New Regional Airline in NSW
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New Regional Airline in NSW
A new regional airline is planning on operating a C208 amphibian from Rose Bay to Newcastle, the Snowy Mountains and Lake Burleigh Griffin in Canberra.
The flights to Canberra and the Snowy will be fun in winter
The flights to Canberra and the Snowy will be fun in winter
Join Date: Jun 2001
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It'll be interesting to see if they can get approval to use Lake Burley Griffin considering that with very few exceptions, powered craft are generally forbidden from using the lake.
Join Date: Jan 2000
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Is their 208 equipped with de-icing? I would think that this would be a requirement for RPT in the area.
The same company also owns a flying school in YWOL. Does anybody know what has come of that (after their CFI left)? It would be a shame to see the school close up.
The same company also owns a flying school in YWOL. Does anybody know what has come of that (after their CFI left)? It would be a shame to see the school close up.
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If it is the same organisation that is supposed to be flying between Rose Bay and Newcastle, they haven't been flying too often in recent times (I can see the Newcastle seaplane site from my office window), and when they have flown it hasn;t always been the Amphib Caravan advertised as providing a 26 minute service to Sydney but one of the old (slower, noisier but quite lovely) Beavers.
When they started up brochures were distributed to the main users of the old Beaver service (I think the main users were lawyers and politicans) but the new service has been seen by some to be too infrequent and unreliable, so I think Aeropelican is picking up at least some of the business (well, it has had mine, despite my prefence for the seaplane service). Hope that is not a sign the Newcastle run is on shaky ground financially, as there is a demand for the service. Could well be a demand for a Newcastle-Lake Jindabyne service - much better than a 7 hours drive to the snow.
When they started up brochures were distributed to the main users of the old Beaver service (I think the main users were lawyers and politicans) but the new service has been seen by some to be too infrequent and unreliable, so I think Aeropelican is picking up at least some of the business (well, it has had mine, despite my prefence for the seaplane service). Hope that is not a sign the Newcastle run is on shaky ground financially, as there is a demand for the service. Could well be a demand for a Newcastle-Lake Jindabyne service - much better than a 7 hours drive to the snow.
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Another couple of routes in addition to those mentioned that would seem to be ideal if 'they' could get them approved by State Rail... sorry... CASA, would be:
a) Lake Illawarra - Lake Burley Griffin; and
b) Lake Illawarra - Newcastle Harbour.
I often wondered if it was viable for a helicopter to serve the same routes, except Rose Bay would be replaced with a barge on Sydney Harbour somewhere (or something similar). Rose Bay is just too far from the Sydney CBD to appeal to most commuters.
BrianG, I think ownership issues on the Caravan has prevented it been flown as often as their schedule suggests.
BTW, from my office window I can see lots more office windows so I am a little envious.
a) Lake Illawarra - Lake Burley Griffin; and
b) Lake Illawarra - Newcastle Harbour.
I often wondered if it was viable for a helicopter to serve the same routes, except Rose Bay would be replaced with a barge on Sydney Harbour somewhere (or something similar). Rose Bay is just too far from the Sydney CBD to appeal to most commuters.
BrianG, I think ownership issues on the Caravan has prevented it been flown as often as their schedule suggests.
BTW, from my office window I can see lots more office windows so I am a little envious.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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TURBINE, I found the trip from Rose Bay to the CBD wasn't too much of a hassle and is less of a hassle than getting from Mascot to the CBD if using the Aeropelican Twotter service (which I also use). Both options are better than driving - it has taken me 3.5 hrs (and that's not due to me driving like Ms Daisy).
Helo idea sounds inviting but I don't know much about rotary wing costs but expect something like a Jetranger would cost more to operate than a Caravan.
I don't know where you work but the view from my office window is very good - overlooks Queens Wharf for a view out the Harbour entrance towards Stockton Beach. An NZ Frigate (or some other warship - not really into boats) just sailed in the harbour.
TYGA78, they have been trying for a while but I don't know whether it is weather or other reasons that have held them back. Lets hope they can get the Jindy service operating.
Helo idea sounds inviting but I don't know much about rotary wing costs but expect something like a Jetranger would cost more to operate than a Caravan.
I don't know where you work but the view from my office window is very good - overlooks Queens Wharf for a view out the Harbour entrance towards Stockton Beach. An NZ Frigate (or some other warship - not really into boats) just sailed in the harbour.
TYGA78, they have been trying for a while but I don't know whether it is weather or other reasons that have held them back. Lets hope they can get the Jindy service operating.
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Brian G, good to hear from you. They ( the company in question) encountered alot of red tape from the council and the EPA i believe getting clearences to land on Lake Jindy. Great idea as it is, The weather can be very rough (trust me, I know) and the lake can get very big waves on bad days ( sounds silly I know but true). If it can be dealt with then awesome. Might give QF a run for their money and the locals of the snow an alternative airline to think about but if not, well, at least they had a go. Hope they get some good fortune this time. I'll give 'em 2 thumbs up for trying
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Bugg er.
Was getting all excited about a new 'regional airline' in NSW. Jets perhaps? S340s at worse ... but one Caravan on floats!
Nevermind - best of luck to 'em.
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Shaker One
Was getting all excited about a new 'regional airline' in NSW. Jets perhaps? S340s at worse ... but one Caravan on floats!
Nevermind - best of luck to 'em.
----
Shaker One
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The latest on the Sydney-Newcastle floatplane service. I have been informed that one problem is difficulty in securing NSW Waterways approval to refuel the Caravan in Newcastle Harbour.
Refuelling a seaplane is always going have a risk of a fuel spill, but I wouldn't have thought the risks were any greater than the risks associated with refuelling diesel engined pleasure boats, which use fuel that is, in terms of potential pollution impact, not significantly different to AVTUR. If that is the issue, it must be frustrating the operator to have such an issue making it harder to do business.
However, I am not convinced that is the whole story - I would think that with such a short flight it would be possible to operate by refuelling only at Rosebay pending obtaining of approval to refuel in Newcastle. Oh well - just have to use Aeropelican until they get their act together.
Refuelling a seaplane is always going have a risk of a fuel spill, but I wouldn't have thought the risks were any greater than the risks associated with refuelling diesel engined pleasure boats, which use fuel that is, in terms of potential pollution impact, not significantly different to AVTUR. If that is the issue, it must be frustrating the operator to have such an issue making it harder to do business.
However, I am not convinced that is the whole story - I would think that with such a short flight it would be possible to operate by refuelling only at Rosebay pending obtaining of approval to refuel in Newcastle. Oh well - just have to use Aeropelican until they get their act together.
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Why do our Australian bureacracies, like the NSW Waterways, fail to think outside the square? I visit Vancouver (Canada) annually and get much pleasure watching the busy seaplane activity right next to the CBD. Canadians are more environmentally aware than the average Aussie, but they seem to have found a workable solution for refuelling, noise minimisation and every other impediment that people try to find.
