Back in the UK
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: UK
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Back in the UK
Dear All,
Well, now back in the UK after my Australia trip. Thanks again to all those that replied to my orginal post. Things didn't go quite according to plan, as is often the way in aviation, but all things considered I gave it a damn good go...
The main problem was hours left on the aircraft. With the best option only having 36 hours remaining, I had no choice but to return to Bankstown to swap to another Archer. Disappointed that as a result I never made WA or Adelaide. Next time though guys.
The route:
Sydney (Bankstown), Coffs Harbour, Brisbane (Archerfield), Gladstone, Mackay (many thanks to Air Pioneer), Shute Harbour, Mackay, Winton, Boulia, Alice, Ayers Rock (awesome), Coober Pedy, Leigh Creek, Broken Hill, Parks, Bathurst (short of Bankstown by 10 mins due to last light, but had a great night out there all the same), Bankstown, Merimbula, Melbourne (Essendon), Hobart (Cambridge), Flinders Island, Merimbula (in deteriorating weather), Cooma, Jindabyne (just caught squeexed in a day's snowboarding before the season ended), Bankstown.
The words of thanks:
First thanks must go to G-GWYN for meeting me at the airport, giving me somewhere to stay in Sydney for a couple of nights, helping me find my feet with WACs, VTCs, VNCs, ERSAs, ERC-Lows and all that other Aussie magic, plus introductions at the flying school.
Capt Noodle, sorry you got messed around. Hope the school at H.P. sorted you out with a 172 and your trip south worked out OK. Good to meet you anyway, and will be in touch.
Old Man Emu, good to meet you in Alice. Best of luck with you and your sons' careers.
The apologies:
GoGirl, Feeton - only had one night in Melbourne, and spent it with a school friend in Richmond. Wanted to push on to Tassie while weather remained favourable. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet. Good that you got to meet Breakright anyway.
Breakright - trying to arrange to meet with nothing more than hotmail was never likely to work out, and seems our paths never crossed anyway. Will get to Glasgow sooner or later I'm sure.
Comp Stall - almost made it as far as Cairns, and weather was looking great, but as mentioned, hours on the ac weren't good and I didn't want to miss out on Ayers Rock.
Gravox, Jetett, CaptEfis, 'H' in Adelaide, 'M' in Perth (not sure what your pprune user names are, but you'll know who you are) - as above, maybe next time.
Dolphin Boy - tried calling you when I got back to Sydney (only one night before back to the UK), but no joy. If you're ever in Europe after your studies, get in touch.
Binoculars, ****, just realised you're in Mackay... My grandfather was a sugar cane grower there in the 20's so I made a point of getting there. Great town, I'll call you next time. Remember a VFR Archer XKX doing a bad landing in front of your tower on the 7th or 10th Sept. by any chance???
And Wiz, what can I say, I was so close to Leonora. As it was, I ran the ac 40 mins past its 100 hourly and the flying school were not too pleased. Actually inquired about the possibility of hiring another plane from Alice Springs to get over to you, but they won't let people take ac from the flying school there unaccompanied as too many have been flown to Ayers Rock and abandoned there. What a sad state of affairs...
And to all those others that replied to my original post and e-mailed me, and the list is long, your comments and advice were all much appreciated.
Australia is an awesome place. You lucky, lucky people.
I'll be back.
WGW
Well, now back in the UK after my Australia trip. Thanks again to all those that replied to my orginal post. Things didn't go quite according to plan, as is often the way in aviation, but all things considered I gave it a damn good go...
The main problem was hours left on the aircraft. With the best option only having 36 hours remaining, I had no choice but to return to Bankstown to swap to another Archer. Disappointed that as a result I never made WA or Adelaide. Next time though guys.
The route:
Sydney (Bankstown), Coffs Harbour, Brisbane (Archerfield), Gladstone, Mackay (many thanks to Air Pioneer), Shute Harbour, Mackay, Winton, Boulia, Alice, Ayers Rock (awesome), Coober Pedy, Leigh Creek, Broken Hill, Parks, Bathurst (short of Bankstown by 10 mins due to last light, but had a great night out there all the same), Bankstown, Merimbula, Melbourne (Essendon), Hobart (Cambridge), Flinders Island, Merimbula (in deteriorating weather), Cooma, Jindabyne (just caught squeexed in a day's snowboarding before the season ended), Bankstown.
The words of thanks:
First thanks must go to G-GWYN for meeting me at the airport, giving me somewhere to stay in Sydney for a couple of nights, helping me find my feet with WACs, VTCs, VNCs, ERSAs, ERC-Lows and all that other Aussie magic, plus introductions at the flying school.
Capt Noodle, sorry you got messed around. Hope the school at H.P. sorted you out with a 172 and your trip south worked out OK. Good to meet you anyway, and will be in touch.
Old Man Emu, good to meet you in Alice. Best of luck with you and your sons' careers.
The apologies:
GoGirl, Feeton - only had one night in Melbourne, and spent it with a school friend in Richmond. Wanted to push on to Tassie while weather remained favourable. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet. Good that you got to meet Breakright anyway.
Breakright - trying to arrange to meet with nothing more than hotmail was never likely to work out, and seems our paths never crossed anyway. Will get to Glasgow sooner or later I'm sure.
Comp Stall - almost made it as far as Cairns, and weather was looking great, but as mentioned, hours on the ac weren't good and I didn't want to miss out on Ayers Rock.
Gravox, Jetett, CaptEfis, 'H' in Adelaide, 'M' in Perth (not sure what your pprune user names are, but you'll know who you are) - as above, maybe next time.
Dolphin Boy - tried calling you when I got back to Sydney (only one night before back to the UK), but no joy. If you're ever in Europe after your studies, get in touch.
Binoculars, ****, just realised you're in Mackay... My grandfather was a sugar cane grower there in the 20's so I made a point of getting there. Great town, I'll call you next time. Remember a VFR Archer XKX doing a bad landing in front of your tower on the 7th or 10th Sept. by any chance???
And Wiz, what can I say, I was so close to Leonora. As it was, I ran the ac 40 mins past its 100 hourly and the flying school were not too pleased. Actually inquired about the possibility of hiring another plane from Alice Springs to get over to you, but they won't let people take ac from the flying school there unaccompanied as too many have been flown to Ayers Rock and abandoned there. What a sad state of affairs...
And to all those others that replied to my original post and e-mailed me, and the list is long, your comments and advice were all much appreciated.
Australia is an awesome place. You lucky, lucky people.
I'll be back.
WGW
PPRuNe Handmaiden
WGW, glad you enjoyed our fine country. 
It's not too bad is it?
I bet you now know why we call the middle the "Gaffa"
It's not too bad is it?
I bet you now know why we call the middle the "Gaffa"
