Hobart and the Tasmanian Flying Scene
 

G'day Team,

My wife and I are departing sunny Townsville and heading to Hobart for my next posting in Jan 2018.

I'm looking to connect with a local Flight School and Aero Club to continue my training.

The natural options appear to be the crew at Par Avion Flight Training and the Aero Club of Southern Tasmania.

As a PPL student looking to build a social network and local knowledge, are there others that I haven't yet considered?

I'm looking forward to learning more about flying in Tassie and discovering some of the amazing scenery. Any tips would be really appreciated.

Thanks for your time,
Breece

As far as I am aware Par Avion and ACST are the only operators left in Hobart. Par Avion is a very professional charter and flying training organisation and the ACST have a social club with a 172 (I think) for hire. You will find Tasmania a spectacular place to fly with quite a few airstrips a short flight away that are interesting and offer a range of activities. Look at Bruny Island, Maria Island, Friendly Beaches and Lagoon Bay? which I think the ACST have use of. Also Bathurst Harbour, Strahan and more!

Winter weather rules out a lot of the southwest and west coasts for VFR flight most days. Even in summer check the weather carefully.

Thanks for your feedback Aussie Bob, much appreciated!

I've also heard there's a Farmstay Fly in place in the north east. A flight over the Central Highlands, Great Lakes and Cradle Mountain would be pretty incredible.

Off the subject abit, what’s going on with the Tasmanian Aero Club these days?

G'day Breece
 

Good move cobba :ok:

Mrs & I too departed the 'vile some years ago for Van Diemens Land and the best move we've made.

The GA scene is pretty much monopolised by PAFT in Hobart, they also own the airport (YCBG). ACST are still going but PAFT to their checking I think.
NO Ultra light options here I'm afraid but some out of Devonport.
PAFT are very professional with a real Gent of a CFI goes by the name of Ralph, look him up for a chat when you get into town.
There are some options in the North for GA, Evandale (YLST) and Wynyard I think but just depends how much driving you want to do.

Not sure what you are paying to hire a C172 out of YBTL these days ($120.00 /hr solo when I last hired there, circa 2001) but prices are a bit hexy down here (North of $300.00 dual these days) Sign of the times I guess :(

PM me if you like when you hit town, I might be looking for someone to play with once I sort my BFR out. Have to fund it myself these days :ugh::ugh:

Cheers BAz

PS the farm strip you refer to the The Vale, 1.2 Km nicely maintained grass.
Can't wait to check it out myself some day :)

If you are leaving Townsville in January 2018 and moving to Tassy, don't forget to put your watch forward one hour and back 100 years!

:E

Haha!!
After living in Melbourne with hour-long peak hour commutes, we really enjoy living in smaller cities. Keeps life interesting! :ok:

"... and back 100 years."


Not at all a bad thing. Hobart, airport and surrounds are one of the most beautiful places on earth, not to mention the people and food! (As long as you have plenty of liquidity in the bank to assist you out of there if you ever need to leave.)

Bloody oath Jolihokistix!

Looking forward to it.

Hahahaha.
And learn that your cousin sister is cute

Ahhhhh, how long ago was that?

Most punters would line up (pardon the pun) for an hour long commute :cool: