I can't see how some here think you can't have a good grasp of the basics if you're using a GPS. It should be a given that you can navigate without a problem without a GPS anway. Also, apart from the fact that I believe you should use all resources at your disposal, using a GPS leads to increased efficiency, situational awareness and more time for see and avoid. And you know what else? After a long day of flying, you will be less fatigued and less likely to make mistakes during the most critical phase of the flight - the approach and landing! And when the s**t really hits the fan it could perhaps even save your life, so I wouldn't say it's a bad little resource to go flying with, and also importantly being familiar with.

Basically, if the technology is there, it should be used. Although you may feel pretty happy with yourself if you don't use it, all you end up doing is reducing safety to an extent, and isn't that the most important thing of all?

For remote flying for the first time:

Take a camera with a couple of spare data cards.
Water at remote airfields may be unwise to drink, if present at all. Take plenty of bottled water.
Museli bars are good for keeping blood sugar levels up.
Actually, any advice about remote area driving, available from your local RAA, is relevant.

Take spare spark plugs and alternator belt.

NextG phones work at around 10,000 feet, somewhat near towns.
GSM phones quit working at about 3000AGL, regardless of how strong the phone thinks its signal is.

If you're unable to get internet access, you can still file flight plans over the phone, for free, by calling 07 3866 3517

SarTime can be submitted as well as cancelled on 1800 814 931

Dont get lost in the Woomera area.

Take some warm clothes. The desert can get pretty chilly at night, especially if you've had a forced landing. Unlike in the movies, kangaroos will not summon help.

Post some photos on the More Photos thread when you get back:ok:

Good luck with your trip mate, I'm not a man with any tips but I just want to say I'm rather jealous of you. Hopefully I soon I will be planning something similar.

Don't forget to let us know how you went! :ok:

Pilotette, TAKE AN AIR BP CARNET to YLEC. All Rosie takes these days is that Carnet.

Enjoy the characters that live out there and don't be a city-slicker, shout them a beer, tell a yarn... things slow down abit in the stix. I'm sure you'll love it.
Oh, also purchase a "Power-monkey Explorer" to recharge your camera/cd/phone/ipod/laptop etc. It's a tiny solar travel unit that's proven to be gold. Plenty of sun out there for it too:)

Dont get lost in the Woomera area.:}:D

And the tools to use them!

J

The pizza shop opposite the Desert Cave hotel does (or at list did back in 03) make a pretty good feed for the hungry traveller. To this day it is the single biggest pizza I’ve ever eaten, big enough to plug a mining shaft. After that, head over to the Cave and have a couple of underground beers and give the jukebox a good workout.

As mentioned earlier, make sure you check the Woomera airspace (WRX) NOTAMs before you set out on each sector. Also it can occasionally get quite windy out that way so have a think about crosswind limits and reduced visibility in dust storms (not very frequent, but it does happen). VHF coverage is fairly limited as well, approx 5,000ft is the lowest you can get ML in the CBP area.

As for the GPS etc. everyone is going to have an opinion however your instructor is probably the best person to get advice from.

Have fun. :ok:

Come on guys!
You really expect the poor girl to change spark plugs and alternator belt all by herself in the wilderness??? :eek:

Jaba! I think you should go with her. ;)

SMS777, you are a thinking man!

Pilot and engineer.... I am a suitable candidate!

Would love to play with the G1000:E

And I will bring the mandatory 2 spare GPS :ok:

J:ok:

As a suggestion, for an early morning leg (when it is still relatively smooth), plan an hour or so low level nav exercise into your route (even if just to an en route visual waypoint). Flying at 500ft in unfamiliar terrain will give you a different perspective, and it really hones the nav skills. I would suggest using the track crawl method for this, as it tends to work best at low level. It is fun, different and will give you great experience for your first wet season when you arrive up north on the job hunt. Have fun. :ok:

Correction!!!! :}:}:}

That pretty much Rules YOU out Forkie!

I actually checked the Notams that morning and knew about it if I recall! Was not me who dialled up Willie Ck on the Flight plan in the GNS430:p.

Luckily we were clear of the R area by the time it became active after I mentioned it and decided to not go via Willie ;)

Ohh the fun ya can have in the bush!!!!:ok:

J:ok:

You two would do well in politics :ok:

ya think we are the only ones on here......pfffft! ;)

J:ok:

Seems that no matter what hour of the day or night I happen to go PPRuNing, either your name, or the Dr's, is in the list of online users:eek:

Forgive me if I'm wrong, has been a while since I've been in a G1000 equipped 172 (actually has been a long while since I've been flying any bloody thing!) but doesn't pressing the big red "Display Backup" button take over the map display on the secondary display, incase the primary goes down?

Hence - You can rid yourself of the GPS at the press of a button. :)

Edit - Ahh, was already mentioned. Missed that post :)

Pretty sure I heard Pilotette on the radio this afternoon, asking about the Woomera airspace. She's in VH-USL. Sounded like a very switched on young lass!

DF.

Good point. And I still have the sneaking suspicion that your aircraft is capable of logging on to PPRuNe all by itself.

Late at night, in the hangar, looking at photos of composite aircraft......:}

O.K. you three... brush your teeth and off to bed you go now, you hear?

:ok:

Heard her on the wirless???

She's left without me:{

Whats new!

Hey everyone I'm back!! (Sorry I left without you Jaba!)

Well what can I say but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! Took a bit of everyone's advice and really appreciate it all! Didn't encounter any problems (except for having to join the line and wait a while for fuel yesterday to leave YCBP..just got out of the way in time for REX!) Unfortunately I didn't go to YLEC because I had to use 100LL and Rosie only has the green stuff..but I've heard so much about her, I'll definately stop there sometime in the future! (I wonder if she knows how many fans she has on pprune?!)
I had no luck in finding the Maree Man but I really enjoyed checking out The Breakaways from the air! I had a steak at John's 'Pizza' Bar and lunch at the Ampol Restuarant and met some interesting characters along the way! I'll post some fotos as soon as I get some time!

DF..Yes that was me you heard! :p

So..I'm off to Broken Hill on friday for a few more solo hours..anything I need to know about that trip? :ok: Pilotette

P.S. Yes I did use the "Display Backup" function for those of you who were wondering!