Cairns just on the other side!

IMG_0276.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Cloudbase

IMG_0267.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I was in airspace and about to request a lower level for separation from cloud when the controller started my descent into Cairns.

Closer to Cairns

IMG_0260.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

About 120 miles from Cairns the terrain started to rise and the clouds started to appear. I was cruising at 7500ft and that was cloudbase!

Tablelands

IMG_0245.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

On the way to Cairns the ground stopped being flat. Gradually.

Patterns

IMG_0223.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Mangroves

IMG_0220.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Flood plains

IMG_0219.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Burketown to Normanton

IMG_0212.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I can't help wondering how many crocs are down there with the Barramundi when I look at the rivers in the Gulf.

Getting Fuel at Burketown

IMG_0208.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Terrorist Proof Fence

IMG_0207.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

This is one of my favourite exampled of bureaucratic stupidity. When I was in Burketown last to fly the morning glory on my hang glider they built this security fence to keep the filthy terrorists out of the airfield. The funny thing is that is only runs for 100M either side of the gate! Look closely at the photo and you can see it only takes 45 secs to walk around it! Why not just have a bigger sign for the honest terrorists that can read?

Gulf Country

IMG_0184.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Avgas

IMG_0169.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

This was quite a painless refuel. Just a phone call to the pump owners and 20mins later I was on my way. My right mag was running rough for a while and gave me a few worried minutes when i did my runnup.

Walls of Smoke

IMG_0162.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

In places there was a wall of smoke downwind of the fires. The scenery was unchanged for hours.

Scared Landscape

IMG_0155.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Leaving Tindal

IMG_0145.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

After an overnight stay in Catherine I headed off to Borroloola. There have been a lot of fires in the NT and QLD visibility has not been good. The wind has been all over the place too.

More photos

As usual I uploaded all the pics I took to Flicker . I mean Derby when I
say Denham. Tired, mistakes!

GA Apron at Tindal

IMG_0142.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

It was crowded there last night! I just slept like a baby and now its time to make some calls to check the fuel supplies along my route and decide whether to press on to Croydon today.

Tindal

IMG_0136.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

On the area frequency I listened as Darwin was closed due to a lighting failure and other aircraft were diverted to Tindal, my destination. I had rung to check that the lights were working and switched on before i left Kununarra and was reassured to listed to a Quantas Boeing 717 making his calls on the CTAF just before I got there. Sure enough all the lights were on. There was fire surrounding the airfield and fire engines everywhere. My first landing with such amazing lights and I got to use the ILS for the first time too! I did a 10 mile straight in approach.

Kununnara

IMG_0093.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Is like a little green oasis!

Kimberly

IMG_0090.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

There is some tiger country on the way into Kununarra!

Old Country

IMG_0065.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

The cloudbase kept lifting as I got further inland.

Coastal Cloud

IMG_0038.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

The cloud vanished inland or over water, Denham was clear.

Under the Clouds

IMG_0031.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

On the way to Denham at 4500ft

CAVOK

IMG_0022.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

The forecast called for clear skies. However there was a lot of coastal cloud along my route, sometimes with bottoms as low as 4500. There was also a lot of smoke and haze in places. I was going to go above the cloud, but as it stretched as far as the eye could see i decided to play it safe and stay under it.

Departing Broome

IMG_0015.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I decided to play it safe and stop in Derby for a top up before heading of to Wyndham, before leaving Broome I rang to check that Wyndham had fuel and was told that they were out and the nearest fuel was Kunanara.

Broome

IMG_0012.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I stayed at the Broome Motel and was up at 7.30am ready for another big journey. I should have expected I was on Broome/Kimberley time and waited an hour for the taxi and then nearly 2 hours for fuel before i finally got going.

Big Day Planned

I've got a huge leg planned for tomorrow. I should start out with light
Northerly winds and fly into stronger Southerlies if the forecast is
accurate. I have planned for over 6.5Hrs flying time and an hour for the
2 refueling stops at Derby and Wyndham, for a 7.5Hr day starting at 8am
in Broome. I need to get off early to ensure that I get to Tindal before
dark, if I do arrive after Sunset my night rating will keep me safe and
legal.

Flight Notification

Your flight notification as shown below has been accepted:
(FPL-MTW-VG
-P28A/L-S/C
-YBRM0100
-N0100A055 DCT
-YDBY0055
-REG/VHMTW)
(SPL-MTW-YBRM0100
-YDBY0055
-E/0530 P/1 R/E S/PM J/L A/WHITE RED BLUE C/ROLF SCHATZMANN
X/0428400024)
(FPL-MTW-VG
-P28A/L-S/C
-YDBY0230
-N0100A075 DCT
-YWYM0253
-REG/VHMTW)
(SPL-MTW-YDBY0230
-YWYM0253
-E/0530 P/1 R/E S/PM J/L A/WHITE RED BLUE C/ROLF SCHATZMANN
X/0428400024)
(FPL-MTW-VG
-P28A/L-S/C
-YWYM0600
-N0100A075 DCT
-YPTN0235
-REG/VHMTW)
(SPL-MTW-YWYM0600
-YPTN0235
-E/0530 P/1 R/E S/PM J/L A/WHITE RED BLUE C/ROLF SCHATZMANN
X/0428400024)

New Camera

I bought a really strange looking camera. Apparently designed by Captain
Nemo himself, it is like nothing else out there. However it has 12.1
mega Pixel Canon optics and the best image quality of anything out
there. The Pentax I had was a great camera, but this leaves it for dead.
I was looking at the Olympus mu 8000 as it also has a 12 mp sensor and
is equally water resistant and shock proof, but the image quality is
nowhere near the Canon. It will take me a while to get used to the bulk
of the Canon, but I guess I will.
I've also now got a working charger for my phone. I'm heading off early
in the morning and will probably be spending the next night in the
vicinity of the Tindal RAAF base.

Exmouth-Port Headland-Broome

I had a great flight. Hard work landing at port Headland with a rough
xwind, but that's what this is all about. I got to do a 10 mile final at
Broome. So many cool photos I would have loved to have taken, and so
tomorrow I am shopping for a new camera.

Spear Fish

Gav flew me to the other side of the Gulf in the Ramphos and we landed
on the water next to a small island. We spent a couple of hours
snorkelling and hunting and Gav provided dinner by spearing 2 Mangrove
Jacks. I did not have the heart to pull the trigger and so I let all the
fishes get away, it had a lot to do with my very limited knowledge of
fish. I had a couple of fish try and commit suicide by refusing to move
when I pointed the spear-gun at them from point blank range, but in the
back of my mind was the thought that I might be about to shoot something
rare or inedible and regret it. It's my last couple of days in Exmouth,
I am hoping my new phone charger arrives in time, and I think I will
have to wait until I get to Broome before I find a replacement camera.

Whale Shark Dive Video

Here is a short video I took with my underwater camera before it passed
away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyhToEiL5j8

Crazy Photo

This is a photo taken by a professional photographer named Valentina, of
me inverted taking a photo of a passing whaleshark with my now deceased
not-very-waterproof camera.

Navy Pier Dive & Ramphos

I did the scuba dive under the navy pier. It was windy and overcast, and
there was a fair swell and the visibility was not great. Even so I saw
hundreds of different types of fish of all shapes and colours. I had 2
50 minute dives, most spent on the bottom around 14M down. My camera
failed to live up to the waterproof part of its name.
My mobile stopped working when I got to Exmouth, my technology is in
open mutiny!
Gav took me for a fly in the Ramphos. What a beast!
I'll leave Exmouth on Tues, the forecast is for light southerly winds a
lot, much better than the howling easterlies we have at the moment.

Swimming with Whale Sharks

I had an awesome day today with the King Whale Shark crew. Saw several
different sharks and swam with most of them. I got many great photos,
Internet not so good here and so will upload later. I love Exmouth!

trikes

Gulf

IMGP0612, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Nearing the Cape

IMGP0608, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Salt lakes

IMGP0599, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Plenty of places to land, no roads in sight!

Cool Shot

IMGP0595, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

This little Island actually had a strip on one of the salt lakes. I'd like to have a closer look one day.

IMGP0588, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I think this was taken over Hamelins Pool looking west.

Looking forward

IMGP0577, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Perth to Exmouth

IMGP0543, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

Yesterday I flew up to Exmouth. I stopped in Geraldton and Carnarvon for fuel and the total flight time was just over 6 hours. I had easterlies at the start which became south easterlies as I went further north. I found that 6500ft was a good height , above the thermals and associated turbulence, but still with a good 100knot+ ground speed. I was collected from the airport by Gav and had a great time last night. (slightly hungover this morning)
I got some pretty shots on the way up.

Fun in the Dark

IMGP0475.JPG, originally uploaded by hangflyer.

I've been practising my night navigation and stress testing the aircraft before I head off, I've had some problems with the electrical system, but I am hoping they are fixed now. One more proving flight and I'm off around Australia. I've changed the route to include Ayers Rock, it's got to be worth a photo.

Kalgoorlie

I flew to Kalgoorlie this afternoon. I left at 1pm as I wanted to get
there during daylight the first time and it gave me a chance to refuel
and have a coffee before flying back in the dark. The plane performed
perfectly, although the ADF gets confused sometimes. It was exactly 3hrs
flying there and 3.5hrs flying back with a headwind. I'm glad I have
started using the GPS as it came in handy when I was out of VOR range
and the ADF was playing games. I got some great video and photos, but I
suspect that the SD card is playing up as I cannot read them at the
moment, hopefully I'll be able to recover something.

Fuelishly Optimistic

Ok, I am in the process of calling all the Aerodrome Operators along the
route to verify that the strips are serviceable and that they have fuel.
It seems that when the ERSA states that fuel is available it means that
at some point it was/maybe available. I get a lot of responses like, we
only have a 3000L tank here and it's half full at the moment, if there
is still some left when you get here... And we should have fuel again
this week, of course they said they were going to deliver 3 weeks ago...
All the airfields without automated pumps charge between $100-200
call-out fee after hours, got to avoid that one!

I have a BP card that I can use at some places, this is the map I am
planning around now that I realise fuel is going to determine my route
more than I originally thought.

Flight Around Oz

I'm planning to fly around Oz in the next couple of weeks to build hours and experience before I take my commercial flight test. I'm still working on the exact route, but it will look something like this. I have a good mixture of airspace and large populated areas and designated remote areas. I've got huge bitumen strips at international airports and tiny gravel strips at remote communities and mine sites and even a remote station planned so far, I have even got a military base or two in the plan at the moment.
Over the next few days I will be ringing each of the smaller airfields to verify that they are open and have fuel and to check on any local regulations that might apply. One the route is determined I can start working out the timing and see how many days this will take.
I am really tempted to go via Ayers Rock as I suspect it would be worth the visit, I am still deciding on that.

CSU & Retracts

Yay! I passed my flight test in the RG and now have the complex aircraft
endorsement. It means that with the exception of the minimum hours
requirement I have met all the pre-requisites for a commercial licence
flight test. In order to build hours and experience and because I am in
desperate need of another adventure i am heading off to circumnavigate
Australia, clockwise, next week.
I'll be planning the trip over the next few days and contacting friends
along the way.

Night Flight Video

Here is a short video from the flight last night..

Photos from last night.

More pretty lights!
During the Right Hand Orbit of the City.
That's Perth City down there, see the new Ferris Wheel?
All those pretty lights!
I said "Karl make sure the flash is turned off as I really need my night vision!" Luckily I was talking to Clearance Delivery and looking at my flight plan so it had little effect.
Checking everything prior to Taxi.
On the ground during the pre-flight.

Night Scenic Flight

Now that I am a qualified Night Rated pilot, Karl was keen to have me show him what the city looks like from above when it's dark. I took him over the City where I did a couple of orbits at 2500ft before we headed off to Rottnest via Observation City. Then back over the city and on to Jandakot. I extended my downwind for spacing on arrival at Jandakot and as a result had to use more power than usual and had a rather flat approach to 06, then I started braking before I had raised the flaps and got a couple of chirps out of the main tyres before I retracted the flaps and made the exit I wanted. I was relaxed and really enjoyed the flight. As usual Karl took a camera with him and some of his photos and video follows.

Night Rating Flight Test

I passed my night rating flight test tonight! Yay! I'm getting stuck
into my CSU and retracts endorsement at the moment and hope to have it
done next week. Then I have to decide if I want to get my taildragger or
head off on a long trip somewhere.

Wongan Hills

Karl and I flew to Wongan Hills today. I wanted to know why my night
circuits there had felt so strange, I know now, the strip is on a hill
above the town and that creates the illusion of being high on
base/final. I've got my night rating flight test tomorrow night, I could
not get an overfly of Perth today, but I am hoping I get one tomorrow
for the test. I'm also starting my CSU and retracts endorsement tomorrow
and I hope that once I have completed that next week I will be able to
get my tail dragger and float-plane endorsements out of the way soon too.

Collie

I flew down to collie to have lunch with a friend today. So many trees!
Definitely not as much fun as the last time I flew down there in my hang
glider!

Night Rating

I have completed the required Night training and my instructor thinks I
am ready for the flight test. It is booked for the 8th.