Moonee Ponds International Airport(YMEN)
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Yep. Learnt many, many years ago that at Tulla, you go upstairs to Arrivals, ask the cabbie politely if they would like a short fare to EN and have never been turned down yet.
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since the airport nazis had stopped that
For quite some years now the rule has been no pickups upstairs .. most of the regulars check that the Gestapo are elsewhere and jump a cab upstairs to do a favour to the poor guys who would otherwise get a wasted fare.
For quite some years now the rule has been no pickups upstairs .. most of the regulars check that the Gestapo are elsewhere and jump a cab upstairs to do a favour to the poor guys who would otherwise get a wasted fare.
Join Date: May 2002
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I have notice a little taxi stop near the main taxi stand that states small trips to Essendon etc. From memory it is to the left of the main area (coming out of the Qantas terminal).
Anyone remember the grey leather jackets that the Sunstate(Mildura) pilots had when they had the Victorian Air Ambulance Contract?
Anyone remember a company called Bizjets that run C402's and MetroII on RPT work out to Portland and also serviced a few ports in Tasmnia?
What about Foresstair that were the Partenavia agents for Australia?
Anyone remember a company called Bizjets that run C402's and MetroII on RPT work out to Portland and also serviced a few ports in Tasmnia?
What about Foresstair that were the Partenavia agents for Australia?
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Some years ago in England we returned a rental car near heathrow, and were looking for a taxi to take us to a hotel. We ewre told there was no taxi available, and no public phones, but a shuttlebus went to Heathrow airport. I replied that we did not want to go to heathrow airport, but that made no dofference, so we went to Heathrow airport in the shuttlebus. At the airport there was a taxi dropping off pax and I asked if he could take us but he replied that he was not permitted to. So we went down to the taxi area and spoke to the uniformed taxi "organiser". He asked where we wanted to go and I replied we wanted to find a hotel nearby, and taxi drivers always know where they are. That was not good enough and would not be allowed. He listed hotels and I picked one, so he waved a cab over to take us. I told the driver that we did not have a booking, so may have to go on to another hotel if there was no vacancy. He replied that he was not permitted to do that. Fortunately we did get a room at that hotel, and were very pleased to fly out of the UK the following morning.
Is that what is developing here?? I hope not.
Is that what is developing here?? I hope not.
Last edited by bushy; 1st Mar 2010 at 02:34.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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S8
I remember doing a flight in the RHS on Bizjets Metro to Devonport. Can't fix the era, but Neil Storan was at the helm that day. They ran two flights a day from memory.
Many flights done in DCA's F28's, some to Tassie, some on navaid checks. We just used to phone up the Flying Unit (Spiffing chaps) , or they would call up with a spare seat! Neat wheels up go-rounds from 50' agl.
The other approach to RWY 26 was the PLE LOC/DME. LOC being locator in those days, not localiser. Backtracking from a navaid renowned for it's inaccuracy must have been challenging. Became defunct with the removal of the DME (Ch5).
Cheers all.
I remember doing a flight in the RHS on Bizjets Metro to Devonport. Can't fix the era, but Neil Storan was at the helm that day. They ran two flights a day from memory.
Many flights done in DCA's F28's, some to Tassie, some on navaid checks. We just used to phone up the Flying Unit (Spiffing chaps) , or they would call up with a spare seat! Neat wheels up go-rounds from 50' agl.
The other approach to RWY 26 was the PLE LOC/DME. LOC being locator in those days, not localiser. Backtracking from a navaid renowned for it's inaccuracy must have been challenging. Became defunct with the removal of the DME (Ch5).
Cheers all.
Thanks for that Chief Galah, a lot of "experts" reckon that Bizjets didn't exist. We travelled from Essendon to Devonport on the Metro II VH-BIS in about 1980, and I was allowed to sit in the co-pilots seat. The Captain was Allen Walker who later worked for Kendalls on the Metro and Saab out of Melbourne for many years. Incidentally in those days the Metro's and Bandeirantes were flown single-pilot on RPT operations.
Thanks for the info on the navaids.
Did Essendon have a VOR as a primary navaid, or was it still the good old VAR?
Thanks for the info on the navaids.
Did Essendon have a VOR as a primary navaid, or was it still the good old VAR?
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Alan Baskett
Alan sent me solo in the Citabria VH-SLO(W) in 1977. By recollection the hire charges were $28 solo/ $36 dual. I used to catch the tram up Mt Alexander rd. to the airport for my flying lesson.
Last I heard he was in WA on the RFDS contract , but that was 20+ years ago. After his accident, Alan always advised his students never to wear those blue 'Pilot's' jackets that everyone wears; the Nylon melts when it burns you see. I can see him in minds' eye right now, smoking a Marlbrough Gold. Lovely wife, Gwen and 2 very charming daughters who worked in the Flying School office..
The Cockpit--Ha! Full of Pilots, Posers, Wankers, Wouldbees and Office Girls...
Remember the blond check-in-chick from Flinders Island Airlines? (Lara??).
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Anthill
33 years ago, which made Anthill age 44, eleven years old.
Well Done! young fella. You wouldn't lie about your age, would you?
Alan sent me solo in the Citabria VH-SLO(W) in 1977
Well Done! young fella. You wouldn't lie about your age, would you?
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The EN VAR was before my time. There was always a VOR on the field but it was never commissioned. A NOTAM existed for years stating it was on test using a "XP" ident.
Allen Walker was in ATC for a while. He never minded training the fresh faced dimwits who would turn up to plug in. Always a quiet gentleman, he seemed out of place in the egotistical circus of the time.
Anthill
One of the FAC safety officers used to love Saturday night shifts. He reckoned after 3 AM when the Cockpit Lounge closed, one could observe all sorts of sexual acrobatics being performed in the carpark.
CG
Allen Walker was in ATC for a while. He never minded training the fresh faced dimwits who would turn up to plug in. Always a quiet gentleman, he seemed out of place in the egotistical circus of the time.
Anthill
One of the FAC safety officers used to love Saturday night shifts. He reckoned after 3 AM when the Cockpit Lounge closed, one could observe all sorts of sexual acrobatics being performed in the carpark.
CG
I did a tailwheel refresher in SLO with Alan in '77. Last flew SLO last year - it is going well.
Thanks for the memories John Tullamarine. What about the Browns?
Our Airtourer 100 was always told to report at Westgate at 1500 ft - never once made it to 1500 ft before we got to the bridge.
Thanks for the memories John Tullamarine. What about the Browns?
Our Airtourer 100 was always told to report at Westgate at 1500 ft - never once made it to 1500 ft before we got to the bridge.
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The Browns - Didn't they run Galaxy Flying School??
Also Emu Flying School.
A job at Security Express was almost like winning the lottery, or even a job at Kendell.
I used to fly the PA18 and the PA25 out at The 'Marsh for a while and see a lot of the aircraft from EN come down the lane for Touch and Goes. Sometimes the guys used to come an buy a can of drink from the 'Pie-cart'. One guy came over in a Duchess with a mate of his and 2 v. nice looking girls for a look at the gliders. This guy had wings, sorry, WINGS! and 3 bar epps. Looked the part but I knew him as we were both doing CPL theory together.
The Police Air Wing C172 VH-FUZ.
Graham Faux (rip) doing glide approaches with the engine REALLY shut down.
Didn't Laurie P. thump some drunk dill who tried to steal one of his aeroplanes and go for a joy ride one night?
I ferried the Super Cub from BCS to EN for a 100 hourly one day with a 40kt northerly blowing. I decended vertically onto the RWY35 threshold from about 300' a-la-helicopter, much to the mirth of the guys in the tower. I think it took me a good 10 mins to get from Westgate Bridge to EN that day.
DJ, is SLO still at Camden? I should have look for old time sake.
Also Emu Flying School.
A job at Security Express was almost like winning the lottery, or even a job at Kendell.
I used to fly the PA18 and the PA25 out at The 'Marsh for a while and see a lot of the aircraft from EN come down the lane for Touch and Goes. Sometimes the guys used to come an buy a can of drink from the 'Pie-cart'. One guy came over in a Duchess with a mate of his and 2 v. nice looking girls for a look at the gliders. This guy had wings, sorry, WINGS! and 3 bar epps. Looked the part but I knew him as we were both doing CPL theory together.
The Police Air Wing C172 VH-FUZ.
Graham Faux (rip) doing glide approaches with the engine REALLY shut down.
Didn't Laurie P. thump some drunk dill who tried to steal one of his aeroplanes and go for a joy ride one night?
I ferried the Super Cub from BCS to EN for a 100 hourly one day with a 40kt northerly blowing. I decended vertically onto the RWY35 threshold from about 300' a-la-helicopter, much to the mirth of the guys in the tower. I think it took me a good 10 mins to get from Westgate Bridge to EN that day.
DJ, is SLO still at Camden? I should have look for old time sake.
VH-UBU was the 207 doing aerial survey work and the other survey aircraft was C-320 VH-DRK, which had an endurance of almost 7 hours with all those fuel tanks. Run by AAA/Victorian Airlines.
b.
b.
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Alan Baskett.
Had plenty of time for Alan.
A now VERY senior chap at Rex and I did our Partenavia endorsements with Alan a week or two before the Gull household disaster. I guess our trip with the wives to Sydney and back would have been the last cross country the aircraft did ...
What about the Browns?
For whatever reason never had a lot to do with them but such as I did was fine.
never once made it to 1500 ft before we got to the bridge
That would be similar to when you and I were doing our aerobatics endorsements in it at Grovedale ? Fun machine but only if you weigh 3/5 of 5/8 ..
I used to fly the PA18 and the PA25
Can recall an occasion when I went for a ride in the Cub with one of the tug pilots ... steep turns in the preceding wake ... never told him that, by stretching a bit, I could see the altimeter over his shoulder. I think he really thought I was doing it on skill rather than rat cunning.
Graham Faux
Knew Graham well over a long period. One of those fairly skilled chaps who lacked a sufficient reserve of caution. Bit of a character, though.
Laurie P.
Had forgotten Laurie. A fine gentleman.
AAA/Victorian Airlines
Russ, Lorraine, Sue and John. Had a lot to do with them over the years.
Had plenty of time for Alan.
A now VERY senior chap at Rex and I did our Partenavia endorsements with Alan a week or two before the Gull household disaster. I guess our trip with the wives to Sydney and back would have been the last cross country the aircraft did ...
What about the Browns?
For whatever reason never had a lot to do with them but such as I did was fine.
never once made it to 1500 ft before we got to the bridge
That would be similar to when you and I were doing our aerobatics endorsements in it at Grovedale ? Fun machine but only if you weigh 3/5 of 5/8 ..
I used to fly the PA18 and the PA25
Can recall an occasion when I went for a ride in the Cub with one of the tug pilots ... steep turns in the preceding wake ... never told him that, by stretching a bit, I could see the altimeter over his shoulder. I think he really thought I was doing it on skill rather than rat cunning.
Graham Faux
Knew Graham well over a long period. One of those fairly skilled chaps who lacked a sufficient reserve of caution. Bit of a character, though.
Laurie P.
Had forgotten Laurie. A fine gentleman.
AAA/Victorian Airlines
Russ, Lorraine, Sue and John. Had a lot to do with them over the years.
Is Russ with Tiger? I know Ken's with V Australia, have a look here.
YouTube - V Australia's first Boeing 777-300ER Flight Simulator on 'Totally Wild'
b.
YouTube - V Australia's first Boeing 777-300ER Flight Simulator on 'Totally Wild'
b.
Associated Airlines at Essendon
I've just finished reading "Associated Airlines-The first fifty years (1937-1987)".
It ends with ...
"with fifty years experience and customer appreciation behind it Associated Airlines can look to a future with a sense of challenge and to the past with a sense of pride"
What happened after 1987 ?
It ends with ...
"with fifty years experience and customer appreciation behind it Associated Airlines can look to a future with a sense of challenge and to the past with a sense of pride"
What happened after 1987 ?
Join Date: Sep 2009
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I flew in and out of EN for a few years with a couple of SAL (Supplemental Air Line-for those who either cant remember the older CAO 82 or wern't born yet!)companies: Promair and Flinders Island Airlines.
Promair operated 3 PA31s to EN, MB, KI, FLI, LT, DV and Welshpool. They also had a very sad C182 for VFR charters (mainly fish and fruit and vegies). They had a pirate NDB at Welshpool. I dont know if anyone ever used it (269 khz). The 3 Navajos reeked of crayfish.
Flinders Island Airlines had headquarters at MB but did the "Paper Run" for the Herald and Weekly Times every afternoon. The route was EN-Swan Hill-Mildura-Ouyen-EN. It was a sackable offence to refer to the "Paper Run" as the Paper Run. I dont know why.
Everybody did as long as the boss wasn't around.
FIA had been around for about 40 years and had operated Beech18s and Ansons at one stage. The had the H&WT contract for most of this time until they went out of business in 1990.
Bob Bell at Stayward Air in Warnambool operated a PA31 (VH-SOW) on the WBL-EN-WBL run 2 x daily. This was bought out by FIA who operated EN-Warnambool-Hamilton and also EN-Stawell-Horsham for a while. VH-SOW had been landed gear-up at some stage and the rebuild was a bit odd: one engine nacelle pointed down and the other one up! Strangely, the aircraft flew straight so it must have been bent somewhere else in the airframe as well.
Photos: Beech D18S Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Promair operated 3 PA31s to EN, MB, KI, FLI, LT, DV and Welshpool. They also had a very sad C182 for VFR charters (mainly fish and fruit and vegies). They had a pirate NDB at Welshpool. I dont know if anyone ever used it (269 khz). The 3 Navajos reeked of crayfish.
Flinders Island Airlines had headquarters at MB but did the "Paper Run" for the Herald and Weekly Times every afternoon. The route was EN-Swan Hill-Mildura-Ouyen-EN. It was a sackable offence to refer to the "Paper Run" as the Paper Run. I dont know why.
Everybody did as long as the boss wasn't around.FIA had been around for about 40 years and had operated Beech18s and Ansons at one stage. The had the H&WT contract for most of this time until they went out of business in 1990.
Bob Bell at Stayward Air in Warnambool operated a PA31 (VH-SOW) on the WBL-EN-WBL run 2 x daily. This was bought out by FIA who operated EN-Warnambool-Hamilton and also EN-Stawell-Horsham for a while. VH-SOW had been landed gear-up at some stage and the rebuild was a bit odd: one engine nacelle pointed down and the other one up! Strangely, the aircraft flew straight so it must have been bent somewhere else in the airframe as well.
Photos: Beech D18S Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Last edited by Anthill; 2nd Mar 2010 at 11:33.