Calling all aerial survey pilots
 

As an extension of my research into the history of Adastra Aerial Surveys, I am attempting to compile a listing of all aircraft that have undertaken survey operations in Australia. There are already 282 aircraft on the list which can be viewed here:

The Big List

Please note that there are certain criteria for inclusion and these are shown at the foot of the list. As I need all additions to be attributed to an individual you may prefer to use the email link on the list.

Rgds

Both UJN and YJU, AC500S/500U. GAM shrikes, Aerometrex survey. Hope this helps.

VH-UJU united photo and graphic. GAM. Circa 1994-1999

Atlass Aviation:

U206G VH-JEK, 2007 -
BE36 VH-IOL, 2008-
PN68 VH-CFT, 2011-

All used on LiDAR for ATLASS (Aust) pty Ltd

And good fun it was too :ok:

Survey Aircraft
 

I have many hours on Fokker F-27 operated by East West airlines in survey for the CSIRO

Survey Aircraft
 

In addition to above the call sign was VH-CAT

Aerometrex

Beech V35TC - VH-MQS
Cessna 320D - VH-AIY

1980's - 1990's

I remember seeing B-17G F-BEEA in Port Moresby during the 1960s.

moresome...
 

DRK C320E Southbank Avation, Wollongong/Albion Park
TMG C 182 Tamair, Tamworth
SIB TU206 Mapmakers, and Northern Air Surveys.
ACB C 310 was with Mapmakers before Reprograhics.
EXX AC680 FL Survair, Adelaide.
SXX PA 32RT-300T Northair Surveys, Mareeba FNQ

VH-KZC P-750 XSTOL, operated by UTS
VH-PZO, C210L, operated by Ozshore Aviation/GPX
Also, VH-MDG was operated by Ozshore Aviation/GPX on Aeromag, and also Nearmap for aerial photography, in addition to UTS.

A52-306 became VH-WWS
Both A52-306 and A52-309 were PR Mk 41's.

Ref "Mosquito Monograph" David Vincent 1982 p 208
Photo of A52-306 is on page 207.

AERO COMMANDER 680 FL VH-BTN Aerotechnologies Pty Ltd Hobart

Extensive contracts Australia wide 1985-2005, including Sunmap in Queensland.


(C206 VH-PLE as noted in list, operated by Aerial Photographs and Surveys Pty Ltd. of Perth WA. Principal was the late Kingsley Watson. RC-9 camera. The years were approximately 1965 to 1975)

CESSNA 402B VH-PEH Rainbow Airlines, Albion Park, NSW
Proprietor - B Bradbury
Operated in 1990s on contract to BHP and others
RC-9 camera

Fletcher FU-24 VH-EOG, 'Geo - Physical' survey in Pilbara WA, late 60's.
I ferried acft back, JT - BK, in March 1970.

And the Grand Daddy of them all, VH-UBU C-207, operated by Australian Aeronautical Academy Essendon Airport circa 1990 -2000???

b.

Dont have all the data to hand but i thought i knew a few survey aircraft, only to see none of them on the list!

VH-ATO Nomad (sometimes P2-ATO) - I think has now been retired
VH-DEQ PA31-310 2008 - current
VH-TSO PA31-350 2006 - current

There are also 2 new (well, new to oz) f406's and another PA31, rego's elude me at the moment

Felchers
 

What about all the Airpasture/UTS FU-24-720s that were running around WA in the late 90s?

Army survey corps used a Cessna(182?),VH-RTG? based in Kalgoorlie in about 1967-68,for aerial photo-checking,cant remember pilot's name,maybe Mitch somebody?
We(Army survey)also had a Bell G3(B2?)at Wyndham(WA)a year or so before that,it was hired from Helicopter Utilities.There was a fixed wing (Cessna 182?) on that job too(always referred to by chopper pilot as "the tin thing").Can't remember rego for either of those two,but I think the F/W pilot had a LAME ticket to service the chopper,can't remember any names,though.

Unionair

VH-FWG - A65-8200
VH-TYV? lost in crash near Shepparton
VH-??? replaced TYV and lost in hanger fire
VH-RUU - B70

B35 VH SDD Operated by RQAC 1974 approx
- early quantity trials on coal mine stockpiles
- mapping around Mt Isa and CQ

B23 VH BZO Operated by Sunland Aviation 1974 approx
- vegatation mapping Military Restricted Areas East coast Aus
- vegatation mapping following satelite tracks east / west
between Moree to Rockhampton west to about Thargomindah

I don't see AAM mentioned anywhwere. Probably the biggest aerial survey company in Aus- 8 planes plus with the aquisition of Vekta a total of 11.

ATO still going strong in PNG at the moment as well as the two 406's somebody mentioned.