Katoomba (YKAT) anyone been there?
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Katoomba (YKAT) anyone been there?
I would like to go to a wedding at Katoomba in December. I just noticed that there is an airfield there. ERSA has little info other than there is an NDB.
Anyone familiar with the place per chance? Fuel availabilty, runway lengths/surface etc?. Elevation of 3000+ ft, I would imagine the weather and winds could limit the possibility somewhat. Any suggestions welcome. My original plan was fly to Bathurst and hire a car.
Anyone familiar with the place per chance? Fuel availabilty, runway lengths/surface etc?. Elevation of 3000+ ft, I would imagine the weather and winds could limit the possibility somewhat. Any suggestions welcome. My original plan was fly to Bathurst and hire a car.
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It's dirt and yep, it is pretty unpleasant in high wind conditions. Did a couple of landings there with a CPL candidate about 12 months ago.
If I remember rightly there's f*-all by way of facilities.
Cheers
If I remember rightly there's f*-all by way of facilities.
Cheers
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It's been a couple of years since I have landed there. From memory, there is big dirty set of power lines near the start ( or end) of one of the runways. Also ( again hazy memory) one approach can have nasty wind shear with a westerly wind. If there is fires in the blue mountains they general use that airport for fire fighting aircraft. If this was the case I think they would notam it for fire ac only. Sorry it's not very specific info but just a few things to keep in mind. Enjoy the trip.
Farmer dan
Farmer dan
It's a mongrel old strip. Didn't even like landing there in a chopper.
No facilities unless somebody is there to unlock the portable building. Toilets are a big hike away. Long dirt road to get to civilisation. Been stuck there for 2 days when a cloud settled onto the hills.
Better to fly to Bankstown and rent a car for the 90-minute drive. Probably cheaper, closer, and less reliant on weather than attempting Katoomba or even Bathurst.
No facilities unless somebody is there to unlock the portable building. Toilets are a big hike away. Long dirt road to get to civilisation. Been stuck there for 2 days when a cloud settled onto the hills.
Better to fly to Bankstown and rent a car for the 90-minute drive. Probably cheaper, closer, and less reliant on weather than attempting Katoomba or even Bathurst.
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The drive from Bathurst is much more pleasant than the drive from that ****hole Bankstown. Dare I say it, it's probably much quicker as well. It will also be cheaper. I don't think there are hire cars at Bankstown airport? I personally wouldn't get a cab from Bankstown airport to any suburb surrounding it for a hire car agency.
I've been told that Thrifty now have an agency at BK, opposite the High Flyer Hotel. Haven't seen it myself, just what I am told by a mate who recently hired a car from the place.
Having said that I would prefer the drive from BTH. I know that Hertz operates from the airport.
Having said that I would prefer the drive from BTH. I know that Hertz operates from the airport.
All the comments about YKAT are correct. It is nothing more than an NDB with a dirt strip and unpredictable winds.
Depends where you are coming from but if it were me, I would leave the flying machine at Bathurst and rent a car.
Depends where you are coming from but if it were me, I would leave the flying machine at Bathurst and rent a car.
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Also ( again hazy memory) one approach can have nasty wind shear with a westerly wind.
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Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.
Looks like Bathurst is the go (weather permitting). I have landed there quite a few times in the past, and would have needed to go there for return fuel anyway. Bathurst is no farther and far less hassle than Bankstown, and has plenty of hire cars. 70% of my landings are on dirt strips, so I'll take nice sealed stuff any day.
Looks like Bathurst is the go (weather permitting). I have landed there quite a few times in the past, and would have needed to go there for return fuel anyway. Bathurst is no farther and far less hassle than Bankstown, and has plenty of hire cars. 70% of my landings are on dirt strips, so I'll take nice sealed stuff any day.
Re " It is nothing more than an NDB with a dirt strip and unpredictable winds."
Partly right.
In my recollection, the NDB is actually located some 2.8 nm to the SSW of the YKAT 'sand pit' - about 203deg - on 'Valley Road'.
That's about 1/2 a nm due West of the KAT railway stn.....
A bit tough if you were relying on the KAT NDB being located at the YKAT Ad. and the weather was a bit 'piss poor'....and you might be doing.....
Cheers
Partly right.
In my recollection, the NDB is actually located some 2.8 nm to the SSW of the YKAT 'sand pit' - about 203deg - on 'Valley Road'.
That's about 1/2 a nm due West of the KAT railway stn.....
A bit tough if you were relying on the KAT NDB being located at the YKAT Ad. and the weather was a bit 'piss poor'....and you might be doing.....
Cheers
Given your experience level, Junior, it's pretty brave calling some of the posters here "soft". 
It is a **** strip with **** approaches and plenty of hazards. Just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should" - and nobody here is saying he "shouldn't", but that he should take due care when making his decision.
Personally I like making a decision that gives the highest probability of delivering myself and my passengers with minimum fuss and delay.
It is a **** strip with **** approaches and plenty of hazards. Just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should" - and nobody here is saying he "shouldn't", but that he should take due care when making his decision.
Personally I like making a decision that gives the highest probability of delivering myself and my passengers with minimum fuss and delay.
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If you are a experienced pilot( disregarding my previous posts) in a ac that can handle dirt strips I would give it a go ( weather permitting). Yes the are some idiosyncrasies, but when I was there it wasn't that bad. I think due to its elevation and position it can potentially get tricky. Maybe call Cirtis aviation in Camden, I think they use it every now and then for training ( don't quote me on that).
On a side note, if I had the choice between ysbk and Bathurst, I would take Bathurst anyday. Safe flying.
On a side note, if I had the choice between ysbk and Bathurst, I would take Bathurst anyday. Safe flying.
Last edited by farmer dan; 6th Nov 2013 at 10:26. Reason: Auto correct (again!)
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Grab the hire car at Bathurst, go for a burn round the mount, be in Katoomba within the hour.
Land at Bankstown, get ripped off for aircraft parking, chance the traffic, grab a beer at Panthers on the way up the hill. Bout an hour & 15, maybe (not including beer).
Land at Katoomba, you've got the experience and know what you're doing, weather? 15 minutes into Katoomba.
Land at Bankstown, get ripped off for aircraft parking, chance the traffic, grab a beer at Panthers on the way up the hill. Bout an hour & 15, maybe (not including beer).
Land at Katoomba, you've got the experience and know what you're doing, weather? 15 minutes into Katoomba.
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Maybe call Cirtis aviation in Camden, I think they use it every now and then for training
it has it's challenges but have seen C310's operating in and out of there
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Beachie.......a better idea.
Fly to Toowoomba, take that new little shopping trolley you keep in the big smoke to Bathurst.
Surely you of all copper friendly folk can talk them into closing the road for a few minutes and see what kin of lap time that machine will cut.
I reckon it would be a sub 2min 30sec lapper that little jigger. Not quite Porsche GT3 speed but given the right tyres and CL similar talent it would be up there with 2m20s
Would you like me to drive it down there for you.....what are mates for?
Fly to Toowoomba, take that new little shopping trolley you keep in the big smoke to Bathurst.
Surely you of all copper friendly folk can talk them into closing the road for a few minutes and see what kin of lap time that machine will cut.
I reckon it would be a sub 2min 30sec lapper that little jigger. Not quite Porsche GT3 speed but given the right tyres and CL similar talent it would be up there with 2m20s
Would you like me to drive it down there for you.....what are mates for?