Cool guys, is the process fairly easy coming back the other way? Just go through Australian version of MPI and customs at Norfolk?

Norfolk Island isn't Australia - you'll clear customs in Lord Howe both ways

I had a TSO'ed raft, which was borrowed (I paid to have it repacked which needs to be done every two years). You dont want a dodgey raft out there!

Nav in NZ is bog easy. Keep the water on one side and off you go :ok:

When are you thinking of going?

I dont recall there being any security issues at all, even at Christchurch or Dunedin. They just aren't as anal about it as we are (which is a refreshing change!)

Hell, once I even lost my passport on the plane going to NZ and they still let me in! :O

Yep, agreed Pauanui is very nice and an easy walk to the shops etc and well worth a lunch stop. However there is much less choice in accomodation/dining/bars(are there any bars in Pauanui except for the Pauanui Club?). Also there's more to do close to Whitianga, Hot Water beach, Cathedral Cove, kayaking etc. Plus there's fuel at Whitianga.

Yep pretty easy both ways if you go Lord Howe and Norfolk.

Leaving New Zealand you only need to deal with customs, no need for MPI,( they don't care if you take nasties with you but do care if you bring them in.)

From memory at both Norfolk Is and Lord Howe Is you do the formalities when you arrive with customs and ag and any other fees, refueling etc. It pretty laid back and the local are very helpful and friendly. When you depart you just saddle up and leave. I think you need cash for the fuel at both places.

From Lord Howe you can depart to any place you want on mainland Oz.

QSK,

You haven't been doing your amendments, naughty boy, the "NOSE" rule changed in about 1992.

That is very good advice ---- indeed, before you go anywhere near the hills, get very thorough briefings, and heed them --- I alluded to this in my first post.

Tootle pip!!

Stay away from Isatphone Pro. It's ok when you're stationary, have a clear view of the sky and can keep the antenna PRECISELY vertical, but useless if you can't.

You're better off with Iridium if you want to be able to call from the aircraft enroute.

332 and Folks,

Forget the sat phones, waste of time and money ---- a sat-phone aerial that will actually work is (there are two chances of the aerial on the hand held working, none and Buckley's) will cost more than the cost of the whole trip.

Out of air/ground VHF, just rely on relays, airline crews are happy to help.

Tootle pip!!

Have a look at the CAA's 'in out and around' booklets for areas like Mt Cook and Milford.

Good Aviation Practice (GAP) Booklets

These days Irridium satphones can be had quite cheaply, and these actually work. Quite cost effective if you dont need to actually use it.

If I was doing it again (and I would in a heartbeat) I'd take one. I would still send position reports via relay. Gives the kerosene canary drivers something to do :ok:

Really?
 

I have the InMarSat handset with bluetooth, and I have never had any problems with getting or making calls, both stationary, in my car or flying. I even had a plug plumbed into my new panel to accept it so I can talk using my headset.

I just open the antenna, pop it on the glare shield and away I go.

It does prefer to have a clear view towards the north, but other than that, it seems to work fine?!

Another good question is the availability of internet at lord howe/norfolk/and in NZ to submit flight plans and constantly monitor weather?

In 2005 I had to use the telephone at Norfolk and call Auckland center. The folks at the airport can also do a lot of stuff too.

Lord Howe didnt have mobile coverage in 2005 and hopefully still don't!

You'll have no issues with internet in NZ. For Lord Howe and Norfolk just go the the Met office at both places. The Met office at Norfolk is up the driveway beside the airfield and at Lord Howe just a short walk across the grass from the tarmac.

The met guys are very very helpful.

You can file the plan at Norfolk with the help of the guys at the airport, the Met guys at Lord Howe will probably let you use their computer to file from Lord Howe.

Lord Howe; The pinetree place has one computer connected so you can get wx easy enough. Norfolk is better, the terminal cafe has free a internet hotspot and the motel we stayed at provided wifi also.

Folks,
Interesting comments on sat-phones, 100% removed from the experience of colleagues of mine.
I still think it is overkill for a trip that is hardly pioneering.

Agreed.

Adding more the 10 characters. :\