YJAK - Jackson oil field
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YJAK - Jackson oil field
While doing some other research, I came across this dustbowl, found it on Google Earth at 27° 38' 21.00" S 142° 24' 30.00" E and noticed the X's down the runway.
This place just intrigues me for some reason. It's a private field, and there's no info on YJAK anywhere on the internet, or ERSA (no surprise there, really).
I'm just wondering if any of you have flown in and out of there? With a strip length of 5900', it's obviously been built to cater for some fast and/or large aircraft. Anyone know how long it's been decommissioned, or are the X's just there to warn off non-authorised flights?
Just looking at that whole area in Google Earth takes the breath away, I can hardly imagine what it's like for you guys who fly out that way regularly.
This place just intrigues me for some reason. It's a private field, and there's no info on YJAK anywhere on the internet, or ERSA (no surprise there, really).
I'm just wondering if any of you have flown in and out of there? With a strip length of 5900', it's obviously been built to cater for some fast and/or large aircraft. Anyone know how long it's been decommissioned, or are the X's just there to warn off non-authorised flights?
Just looking at that whole area in Google Earth takes the breath away, I can hardly imagine what it's like for you guys who fly out that way regularly.
In '81, I took a "3" into a place called Thomas Field, up that way somewhere.
It was a bulldozed strip in a clay pan. It must have been used for lighties as the high rim of the clay pan reduced significantly the EOL. Also the windsock was "very near" the side of the strip. I cannot find this on Google Earth, so if anyone knows where it is, please let me know. Thanks.
It was a bulldozed strip in a clay pan. It must have been used for lighties as the high rim of the clay pan reduced significantly the EOL. Also the windsock was "very near" the side of the strip. I cannot find this on Google Earth, so if anyone knows where it is, please let me know. Thanks.
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Jackson was closed approx 4 years ago.
I think Santos own the field and it has been decommisioned - although still available for medical emergencies if the owner approves its use.
I think Santos own the field and it has been decommisioned - although still available for medical emergencies if the owner approves its use.
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Used to go in and out regularly on Santos crew changes, was a good strip from memory.....can't recall if there was an approach there, but it did have lights. Still used it as a reporting point for some time after it closed.
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Thanks for the replies guys. It's a big brown land ...
I found this add-on for Google Earth that allows you to show all the landing areas (in their database) around the world ...
http://www.alanblencowe.com/imagesal...ng%20Areas.kmz
It has a LOT of otherwise unmarked strips out there ....
I found this add-on for Google Earth that allows you to show all the landing areas (in their database) around the world ...
http://www.alanblencowe.com/imagesal...ng%20Areas.kmz
It has a LOT of otherwise unmarked strips out there ....
There was an NDB and an International DME there!
Lloyds flew there from BNE & ADL. I have a vague recollection the F28 went in there from Moomba and ADL.
Lloyds flew there from BNE & ADL. I have a vague recollection the F28 went in there from Moomba and ADL.
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Jackson
I flew in there many years ago in a Chieftan had to jump through some hoops with Santos @ Brissy but got permission in the end, the strip was great and the fac's were clean but I got the impression they didn't want lighties in there it was just for there FIFO guys. Shame to hear it's closed.
Kickatinalong
Kickatinalong
YJAK was closed when Ballera (YLLE) was commissioned on the western side of the Cooper. Any traffic for the east side of the Cooper now goes into Noccundra, which I believe will be sealed in the near future (if it hasn't been already).
Flown into YJAK with Airservices techs to repair the NDB quite a few years ago.
Like most of the Santos Airports, any of the Cooper basin Airports are off limits to the general public.
The term "PPR" definitely applies.
185
Flown into YJAK with Airservices techs to repair the NDB quite a few years ago.
Like most of the Santos Airports, any of the Cooper basin Airports are off limits to the general public.
The term "PPR" definitely applies.
185
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big brown land indeed
there are a whole lot of strips of varying quality in the greater Cooper Basin that, unless one is working in the oil and gas game, aren't necessarily commonly available, or known about. these range from hastily bulldozed 1000m jobs that will service a mobile oil test rig, to station strips, right on up to the likes of this one (used to be) and Ballera (YLLE), Moomba (YOOM)
often hot
often windy dusty did i mention hot? affected by sandstorms wild, short lived thunderstorms plagues of insects 
and other assorted distractions that would try the patience of a saint..
having said that, there are some who've flown in and out of this part of the world for their whole careers..20+ years for a couple of blokes that I know
often hot
often windy
dusty did i mention hot? affected by sandstorms wild, short lived thunderstorms plagues of insects and other assorted distractions that would try the patience of a saint..having said that, there are some who've flown in and out of this part of the world for their whole careers..20+ years for a couple of blokes that I know
Silly Old Git
their whole careers..20+ years
Well me at least was 34 years , daily into Moomba from AD
Anyone recall the Williams P-31 350 that went in on that run just north of Para?
I went into Jackson March 4th 1996 for an overnight stay, got a hell of a surprise when I went to get some grub and found the dining facility being run by Dave, formerly of the Birdsville Pub during my mail run days.
Working his way back to AD.
Thats the new Jackson runway now shut!
The original was down on the eastern side of the creek that runs past to the east.
Nice long clay pan.
Have a photo of a heap of B200 / Cheyanne 3 there the day Sir Joh turned the first sod.
The original was down on the eastern side of the creek that runs past to the east.
Nice long clay pan.
Have a photo of a heap of B200 / Cheyanne 3 there the day Sir Joh turned the first sod.
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Mmmm.... Any where out there in summer 
Ballera, I was probably one of the first in there, still a dirt strip then - Dave up to about '06 was the airport manager there great bloke Don't think he quite managed to get back to ADL.
185Skywagon
Af-CV......all ports out..... CV .....all ports back...... Af , could not have done it without a bit of yarn and a pie ( not to mention some fuel !)
Long days, but great people (pax sometime not so
) - learnt a lot
Ballera, I was probably one of the first in there, still a dirt strip then - Dave up to about '06 was the airport manager there great bloke Don't think he quite managed to get back to ADL.185Skywagon
Af-CV......all ports out..... CV .....all ports back...... Af , could not have done it without a bit of yarn and a pie
( not to mention some fuel !)Long days, but great people (pax sometime not so
) - learnt a lot
Last edited by sru; 30th Jan 2009 at 07:23.