Cessna goes swimming in Lake Eyre
I did hear a whisper of a rumour that two of the pilots stacked Captn Chaos' 4WD on their way to get groceries in YCBP earlier that same day.
If true, a bad hair day all round.
Still there's always the bar bill from the tow truck guys / accident investigators...
If true, a bad hair day all round.
Still there's always the bar bill from the tow truck guys / accident investigators...
I've overnighted at Muloorina Station in the Shearer's Quarters. They do an amazing cook-your-own BBQ and will take you out to the lake. I even got to swim in it - an opportunity that doesn't happen often.
Has the Airvan been recovered as yet..??
Looks like some rain could be on the way......
Colour Forecast map for next 4 days
Hope its all 'irrelevant'.....
Cheers
Looks like some rain could be on the way......
Colour Forecast map for next 4 days
Hope its all 'irrelevant'.....
Cheers
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...So what happened to this? Havnt seen a thing on the ATSB?
Oh dear - was Captain Chaos trying one of his "lets go land & camp on the Lake overnight" trips?
I had heard rumours that he did trips like that but thought it was just a rumour.
I had heard rumours that he did trips like that but thought it was just a rumour.
Last edited by outnabout; 27th May 2013 at 21:49.
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there's a rumour that the aircraft was perfectly serviceable before it touched down
Just out of curiosity, does the rumoured rumour indicate if the touchdown was intentional or accidental?
Last edited by Capt Claret; 28th May 2013 at 00:59.
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Belt Bay would be the worst place on Lake Eyre to attempt a landing. It is the deepest part of the lake; is often one of the last places to dry out when the lake has flooded; and has a very thin crust. Far better would be the south-east corner which is the last place to flood and has a thicker salt crust. As previously mentioned, it is where Donald Campbell set his world land-speed record for that very reason.
In 2009 when I was at the Lake, you could see where people had tried to drive and walk onto the surface of the lake at ABC Bay which adjoins Belt Bay. You could clearly see where they had broken through the salt and revealed the underlying mud. I also spoke to tourists in the pub who had attempted to walk on the lake surface. You could tell who they were by the mud caked on their shoes. They all told the same story about breaking the surface salt crust. It does get thicker the further out from the shoreline but very doubtful that Belt Bay would support an aircraft.
In 2009 when I was at the Lake, you could see where people had tried to drive and walk onto the surface of the lake at ABC Bay which adjoins Belt Bay. You could clearly see where they had broken through the salt and revealed the underlying mud. I also spoke to tourists in the pub who had attempted to walk on the lake surface. You could tell who they were by the mud caked on their shoes. They all told the same story about breaking the surface salt crust. It does get thicker the further out from the shoreline but very doubtful that Belt Bay would support an aircraft.
Hypothetically, can a licenced operator with fare paying passengers on board, land on a non-ALA such as a paddock or a salt lake? Whereabouts in the regs would I look for an answer?
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You can land anywhere as long as you have permission (preferably written) from the land owner.
Some insurance companies insist that the landing area be surveyed prior or otherwise limited to licenced airfields.
Some insurance companies insist that the landing area be surveyed prior or otherwise limited to licenced airfields.
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It's funny that whenever there is an incident with another operator or private pilot around the lake eyre area it's in the newspapers or makes the news. But if something happens with a wrights plane, it seems to fall through the gaps and misses this publicity.
Well it's pretty specialised, ennit?
It's not exactly Page 1 of the William Creek Herald or the headline story on William Creek Tonight.
It's not exactly Page 1 of the William Creek Herald or the headline story on William Creek Tonight.
CAVOK, you're being pretty cynical. It could also have something to do with William Crk being a small community that is remote with poor / expensive telephone / internet and no mobile coverage. It might also have something to do with them actually being a good operator with less disgruntled staff than others. It could also be that they spend a lot of money on maintenance with an outstandingly good LAME and only use factory new engines rather than rebuilt ones.
And let's not forget Wrightsair isn't the only outfit owned & operated by Captain Chaos. Freycinet Air & Opal Air are part of the package too as far as I know. He's come a long way since I first crossed paths with him, has the ol' Trev. Just goes to prove that you can take the boy out of the city!
DF.
DF.