VFR Top End Mid March - How Advisable?
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VFR Top End Mid March - How Advisable?
I'm planning a VFR private trip in a Seminole from Bankstown up the east coast to Weipa, then Broome, Shark Bay and back to BK via Ayers Rock. I'm departing BK mid March. My query is how bad is the weather up north in the latter half of March for VFR flying? I've been up to Darwin at other times of the year, but never the wet season. I've only got 350 hours or so, so not much time in the experience book. I live in the UK so I have flown VFR in some ordinary flying conditions. I'm just after a gut feel response from people that have experience of top-end wet season conditions. Is it a case of fly in the morning, be careful and stay flexible with the timetable, or is this generally a bad idea and it may be a trip myself and my flying partner won't enjoy?
I've tried to find more specific climate stats, but all I can really establish from the BOM website is that March is statistically the second wettest month.
Thanks in advance.
150Aerobat
I've tried to find more specific climate stats, but all I can really establish from the BOM website is that March is statistically the second wettest month.
Thanks in advance.
150Aerobat
hi 150,
the weather in march up the top is unstable and you can expect widespread thunderstorms, showers and associated poor visibility and unstable conditions.
quite often conditions in the first half of the day can be quite good but things can deteriorate rapidly by afternoon with fast developing cbs and associated poor weather.
It's just a matter of using all the resources available to you in determining what the conditions are like, the Bom are most helpful in Oz and will provide you with up to date weather conditions over the phone or requested briefings via fax...usual common sense stuff, make sure you plan for alternates and carry adequate fuel etc.
and have fun!!!
the weather in march up the top is unstable and you can expect widespread thunderstorms, showers and associated poor visibility and unstable conditions.
quite often conditions in the first half of the day can be quite good but things can deteriorate rapidly by afternoon with fast developing cbs and associated poor weather.
It's just a matter of using all the resources available to you in determining what the conditions are like, the Bom are most helpful in Oz and will provide you with up to date weather conditions over the phone or requested briefings via fax...usual common sense stuff, make sure you plan for alternates and carry adequate fuel etc.
and have fun!!!
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If you do go and are concerned about wx try and fly in early in the morning (6am to 11am). You can get a layer at say 5-600 feet but that usually breaks up by 9ish. I would avoid anything after 3pm if you can.
The thing to remember is unpredictability (it gets nasty fast) - and even those with high levels of wet season experience get scared.
Don't be afraid to ask one of the local pilots what the wx doing down his/her way- use 123.45 for this if you are going to have a conversation though (Area gets busy).
Good luck and stay safe
.
The thing to remember is unpredictability (it gets nasty fast) - and even those with high levels of wet season experience get scared.
Don't be afraid to ask one of the local pilots what the wx doing down his/her way- use 123.45 for this if you are going to have a conversation though (Area gets busy).
Good luck and stay safe
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HAve a fun trip
150aeros
Firstly have a fun trip, and enjoy yourself. That includes NOT having a TOO MUCH of a concern for the WX.
People have been flying through the TOP of OZ VFR for many years, and doing it very safely in this time of the year. You show great AIRMANSHIP for making the request and getting the LOCALS knowledge, this is an atribute that will serve you well. Don't worry about your hours, your attitude is very good.
The posts above are good advise, but don't think that flying any other time is BAD or DANGEROUS. The facts are that MARCH is late wet season, storms do exist, but like every where else in the world this can change from day to day. Some days you will not have a good run and may have to make the decision not to fly, others it will be plain sailing(flying). The moral is you can't really predict it so don't be too concerned and take it as it is on the day. Use your knowledge, ability, skills and attitude to make the decision at the time.
It is my advise that you will have a good trip, and that you will not have any major concers when you get up there. But that you will use your HEAD and think about things as you go. You will learn a lot and you will have some great fun and experiances to boot. I recon that you will have more trouble with the Restricted airspace than the WX.
I have been flying (untill two years ago) in the Territiory and NW WA for over 5 years, almost all of it VFR and at all times of the year, infact most flying is done in these parts during this time as the roads become unreliable. I can tell you from experiance that you will not have any problems, and hay, if you do, you will find a really great bunch of people in the towns and at the airfields who will help you whih whaterver they can.
Again have fun and don't let the WX worry you too much.
A wise old person once said, "It's better to be down on the ground wishing that you were up in the air, than bieng in the air and wishing you were on the ground".
That is one of many pearls of wisdom, the trick is to lock then all away and use them when the situation requires.
Have FUN.
Sorry mate I added this later ;
The vis is actually pretty good at this time of year as the wet has reduced the smoke and haze. lots of green everywhere. The KAKDU falls are in full flow and some spectecular ones through the Kimberly as well.
Very hot in the mid latitudes (Broom down to Shark bay and on the east coast in QLD) with lots of thermal turblence. I hate turbulence and try to go as high as possible, though at Alice Springs you will not be able to go high enough, so go high and just relax the best you can.
Firstly have a fun trip, and enjoy yourself. That includes NOT having a TOO MUCH of a concern for the WX.
People have been flying through the TOP of OZ VFR for many years, and doing it very safely in this time of the year. You show great AIRMANSHIP for making the request and getting the LOCALS knowledge, this is an atribute that will serve you well. Don't worry about your hours, your attitude is very good.
The posts above are good advise, but don't think that flying any other time is BAD or DANGEROUS. The facts are that MARCH is late wet season, storms do exist, but like every where else in the world this can change from day to day. Some days you will not have a good run and may have to make the decision not to fly, others it will be plain sailing(flying). The moral is you can't really predict it so don't be too concerned and take it as it is on the day. Use your knowledge, ability, skills and attitude to make the decision at the time.
It is my advise that you will have a good trip, and that you will not have any major concers when you get up there. But that you will use your HEAD and think about things as you go. You will learn a lot and you will have some great fun and experiances to boot. I recon that you will have more trouble with the Restricted airspace than the WX.
I have been flying (untill two years ago) in the Territiory and NW WA for over 5 years, almost all of it VFR and at all times of the year, infact most flying is done in these parts during this time as the roads become unreliable. I can tell you from experiance that you will not have any problems, and hay, if you do, you will find a really great bunch of people in the towns and at the airfields who will help you whih whaterver they can.
Again have fun and don't let the WX worry you too much.
A wise old person once said, "It's better to be down on the ground wishing that you were up in the air, than bieng in the air and wishing you were on the ground".
That is one of many pearls of wisdom, the trick is to lock then all away and use them when the situation requires.
Have FUN.
Sorry mate I added this later ;
The vis is actually pretty good at this time of year as the wet has reduced the smoke and haze. lots of green everywhere. The KAKDU falls are in full flow and some spectecular ones through the Kimberly as well.
Very hot in the mid latitudes (Broom down to Shark bay and on the east coast in QLD) with lots of thermal turblence. I hate turbulence and try to go as high as possible, though at Alice Springs you will not be able to go high enough, so go high and just relax the best you can.
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Thanks very much for the local knowledge. That confirms it then - I'll continue with my preparations, and like you say, keep the bulk of the flying in the mornings and maintain a flexible timetable (and flight plan).
Thanks very much for the detailed responses. I appreciate you taking the time.
Regards,
150
Thanks very much for the detailed responses. I appreciate you taking the time.
Regards,
150
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Getting your flying done also makes it more comfortable, less bumpy and cooler, youll be doing some long legs no doubt.
Ive flown alot of the routes you will be, Broome down to Ayers is a long hike, you may want to stop at Balgo community and check out the Aboriginal Art, give thema ring first. Its 120 nm south of Halls Creek.Bit of a dog leg but more to see that way.Then Follow the Road Trains on the Tanami to Alice or Ayers what ever you feel.
Make sure you have HF on the Machine you hire, and get someone to show you its operation unless you have experience with them.
Also in the arvo you can check out the local Out back Pub where ever your staying, there all usually Airconned, make for a good social experience all round and cool down.
Wouldnt mind a VB now actually catch ya later.
When in Northern Australia youlll learn to drink the weather dictates that .
If you going to dirt strips check your notams if none are available contact the strip operator or owner theyll usually be very helpfull.
Have fun sounds like you will, is the Bus Airconned(Seminole I mean)?
Best Regards
Sheep
Ive flown alot of the routes you will be, Broome down to Ayers is a long hike, you may want to stop at Balgo community and check out the Aboriginal Art, give thema ring first. Its 120 nm south of Halls Creek.Bit of a dog leg but more to see that way.Then Follow the Road Trains on the Tanami to Alice or Ayers what ever you feel.
Make sure you have HF on the Machine you hire, and get someone to show you its operation unless you have experience with them.
Also in the arvo you can check out the local Out back Pub where ever your staying, there all usually Airconned
, make for a good social experience all round and cool down.Wouldnt mind a VB now actually catch ya later.
When in Northern Australia youlll learn to drink the weather dictates that
.If you going to dirt strips check your notams if none are available contact the strip operator or owner theyll usually be very helpfull.
Have fun sounds like you will, is the Bus Airconned(Seminole I mean)?
Best Regards
Sheep
