WA FSU's
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WA FSU's
Here's a question for the oldies, back in the days of Flight Service Units, where were the FSU's in the Kimberleys. From memory, was it Port Hedland, Derby, and Wyndham(later becoming Kununurra)?
Yes that's correct. They were the only Kimberley ones plus other WA ones were:
Meekathara
Carnarvon
Wittenoom
They were great days. Really helpful guys with lots of local knowledge. Nice to be able to get weathers in person, submit a flight plan and have a chat about what was going on around the traps.
So much for progress!
Meekathara
Carnarvon
Wittenoom
They were great days. Really helpful guys with lots of local knowledge. Nice to be able to get weathers in person, submit a flight plan and have a chat about what was going on around the traps.
So much for progress!
Last edited by Nil defects; 24th Sep 2012 at 12:44.
Don't remember Wittenoom, but do recall Kalgoorlie and Derby. Cocos also had an FSU.
KG and CC not in the Kimberleys, but still in WA.
KG and CC not in the Kimberleys, but still in WA.
Last edited by chimbu warrior; 24th Sep 2012 at 13:08.
I don't recall one at Wittenoom either.
The 2 Kimberley FSU's were Derby & Wyndham.
The other WA FSU's were Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Meekatharra, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Perth & Forrest.
Griffo, where are you?
The 2 Kimberley FSU's were Derby & Wyndham.
The other WA FSU's were Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Meekatharra, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Perth & Forrest.
Griffo, where are you?
WA FSUs
The Tinnie Club at Port Hedland was converted to offices by the Town of Port Hedland and also used for party hire purposes. I do not know if it is still standing. The last time I saw it was in 1997 and it was infested with frogs !!
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Reckon Halls Creek had one in its day.
The radio gear was "uninstalled" in 1976 by myself and one other. We were radio techs working on the Kununurra FSU installation at the time.
The radio gear was "uninstalled" in 1976 by myself and one other. We were radio techs working on the Kununurra FSU installation at the time.
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WA FSU's
Nobody has yet mention Broome.... it was there as a small AFIZ for the RPTs until 1970 when it was closed and one of the first remotes made to Derby. Dixy Goddard was the OIC there when it closed. At night time you could often hear traffic on the ground at BR from DB and occasionaly from PD.... it was all on 122.1. (some good inversions)
1971 saw the diversion of a MMA F28 to FTZ (due FG at BR & DB) with minimum fuel and that skipper was known to always have a 1000lb on for Mum & the kids.
The first F28 arrived around 69 and was MMJ. It lasted a few years before the FK series arrived.
The MMA F27 used to come from PH to WI then BR and DB arriving early hours. For that the DB FSU opened around 0400. There was a few MMA crews based at DB, one for the F27 and the other (2) for the Twotter. MMY was the one that took over the Kimberly run from the DC3 and also did the Cockatoo & Koolan Is run. The F27 had a crew change and went on to KU and DN, then out to GTE and GV.
The RFDS (Vic Section) had a QueenAir based at DB - FDV at that time. Then there was dear old Dick Roberton (RIP) who had a 337 for many years, (AEF/AEP/AEJ)) and a 206 (DSP) that flew every day with never a drop of oil to be seen on the cowls... thats something for a 337!!
There were heaps of personalities up there then and one or still are still about, tho' somewhat older!
Places like Halls Creek & Wittenoom had the old Aeradio station (before the transition to FSU's) - others such as Daly Waters, Forest & Oodnadatta were similar, all closing about the same period in the late 60's.
Those were the days.....!!
1971 saw the diversion of a MMA F28 to FTZ (due FG at BR & DB) with minimum fuel and that skipper was known to always have a 1000lb on for Mum & the kids.
The first F28 arrived around 69 and was MMJ. It lasted a few years before the FK series arrived.The MMA F27 used to come from PH to WI then BR and DB arriving early hours. For that the DB FSU opened around 0400. There was a few MMA crews based at DB, one for the F27 and the other (2) for the Twotter. MMY was the one that took over the Kimberly run from the DC3 and also did the Cockatoo & Koolan Is run. The F27 had a crew change and went on to KU and DN, then out to GTE and GV.
The RFDS (Vic Section) had a QueenAir based at DB - FDV at that time. Then there was dear old Dick Roberton (RIP) who had a 337 for many years, (AEF/AEP/AEJ)) and a 206 (DSP) that flew every day with never a drop of oil to be seen on the cowls... thats something for a 337!!
There were heaps of personalities up there then and one or still are still about, tho' somewhat older!
Places like Halls Creek & Wittenoom had the old Aeradio station (before the transition to FSU's) - others such as Daly Waters, Forest & Oodnadatta were similar, all closing about the same period in the late 60's.
Those were the days.....!!
Last edited by triadic; 25th Sep 2012 at 13:22.
triadic:
Yes, but I doubt Broome ever had its own FSU.
I flew FDV out of Derby in 1967 and again for a short while in 1968, the Twin Pioneer was still flying then (1967), replaced by the Twotter the following year - I certainly have no recollection of an operating FSU at Hall's Creek.
Cheers!
Yes, but I doubt Broome ever had its own FSU.
I flew FDV out of Derby in 1967 and again for a short while in 1968, the Twin Pioneer was still flying then (1967), replaced by the Twotter the following year - I certainly have no recollection of an operating FSU at Hall's Creek.
Cheers!
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Twin Pioneer
Would that be the one off the side of the Koolan Island strip?
I was one of the Perth FSOs that took over Canarvon and Meeka etc. as they closed. Before that I was in Mount Isa not long before it closed. Only 3 years before as a newly graduated FSO I was told I had a job for life because we were the HF specialists. It was sad to see the remote units close and then the job itself disappear.
I was one of the Perth FSOs that took over Canarvon and Meeka etc. as they closed. Before that I was in Mount Isa not long before it closed. Only 3 years before as a newly graduated FSO I was told I had a job for life because we were the HF specialists. It was sad to see the remote units close and then the job itself disappear.
Last edited by flying-spike; 25th Sep 2012 at 20:22.
The Twin Pin off the side of the strip was already there in 1967. It's replacement was another Twin Pin, VH-AIS(?).
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Was AIS the Twin Pin based at Derby, that they loaded with ballast to weigh it down due to cyclonic winds developing and then had it blow over, with all the ballast wrecking the fuselage?
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Yes, Broome had a FSU tho only a small AFIZ, a bit like Geraldton at the time. Dixy was there for a period ex PD & PH. He was the OIC when it was closed. Operationg hours were limited with a one man show, mostly just there for the RPT and the Met reports in the morning.
The twin Pin was there thru 69-71 when I was in DB. It was in the BHP hangar down the end which was also used by Dick Roberton (Aerial Enterprises) It never left the hangar when I was there, but later turned up in Bankstown a few years later.
I think it was Peter Brook that was the RFDS pilot at the time, and then Jan Ende came along and he then went to the new base at WM and married one of the nurses. Peter was out of flying for some time then returned to the RFDS in Qld. Retired from active flying now I believe.
There were lots of Aeradio stations prior to the 60's and many closed as the equipment got better. In WA, Albany, Forrest & Halls Creek were there until the mid or late 60's. Elsewhere we had Flinders Island, King Island, Oodnadatta, Daly Waters, Cloncurry, Normanton, Bundaberg & Mt Gambier.
Who from the old FS School in Henty House remembers Sid Hulse, Gentle Harry and Don Brown???
yes those were the days......... and it did provide a "service"....!
The twin Pin was there thru 69-71 when I was in DB. It was in the BHP hangar down the end which was also used by Dick Roberton (Aerial Enterprises) It never left the hangar when I was there, but later turned up in Bankstown a few years later.
I think it was Peter Brook that was the RFDS pilot at the time, and then Jan Ende came along and he then went to the new base at WM and married one of the nurses. Peter was out of flying for some time then returned to the RFDS in Qld. Retired from active flying now I believe.
There were lots of Aeradio stations prior to the 60's and many closed as the equipment got better. In WA, Albany, Forrest & Halls Creek were there until the mid or late 60's. Elsewhere we had Flinders Island, King Island, Oodnadatta, Daly Waters, Cloncurry, Normanton, Bundaberg & Mt Gambier.
Who from the old FS School in Henty House remembers Sid Hulse, Gentle Harry and Don Brown???
yes those were the days......... and it did provide a "service"....!
Triadic:
With respect, I'm not sure that your comment about the Twin Pioneer being in Derby over the years 1969/71 is quite right. Checking my log book, my last RFDS time in Derby was March/April 1969, using Beech 65 VH-CFI (I can't recall why FDV wasn't available then, but I do well remember my embarrassment at flogging around the Kimberley in an aircraft festooned with "Rottnest Islander" titles). At that stage the RFDS were using the AIS hangar but I'm fairly sure the Twin Pioneer was gone.
But it's a long time ago, possibly I've got this wrong.
Peter Brook STILL works for the RFDS at Brisbane (I'm still in occasional contact), although he's no longer flying. Jan Ende, of course, is still flying in Perth and we speak often....
With respect, I'm not sure that your comment about the Twin Pioneer being in Derby over the years 1969/71 is quite right. Checking my log book, my last RFDS time in Derby was March/April 1969, using Beech 65 VH-CFI (I can't recall why FDV wasn't available then, but I do well remember my embarrassment at flogging around the Kimberley in an aircraft festooned with "Rottnest Islander" titles). At that stage the RFDS were using the AIS hangar but I'm fairly sure the Twin Pioneer was gone.
But it's a long time ago, possibly I've got this wrong.
Peter Brook STILL works for the RFDS at Brisbane (I'm still in occasional contact), although he's no longer flying. Jan Ende, of course, is still flying in Perth and we speak often....
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Good FSU
Triadic,
you need another visit to PNG for an HF refresh. The HF net up there works very well and provides a good service.
Not sure if you got a fly in the front on last trip.
Dont' forget Dubbo and Cooma.
you need another visit to PNG for an HF refresh. The HF net up there works very well and provides a good service.
Not sure if you got a fly in the front on last trip.
Dont' forget Dubbo and Cooma.
Last edited by catseye; 26th Sep 2012 at 10:26.
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Henty House
I remember Sid taking me aside when I finished the course and asking me to keep an eye on one of the Brisbane-bound new guys as he pretty young and not "experienced in life". He needn't have worried, when this guy got the opportunity the young bloke took a trip to the Philippines and "broadened his horizons"
Brian Scherr was our senior instructor, Bill Ware taught Met. The course was full on and only 11 out of the original 20 finished the course. One female was sacked after the final sim session on the last day.
Brian Scherr was our senior instructor, Bill Ware taught Met. The course was full on and only 11 out of the original 20 finished the course. One female was sacked after the final sim session on the last day.
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Griffo you old reprobate where ARE you?? This is your question to answer .. 
When I was a younger thing there were FSO's stationed at KU .. used to talk with them from DN FSC .. obviously met a lot of former Derby Meeka and other WA FSU based FSO's when I was in PH FSC mid to late 90's
Hey Spike I was on 69 .. which course are you talking about? Dear Sid .. he was positively ancient when we were there .. and Bill and Met .. that managed to stump quite a few on my course ..
When I was a younger thing there were FSO's stationed at KU .. used to talk with them from DN FSC .. obviously met a lot of former Derby Meeka and other WA FSU based FSO's when I was in PH FSC mid to late 90's
Hey Spike I was on 69 .. which course are you talking about? Dear Sid .. he was positively ancient when we were there .. and Bill and Met .. that managed to stump quite a few on my course ..