Birdsville Races
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Australia
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Birdsville Races
Not long to go now until I fill up the six seater and head to SW Qld (Sept 6-8).
This is one of my yearly flying highlights which may seem a little sad for some of you!!
Anyway....does anyone have any great Birdsville Stories they would like to share??
My first trip in 98...I joined the flying pattern to the circuit over the racecourse and proceeded to follow the SIX planes that were in front of me. I was unaware of the volume of aircraft that arrive at this strip once a year..
Last year the wind sock was at right angles to the strip we HAD to land on - I executed the worst cross wind landing I've ever done in my life much to the joy of the hundreds of punters cheering me on from the Birdsville Pub.....at least I picked the winner of the cup that year.
I heard there was a shocker of a dust storm that took a few pilots by suprise on the Friday of 2000. Come to think of it..there is always a dust storm on at least one of the race days.
Cheers
Paul.
This is one of my yearly flying highlights which may seem a little sad for some of you!!
Anyway....does anyone have any great Birdsville Stories they would like to share??
My first trip in 98...I joined the flying pattern to the circuit over the racecourse and proceeded to follow the SIX planes that were in front of me. I was unaware of the volume of aircraft that arrive at this strip once a year..
Last year the wind sock was at right angles to the strip we HAD to land on - I executed the worst cross wind landing I've ever done in my life much to the joy of the hundreds of punters cheering me on from the Birdsville Pub.....at least I picked the winner of the cup that year.
I heard there was a shocker of a dust storm that took a few pilots by suprise on the Friday of 2000. Come to think of it..there is always a dust storm on at least one of the race days.
Cheers
Paul.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Queensland
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Races 2000
Ahh, Friday of 2000, what a horrible day to be attempting a landing at BDV!
I remember sitting there watching 172's and I think one very brave driver in a 152 attempting crosswind landings in 25+ knot gusting crosswinds, with vis reducing due to the dust storm.
Saw some pretty interesting landings, one poor chap actually ran off the runway.
It was one of those days where you were better off sitting in the grand old pub!!
Had a great time out there. Didn't actually get to see the BDV cup, but was overflying the racecourse doing joyflights as the race was on. Oh well, one day I will be out there with a beer in my hand watching the horsies run!!
Booka
I remember sitting there watching 172's and I think one very brave driver in a 152 attempting crosswind landings in 25+ knot gusting crosswinds, with vis reducing due to the dust storm.
Saw some pretty interesting landings, one poor chap actually ran off the runway.
It was one of those days where you were better off sitting in the grand old pub!!
Had a great time out there. Didn't actually get to see the BDV cup, but was overflying the racecourse doing joyflights as the race was on. Oh well, one day I will be out there with a beer in my hand watching the horsies run!!
Booka
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The ol 25 knt crosswind in a 152...hmmmm I wonder if Cessna used that sort of crosswind breeze for the aircraft testing.
Might seeya up there Booka - I'll probably be in BNN PA-32R. I'll buy you a beer in between joyflights!!!
Cheers.
Might seeya up there Booka - I'll probably be in BNN PA-32R. I'll buy you a beer in between joyflights!!!
Cheers.
