Gentleman
March 9th 2019, (what a sunny day) a big bounce (6am) is waking up almost everybody in the surroundings of Innisfail Airfield!
This means: The GAAR 2019 Management: Allan and his team declare the GAAR 2019 open!
The small airfield looks like an anthill! Party tents, Humming aircraft engines, hurried pilots and attentive spectators on all sides!
So then.. this is my conveyance! The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.
An American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel,
mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute. The first C-119 made its initial flight in November 1947, and by
the time production ceased in 1955, more than 1,100 C-119s had been built. Its cargo-hauling ability and unusual twin-boom design
earned it the nickname "Flying Boxcar“.
Not much digital in it!
Extra large windows decorates this roomy cockpit and I think it’s a place to feel very comfortable!
Departure-slot-time received, aircraft fueled, everything is ready and handy..
Enginestart! Both P&W R-4360-20W doing very well! GPS is programmed, NAV- and Radio Aids are set! Lets go for runway 14..
ATC is telling me: „behind OY-DIG right turn out, hold short runway 14 behing“… ATC-palaver..
.. dry sense of humor!
Finally on my way for runway 14 ..
.. Trim and Flaps set, pumps on - ready for departure!
Roaring engines, rotate..
.. in meter range!
After reducing the aerodynamic drag, I set climb power and turning to 333° inbound Cairns VOR – going up to 5000ft QNH only!
Thank you Innisfail!
Ella Bay on my right.. The ocean directly offshore lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is also the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Wooroonooran NP. The park is one of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area series of national parks, and is a gazetted World Heritage site
and contains some of the oldest surviving rainforests in the world.
Trinity Inlet, Cairns region!
I guess, ATC there is great delighted about my switching off the radio!
At least the VOR is still working.. left turn inbound YMBA
This region here I know personally! The Kennedy Highway, Kuranda, Palm Cove and seasick tourists on a catamaran visiting the coral reef!
I prefer flying!
Overflying YMBA. The airfield built in 1942 as a US Army Air Force base during World War II, the airfield had two runways, with a complement
of taxiways, hardstands and a containment area. After the war, much of theairfield reverted to agricultural use, while the southern
runway remains as an active airfield. Today, the airfield hosts a museum with several World War II vintage airplanes on display in a flyable condition.
Numerous crops are grown throughout Mareeba Shire, including avocados, mangoes, lychees, longans, sugar cane, cashews, macadamias,
bananas, pineapples, tea tree oil, coffee, and a variety of vegetables and tropical fruits. Poultry and cattle are also common.
Tobacco was once the main grown crop of the local economy, but is no longer grown within the Mareeba shire.
Poor smokers !
Direct now to my FAF for runway 11 YCKN
Just north of Mareeba, Lake Mitchell Reservoir with the unused Southedge Dam since it was opened in 1987 ..
A political bickering! Must be nice for fishing and camping ..
The Daintree rainforest national park, well known worldwide!
The most spectular rain forest is a significant habitat for rare species. Deep gorges, rivers and waterfalls! It is a great pleasure to overfly this area!
If you like hiking .. most welcome!
Approaching my fix for runway 11 YCKN southwest of the field.
It’s checklist-time!
on RH base.. jubilate! no ATC here!
Fully established on final runway 11 ..
.. and a smooth landing!
Welcome to the gateway to Cape York Peninsula!
Wow! This aircraft at the end of the taxiway looks familiar to me..
.. Australian Custom!!!
.. and this sign on my left.. my lifesaver!
Eh, what a welcome! Tents, a grill, some cool drinks and nonchalance! GAAR-BBQ-season!
Perfect handling service!
Pal Jazzthom and other participants arrive in dribs and drabs ..
.. and start enjoying GAAR 2019 life!
Cheers