1st 'Outback' Flight
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1st 'Outback' Flight
I've come to the business end of my CPL training and need to get some Solo hours up...So I'm leaving Adelaide tomorrow and am off to Coober Pedy for the weekend to visit some friends working up there. I'm planning to stop at Whyalla on the way up to top up the juice and either Pt Augusta or Leigh Creek on the way back. Also planning a day trip to check out Oodnadatta. Thus far the furtherest I've ventured solo from the nest (Parafield) is Mildura and north to Pt Pirie.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions or experiences they would like to share about remote flying for a first timer. I'm going in a C172SP which is equipped with G1000 (not exactly going to have to work hard on getting there I know) but am still interested in suggestions!
Pilotette
Just wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions or experiences they would like to share about remote flying for a first timer. I'm going in a C172SP which is equipped with G1000 (not exactly going to have to work hard on getting there I know) but am still interested in suggestions!
Pilotette
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Go to LEIGH CREEK for fuel. meet Rosie... lovely lady, and will look after you both now, and in years to come, when you next pass thru there.
From Oodnadatta - leigh creek, try to find "the marree man". best height about 3-5000'.
and as said before... try NOT to use the GPS unless you are really stuck. My advice would be to have it ON, and running properly, but covered up so that you cannot see it, but easy to get info from if desperately required.
oh... and take LOTS and LOTS of water.
From Oodnadatta - leigh creek, try to find "the marree man". best height about 3-5000'.
and as said before... try NOT to use the GPS unless you are really stuck. My advice would be to have it ON, and running properly, but covered up so that you cannot see it, but easy to get info from if desperately required.
oh... and take LOTS and LOTS of water.
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If memory serves me right, it's Birdsville Race weekend?
If so beware bleary eyed aircraft from various other States going to and fro and sometimes even radio silent to avoid landing fees, not to mention some having no concept of the circuit directions at LEC.
Above 5000' will be smoother, and use of the GPS in a steady climb will give you a best GS altitude. If you use the GPS keep track of known positions/times manually on the map. Fly the one mile right of track offset VFR.
If you are going near the Marree Man (OOD-LEC) worth a minor diversion, likewise Wilpena Pound on the way home (beware j/f in that area).
If so beware bleary eyed aircraft from various other States going to and fro and sometimes even radio silent to avoid landing fees, not to mention some having no concept of the circuit directions at LEC.
Above 5000' will be smoother, and use of the GPS in a steady climb will give you a best GS altitude. If you use the GPS keep track of known positions/times manually on the map. Fly the one mile right of track offset VFR.
If you are going near the Marree Man (OOD-LEC) worth a minor diversion, likewise Wilpena Pound on the way home (beware j/f in that area).
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Dalhousie Springs is a nice spot for a swim.
The first time I met Rose I had flown in from YBHI and spent the 2nd half of the flight with the gear down due to something we never did find. When I landed I pulled up near the bowser where there was a Chieften parked and Rose came over, wrapped her arm around the prop of the Chieften and pulled it out of the way for me. As ya do. Careful when you shake her hand - it's hard to fly with broken bones...
O, and keep that GPS covered / off!!
The first time I met Rose I had flown in from YBHI and spent the 2nd half of the flight with the gear down due to something we never did find. When I landed I pulled up near the bowser where there was a Chieften parked and Rose came over, wrapped her arm around the prop of the Chieften and pulled it out of the way for me. As ya do. Careful when you shake her hand - it's hard to fly with broken bones...
O, and keep that GPS covered / off!!
If you are flying a 172SP from Parafield i'm assuming you are from the Uni?
Probably too late now but i'd skip flying anything with the G1000 altogether on such a trip. Specially if you are looking to build your experience so you can get your first job up north.
Take something older with conventional instruments out to the remote areas.
I recently did so myself, no GPS, and there is definitely more satisfaction flying a big trip soley (and accurately) by your own nav calc's, maps, compass and a watch
Probably too late now but i'd skip flying anything with the G1000 altogether on such a trip. Specially if you are looking to build your experience so you can get your first job up north.
Take something older with conventional instruments out to the remote areas.
I recently did so myself, no GPS, and there is definitely more satisfaction flying a big trip soley (and accurately) by your own nav calc's, maps, compass and a watch
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Conversation killer
There is no better way to get your Nav skills up than leaving the fancy gizmos off and use a map and timer.
I remember flying out to White cliffs from YSBK via Parkes. We did the whole thing sans gps and the amount of discussion and interaction regarding route, position etc, up front, was great fun.
On the way back we switched the screen on, I think we spoke about 1/4 of the time, it had all the answers.
Turn it off and leave it off, you'l enjoy it much more!!!
BP.
I remember flying out to White cliffs from YSBK via Parkes. We did the whole thing sans gps and the amount of discussion and interaction regarding route, position etc, up front, was great fun.
On the way back we switched the screen on, I think we spoke about 1/4 of the time, it had all the answers.
Turn it off and leave it off, you'l enjoy it much more!!!
BP.
Last edited by boardpig; 4th Sep 2008 at 02:43. Reason: Its not Parks its Parkes.
The Marree Man
Now that brings back memories.
The last time i flew over the area in 2002 it was getting rather hairy and hardly visible at 10 000 feet... unless the locals remowed the lawn recently.
Watch out for feral koalas at Wilpena Pound
Safe flying
The last time i flew over the area in 2002 it was getting rather hairy and hardly visible at 10 000 feet... unless the locals remowed the lawn recently.
Watch out for feral koalas at Wilpena Pound
Safe flying
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I can't believe the number of people advising you to not use your GPS... just gob-smacks me.
Pilotette: IMO one of the golden rules for any pilot is 'use every bloody tool in your arsenal, all the time' including your whizz-bang G1000 glass-cockpit!!! Given that it is a glass cockpit equipment fit-out, you are probably not going to have a lot of choice in the matter, if you are going to have any avionics at all. That's what you have, you would be a fool to not use what you have to its fullest extent and your benefit. Follow through on your charts, plot your course, time yourself to your hearts content -but above all else, keep your head out of the cockpit!!! Lookout is everything. The avionics suite your aircraft is equipped with will be brilliant for situational awareness in unfamiliar terrain. You need to be fully conversant with every aspect of its normal and abnormal operation. Use it fully.
Don't let anyone denigrate your trip because you are going fully loaded with a suite of avionics damn near every man-jack in here would be envious of -I know I am! I've never even seen a G1000 fit-out, far less used one in anger! Have a helluva trip and use every advantage you have to your advantage
Pilotette: IMO one of the golden rules for any pilot is 'use every bloody tool in your arsenal, all the time' including your whizz-bang G1000 glass-cockpit!!! Given that it is a glass cockpit equipment fit-out, you are probably not going to have a lot of choice in the matter, if you are going to have any avionics at all. That's what you have, you would be a fool to not use what you have to its fullest extent and your benefit. Follow through on your charts, plot your course, time yourself to your hearts content -but above all else, keep your head out of the cockpit!!! Lookout is everything. The avionics suite your aircraft is equipped with will be brilliant for situational awareness in unfamiliar terrain. You need to be fully conversant with every aspect of its normal and abnormal operation. Use it fully.
Don't let anyone denigrate your trip because you are going fully loaded with a suite of avionics damn near every man-jack in here would be envious of -I know I am! I've never even seen a G1000 fit-out, far less used one in anger! Have a helluva trip and use every advantage you have to your advantage
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And remember Jaba Air Ops Manual (closely modeled on ForkAir Ops Manual)
If the Magenta Line disappears, land at the closest suitable aerodrome, declare an emergency if need be!
The MEL for any flight outside 50nm from home base requires at least two fully functioning GPS.
J
PS Glad you have friend in Coober Pedy, coz ya need a really good reason otherwise!
If the Magenta Line disappears, land at the closest suitable aerodrome, declare an emergency if need be!
The MEL for any flight outside 50nm from home base requires at least two fully functioning GPS.
J
PS Glad you have friend in Coober Pedy, coz ya need a really good reason otherwise!
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RadioSaigon,
I think people are suggesting that it is an excellent opportunity to practice the time tested 1/60 Navigation. I remember flying out that way during my training (no GPS) and it was a real sense of achievement knowing that the 1/60 and my map reading skills were up to the challenge. Yes it is a glass cockpit and yes there are plenty of fancy gadgets with bells and whistles but at the end of the day it is good to have the basic raw skills in preparation for the day things are against you (GPS failure etc.). Why do you think airlines practice no FD/Raw Data on the standby ADI approaches in the simulator on a regular basis? It's to make sure those skills are still there and it gives the pilot confidence knowing that he has the ability to get by if things turn bad.
I think people are suggesting that it is an excellent opportunity to practice the time tested 1/60 Navigation. I remember flying out that way during my training (no GPS) and it was a real sense of achievement knowing that the 1/60 and my map reading skills were up to the challenge. Yes it is a glass cockpit and yes there are plenty of fancy gadgets with bells and whistles but at the end of the day it is good to have the basic raw skills in preparation for the day things are against you (GPS failure etc.). Why do you think airlines practice no FD/Raw Data on the standby ADI approaches in the simulator on a regular basis? It's to make sure those skills are still there and it gives the pilot confidence knowing that he has the ability to get by if things turn bad.
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leave the gps off, 
Amen brother well said.
You need to map read, as 438 mentioned look at the big picture of ground features.
We never employed wallys who leaned heavily on GPS (Regularly umplugged them on new recruit check flights to see if they had the mustard!) GPS NPA's (GNSS) are a different thing. Just take the opportunity to grow from this
Granted it sounds like a new 172 with the "good gear" but if you can relate to ground features, this will save your toosh in a jet, turbo-prop or piston 1 day, mark my words.
Amen brother well said.You need to map read, as 438 mentioned look at the big picture of ground features.
We never employed wallys who leaned heavily on GPS (Regularly umplugged them on new recruit check flights
to see if they had the mustard!) GPS NPA's (GNSS) are a different thing. Just take the opportunity to grow from thisGranted it sounds like a new 172 with the "good gear" but if you can relate to ground features, this will save your toosh in a jet, turbo-prop or piston 1 day, mark my words.
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I'm fully aware of what others are advocating Tempo, just questioning the 'wisdom' of the advice. That's what I have a problem with. I've been flying pretty much since the 'map & matches' days the FTDK alludes to in his clever post, so have some idea of what I'm getting at here. When GPS became both widely available and affordable, one of our machines was so equipped, flew with it for a week then went out and bought my own. So you understand, this was on a route I flew probably a minimum of 4 times a day, up to 10 times or more. I found the sheer situational awareness the GPS afforded me to be absolutely invaluable, with the information presented in an intuitive, easily understood manner. I still fly with a GPS on my yoke -it's about the 3rd or 4th I've owned, and is turned on immediately after the engines are started on all my flights and goes off with the Master.
Now, in Pilotette's circumstance, we are talking about an avionics suite which has the GPS integrated into the totality of the avionics package -I don't know for sure if the GPS can be turned off, (FTDK?) and I hope I have made it plain by now, I think it would be foolish to do so. Ded-reckoning navigation is a necessary skill, which I am certain Pilotette has demonstrated competency with on the way to gaining whatever level of certificate she holds. There is absolutely no reason those ded-reckoning skills cannot be maintained and honed even whilst operating a GPS-based avionics package, or a hand-held GPS. To suggest ham-stringing yourself by disabling an extremely competent aide to satisfy some apparently macho urge is in my opinion, nonsense.
Now, in Pilotette's circumstance, we are talking about an avionics suite which has the GPS integrated into the totality of the avionics package -I don't know for sure if the GPS can be turned off, (FTDK?) and I hope I have made it plain by now, I think it would be foolish to do so. Ded-reckoning navigation is a necessary skill, which I am certain Pilotette has demonstrated competency with on the way to gaining whatever level of certificate she holds. There is absolutely no reason those ded-reckoning skills cannot be maintained and honed even whilst operating a GPS-based avionics package, or a hand-held GPS. To suggest ham-stringing yourself by disabling an extremely competent aide to satisfy some apparently macho urge is in my opinion, nonsense.
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Thanks for the great advice everyone!
For me the purpose of the flight is to practice pretty much both aspects of flying. I will definately be doing my own navigation (with the map display covered) as I think its integral to hone those skills. I will also however practise using the GPS as this will apparently also be tested to some extent in my CPL test but the majority of the time I'll be keeping my log and location myself. After all thats what I'm used to doing..the most part of my flying training has been in a clapped out Piper Warrior! (Which I actually kind of miss.)
FTDK...Haha you make me laugh. Don't worry, I may be doing this flight in a glass cockpit, but I'm far from a princess
P.S. Yep I've actually decided to do it "in one hop". But also have another plan up my sleeve if need be!
RadioSaigon...I also agree with what you have to say about using all available resources, and I definately will if the s*#t happens to hit the fan. Also, yes it is all integrated so I won't be able to turn it off..all the engine instruments share the same screen (MFD) as the map display but there are certain things I can do so I don't get lazy. I can zoom the range in as far as it can go so that you can't see any thing and I can deactivate the loaded flight plan so that there is no info being sent to the Nav instruments.
Once again thanks everyone and keep it coming! Pilotette
For me the purpose of the flight is to practice pretty much both aspects of flying. I will definately be doing my own navigation (with the map display covered) as I think its integral to hone those skills. I will also however practise using the GPS as this will apparently also be tested to some extent in my CPL test but the majority of the time I'll be keeping my log and location myself. After all thats what I'm used to doing..the most part of my flying training has been in a clapped out Piper Warrior! (Which I actually kind of miss.)
FTDK...Haha you make me laugh. Don't worry, I may be doing this flight in a glass cockpit, but I'm far from a princess
P.S. Yep I've actually decided to do it "in one hop". But also have another plan up my sleeve if need be!
RadioSaigon...I also agree with what you have to say about using all available resources, and I definately will if the s*#t happens to hit the fan. Also, yes it is all integrated so I won't be able to turn it off..all the engine instruments share the same screen (MFD) as the map display but there are certain things I can do so I don't get lazy. I can zoom the range in as far as it can go so that you can't see any thing and I can deactivate the loaded flight plan so that there is no info being sent to the Nav instruments.
Once again thanks everyone and keep it coming! Pilotette
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Oodnadatta.
Make sure you have a "Ood-burger" from the pink pub. Absolutely delicious but probably not so good for the cholestrol!
Not sure where the pink pub is exactly, as we'd phone the pub from previous stop & pre order the food. They'd meet us at the airfield in a pink topless 4WD (?!). In fact, I guess you could arrange with them to take you into the pub for a break?
Sorry for all the carry-on over what equipment to use, at least it shows that we're passionate about our work.
Cheers, have fun!
P.S. don't peek at the GPS when using clock-map-ground!!!
Make sure you have a "Ood-burger" from the pink pub. Absolutely delicious but probably not so good for the cholestrol!
Not sure where the pink pub is exactly, as we'd phone the pub from previous stop & pre order the food. They'd meet us at the airfield in a pink topless 4WD (?!). In fact, I guess you could arrange with them to take you into the pub for a break?
Sorry for all the carry-on over what equipment to use, at least it shows that we're passionate about our work.
Cheers, have fun!
P.S. don't peek at the GPS when using clock-map-ground!!!
I agree with leaving the GPS off . By all means have it nearby as an "aid to navigation"
In my GA days one was very lucky if you had an ADF.
Fly by the clock and the compass and map read using the 1 in 60 rule.
You will get more satisfaction and much more experience out of the trip.
A better pilot will always have a good grasp of all the basics in any area of aviation.
Emeritus.
In my GA days one was very lucky if you had an ADF.
Fly by the clock and the compass and map read using the 1 in 60 rule.
You will get more satisfaction and much more experience out of the trip.
A better pilot will always have a good grasp of all the basics in any area of aviation.
Emeritus.
How can you be expected to have a good grasp of the basics of using GPS if you dont actually use it day to day, and only have it as a backup for situations of geographical confusion? Surely that's a dangerous mindset.