Sydney flying questions
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Sydney flying questions
Hi there,
I live in the UK and have not flown (well, scarecely anyway) in Australia. Got my UK PPL(A) last year. We visit family/friends in Australia roughly every second Christmas, and we are planning to be there this Christmas. I have a few questions which I'm hoping you guys might be able to help with:[list=1][*]Certificate of Validation - where's best to do it? Ideally, I would like to do this at Williamtown if at all possible as we will be driving down from Brisbane & Byron then we'll be staying a wekk at Port Stephens, so if it were possible I could do the validation there. Otherwise, it'll have to be whilst in Sydney during the two weeks after Christmas. Is there anyone you'd recommend? Basair's website looks good.
[*]Trip suggestions - I plan to make a couple of 1-2 day trips from Sydney - any suggestions for decent/interesting daytrip(s) and/or overnight trips? Also planning to do the Harbour scenic route.[/list=a]
Thanks,
I live in the UK and have not flown (well, scarecely anyway) in Australia. Got my UK PPL(A) last year. We visit family/friends in Australia roughly every second Christmas, and we are planning to be there this Christmas. I have a few questions which I'm hoping you guys might be able to help with:[list=1][*]Certificate of Validation - where's best to do it? Ideally, I would like to do this at Williamtown if at all possible as we will be driving down from Brisbane & Byron then we'll be staying a wekk at Port Stephens, so if it were possible I could do the validation there. Otherwise, it'll have to be whilst in Sydney during the two weeks after Christmas. Is there anyone you'd recommend? Basair's website looks good.
[*]Trip suggestions - I plan to make a couple of 1-2 day trips from Sydney - any suggestions for decent/interesting daytrip(s) and/or overnight trips? Also planning to do the Harbour scenic route.[/list=a]
Thanks,
Last edited by Aussie Andy; 26th May 2002 at 14:22.
You will have to go to a CASA office.
There's one in Brisbane so why not pay them the 50 bucks & get the rubber stamp/bit of paper there?
There's also an office in Tamworth who could do it, if you do the drive from Brisbane via the New England Highway.
Otherwise it will have to be Sydney.
CASA website: www.casa.gov.au
You will also have to do an aeroplane flight review. Any flying school will be able to do this for you.
There's one in Brisbane so why not pay them the 50 bucks & get the rubber stamp/bit of paper there?
There's also an office in Tamworth who could do it, if you do the drive from Brisbane via the New England Highway.
Otherwise it will have to be Sydney.
CASA website: www.casa.gov.au
You will also have to do an aeroplane flight review. Any flying school will be able to do this for you.
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Cheers Tinstaafl no time in Brisbane as there only over the weekend. Sounds like easiest will be to get it all done on one go at Bankstown then...
Meanwhile, if anyone has any suggestions for day trips, please let me know...
Ta,
Meanwhile, if anyone has any suggestions for day trips, please let me know...
Ta,
If you're driving from Brisbane to Willy on a weekday why not go via the inland route ie the New England Highway?
It's not too much different in travel time and passes through Tamworth. You could stop in at the CAA's office there & save yourself a trip to Sydney.
Presuming there's nothing on the coastal route that you want to see, of course.
It's not too much different in travel time and passes through Tamworth. You could stop in at the CAA's office there & save yourself a trip to Sydney.
Presuming there's nothing on the coastal route that you want to see, of course.
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We usually take the coast road as we're gonna spend a week at Byron and then visit friends in the Dorrigo area, then down to P. Stephens for Christmas week with the family... so inland route doesn't make much sense for us.
Andy,
The Temora Aviation Museum could be worth a look if it interests you.
Temora is about 2 hours west of Sydney (depending on what you fly) and the musem is located on the airfield.
They have just flown a Canberra bomber out from the UK and have a Spitfire amongst other types.
Gibbo
The Temora Aviation Museum could be worth a look if it interests you.
Temora is about 2 hours west of Sydney (depending on what you fly) and the musem is located on the airfield.
They have just flown a Canberra bomber out from the UK and have a Spitfire amongst other types.
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Get a copy of the VFR pilot guide for the Sydney basin. Not sure of the paper cost but PDF version available from http://www.casa.gov.au/avreg/pilot/pilotgde.htm
This guide includes advice on local senic flights.
This guide includes advice on local senic flights.
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375ml - thanks... seems an excellent service you guys get from CASA... wish we had someone here producing user-friendly documents like that for flying VFR around SE UK! 
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Andy,
The trip up to Mudgee might be an option for you if you're into visiting wineries etc. It's been recommended to me and I'm trying to get up there myself soon. It's roughly 250km from Sydney, a 3.5 hour drive so I guess about half that in your average bugsmasher.
Can vouch for the Temora museum as suggested earlier well.
l_b
The trip up to Mudgee might be an option for you if you're into visiting wineries etc. It's been recommended to me and I'm trying to get up there myself soon. It's roughly 250km from Sydney, a 3.5 hour drive so I guess about half that in your average bugsmasher.
Can vouch for the Temora museum as suggested earlier well.
l_b
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Thanks - Mudgee and Temora sound good.
What about good days out up/down the coast? Any good suggestions for day/overnight trips in either direction appreciated.
What about good days out up/down the coast? Any good suggestions for day/overnight trips in either direction appreciated.
Andy,
If you are into lying on a nice beach after a coastal flight then north to Ballina or somewhere in that region is a good bet. Great flying along a very scenic coastline on the way; about four to five hours depending on aircraft type. There are plenty of options north and south of Sydney on the coast.
A map recce could be a good bet, then light up with questions regarding specific locations.
I'll start by recommending Coffs Harbour & Moruya. Have fun.
Gibbo
If you are into lying on a nice beach after a coastal flight then north to Ballina or somewhere in that region is a good bet. Great flying along a very scenic coastline on the way; about four to five hours depending on aircraft type. There are plenty of options north and south of Sydney on the coast.
A map recce could be a good bet, then light up with questions regarding specific locations.
I'll start by recommending Coffs Harbour & Moruya. Have fun.
Gibbo
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Cheers Gibbo - thanks , sounds ideal - I think I'll send off for a map today. I believe these should be ordered from the AirServices website?
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Andy,
Go to any CASA office, present your logbook and medical + ID, pay the man and you will be issued with a CASA Special Pilot Licence.
On the Maps issue, get a Sydney VTC (about 10 bucks, or 3 GBP in old money) and if going North a Coffs VTC, it has most if not all of the info on it for the Syd/Newcastle area and I'm sure you can prob borrow an ERSA from the school/FBO you rent - btw the ERSA also has all the procedures for the Sydney Scenic.
Mudgee is doable in a bugsmasher, but if you are only in the area for a few days then coastal is the way to go, Here's my suggestion, if you have a tailwheel endorsement go to curtis aviation in camden and go bush, other wise Bankstown might be a bit more convienient. I'm thinking Mudgee might be a tad boring for your passengers ?
Have fun, its winter so the climate is great for flying, summer sucks (sometimes near the blue mts) cos of all that lovely onshore.........
Moruya is so bloody nice.
You might try Nowra the RAAF base/museum, its also worth a look and only 35 mins from Camden or 45 from banks in a 110 kt chariot.
yup , the maps are from the airservices site, if you plan to stay coastal you'll only need VTC's, if you plan to go inland a pinch, you might need a WAC or two.
have fun
Go to any CASA office, present your logbook and medical + ID, pay the man and you will be issued with a CASA Special Pilot Licence.
On the Maps issue, get a Sydney VTC (about 10 bucks, or 3 GBP in old money) and if going North a Coffs VTC, it has most if not all of the info on it for the Syd/Newcastle area and I'm sure you can prob borrow an ERSA from the school/FBO you rent - btw the ERSA also has all the procedures for the Sydney Scenic.
Mudgee is doable in a bugsmasher, but if you are only in the area for a few days then coastal is the way to go, Here's my suggestion, if you have a tailwheel endorsement go to curtis aviation in camden and go bush, other wise Bankstown might be a bit more convienient. I'm thinking Mudgee might be a tad boring for your passengers ?
Have fun, its winter so the climate is great for flying, summer sucks (sometimes near the blue mts) cos of all that lovely onshore.........
Moruya is so bloody nice.
You might try Nowra the RAAF base/museum, its also worth a look and only 35 mins from Camden or 45 from banks in a 110 kt chariot.
yup , the maps are from the airservices site, if you plan to stay coastal you'll only need VTC's, if you plan to go inland a pinch, you might need a WAC or two.
have fun
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Gotcha farrenfour! Excellent, thanks. It will be summer when I am there (Christmas). I think I'll head up the coast then. I've sent of for the VTCs and the WACs just in case I also go inland. I enjoy the planning as much as the flying, so this'll give me something to look at while waiting!
Thanks again guys,
Thanks again guys,
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Special Licence in Aust.
G'day Andy,
Check out website www.scofields-flying-club.com.au
I'll do you check flights for you and you can get your special lic @ Bankstown airport.
A.H.
Check out website www.scofields-flying-club.com.au
I'll do you check flights for you and you can get your special lic @ Bankstown airport.
A.H.
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Hi A.H. - I will take a look at http://www.schofields-flying-club.com.au/ and give you a shout back. Many thanks,
