|
Post by jazzthom on Feb 28, 2015 21:51:29 GMT
Oh yess Dave, I already ordered it and cannot wait..... Thanks a lot for your recommendation! here just a short opening of my leg 7 some inspirations of the atmosphere and the towback and engine startup............soon the flight will follow :-)
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Feb 28, 2015 22:48:36 GMT
Agree "Fate is the Hunter " is must have book , but the movie is good for a giggle and worth about one dollar. Glad that you got The High and the Mighty, Thom,
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 1, 2015 9:01:47 GMT
GAAR 2015 Flight 8 Warraber Island to Horn Island Ahh – after a refreshing bath I feel fit to proceed for Flight number 8 – back to Horn Island. The long and the short of it – all set for taxi.. .. to runway 12 Picturesque place – isn’t it? Yep – another take off power setting. I will let check the engines in Horn Island! I do not rail against one’s fate! “May all your troubles be little ones”……….! Taking a deep breath! That was the last short airfield departure in the Torres Strait – but more will follow, I’m sure! Travelling on 3500ft AMSL and studying the names of the Islands around me, (the big one on the top must be Suraji Island), I observe three dots on my traffic-radar – 3500ft below me.. .. and the answer to the problem. An Aircraft-carrier with escort – Aussie navy? Woohoo, I am glad – left downwind for runway 08.. .. and base! Wind: into the nose with 13kts. Final runway 08 – peanuts! Landing: more peanuts! After nine days, back “home”! The local Aero-club promised, that they will make a real “blowout BBQ” after dark! I look forward to it! That isn’t half bad. All GAAR-Pilots are invited. Fresh grilled crayfish, steaks, salad and cold drinks! Thom, Chardonnay is ready!
|
|
|
Post by jazzthom on Mar 1, 2015 11:09:47 GMT
so leg 7 after a nice BBQ party it's time to leave..... that's GAAR all systems : GO short runway....full throttle....nothing new.... speeding up take off bye bye blues this time a wonderful lady asked for a lift to Warraber.....who could deny ?!?!?!? to bad, just a short trip,...but some "Robinson islands"..... seems to be a nice one.... that view brings up some ideas....lets go and swim for a while.... okay....blocked on.....lets wait for Urs and then up up and a way and jump into the sea....
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 1, 2015 11:42:26 GMT
Gotcha! when the cat's away, the mice will play. Bring this Lady over to Horn Island.. Three bottles of Chardonnay are orderd
|
|
|
Post by jazzthom on Mar 1, 2015 18:42:06 GMT
leg 8 short runway....needing every inch of it...... this was a great place....leaving some friends behind,.... towards some new adventures and: who sits in the cockpit? yep,...my Lady! hey Urs,...someday we will land on a carrier... turning on final rw 14 to gain some time.... Urs' view taxi to parking place...hey Urs,...hungry? so near to the BBQ?!?!....lol where are you? two of a mind..... may I introduce???
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 2, 2015 8:34:39 GMT
"Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me."... A Waltzing Matilda is no cure for a headache!
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Mar 2, 2015 9:35:47 GMT
Headache cure is one very large glass of ice cold tomato juice, add to that one raw egg and two teaspoons of Vegemite, stir thoroughly until mixed. Next add 370 mls of flat beer but do not stir. Drink in one gulp......... Headache gone......
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 3, 2015 7:11:01 GMT
GAAR 2015 Flight 9 Horn Island to Gove At least one day of my layover here on Horn Island, I needed to recover from that fabulous GAAR-party! Gosh! Well, time to go on! It will be quite a long-distance (340 NM) to the Gove Peninsula in the notheastern corner of Arnhem Land. The Peninsula became strategically important during WW2 when a RAF-base was constructed at what is now Gove Airport. On behalf of the councils in the region, the C-117 going to be loaded with 1.1 tons of cargo! The flight-briefing says no big problems to be expected during the flight – except the weather: Its hazy and windy over the Gove Peninsula! OK- lets start! Wow! An Australian-Custom-Aircraft!! I do not smuggling across the border….! On my way to runway 08 with wind from the east. Fuel on board: 1490lt. of gasoline, 1.1 tons of payload = TOW: 13.1 tons Checklist completed, lining up 08 – setting the T/O-power.. .. and soon later in the air! Turning right heading 245° - a straight line to Gove! In climb overhead the village of ‘Waiben’ on Thursday Island. Good bye Torres Strait!.. .. welcome Gulf of Carpentaria! It’s a large, shallow sea! At its mouth, the Gulf is 590 km wide, and further south, 675 km. It covers a water area of about 300’000 km2. The general depth is between 55 and 66 metres. It is believed to be the location o a major asteroid impact event in 536 A.D. I better don't think of the sharks living down there!! ‘My home is my castle’! After 1:44 flight time, I’m reaching the coast of the the Gove Peninsula and as forecasted – hazy conditions and some turbulences. While turning into a long final for runway 31, I got the information: “Look out for some hot-air balloons overhead the field”. I beg your pardon? “Yep, big GAAR 2015 party in progress”! Not again!! My navigation stuff in the cockpit says, the airport and runway should be straight ahead, I don’t see anything! Nevertheless, I continue my approach! Finally, established on a short final runway 31 – some decommissioned gravel runway in front, hot-air balloons in sight and more or less on the PAPI.. .. and back on the earth after 1h46’ flight time! After vacating runway 31 via taxiway ‘E’, I should follow a white ‘dashed” line for GAAR parking! Yep, and here is the sign, it says: ‘GAAR 2015, parking spot for Capt. Urs’. Wow, what a service here! In a cloud of dust, parking the the C-117 accurately.. .. and soon later, the cargo is off loaded! ‘Australian survival tip No.1’ and I have a three day-layover here at Gove! – means: Let’s go into the amusement! Shall I undertake a balloon-ride? Where is Thom? He left Horn Island earlyer then me! Maybe he is trying to land on a Carrier!!
|
|
|
Post by deltahotel on Mar 3, 2015 10:31:17 GMT
I will need every inch of this runway ... ... and I certainly did with only 6 pax and their baggage plus half ton of freight. Max boost, max rpm, half flap and an almighty pull on the yoke. There could be a bit of greenery wrapped around the tailwheel too! but now its all calm and serene ... ... and this pig looks very happy over beautiful seascape.
|
|
|
Post by Rob on Mar 3, 2015 11:15:19 GMT
Urs, I think Thom may have done a slight diversion to a non - GAAR airstrip on one of the islands if he still has that beautiful lady on board. Did you notice if Thom loaded extra champagne and lobsters on board at the last port when you saw him. Hmmmmm a bit suspect, but am sure they will show up in a day or two.
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 3, 2015 14:03:04 GMT
To Rob, a SAR-Aircraft is in the air, as Thom did not closed he's flightplan.. But I noticed, that there was a catering service near he's aircraft...! Very strange!
Yep, the Torres Strait was great to collect shortfield experience!!!
|
|
|
Post by jazzthom on Mar 3, 2015 17:49:42 GMT
leg 9 YHID-YPGV early bird gets the worm,...had to get up early to take tall the luggage of some other GAAR members on the long distance flight and as Urs slept well ( did I hear some snoring ) I just decided to get ready and leave early....see you my friend! ready for departure! tail is rising, speed is V1 rotate scenic morning....sun in the back.... moon ahead..... just wonderful place, this Oz land cruising high and smooth half way.... just a third left over damn....engine one with problems why this high fuel consumption? and smoke from low oil pressure....damn....I'll have to do it, so near to the target.....so lets look for emergency procedure... flew some time with single engine....( remember having this before in GAAR 2013....) then starting up again and..... target's in sight long final with some oil smoking tail behind and cross wind comp.... sweaty hand and trembling fingers landing, but touched the centre line and time is unbelievable..... taxi to the maintenance place via radio call parking position meanwhile and looking for help out of a sudden everybody interested in this old bird.... baggage securely dropped off and real help within minutes!!!! hey there thanks you guys!!!! this will not last long, I think meanwhile, lets go for a beer and await Urs!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by uhug on Mar 3, 2015 19:00:27 GMT
He he, early bird get's the worm - but a late beer!! Happy your back on earth save!! Come over to the tent...
|
|
|
Post by jazzthom on Mar 4, 2015 18:09:44 GMT
ok Urs better a late beer than a lost beer....lol... I was told that the engine is okay, only a minor problem with one of the Stromberg carburettors what will be fixed within a few hours.... so lets stay relaxed just finishing up....
|
|