Flying from Australia to PNG
 

Later this year I', planning a trip around Australia in a C206.

We'd like to also fly across the Torres Straight to PNG, then around the southern part of PNG for a week or so.

I've had little luck finding information. The websites CASA PNG and Airservices PNG have some resources, but seen orientated towards airlines rather than GA.

Any tips would be appreciated:

• Customs procedures and requirements in Australia and PNG
• Safest routes across the Torres Straight
• GA airports in southern PNG
• Personal safety in PNG ( do I need a gun?)
• Any other wisdom would be appreciated.

thank you.

If you don't have PNG experience, certainly not recommended.

Carry a gun and you will be assured of free accommodation at either Horn Island or Daru, depending on your Court date.

Forget the bush strips, even in a C206.

All of the above is correct, but the most critical thing is the lack of Avgas, which makes operating at piston-engined aircraft almost impossible in PNG these days.

Another issue you may not be aware of is that the aircraft's insurance is probably not valid once you leave Australia, unless you pay a hefty loading on the premium.

Lots to see in Australia, but if you really want to go international try a trip to NZ.

Thanks for the tips. It's tricky because I hear conflicting information.

Never thought of OzRunways; neat solution. I'll double-check the insurance,

The plane has a Mogas STC, although I've never used Mogas in a plane.

Are there any GA airports in southern PNG with paved runways and a fuel?

I'm wary now, but still keen.

Mogas is probably just as problematical as Avgas, and most vehicles in the bush run on diesel (if they run at all).

Even in Port Moresby Avgas is difficult to obtain; elsewhere it is just impossible.

Out of curiosity what would you plan to do on this trip? Any notion that it is an idyllic paradise should be dismissed immediately. Whilst PNG has some stunning scenery and some decent people, the risks are very high and the frustrations are immense.

Unless you're going to Goroka or Mt Hagen or Madang or Wewak or other provincial major towns you aren't going to find accommodation. As for southern parts of PNG, unless you're well connected with missionaries who might put you up in a guest house you won't find accommodation. But, good luck finding fuel.

LKinnon,

Allow me to offer some advice; been in and out of country since Independence. There is good qualified information from long time PNG flight crew; I'll throw in my two 'bob's worth.......

AVGAS: Regardless of any arrangements made, the supply is still unreliable. Check the date of expiry on any drum fuel. The fuel will be mega expensive.
RADIO's: All aircraft entering PNG are required to carry HF radio and certain minimum number of mandatory frequencies. Depending on the type of HF radio fitted to your aircraft, the appropriate 'crystals' may have to be made. A synthesised HF is best.
NAVIGATION: Over the past few months virtually all remaining government operated Nav-Aids have been shut down. Exceptions would be ILS/DME at Port Moresby, and VOR/DME at Nadzab. Privately owned Nav-Aids continue to operate.
GPR RNAV: Totally new procedures are in place and will commence in early September. Some of the new published charts are available as in AIRAC 03/2019. Not all the charts have been issued to date.
MAINTENANCE: Not really available, due licencing inconsistencies between Australia and PNG
WEATHER: Forecasts and TAF's are unreliable.
IFR FLIGHT: Never descend below LSALT unless you are Visual, and I mean visual!
SAR: There is NO real SAR in country. In an emergency Operators tend to band together and pool resources.
WEAPONS: Don't carry any weapons as in Guns. Pulling the trigger is a lot different to just pointing the said gun.
MONEY: Don't carry money, you will be held up and robbed. Use credit cards,
I might suggest that if you don't have any real need to visit PNG, but you want to do so, fly PX of QF to Port Moresby and watch the 'fun' from there.

MOBILES: The PNG network with the best coverage is Digicel... Use a cheap phone something you can afford to loose if held up, same with your watch and camera's. Don't draw attention to yourself.
CHARTS: All the Maps and Charts in electronic format on Oz-Runways are grossly out of date, and it would be unwise to use any of the charts. (Approach/Enroute/) etc

LKinnon,
There is a reason why so many people in PNG live in security compounds with H24 for many, I hope you get the message ---- personal safety is just very difficult to achieve to a reasonable level of risk ---- many of the posters with warnings for you are old PNG hands, take their advice.
In very recent times, with an organisation with which I have some connection, in the end the Lae base was moved to an encampment behind barbed wire on the aerodrome at Nadzab. ---- and not because it was a great place to stay. Strictly fly-in, fly-out to Cairns.
Don't forget, as well as guns, one of the favorites is the good old machete in the hands of the raskols.
Sadly, these days, it ain't worth the risk, doing what you want to do, and that is before the logistics of avgas and mogas.
Tootle pip!!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20....davidfickling
And that is the best of law and order in the country.

What model 206 has a Mogas STC?

It is so sad to hear this. I lived for 2 years in TPNG prior to independance with Telecomunications and though lawlessness was a problem in the cities a nicer group of people were hard to find. It is a very beautiful country and varied but I am scared to go back as it will kill some great memories.

harryw,
Sad but true, and with the new PM, in my opinion it is likely to deteriorate further quite rapidly.
He sees the "future" of the country in village agriculture and returning to "traditional" ways ---- and curbing development, and nationalizing the oil/gas and mining industries ----- and you may have read about him asking the PR China to pay off the national debt.
Tootle pip!!

What a sad and sorry state of affairs for what is, and could have been one of the great tourist destinations.
It has everything, tropical beaches, cool highlands, unique birds and wildlife, spectacular scenery and colorful tribal cultures.
Alas, rampant corruption, tribal violence and tourists as targets have put a stop to all that.
Maybe the Chinese will sort it all out, but I doubt it. !
OP......yr 20 years too late unfortunately

C206 Mogas
 

I doubt there is a Mogas STC for the C206. Happy to be proven wrong though. If there is, can you please provide some details.

Conversion was done in the USA and from memory the documentation refers to "Inpulse". Never actually tried Mogas, but thought it might give me more options in remote locations.

Thanks for the valuable tips. I'll do some more research and might just fly around the Torres Straight.

The HF radio requirement Kagamuga raised is going to be a headache.

Sounds like a lot of work, but doubt I'll ever get a chance to do a flight like this again.