Flying out of Essendon (Melbourne)
 

One of the partners of our RV10 is flying into Essenden and then I'm flying it out and back to Bankstown.

Looking on the CASA web site I see a lot of information about flying in, but not so much about flying out. Is it simply a case of reversing the inbound stuff?

I'm planning to fly VFR out to the Yan Yean Reservoir and then direct Albury. Would that work, anyone flying VFR out of Essenden?

thanks for the help and pointers
tony

The easiest way out is to plan low level and not wait for a clearance through Melbourne terminal area. Be flexible. When requesting a clearance, ask for direct Kalkallo at A015. From KAO, follow the freeway to Kilmore, staying below the steps. Navigation is very easy.

If that isn't available due to Melbourne RWY 27 arrivals, request to depart via Plenty then below the steps to YYN.

If Melbourne is not using RWY 27, you may be lucky and get direct YYN.

Don't plan too rigidly. Just let EN TWR know where you want to go and have a VTC on your lap.


P.S. It is EssendOn

If the weather is OK I'd plan overhead Melbourne then direct Albury @7500. Keep in mind you probably won't overfly Melbourne, just accept the tracking that you are given. If you are unfamiliar with the area why muck around with VFR reporting points? Or navigating the Kilmore gap? Much easier to get high and get going! :ok:

PS: and don't be afraid to use the phrase "require......due weather" if conditions dictate.

I always plan where I want to go and then just take what they give me.

Jack is right. Brings back memories of the times I wandered over to EN TWR, picked up the phone at the base of the tower building and asked if I could come upstairs for a look-see. 'Click', and the door opened. The things I learned just by viewing and asking questions was most helpful. Must have spent hours up there just watching. Free coffee too!

Those days I assume are long gone now but back then (20+ years ago) it was indeed an enjoyable way to learn from the controllers. As Jack suggested, give them a call.

I'd still love to do that now, and one of my favourite non flying days as a pilot was going to YMML for the ATC tour.
The stuff I learnt that day was invaluable.

I've often considered going down the ATC path but my addiction still rules me and I'm still obsessed with the view from the office no matter how poor the pay.

I've been in and out of Essendon IFR in the V-tail and VFR in a C195.

No big deal either way - the troops in the tower are very helpful and accommodating.

Just plan what looks like an OK way to achieve your objective, get a clearance, and go for it!

Dr :8

Try here for VFR Flights
 

Not at all gone Rabbit, I've recently arranged visits to bot MEL approach & TWR as well as HBA TWR. Learned a lot, and was made to feel very welcome.

Tony,

Weather permitting, I'd opt for a route direct out toward Eildon with a VFR departure via either Yan Yean or Epping. Tower is really helpful, still good guys and girls up there; if ML traffic permits they'll get you to Yan Yean and from there just stay below the steps and enjoy the scenery. Going north via the highway and Kilmore Gap isn't necessary unless the weather is marginal.

03 9374 1678 is their direct line, but be polite if they're busy and put the phone down to make a call or three ;) Give them a heads up on the phone before starting to walk out to do your preflight, then they'll be able to sort something out for you.

Essendon
 

I'll confirm everything anyone has said about how great EN TWR staff are....

A visit would be harder to arrange now with the new security directive from the Powerful Ones but the phone call is a top idea.

EN TWR staff do what they can but in the end it depends what ML are doing.:ugh:

Can second the idea to call them.

I called them up to ask some questions prior to my CPL test and they were more than willing to talk to me about the questions I had.

Thanks all for the suggestions - I'll give the tower and have a call to work out the best plan of attack. Appreciate the feedback.

tony