Sydney-Canberra proposed Twin-Otter floatplane service

[megan]

I think the 2nd biggest impediment to the whole thing is the single engine performance in case one fails

One of these STOL performers should fix that.

[rattman]

Originally Posted by megan

One of these STOL performers should fix that.

Maybe one of these are on the cards

https://australianaviation.com.au/wp...ook-like.-.jpg

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...e-built-in-nt/

[megan]

When in flight training there were dozens of Albatross parked wing tip to wing tip along the sea wall at Pensacola, thought them a lovely aircraft, but please, please, if they're going to manufacture them again keep the radials instead of those whining turbines. It's OK, I'll get over it.

[Foxxster]

I wonder if I am alone in wondering how in hell this plan would ever make business sense. I just can’t see who will actually use it. Is the trip from Sydney to Canberra that scenic that people want to take a low slow plane when they can get a fast jet. Or drive in only 3 hours and have their car to use when they get there.

[tail wheel]

You're not alone.........

[Bleve]

I know of a Canberra businessman who hated flying and drove to Sydney for a meeting. One of his colleagues hated driving so flew instead. On the return, the businessman dropped his colleague at Sydney airport, then drove to Canberra airport where he waited to give his colleague a lift home.

[Lead Balloon]

Best way to get back and forth between Canberra and Sydney CBDs? Bus.

Under $50 return. Internet access the entire trip. No security rigmarole. Over a dozen trips a day.

I know a number of highly paid execs who take the bus. (Public servants wouldn’t of course ‘lower’ themselves to take the bus.)

[Icarus2001]

I am still amazed that there is no fast train service between the two.

[Lead Balloon]

These days we're just hoping for a 'slightly less slow' train. The track from Goulburn to Canberra is in a speed-limiting state of disrepair.

[Doors Off]

Originally Posted by Lead Balloon

These days we're just hoping for a 'slightly less slow' train. The track from Goulburn to Canberra is in a speed-limiting state of disrepair.

Brace yourself for the “Fast” rail marketing, election year coming up and the classic “fast” rail BS will roll out again. Been going on for 40 years, with outstanding results.

Utopia have it nailed. Both Major parties are a disgrace, incredibly out of touch and a corrupt stain on our country. You bet your fast rail ticket that some multi property owning MP has an interest or a debt to get the Gloatplane service running.

[Foxxster]

Originally Posted by Icarus2001

I am still amazed that there is no fast train service between the two.

Because it makes absolutely no economic sense whatsoever. And never will. Before people start spouting off about Japan, China, Europe etc, for a start their population densities are multiple times what we have between Sydney and Melbourne or Sydney and Newcastle. Although out dear leaders would love nothing more than to turn the entire east coast into Shanghai mark 2 via massive immigration.

japanese and Chinese fast rail companies are debt laden … with their massive population.

You Tube

https://youtu.be/4wsMjxESAY0

https://www.cato.org/blog/lesson-japans-high-speed-trains

[Icarus2001]

Foxxster, by fast I mean say 140-160 kms. Not bullet speed, or maglev. Just a respectable speed. Most train speeds in Australia are limited by track quality. Fix the tracks and you get a “fast” train.
The line is already there and in use. Four and a half hours to do 320km FFS.

[MickG0105]

Originally Posted by Icarus2001

Foxxster, by fast I mean say 140-160 kms. Not bullet speed, or maglev. Just a respectable speed. Most train speeds in Australia are limited by track quality. Fix the tracks and you get a “fast” train.
The line is already there and in use. Four and a half hours to do 320km FFS.

For Sydney - Canberra it's not quite as simple as "fix the tracks" unless you mean "re-route the tracks". The section of the rail line that places the critical limit on Sydney - Canberra speeds (and therefore travel time) is between Macarthur and Mittagong. As you can see by the routing below, the best maintained tracks in the world aren't going to make much of a difference to the speed at which a train can negotiate that. Those pesky train-specific issues of maximum negotiable gradients and turn radii rain on that parade.

[Icarus2001]

So the train slows down where required, as all trains do but get the average speed up. Yes if some realignment is needed then do it. If travel time was closer to two hours then it would be viable.

We all know the reason no government is interested in trains anywhere near SYD- CBR is some very strong interest groups who provide chairman’s lounge and business class trinkets.

[MickG0105]

Originally Posted by Icarus2001

So the train slows down where required, as all trains do but get the average speed up. Yes if some realignment is needed then do it. If travel time was closer to two hours then it would be viable.

We all know the reason no government is interested in trains anywhere near SYD- CBR is some very strong interest groups who provide chairman’s lounge and business class trinkets.

If you want two hours Sydney - Canberra, you need to average 145 km/h point-to-point. That means you need to be hitting 160 - 180 km/h for most of the journey. Those speeds require minimum turn radii of 1.2 - 1.4 kilometres and grades not exceeding 1 in 30 for any significant distance. Between Campbelltown and Mittagong you currently routinely encounter sub-0.4 kilometre radius turns. Around places like Sutton Forest, Tallong, Towrang, Mount Fairy and Queanbeyan you've got a number of 0.5 - sub-1 kilometre radius turns. So, it's more than just "some realignment" that is needed, not if needed.

[SRFred]

Surely you don't need a high speed service into Canberra/ACT rather you need a high speed service OUT of Canberra.

[Icarus2001]

Read my post, I said CLOSER to two hours.

I am well aware of turn radius requirements and gradients but none of these problems are unsolvable.

[lucille]

Float plane rumour somehow devolves into high speed rail slanging match. Ya gotta luv the Aussie forums for spirited thread drift.

So, back to the hilarious idea of a floatplane service… With Canberra sloshing around in subsidy cash, I’d be inclined to propose restarting the Nomad production line, finding a test pilot silly enough to have a crack at certifying an N-24 on floats and just run with the torrent of subsidies this proposal would deliver.

[Duck Pilot]

Originally Posted by rattman

Maybe one of these are on the cards

https://australianaviation.com.au/wp...ook-like.-.jpg

https://australianaviation.com.au/20...e-built-in-nt/

Thread drift however indirectly related, probably deserves a separate thread.

This is an Elephant in the room. I know a lot of Territorians will eagerly support this project if it gets traction. Get a few people in the organisation who know how to navigate the CASA processes and Australia will be producing aircraft again, and something very unique.

[rcoight]

Originally Posted by Duck Pilot

Thread drift however indirectly related, probably deserves a separate thread.

This is an Elephant in the room. I know a lot of Territorians will eagerly support this project if it gets traction. Get a few people in the organisation who know how to navigate the CASA processes and Australia will be producing aircraft again, and something very unique.

If someone from AAI can “get close” to someone in the NT government it will help…