Rottnest Day Trip
 

Hey, myself and the girlfriend are in Perth for a few days in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking a day trip out to Rottnest is on the cards. Just looking for a little bit of info from guys who've done it before. It's just the two of us so anything will do ( i hear RACWA has a Chippy :)), will need headsets + lifejackets.

Is it feasible to fly out and walk to a place that hires bikes?

Who best to borrow an aircraft from? (Am i going to be able to borrow an aircraft for a day for what will total 2 hours flying at best?)

Any other tips?

Thanks in advance :ok:

Just for info i've got 1500TT, 300t/w

WD,

Rottnest, AKA Rotto (and that is what you better call it if you want people to know where your talking about), is a great little spot.

You can walk from the airport to the 'village' in maybe 10 mins, or a free shuttle bus comes past every 20 or 30 mins and takes you to the village.

I dont know the who's who of JT anymore, but if there are only 2 of you, then most of the operators will have something suited to your needs. I use to hire off JFC and Air Australia.

When you finally get to the Island, you will no doubt want to do a 'boggy' lap of Rotto. Try to avoid flying low over Thompsons Bay (eastern part of the Island) as this is where everybody is. You can get bikes for hire from here also. It is getting bl00dy hot here and it will take you a few good hours to cycle around so take bucket loads of water as there is nothing (or not much) once you leave the Village area.

One last thing, Quokka soccer is only fun for the dead beat drunken yobbo schoolies :}

Landing after midday when the sea breeze has cranked up provides a rollercoaster from 100' down. The crosswind has put a couple of acft into the drink in the shallow salt lake next to the runway. Early arrival in the morning is always the nicest with a Easterly if your lucky.

And remember to duck when you depart JT via FREM, 'specially if the big airport is on 03 visuals!!

Use Rotto air taxi, they are quite cheap and do a day rtn, save the hassle of flying yourself. You can walk from the terminal to the town and bike hire, otherwise there is a regular bus around the island just wait outside the terminal until it arrives.

If you do fly yourself don't worry to much about the crosswind unless you are in a tail wheel a/c, I flew the rotto air taxi for a while and its really not as bad as everyone around Jandakot tells you.

Maybe throw in a 'City and Beaches' on your way back.

I agree with HEALY, make it a morning exercise, unless you enjoy pedalling into a 30kt souwester.

Also, keep an eye out for the light house off the western end of the strip.:eek:

Re: Jandakot...study the layout and procedures well, it gets crazy there at times!!

Rotto
 

Great fun,

Go on the hottest day possible. That way the wind will be the lightest. Plan to get there in the morning or else the sea breeze can be gnarly in the afternoon. Many an aeroplane has ended up in the lake beside the strip. Renting bikes no dramas. Best beaches on the north side out of the wind. We took a Baroooon a few times and as silly as it sounds worked out cheap. Only paid airswitch and none of this 20 minutes ++ on the ground at YPJT. Food can be expensive over there so pack lunch. Enjoy.

Funny, in the 15 or so years I've been around Jandakot, I've never heard anyone saying anything bad about Rotto Air Taxi. Your not confusing them with Rottnest Airbus by any chance?

The day trips by ferry are also very pleasant (but doesnt give the flying fix).

I was thinking the same thing. If you are unfamilar with JT procedures make sure you mention it in your radio call, we will look after you.

Best bet is probably to call the main places and see if they have a minimum rate. Off the top of my head; RACWA, Air Australia, Minovation, Jandakot Flight Centre and ACFT (Advanced Cockpit Flight Training). I am sure there are other places you can hire aircraft from but they are the "main" flying schools if you like. I don't think you can take the Chippy to Rotto.

I have done it a number of times and its a very nice way to spend a day. Don't get too sun burnt though, it makes the 10 mins flight back very long :cool::O

Or even an afternoon. Shame the F/A I rustled up for you didn't give you her number! :}

Haha she only wanted your F/O's number!! But it was still very nice over there :ok:

Slight thread drift...Awol57, you guys in the tower have been under the pump lately....multiple clowns inbound who don't know how to use a radio let alone fly an aircraft!

Must make for some nail-biting moments up there.:uhoh:

It can certainly be interesting on the odd occasion but generally it all flows pretty well. We much prefer you just say you don't understand though if you ever don't. Same as a Join early/late downwind, we really like you to head for that point, not mid downwind.

However this has nothing to do with Rotto :) End of thread drift :ok:

I think Bla bla bla was trying to say the crosswinds are not bad, not Rotto air taxi.
The whole sentence reads,
If you do fly yourself don't worry to much about the crosswind unless you are in a tail wheel a/c, I flew the rotto air taxi for a while and its really not as bad as everyone around Jandakot tells you.

YPJT

I meant the cross wind at Rotto, read the post properly!

Fair enough. Bit of a double meaning there, I guessed the wrong one.

YPJT as you generally do !!

Try reading the whole sentence.

I've spent many a day over at Rotto!! The Quokkas at the airport are the friendliest, you'll get some cute photos out there. The pies from the Bakery are the best in OZ so make sure you get down ther for lunch, might have to queue for a bit though. Take snorkels over with you, the Leeuwin Current means there are more fish out on Rotto than the mainland. I always like The Basin for swimming and you can easily walk there. If you do get the air taxi over go down to the pub for a beer before you leave, awesome view back over to Perth from the beer garden! You'll have a great time over there, just thinking about it is making me miss the place!!

As for hiring an aircraft, I would imagine most schools will hire to you after you've done a checkride. You'll probably have a minimum hire time depending on if you go for half or whole day. Just call or email around to get a feel for things and see what they would want you to do.

I'll sign off by saying JUST DO IT!! It doesn't matter how you get there you have an awesome time!! Have Fun!! :ok: