Point Cook? Hangars? Action?
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Since the RAAF took control of the base instead of using private contractors things seem to have improved over at Point Cook, but there are still limits on how much GA is permitted over there.
Pity, because it's a fantastic airfield to fly into.
Pity, because it's a fantastic airfield to fly into.
Serious question. What makes it a fantastic airport? Facilities, cafe, fuel, buses, transport / train, runways, beaches weather?
Have been there a few times to visit the museum and know a few with aircraft there.
Have been there a few times to visit the museum and know a few with aircraft there.
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There are two massive runways in excellent condition. Infrastructure like runway lights always seems to be in top condition.
It's close to the city with a very scenic coastal vista.
Right next to heaps of CTA for training, but OCTA so you don't need clearance. There is also a pretty decent aerobatic training area close by, although a forced landing in a sewerage farm would not be pleasant.
Heaps of interesting planes there, both from the museum and RAAF planes that drop in. My son landed there recently and parked next to the Roulettes. You might even get to share the CTAF with a flight of F18s.
Being a RAAF base security is good. The RAAF people seem good to deal with once you know them and the way they operate.
Small and friendly flying club.
Fantastic place to fly, with a bit of traffic sometimes, but never too much.
It's like a small country airport, except it's right next to the city, with great runways, a big museum and random military hardware.
It's close to the city with a very scenic coastal vista.
Right next to heaps of CTA for training, but OCTA so you don't need clearance. There is also a pretty decent aerobatic training area close by, although a forced landing in a sewerage farm would not be pleasant.
Heaps of interesting planes there, both from the museum and RAAF planes that drop in. My son landed there recently and parked next to the Roulettes. You might even get to share the CTAF with a flight of F18s.
Being a RAAF base security is good. The RAAF people seem good to deal with once you know them and the way they operate.
Small and friendly flying club.
Fantastic place to fly, with a bit of traffic sometimes, but never too much.
It's like a small country airport, except it's right next to the city, with great runways, a big museum and random military hardware.
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aerobatic training area
My son landed there recently and parked next to the Roulettes.
You might even get to share the CTAF with a flight of F18s.
BL, is there any reason at all for your attitude you just posted with?
Getting to fly into a field next to the Roulettes for some, myself included, would be a cool experience, certainly something different.
Hornets don't routinely operate there, but there is no way of knowing what might come through PCK on a training flight, everything from C-130 to PC9 routinely pass through on training sorties.
Getting to fly into a field next to the Roulettes for some, myself included, would be a cool experience, certainly something different.
Hornets don't routinely operate there, but there is no way of knowing what might come through PCK on a training flight, everything from C-130 to PC9 routinely pass through on training sorties.
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You will never see any of the RAAF's fast jets on the ground for training flights. They were there earlier this year to celebrate 100 years of the RAAF. So if you think you have a Hornet or a Hawk pull up next to you, you're dreaming.
Yes you will see the occasional PC9 and Herc, but they also fly into most of the other country airports around the country, so you have just as much chance of seeing them at one of these airports as you do at PCK.
Yes you will see the occasional PC9 and Herc, but they also fly into most of the other country airports around the country, so you have just as much chance of seeing them at one of these airports as you do at PCK.
Isn't that more or less what I just said?
And you're far more likely to run into a PC9 at PCK than at any other small airfield in Victoria..
And you're far more likely to run into a PC9 at PCK than at any other small airfield in Victoria..
Last time I flew into PCK it was quite straight forward.
My only complaint was that there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in the Museum, not even a vending machine..........
Chances of seeing a fast Jet there? ZERO.
The crap they had to go to flying them in for the Airshow means they ain't gunna just drop by anytime soon.
My only complaint was that there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in the Museum, not even a vending machine..........
Chances of seeing a fast Jet there? ZERO.
The crap they had to go to flying them in for the Airshow means they ain't gunna just drop by anytime soon.
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BL, is there any reason at all for your attitude you just posted with?
Hornets don't routinely operate there, but there is no way of knowing what might come through PCK on a training flight, everything from C-130 to PC9 routinely!!!!11!! pass through on training sorties.
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Lot's of war bird stuff at YMPC, both old and new.
Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.
Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.
There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.
Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.
Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.
There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.
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ACMS
My only complaint was that there is absolutely nothing to eat or drink in the Museum, not even a vending machine..........
its not pilot friendly at all, you can't even get a watered down caffeinated beverage at temperature cold!
I guess the C-130's that take OTS students to RAAF Williams aren't really there then... A figment of my imagination it seems .
I'm not saying that it's an everyday occurrence, but it's not exactly never seen.
Someone should tell the RAAF not to send the PC9 to PCK this week, seeing as they don't ever go there..
They fooled me good!
I'm not saying that it's an everyday occurrence, but it's not exactly never seen.
Someone should tell the RAAF not to send the PC9 to PCK this week, seeing as they don't ever go there..
They fooled me good!
Lot's of war bird stuff at YMPC, both old and new.
Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.
Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.
There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.
Love the P51 from the museum and the odd Harvard. Pretty sure I've seen C130s there too.
Yes, the lack of refreshments is a pain. Means having to drive to the Point Cook shops up the road.
There would be less than a dozen planes parked there, which is a pity because of the under-utilised facilities. There is no maintenance at YMPC and fuel is not easy.
Junior,
Perhaps the best way to get the RAAF Museum's Mustang flying again would be for you to talk to David Lowy? I'm rather sure that it will never fly again if left at PCK. Temora Aviation Museum probably have the resources required.
Perhaps the best way to get the RAAF Museum's Mustang flying again would be for you to talk to David Lowy? I'm rather sure that it will never fly again if left at PCK. Temora Aviation Museum probably have the resources required.
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If the RAAF opened PC upto GA and allowed usage of the old Bellman hangars on the southern end of the field it would be great.
I get the impression the previous private contractor managing YMPC was a bit paranoid and sometimes over-regulated things a bit. The RAAF guys managing it now are more approachable and sensible.
It's interesting to see the RAAF guys in action managing an airfield. I guess they have to have the resources in place to possibly setup airfields overseas in the event of conflict, and maybe they use PC to practise this. A couple of times I've asked questions and the RAAF people have come straight back with simple and straight answers.
There is an enormous amount of history at PC. Recently I even saw a photo an an ME262 parked there after WW11.
There are people here who criticise Julia Gillard, but a few years ago when she was both PM and the local House of Representatives Member for the area that included YMPC she stopped the airfield being redeveloped into a new suburb.
I get the impression the previous private contractor managing YMPC was a bit paranoid and sometimes over-regulated things a bit. The RAAF guys managing it now are more approachable and sensible.
It's interesting to see the RAAF guys in action managing an airfield. I guess they have to have the resources in place to possibly setup airfields overseas in the event of conflict, and maybe they use PC to practise this. A couple of times I've asked questions and the RAAF people have come straight back with simple and straight answers.
There is an enormous amount of history at PC. Recently I even saw a photo an an ME262 parked there after WW11.
There are people here who criticise Julia Gillard, but a few years ago when she was both PM and the local House of Representatives Member for the area that included YMPC she stopped the airfield being redeveloped into a new suburb.