
The two color shots of this, the second of TAA's 727s are by Greg Banfield, whilst the B&W at
the foot of the page is via the CAHS archives. Greg's shot above was at Essendon in October
1966 where -TJB had arrived the previous November named 'John Forrest'. The 727 was
sold to International Air Lease in April 1980. It then had many leases and identities, mainly in
Latin and South America (but also including a stint in Turkey) and was withdrawn from service
and scrapped at Miami in September 1995.
VH-TBL always amused me whenever I heard her on the airwaves.
The TBL was also a lapel badge given to men who enlisted late in the First World War and who were not in fact called up. It was
designed to inform the public in the street that this fit looking young man did not qualify for the 'white feather treatment'.
Those who wore this little emblem called it the 'TOO BLOODY LATE'.
Speaking of memorable call signs , there was a gravelly voiced, with drawl, character who flew the 3- holers. I can hear him still -
"Ahh Sydney Tower . .. . . Romeo My Gecko . . . ."
And sandgropers of macky miller DC-3 vintage will remember one
Captain Mike Gent. Early one morning he got airborne from, it might have been Fitzroy Crossing. He calls up . .
Hedland . .. morning . . . Mike . . . Mike . . .. (you have to picture him peering out the window trying to read the rego.) . . . Mike .. Mike . . ahh . . damn it . .. Mike Mike Gent
VH-TJB Boeing 727-176 (c/n 18742)
The two color shots of this, the second of TAA's 727s are by Greg Banfield, whilst the B&W at
the foot of the page is via the CAHS archives. Greg's shot above was at Essendon in October
1966 where -TJB had arrived the previous November named 'John Forrest'. The 727 was
sold to International Air Lease in April 1980. It then had many leases and identities, mainly in
Latin and South America (but also including a stint in Turkey) and was withdrawn from service
and scrapped at Miami in September 1995.
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Of course the Ansett name stretched far and wide, here is another Ansett B767 VH-RMA far away from Australia 20 odd years ago, being cleaned and you can tell it is in a Country that has never even heard of health and safety concerns for its workers.
