End of an Era - Skytrans GA finishes
I hear SZD on centre every now and again here in WA.
I wil say it is a great looking "simple" paint scheme. Those 4 Titans in a row look very professional!
Out of interest- what were some of the shorter strips that skytrans took their C404's into regularly?
Also, any unusual occurrances from any of you guys that flew them up there?
Out of interest- what were some of the shorter strips that skytrans took their C404's into regularly?
Also, any unusual occurrances from any of you guys that flew them up there?
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Dunk Is, Lizard Is, Palm Is, Chillagoe, Dry River, Lawn Hill, the various 'interesting' Torres Strait islands..... probably not many places they HAVEN'T been in 15 years of ops on the Cape.
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Length at PAM not an issue, the wind funneled thru the hills and around the outcrops could be! Only place I ever abandoned an approach due to turbulence - when the roll rate exceeded full control inputs. CAVOK and smooth one minute, completely outa shape the next.
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SZD certainly looked very tidy after the refurb but SKC was still the best to fly IMHO. SZP on the other hand was my least favourite.
To continue on from Jamair in bringing back a few memories:
Dry River
Birri Beach, Mornington Island
Badu Island, Torres Strait
Cow Bay, Daintree NP
To continue on from Jamair in bringing back a few memories:
Dry River
Birri Beach, Mornington Island
Badu Island, Torres Strait
Cow Bay, Daintree NP
I would guess that the cost of operating those types of aircraft in the current climate and the projections in 5 - 10 years time would make it unviable.
How much longer can we flog out 310s, 402s, 404s etc before it just becomes uneconomical? Not to mention the risk involved in running such old aircraft.
You wouldn't get in a 30 year taxi now would you?
How much longer can we flog out 310s, 402s, 404s etc before it just becomes uneconomical? Not to mention the risk involved in running such old aircraft.
You wouldn't get in a 30 year taxi now would you?
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This is a sad day !
Watching Skytrans progressively dissolve to the shell it is a day is a great shame. My years at Skytrans was some of the best flying i have had the pleasure of experiencing, And i got to fly all the titans in the fleet, each aircraft having its own distinct personality. I wish all the guys displaced all the best.
By the way Birri beach certainly looks a lot better than when i flew in the there, It was always a challenge to not get bogged in the sand at the western end.
P.S Dave incognito , you wouldn't have been the Dave involved in the infamous Wrotham Park scandel would you ? Will never forget that pic on the tarmac at Cairns in front of the aircraft, priceless, by the way how did you make it all the way without an incident especially with all that distraction?
Watching Skytrans progressively dissolve to the shell it is a day is a great shame. My years at Skytrans was some of the best flying i have had the pleasure of experiencing, And i got to fly all the titans in the fleet, each aircraft having its own distinct personality. I wish all the guys displaced all the best.
By the way Birri beach certainly looks a lot better than when i flew in the there, It was always a challenge to not get bogged in the sand at the western end.
P.S Dave incognito , you wouldn't have been the Dave involved in the infamous Wrotham Park scandel would you ? Will never forget that pic on the tarmac at Cairns in front of the aircraft, priceless, by the way how did you make it all the way without an incident especially with all that distraction?
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The -100 series Dash isn't exactly a spring chicken...
It does raise the question though, what will remote communities rely on when all the light twin/single work horses eventually head out to pasture?
It does raise the question though, what will remote communities rely on when all the light twin/single work horses eventually head out to pasture?
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Maybe it isn't such a bad thing?
Changing to a one type fleet, chasing more lucrative markets; surely this puts the company in a better position for the future?
From what I've heard this isn't the only company in CNS changing their way of doing business.
Changing to a one type fleet, chasing more lucrative markets; surely this puts the company in a better position for the future?
From what I've heard this isn't the only company in CNS changing their way of doing business.
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Not Exactly, it shuts them out of a few places (rural areas etc) due to the size etc of the new Aircraft...
Also it can kill some of the regional towns unless they get more money to update Airports etc....
One type Fleet can be useful however in Cairns I would guess you would need a few branches?
Also it can kill some of the regional towns unless they get more money to update Airports etc....
One type Fleet can be useful however in Cairns I would guess you would need a few branches?
I have a good friend who recruits heavily for GA companies all over Australia - fixed wing & rotary pilots, AMEs, LAMEs and defence etc.. He's about the best there is.
If anyone, especially currently unemployed Skytrans pilots, would like his details, please PM me. I have no ulterior motive than to help out fellow pilots. There is nothing in this for me, except to know that maybe this guy can assist you in finding a job.
I would put his name up here for all to see, as he has no problem with that, however I do not wish to piss off the moderators!!
PS: Mods - if it is OK to reveal his contact details, please let me know. Cheers
If anyone, especially currently unemployed Skytrans pilots, would like his details, please PM me. I have no ulterior motive than to help out fellow pilots. There is nothing in this for me, except to know that maybe this guy can assist you in finding a job.
I would put his name up here for all to see, as he has no problem with that, however I do not wish to piss off the moderators!!
PS: Mods - if it is OK to reveal his contact details, please let me know. Cheers
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flyby,
no not me, although I have met him (post Skytrans) a few times. It's a tops story, without the photos i don't think many would have believed it! As for Birri, they fixed up the eastern end so it was fairly firm, but the western end was still very boggy.
It's been a few years since I left and I'd have to agree with you regarding the flying. Pretty hard to beat cruising low level up the reef to Lizard or along the Daintree up to Cooktown. Good times!
no not me, although I have met him (post Skytrans) a few times. It's a tops story, without the photos i don't think many would have believed it! As for Birri, they fixed up the eastern end so it was fairly firm, but the western end was still very boggy.
It's been a few years since I left and I'd have to agree with you regarding the flying. Pretty hard to beat cruising low level up the reef to Lizard or along the Daintree up to Cooktown. Good times!
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Off their website Careers section:
Skytrans offers opportunity and loyalty to those who are committed to our values and to a future as part of our team.
Skytrans offers opportunity and loyalty to those who are committed to our values and to a future as part of our team.
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I'd like to wish great things for all those pilots whom have been laid off, remember often such events creates oportunities that one didn't know about whilst employed with them.
The question has been raised why sell off routes/planes that where perhaps still generating an income? Prabably because sell them now whilst these older airframes are still wanted & useable. In say 10 years from now who knows what will be the norm for the day. I wouldn't like to be forecasting the future in aviation at any stage. Hard call for all am sure.
Those qualified might like to apply to the RFDS in all sections, I've never seen so much movement in recent times.
cheers
CW
The question has been raised why sell off routes/planes that where perhaps still generating an income? Prabably because sell them now whilst these older airframes are still wanted & useable. In say 10 years from now who knows what will be the norm for the day. I wouldn't like to be forecasting the future in aviation at any stage. Hard call for all am sure.
Those qualified might like to apply to the RFDS in all sections, I've never seen so much movement in recent times.
cheers
CW