YSBK to YAYE

[sprocket check]

Hi all,

I am flight planning from Bankstown to Ayers Rock, if any one has route suggestions it would be appreciated.

C182, mid December. Looking for the most efficient way to get there and back. VFR.

Might have a spare seat even if anyone interested.

Cheers
sc

[Tinstaafl]

A single straight line as direct as possible for initial planning, then modified with a slight track deviation to a half way point for fuel. Thirds or quarters if payload/range doesn't allow a half way stop. Even before GPS that's how I got about the place.

BTW, Google Earth/Maps or Great Circle Mapper can help with this. You can start with the non-stop and then add additional routes with stops to compare distances. Easier than laying out WACs on the floor!

[Avid Aviator]

Consider fuel stops (depending on your requirements) at Narromine, Tibooburra, TGM, Birdsville.
Other (non-fuel) stops well worth considering are Dig Tree and Comeroo Camel station.
Have fun!

[185skywagon]

Consider the temperature implications for the inland at that time, as well. It is likely to very hot.
Cheers.

[farmer dan]

I agree fully with 185s sentiments. I would only recommend flying in the morning out west during that time of year. In the afternoon, fling is comparable to being thrown in a dryer with a brick. I did a similar trip to what you are planning, it was great and learnt a lot. make sure you call about fuel availability and carry different fuel/credit cards. Try to not rely on the GPS and develop your map reading skills. Also, drop into the areoclubs out there and say hi, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience (most are really nice people who are happy to have a chat) in those places.
Enjoy the flight,
Cheers,
F d

[framer]

Boy I'm envious
You should keep us updated on the route you choose and then take some photos enroute to finish off the thread in time for Christmas

[Tinstaafl]

You could also consider tankering from your last fuel stop as much fuel into BDV as possible (within weight limits, of course). Fuel at BDV tends to be more expensive than many of the refueling points on the way. The more you can land with at BDV the less you'll need to buy there...


As a rule of thumb you should tanker fuel any time the next refueling point is significantly more expensive than the current fueling point. The reverse also applies: Just enough fuel bought expensively to get to the next & cheaper refueling place. Make sure you anticipate diversions/weather/etc & don't leave yourself short!

[VH-XXX]

You might want to have a serious think about be weather, particularly in relation to who your passengers are. A non GA flying wife or girlfriend is not going to enjoy that trip at all. You would want to avoid flying during the heat which will kick up very early and you'd be looking at at least 8,000 ft agl to get anything that resembles smooth air.


Ayers Rock in December? - Lonely Planet travel forum

At that time of year consider heading south, Merimbula, Mallacoota, Lakes Entrance, Phillip Island that'll keep you away from the Qld coastal thunder stormies.

[Capn Bloggs]

Just enough fuel bought expensively to get to the next & cheaper refueling place. Make sure you anticipate diversions/weather/etc & don't leave yourself short!

Minimising/tankering fuel in a 182?

[hiwaytohell]

Bankstown - Parkes - Broken Hill - Coober Pedy - Ayers Rock, would be my choice.

Easier legs in the 182, card swipe fuel, not so much remote area, better coms and more choices if you have a problem. Plus lots of things to see enroute (Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Lake Eyre all must see destinations)!

By all means return via Birdsville, but I would suggest Bourke would be a better fuelling stop (last times I got fuel at Tibooburra it was a real pain in the arse).

Remember Ayers Rock to Birdsville takes you over the Simpson Desert. It is a fair haul in a 182 and not many options to land in between. So take precautions like carry some water just in case.

Forget about tankering gas! On this trip you don't have that many options, pack a smaller o'nite bag and take the maximum fuel your weight will allow (should not be too much problem in a 182)!

And the advice regarding the weather is good it can be pretty hot and bumpy that time of the year. Go early and go high. (And if your pax are not frequent flyers ensuring you have some discreet sick bags could be a good idea)

Enjoy, its a great trip... although December would not be my choice.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Not trying to win friends or influence people...

From the OP:

C182, mid December. Looking for the most efficient way to get there and back. VFR.

At that time of year consider heading south, Merimbula, Mallacoota, Lakes Entrance, Phillip Island that'll keep you away from the Qld coastal thunder stormies.

Mate he's going Bankstown - Ayres rock, not bloody Brisbane-Bundy-AYE. Where do coastal CBs come into it?

UP:
BK
SCO for fuel & coffee (although DU a straighter line)
BKE - fuel
BDV - fuel
AYE - fuel

BACK:
AYE
CBP
BHI
PKS
BK

Northern route or southern route as winds, fuel prices etc dictate. I agree with the others, though, will be a hot (*) of a trip

[VH-XXX]

Mate he's going Bankstown - Ayres rock, not bloody Brisbane-Bundy-AYE. Where do coastal CBs come into it?

I was referring to alternate destinations that wouldn't be anywhere near as hot and bumpy at that time of year.

[Capt Fathom]

Everywhere has CB's in December.

[sprocket check]

Thanks all,

Not my choice for mid December, but thanks for all the replies.

Probably go via BH - CPY - AYE. Two stops for fuel with some options in between. Don't really fancy the Simpson in the middle of summer, though not sure that south is going to be THAT much different.

Thanks again for all the advice.

sc

[QSK?]

So take precautions like carry some water just in case

All good advice above but please make sure your aircraft also has a SERVICEABLE 406 ELB (or carry a portable) and also make sure you have a sat phone with you in case you have to put down in the middle of nowhere and need to contact AusSAR for assistance.

Also be aware that AYE operates a Certified Air/Ground Radio Service during published hours.

[Tinstaafl]

Depart early (think 'dawn') each day & stop flying by mid-to late morning. Much more enjoyable flying conditions then.

[Pilotette]

Definitely call ahead for fuel, YAYE are going through upgrades at the moment so fuel has been off line for a couple of days here and there although that should be done by December. Coober Pedy had a few problems with the bowser during the warmer months last year too. Oodnadatta are not currently selling Avgas after the passing of Adam Plate from the Roadhouse, the Progress Assoc will get around to taking it over at some stage. Cadney Homestead's fuel supplies are also intermittent and will cost you an arm and a leg but nice to have the option up your sleeve.

It is hot out here already, 43 deg yesterday, whatever you're not carying in fuel, carry in water! Enjoy!

[Jack Ranga]

We did:

BK, BIK, PKS (fuel), BHI (overnight, have a cousin whose the local filth, entertaining night but that's a whole nother story )

BHI, LEC, (fuel, nothing to see there!) OOD (fuel, 'overfly the pink roadhouse and I'll meet you at the strip', the dood brought us sambos & drinks ) OOD, YLA. Topnotch campsite

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Sprocket, have you or your pax been out in that part of the world before?

I doubt that you could pick a WORSE time to travel out there unless you are familiar and conditioned to it.

Think long and hard about communication and survival equipment.

Dr

[Desert Flower]

BHI, LEC, (fuel, nothing to see there!) OOD (fuel, 'overfly the pink roadhouse and I'll meet you at the strip', the dood brought us sambos & drinks ) OOD, YLA. Topnotch campsite

There's plenty to see at Leigh Creek - you just didn't try hard enough! For those that may have been to Oodnadatta at some stage & met the owner of the Pink Roadhouse (Adam Plate) I regret to advise that he passed away in a car rally accident in Adelaide a few months ago.

DF.