Spare some outback/remote flying tips for a beginner?
Thread Starter
Spare some outback/remote flying tips for a beginner?
Gday all,
Been trying to search the forum for some outback/remote operations flying tips, but unfortunately have been unable to find anything. I am a low time CPL that is very keen into moving into that sort of work once the industry settles down, but unfortunately have been blessed (or cursed for that matter) with generally only flying out of Local Victorian Airstrips (Moorabbin, Tyabb etc.).
For someone of my calibre (who has zero experience operating out bush), what would be some trade tips for charter, mustering etc. that may be beneficial for me to start to get my head around, whilst i am bored in isolation.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated, as the more i can learn about the delicate operation of bush flying would be of great interest to me.
Anyhow i hope everyone is staying safe in these Covid times, and thank-you for any help.
Kind Regards,
Mach1
Been trying to search the forum for some outback/remote operations flying tips, but unfortunately have been unable to find anything. I am a low time CPL that is very keen into moving into that sort of work once the industry settles down, but unfortunately have been blessed (or cursed for that matter) with generally only flying out of Local Victorian Airstrips (Moorabbin, Tyabb etc.).
For someone of my calibre (who has zero experience operating out bush), what would be some trade tips for charter, mustering etc. that may be beneficial for me to start to get my head around, whilst i am bored in isolation.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated, as the more i can learn about the delicate operation of bush flying would be of great interest to me.
Anyhow i hope everyone is staying safe in these Covid times, and thank-you for any help.
Kind Regards,
Mach1
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Never believe the customer that you are going to pick up when he tells you the strip is fine,"They use it all the time", unless you know the person well or he is a pilot. They will tell you anything just to get picked up. I have seen some goat tracks in my time. The same goes for weather advice.
Groggy
Groggy
Never believe the customer that you are going to pick up when he tells you the strip is fine,"They use it all the time", unless you know the person well or he is a pilot. They will tell you anything just to get picked up. I have seen some goat tracks in my time. The same goes for weather advice.
Groggy
Groggy
similar with weather. They’ll tell you it’s fine, meanwhile it’s terrible...
sometimes just say “yes” to the boss, even if it is a request to do something maybe not quite right or proper-
then go find a way to do the job safely and legally. If you can’t figure out a way then that’s when you’ve got to become tough enough to stand your ground.
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Always have a plan B. Aviation is a fluid environment from the time you get a job.
It's an industry that's fraught with danger and many shady characters so learn from everything everyone says.
I look back after 40 years driving planes, I have a stack of log books and a stack of memories, the latter are priceless, stay safe so you too can say the same thing in years to come -)
It's an industry that's fraught with danger and many shady characters so learn from everything everyone says.
I look back after 40 years driving planes, I have a stack of log books and a stack of memories, the latter are priceless, stay safe so you too can say the same thing in years to come -)
Contact Talia Ellis at the Birdsville Hotel.
Thread Starter
Thanks all for the priceless advice!
Would there be anything in terms of looking after the aircraft?(for example i was told by an instructor to always position the prop to where birds wont poo down the side of it into the prop hub)
Thanks,
Mach1
Would there be anything in terms of looking after the aircraft?(for example i was told by an instructor to always position the prop to where birds wont poo down the side of it into the prop hub)
Thanks,
Mach1
I can see you're worried about the important stuff. In that case:
- Don't argue with emus. Emus don't like pilots. If you mess with an emu, it will take revenge on your aircraft as soon as you leave the aerodrome.
- A dingo might take your baby. If you have to fly with a baby on board, protect it. Dingoes will chew your aircraft's tyres overnight, if they smell baby.
- Although there are no financial pressures in flying in the bush, the romantic temptations will be enormous. The lure of deeply satisfying threesomes with drop dead gorgeous and unquestioningly loving and supportive partners may detract from tomorrow's highly profitable flying operations. Be professional and resist: 'Park that' until you take your very generous holidays.
- Don't fly passengers or cargo to Bar Mitzvahs. Beetlejuice wouldn't; nor should you. This unwritten rule applies in the bush.
- Sometimes the airconditioning and communications infrastructure in the bush will under-perform at the same time. Just continue submitting on-line complaints.
- Don't argue with emus. Emus don't like pilots. If you mess with an emu, it will take revenge on your aircraft as soon as you leave the aerodrome.
- A dingo might take your baby. If you have to fly with a baby on board, protect it. Dingoes will chew your aircraft's tyres overnight, if they smell baby.
- Although there are no financial pressures in flying in the bush, the romantic temptations will be enormous. The lure of deeply satisfying threesomes with drop dead gorgeous and unquestioningly loving and supportive partners may detract from tomorrow's highly profitable flying operations. Be professional and resist: 'Park that' until you take your very generous holidays.
- Don't fly passengers or cargo to Bar Mitzvahs. Beetlejuice wouldn't; nor should you. This unwritten rule applies in the bush.
- Sometimes the airconditioning and communications infrastructure in the bush will under-perform at the same time. Just continue submitting on-line complaints.
You have a sense of humour. Great to see.
Probably the most important rule with which you need to comply is: Have a sense of humour and try to laugh as much as you can about the bull**** circumstances in which you may find yourself.
Safe flying and best of luck.
... and call Talia.
Probably the most important rule with which you need to comply is: Have a sense of humour and try to laugh as much as you can about the bull**** circumstances in which you may find yourself.
Safe flying and best of luck.
... and call Talia.
- Don't argue with emus. Emus don't like pilots. If you mess with an emu, it will take revenge on your aircraft as soon as you leave the aerodrome.
All I had to show for it was a small dent about 60cm back from the leading edge.
Learn how to read WAC - that is they are still available.
Learn to count sandhills and which State you are in by the direction the sandhills run.
Learn how to determine the length of an airstrip from the air.
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It's amazing how many people choose to fly along roads, railway lines, power lines, gas pipes and any similar landmarks. If you decide to do the same, better stay to the right, have your lights on and don't forget that someone else might have decided to fly alongside the same landmark but in the opposite direction.
On an uncontrolled strip, it's advisable to always do a low pass to check runway condition before landing. The overhead join may also be beneficial to see other traffic and be seen by it.
Get into the habit of covering the pitot even on short stopovers. Insects can get in there very quickly.
Mind where you leave a parked aircraft and make sure that it's either well held in place by the brakes or by chocks or tie-down ropes. It's surprising how even a slight slope can cause an aircraft to run away and end up in some trees or bushes, possibly with some unpleasant damage.
Always treat your propeller as live. To put it mildly, preventative maintenance in this kind of establishments often has scope for improvement, so there's hardly a guarantee that any periodic checks have been done by anyone other than the pilots - and very few pilots do the live magneto check frequently and/or properly (although it's not difficult). Did I also mention the fuel and oil caps?
After all, have a great time. Granted, most aim to move onto something bigger and better-paid in the long-term run, but flying a light aircraft in the middle of nowhere is a wonderful experience and one day you will miss some parts of it. Some other parts - not so much though. Best of luck!
On an uncontrolled strip, it's advisable to always do a low pass to check runway condition before landing. The overhead join may also be beneficial to see other traffic and be seen by it.
Get into the habit of covering the pitot even on short stopovers. Insects can get in there very quickly.
Mind where you leave a parked aircraft and make sure that it's either well held in place by the brakes or by chocks or tie-down ropes. It's surprising how even a slight slope can cause an aircraft to run away and end up in some trees or bushes, possibly with some unpleasant damage.
Always treat your propeller as live. To put it mildly, preventative maintenance in this kind of establishments often has scope for improvement, so there's hardly a guarantee that any periodic checks have been done by anyone other than the pilots - and very few pilots do the live magneto check frequently and/or properly (although it's not difficult). Did I also mention the fuel and oil caps?
After all, have a great time. Granted, most aim to move onto something bigger and better-paid in the long-term run, but flying a light aircraft in the middle of nowhere is a wonderful experience and one day you will miss some parts of it. Some other parts - not so much though. Best of luck!
Factor a short-stay motel into your costings - an oh-dark-thirty departure to a country town, wait all day for the customer to come back (not much room to sleep in a lightie) and then a race back before dark / dinner / pubs close. A mighty long day, and you are bone tired before taking off for the return trip.
But find a motel that will let you use the room for a nap, watch TV, refresher shower and gone after 6 hours. Works wonders.
Not all emus hate aircraft - in the Blue Mountains, Peter Piggott (of Uncle Pete's Toys, famous in the 80s and 90s) had a pet emu, Cheepie. This emu would have her head in the window of the chopper while the engine was still running down, friendly and loved a tickle behind the head.
But find a motel that will let you use the room for a nap, watch TV, refresher shower and gone after 6 hours. Works wonders.
Not all emus hate aircraft - in the Blue Mountains, Peter Piggott (of Uncle Pete's Toys, famous in the 80s and 90s) had a pet emu, Cheepie. This emu would have her head in the window of the chopper while the engine was still running down, friendly and loved a tickle behind the head.
In the outback areas I used to fly, I figured it would take up to 3 days for someone to get to me if I crashed. I reckon that in most of the outback you can force land and walk away, buy you need to prepare to be found and for the wait.
1. GPS EPIRB
2. Water. Everyone in the outback carries water in cars, the aeroplane should be no exception.
3. First aid / survival equipment.
4. Sat phone if you can.
5. In remote Australia you need you mobile to be on the dreaded Telstra, unless its Nth SA where Optus is better.
Always ring ahead. Never assume that fuel will be avaiulable. Most remote places only get a small number of AV GAs deliveries per year. Like the Blues Brothers, you might want fuel just before the truck arrives. If you are flying to stations call and ask if they need anything. The old Elders rule was to always take the newspapers and fresh bread. In the era of freezers, fresh bread is not so important, but the newspapers of the day and / or cut flowers are always apptreciated. Maybe some fresh fruit.
GPS works 99% of the time, but there are GPS black spots in remote areas. There will also come the day, when you get directions on the back of an envelope from a guy at a pub. The GPS is limited use then. Don't plan on simply following the magenta line. Navigation in the outback is a different beast. Its about broad position based on large features and being good about time and heading.
Don't expect winsocks. if you cant pick up wind clues from other features, then you shouldn't be there. Many times, details of airstrips will be given to you by non-pilots. You need to make your own assessment of all runways.
1. GPS EPIRB
2. Water. Everyone in the outback carries water in cars, the aeroplane should be no exception.
3. First aid / survival equipment.
4. Sat phone if you can.
5. In remote Australia you need you mobile to be on the dreaded Telstra, unless its Nth SA where Optus is better.
Always ring ahead. Never assume that fuel will be avaiulable. Most remote places only get a small number of AV GAs deliveries per year. Like the Blues Brothers, you might want fuel just before the truck arrives. If you are flying to stations call and ask if they need anything. The old Elders rule was to always take the newspapers and fresh bread. In the era of freezers, fresh bread is not so important, but the newspapers of the day and / or cut flowers are always apptreciated. Maybe some fresh fruit.
GPS works 99% of the time, but there are GPS black spots in remote areas. There will also come the day, when you get directions on the back of an envelope from a guy at a pub. The GPS is limited use then. Don't plan on simply following the magenta line. Navigation in the outback is a different beast. Its about broad position based on large features and being good about time and heading.
Don't expect winsocks. if you cant pick up wind clues from other features, then you shouldn't be there. Many times, details of airstrips will be given to you by non-pilots. You need to make your own assessment of all runways.
If your flying in the bush landing on ALA's/ remote strips etc always take some spares with you. Spare spark plug or two, and socket set to change, Landing light ,duct tape, zip ties etc. Water for you, couple of litres of oil, Know how to hand start your engine and carry out minor repairs. It is a long way for help to arrive. Never leave the aircraft unattended if cattle are near bye or Camels if overnighting unless you can barricade it away safely. They love using it to scratch on and can easily destroy the flying surfaces.
As above get reliable info on strip condition and fuel availability. Get reacquainted with direct reckoning / WAC charts for navigating as a back up. Watch the weather constantly. Dirt strips can turn into a quagmire quickly with a heavy downpour out bush.
As above get reliable info on strip condition and fuel availability. Get reacquainted with direct reckoning / WAC charts for navigating as a back up. Watch the weather constantly. Dirt strips can turn into a quagmire quickly with a heavy downpour out bush.
Know how to hand start your engine and carry out minor repairs.
As with so many other areas of aviation, hand starting engines is one in which a detailed understanding of the specific fuel and ignition system fitted to the specific aircraft is essential for success and safety. ...
If your aircraft is fitted with e.g. an injected Conti and the only way to prime it is an electrical auxiliary pump, it's going to take an enormous amount of hand swinging to get that baby started if the battery's so dead that it won't run the aux pump to prime it. At hand swinging RPMs, the EDP isn't doing much at all. (The last time I hand started an IO520 the battery still had enough charge to run the aux pump slowly, but sufficiently to prime the injection system. [T]hey start easily when swung. Very - and dangerously - easily. But only when the F:A in the induction system and the spark are correct. Speaking of the spark....)
Some ignition systems use retard breakers in the magnetos and electric aids to starting, like "Shower of Sparks" vibrators and 'SlickStart' boosters. They have complicated wiring at and from the ignition switch. That wiring is different than if the magnetos each have just a mechanical impulse coupling. [Added: And some engines only have one magneto with a mechanical impulse coupling.] The electrically boosted ignition circuits are rarer these days - at least on 'traditional' GA piston engines - but not extinct. Trying to hand start one of those engines with a flat or low battery may be, at best, impossible, and at worst, deadly, no matter how competent you are at hand swinging in general. And note that the generic model of the same engine can have different magnetos and start systems. Not all e.g. IO520s have the same ignition systems.
If your aircraft is fitted with e.g. an injected Conti and the only way to prime it is an electrical auxiliary pump, it's going to take an enormous amount of hand swinging to get that baby started if the battery's so dead that it won't run the aux pump to prime it. At hand swinging RPMs, the EDP isn't doing much at all. (The last time I hand started an IO520 the battery still had enough charge to run the aux pump slowly, but sufficiently to prime the injection system. [T]hey start easily when swung. Very - and dangerously - easily. But only when the F:A in the induction system and the spark are correct. Speaking of the spark....)
Some ignition systems use retard breakers in the magnetos and electric aids to starting, like "Shower of Sparks" vibrators and 'SlickStart' boosters. They have complicated wiring at and from the ignition switch. That wiring is different than if the magnetos each have just a mechanical impulse coupling. [Added: And some engines only have one magneto with a mechanical impulse coupling.] The electrically boosted ignition circuits are rarer these days - at least on 'traditional' GA piston engines - but not extinct. Trying to hand start one of those engines with a flat or low battery may be, at best, impossible, and at worst, deadly, no matter how competent you are at hand swinging in general. And note that the generic model of the same engine can have different magnetos and start systems. Not all e.g. IO520s have the same ignition systems.
Lotsa XLNT advice here....AND....don't ferget ta put the PITOT COVER on ya PITOT TUBE....otherwise the various bugs / wasps will do it for ya.....
It doesn't take them long in some places.
Have FUN!!
It doesn't take them long in some places.
Have FUN!!