Merimbula to Canberra
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Merimbula to Canberra
Hi
I am planning a trip from Merimbula to Canberra then back to Melbourne. As a newbie PPL I'm wondering if anyone has done this route - specifically Merimbula to Canberra - and has any advice. I was thinking I might stop at Cooma for a sandwhich for a bit of interest on the way through.
Thanks in advance
I am planning a trip from Merimbula to Canberra then back to Melbourne. As a newbie PPL I'm wondering if anyone has done this route - specifically Merimbula to Canberra - and has any advice. I was thinking I might stop at Cooma for a sandwhich for a bit of interest on the way through.
Thanks in advance
Cooma/Snowy Mountains airport is well out of town - so might be a bit hard to grab a sandwich. I'm not sure if Polo Flat is still open - it was surrounded by HV transmission lines last time I drove past.
You could go up the coast via Moruya - airport there is a little closer to civilisation, and the views are good along the way. Then head inland via Captains Flat. A little less tiger country that way too, if you're in a single ...
You could go up the coast via Moruya - airport there is a little closer to civilisation, and the views are good along the way. Then head inland via Captains Flat. A little less tiger country that way too, if you're in a single ...
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Polo Flat is still open, just make sure you call owner before arriving.
Read up on ERSA, all details there.
And I think the landing fee there is getting up there in price
Like Ted has stated, go up the coast to Moruya, much nicer flight and less tiger country.
Do you really need to get to YSCB ?, landing fees and fuel are expensive.
If you are planing to go from YSCB to Melbourne, be aware of restricted area R429
Enjoy the flight but make sure the weather is spot on - lots of high tiger country between YSCB / Melbourne
Read up on ERSA, all details there.
And I think the landing fee there is getting up there in price
Like Ted has stated, go up the coast to Moruya, much nicer flight and less tiger country.
Do you really need to get to YSCB ?, landing fees and fuel are expensive.
If you are planing to go from YSCB to Melbourne, be aware of restricted area R429
Enjoy the flight but make sure the weather is spot on - lots of high tiger country between YSCB / Melbourne
Last edited by Adsie; 17th Jul 2014 at 00:34.
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G'day there...
I've flown the Merimbula / Canberra route (VFR) quite a bit over the years. If I could perhaps suggest that at this time of year to consider to track coastal to Moruya then to Canberra. Few reasons for this.
If you track VFR from Merimbula (elevation 7ft) to Cooma (elevation snowing) then to Canberra (elevation not much better) you can easily fall into the trap of wx coming in behind you once you get up over the range towards Nimmitabel (on the way to Cooma) which blocks off your return options if you get into strife. This happened to me once as a young UPPL and I was lucky (and shaking) to make it to Polo Flat where I had to land on the dirt x strip. A lesson I've never forgotten.
Additionally once past Cooma and heading towards Canberra (VFR) you're going up the Monaro Valley which is well known for it's unpleasant turbulance when a bit windy and cold. Also on the VFR inbound for Canberra from the south expect holding (depending on traffic) although ATC are great and are usually sympathetic to VFR traffic from the south....
If you come from Merimbula to Moruya just follow the coast for some terrific flying and views!!! There are a number of options on the way if the rubber band breaks and if the wx turns bad near Moruya just land there and enjoy! From Moruya to Canberrathe elevation rise is still much the same but alot later in the flight and not with snow most of the time. Also, aside from the additional availability of the YSCB navaids at a more realistic phase of your flight after that climb, you have alot more options up your sleeve if you don't like what you see in front of you....pack a sandwich and some water to have in the aircraft. If you need a cafe take advantage of the ones at Canberra airport, after all, you've paid to use the airport, might as well use what it has to offer....
As for Canberra to Melbourne good luck.....
If you're still a bit unsure why not ring someone in some of the towns (like the local airport or police for example) that you'll be flying over on the way. tell them where you're headed from and to and ask them what the weather is like there before you leave...
Enjoy and have a safe flight.....
Stiky
I've flown the Merimbula / Canberra route (VFR) quite a bit over the years. If I could perhaps suggest that at this time of year to consider to track coastal to Moruya then to Canberra. Few reasons for this.
If you track VFR from Merimbula (elevation 7ft) to Cooma (elevation snowing) then to Canberra (elevation not much better) you can easily fall into the trap of wx coming in behind you once you get up over the range towards Nimmitabel (on the way to Cooma) which blocks off your return options if you get into strife. This happened to me once as a young UPPL and I was lucky (and shaking) to make it to Polo Flat where I had to land on the dirt x strip. A lesson I've never forgotten.
Additionally once past Cooma and heading towards Canberra (VFR) you're going up the Monaro Valley which is well known for it's unpleasant turbulance when a bit windy and cold. Also on the VFR inbound for Canberra from the south expect holding (depending on traffic) although ATC are great and are usually sympathetic to VFR traffic from the south....
If you come from Merimbula to Moruya just follow the coast for some terrific flying and views!!! There are a number of options on the way if the rubber band breaks and if the wx turns bad near Moruya just land there and enjoy! From Moruya to Canberrathe elevation rise is still much the same but alot later in the flight and not with snow most of the time. Also, aside from the additional availability of the YSCB navaids at a more realistic phase of your flight after that climb, you have alot more options up your sleeve if you don't like what you see in front of you....pack a sandwich and some water to have in the aircraft. If you need a cafe take advantage of the ones at Canberra airport, after all, you've paid to use the airport, might as well use what it has to offer....
As for Canberra to Melbourne good luck.....
If you're still a bit unsure why not ring someone in some of the towns (like the local airport or police for example) that you'll be flying over on the way. tell them where you're headed from and to and ask them what the weather is like there before you leave...
Enjoy and have a safe flight.....
Stiky
Last edited by Stikybeke; 17th Jul 2014 at 08:59.
I was going to give you some advice but Stykybeke beat me to it.
Pretty much agree what he says but why plan such a trip in winter. Freezing levels are low, carby icing to worry about, unpredictable weather, high mountains, turbulance, lack of suitable landing strips in case of emergency. Leave all that stuff after you have gained at least 200 hrs in your logbook in my opinion. Go south if you really want to make ML, follow the coast and leave that mountain stuff for summer.
Safe flying!....
Pretty much agree what he says but why plan such a trip in winter. Freezing levels are low, carby icing to worry about, unpredictable weather, high mountains, turbulance, lack of suitable landing strips in case of emergency. Leave all that stuff after you have gained at least 200 hrs in your logbook in my opinion. Go south if you really want to make ML, follow the coast and leave that mountain stuff for summer.
Safe flying!....
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Merimbula to Canberra is a very nice flight - especially scenic via Moruya. If you track that way there is very little tiger country to concern yourself with. Many also track up the Araluen valley. Pick your day weather-wise paying careful attention to the wind and all should be good. Tracking back to Melbourne via Albury etc. is also a great trip with many options.
There's a very friendly flying school operating at Canberra airport - you should see their instructors floating around the Gate 3 facility. There's toilets and the school has tea/coffee etc. The walk to the terminal/cafe is about 10 minutes or so if you're after a feed.
There's a very friendly flying school operating at Canberra airport - you should see their instructors floating around the Gate 3 facility. There's toilets and the school has tea/coffee etc. The walk to the terminal/cafe is about 10 minutes or so if you're after a feed.
pokeydokey wrote:
"There's a very friendly flying school operating at Canberra airport - you should see their instructors floating around the Gate 3 facility."
Sadly not anymore, mate.
"There's a very friendly flying school operating at Canberra airport - you should see their instructors floating around the Gate 3 facility."
Sadly not anymore, mate.
The Gate 3 facility at YSCB comes complete with welcoming razor wire.
(I kid you not!)
And as for the GA aircraft owners "lucky" enough to rent a hangar there at exorbitant cost? A recent application to "Canberra Airport Central" for a motor vehicle to be parked within, while we went on a flying trip? Refused!
That was never a problem in the past....
YSCB. Just so GA friendly.
(I kid you not!)
And as for the GA aircraft owners "lucky" enough to rent a hangar there at exorbitant cost? A recent application to "Canberra Airport Central" for a motor vehicle to be parked within, while we went on a flying trip? Refused!
That was never a problem in the past....
YSCB. Just so GA friendly.
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Welcome - Canberra Aviation
Been operating for just over 3 years. Seriously - keep in touch gerry111.
Anyone visiting the main instructors are Raveen Krishnan who's there full-time and Brian Candler (ex-CFI of Brindabella) part-time. Either one will make you feel more than welcome at Canberra airport.
Been operating for just over 3 years. Seriously - keep in touch gerry111.
Anyone visiting the main instructors are Raveen Krishnan who's there full-time and Brian Candler (ex-CFI of Brindabella) part-time. Either one will make you feel more than welcome at Canberra airport.
Gosh, I must be out of touch too. Haven’t seen any “Canberra Aviation” signs at the Canberra airport. To me, Gate 3 looks just like an ordinary access facility used by aviators generally. Where are all the facilities and documents required by CAO 82.0 hiding? 
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You don't need a sign to run a flying school!
The school is a satellite base of Goulburn Aviation with its local training facilities located in the Canberra Aero Club building at Fairbairn. As anyone who's learnt to fly will understand the majority of time is actually spent in the aircraft though so the instructors spend a good deal of time at Gate 3.
The school is a satellite base of Goulburn Aviation with its local training facilities located in the Canberra Aero Club building at Fairbairn. As anyone who's learnt to fly will understand the majority of time is actually spent in the aircraft though so the instructors spend a good deal of time at Gate 3.
Last edited by pokeydokey; 23rd Jul 2014 at 05:21.
Gotcha
I hope to learn to fly one day, hopefully in Canberra.
Must be a long walk from the Canberra Aero Club building at Fairbairn to the GA Parking Area ...
I hope to learn to fly one day, hopefully in Canberra.
Must be a long walk from the Canberra Aero Club building at Fairbairn to the GA Parking Area ...
My apologies to pokeydokey and bankrunner.
It's very heartening to hear that there is a flying training school operating at YSCB.
But I have yet to encounter an instructor at Gate 3. And I do go there once in a while...
Sure there's toilets available there. But where's the tea and coffee?
Clearly the reason for the no show of instructors is that they are off flying.
It's very heartening to hear that there is a flying training school operating at YSCB.
But I have yet to encounter an instructor at Gate 3. And I do go there once in a while...
Sure there's toilets available there. But where's the tea and coffee?
Clearly the reason for the no show of instructors is that they are off flying.
Last edited by gerry111; 23rd Jul 2014 at 13:44.
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Well at the moment Raveen is overseas on holiday - back on 5th of August. Brian works Mondays-Wednesdays. So yes it is pretty quiet. Tea and coffee is provided by the school and is now kept locked in a box due to other users and parachutists clearing everything out on their way through. Kettle is always out though if you carry a tea bag on you. 
If you catch an instructor they'll happily unlock it for you.
The reason you've never seen them I can only attribute to them being in the air - keep an ear out for CCV or SFI. If you hang around in Gate 3 for a while you'll meet one of them.
If you catch an instructor they'll happily unlock it for you.The reason you've never seen them I can only attribute to them being in the air - keep an ear out for CCV or SFI. If you hang around in Gate 3 for a while you'll meet one of them.
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Thank you everyone for your advice. I shall follow Stikybeke and others advice and take the Moruya route. SMS777 - I appreciate what you're saying but are needing to go at this time of year. I will be in an EFI and be extra vigilent on weather (as always) to avoid wandering into IFR conditions. That's a good suggestion to call somewhere for a local weather update before I plan to head inland from Moruya and over the mountains.
As long as I can find the GA parking area and this gate 3 y'all talk about I should be ok.
Thanks again everyone.
As long as I can find the GA parking area and this gate 3 y'all talk about I should be ok.
Thanks again everyone.
There you have it! If you expect freebies today, fat chance guys. Tea bags are getting expensive so.....bring your own. If you want hot water too...well get some outback training and bring some sticks, a kettle and fire starter but have a good look out for the safety officer because it may be against rules to light an open fire at a licensed aerodrome. Welcome to Can'tberra....
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Everything was certainly provided free of charge by the Flying School once. Unfortunately with it being a shared facility there is very little respect paid by the majority of people passing through. They had a full 140-pack box of individually wrapped biscuits disappear in 1 day a little while back after local pilots and quite a few dozen parachutists had made good use of the facility...
But if you simply pause and say g'day to Raveen or Brian they'll happily offer a cuppa and a bikkie.
But if you simply pause and say g'day to Raveen or Brian they'll happily offer a cuppa and a bikkie.
The street view of Gate 3 just shows a couple of dongas on a building site! Whatever happened to the building closer to Brindabella that was for public use? Brian is one of the smart pilots in GA. He has an income stream separate from flying and instructs because he has a passion for it.