Work in Northern WA
 

Wanted to know of people's experiences flying in Northern WA, Kimberley and Broome areas. How was the flying? Living Conditions?

Have a potential contract up there for at least 6 months and was looking for other pilots views on the area.



Keep the blue side up - unless you fly seaplanes - then it's down.

Loved ever minute living in the Kimberley, what a majic spot!!

Do it
 

Easily one of the most picturesque regions to be flying in!

520.

Ahhhh so much to say!

Much on Kimberley living conditions is on many threads a while back. This is one example.

Good times.

...Disco

beaver_boy

this wouldnt be for a float job by any chance would it?

...disco

mawgh, disco is right I can assure you follow his advice it will work exceedingly well :}

Thanks for all the replies. I am still considering going up there. But please keep them coming. I would also like to hear some not-so-good stories....if there are any.

Well, the kimberley is a big place, several different places to live, several VERY different companies and associated cultures.

Be more specific!

...Disco

The Kimberley is an exciting place to visit for a while. You'll meet many people with a very low intelligence and learn that you can't leave your washing outside on the clothesline without someone stealing it.

The scenery is very unique, and there are many interesting places to fly into.

Good luck with the job, and keep your car locked at all times.

Cheers,
Tiger.

Been talkin to a mate from Kazakhstan who reckons there's been some expression or interest in relation to financially justifiable passenger charter in the Kimberley, can't remember the specific points of interest they would like to target, however, he's been working with an associate in Vladivostok who will shortly be flying over some prototypes to 'see-how-things-go'

Their response to the A380 in this model known affectionately as the 'cash-cow mkII'



http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...e/00000601.jpg

superior to the sister-aircraft the 206, we're looking at the 'cash-calf' aka 'bang-bus', featured in Luftansa livery who were assisting with research and development of the assymetric and float alighting properties or the airframe, suitable for some potentially eccentric customers.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...e/00003493.jpg


This variant we'll be targeting community transfers and 6080ft ops.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...e/b5a2272f.jpg

And for the 'double-dip' community charters we'll have this product in an effort to minimise in-flight disturbances when 'dipping' rival communities ...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...e/00005390.jpg
Still not sure whether to operate two-crew, and obviously still have some fundamental flaws to iron out ...
but there's plenty of room to hang up your washing, which would dry quite quickly before being stolen, or sublimation as it were ...

I also heard a rumour during chatter on the discrete Bellburn Approach frequency that pointed to an operator moving in with a 'Buffalo' or something ... Maybe that's the 6 month contract :ok:

Z1

[/hijack_over_and_getting_hobby_now]

Oh god no
 

Oh no. Here we go again! :}

Dont plan on having your thread back anytime soon, beaver_boy!

....Disco

An oldie but a goodie:
The Adventures of Robbo the Yobbo
and some more info:
Thread: Sydney to Kununurra

G'day Beaver Boy,

I did a stint up there back in 03 flying a lovely old beaver on floats. The tour was basically a full day 5 star food and wine gourmet tour of the best bits of the Buccaneer Archipellago, had an absolute ball. The chap I worked for was a lovely bloke as well. The operation was based out of Derby.

However the money was atrocious and after 6 months I went back to Ag flying otherwise I would've starved to death. Not sure that I would necessarily blame the operator, just that margins are tight when operating vintage A/C.

About a year ago I introduced an experienced Canadian float pilot who was working in Mozambique at the time to the operator.

The guy was a good pilot and well regarded.

I was impressed with the persrverence he displayed in obtaining the necessary permits etc to work in OZ, it also cost him a fortune to relocate and jump all the hurdles. He went back to Canada within 6 months very disgruntled at the fall through of the promised income he expected.

Obseverving other seaplane operations while I was there in 03 left me thinking I was with the best operator.

So bottom line is you will have a great time if you pick the right operator, but in any case you will not make money.

Happy to answer any specific questions if you need.