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Post by uhug on Mar 5, 2015 10:58:35 GMT
GAAR 2015 Flight 10 Gove to Elcho Island Very good! Thom’s C-117 looks ready to go on! Meanwhile just finished my preparatory work for flight number 10 Three legs to fly today, 163 NM! Not much, but the landings will be tricky! Hope the weather conditions becomes better! Still hazy here at Gove. I have loaded some Fuel-drums as there is no Gasonline available for the next couple of legs! Also I have some cargo on board. TOW: 12.4 tons Well then, #2 is alive! The taxiways are not fully developed.. .. and it needs a careful steering.. .. via the main ramp.. .. to the holding position runway 31. I have to wait until another aircraft vacating the runway! My turn now! A rare pleasure to have such a long runway for departure! Bye bye Gove! Going up to 3500ft AMSL.. .. and steering my aircraft into unknown vast land.. .. and poor visibility! I can not find out the name of the river below.. .. but this bay is called: Arnhem Bay. “One of the world’s last true wilderness areas, untouched by hand of modern day life. Owned by an Aboriginal clan called Yolngu, this area is big as England. With the vast tidal rivers, mangrove lined estuaries and rich coastal waters, the surroundings are stunning and the Barra’s are big!”. Soon later I’m about to cross the Buckinham Bay. “The bay is especially significant for a kind of migratory birds, that breed in northern Asia and Alaska during the northern summer and spend the non-breeding season in Australia.” Luxury holidays, I must say! 10 NM east of the field – starting my descent! All set for landing – all alone I am! Time check after landing: 30” to early! Again, a dusty parking procedure! My dear friends – I have to watch to my health! And anyway I have to leave in a hour or so! But a juicy steak? Why not!
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 5, 2015 17:21:17 GMT
leg 10 YPGV-YELD yeah this was tough.... but the engine runs smoothly and so I can follow Urs when this lady has packed all her stuff and says good bye to her GAAR#s friend.... ok....start up..... incredible these Oz people,,.... yesterday a stranded bird,...today a phoeneix again.... a little nervous, but,...all systems go....ready for take off and.................. here we go full power,.....yep.... turning to another adventure and busy eyes across the instruments..... like a detective on his way to investigate the smallest failure.... vaste land below foggy? smoggy? dizzy? for God's sake a modern GPS..... and normal consumption feeling high descent.... but where the hell is the runway? no time to look around....its GAAR timing.....the GPS leads to final steepy turning in to speedy?!?! Ive to get the target time... yeah strong downwards.... nailing at the runway..... full flaps....hopefully the brakes work..... needing the last inches....whoof....but no problem....perfect timing oh what a "surprise" the next BBQ....lol....I'll have a problem with uric acid.....though a nicely red steak....nobody will deny.... and:::: URS is already waving me.....so dont hesitate....cheers
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Post by uhug on Mar 6, 2015 9:36:43 GMT
Yep, salut and welcome - good job! How would you like your steak cooked? rare, medium or well done?
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 6, 2015 11:13:47 GMT
steak medium, please,..... and a cold beer.....I will miss these BBQ parties ...lol
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Post by Rob on Mar 7, 2015 0:48:40 GMT
Hey Guys, I have been in touch by radio with the people on the island at your next over night stop. Have arranged for you a seafood platter instead of a BBQ. All the food will be locally caught , like Barramundi wrapped in leaves and cooked on hot coals, local lobster and prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, oysters and muscles with a siding of fresh fruit, pineapple, mango's, strawberries, cherries and banana's. I will be flying in the ice cold beer, wine, champagne and water for the hang over during the day in my Caribou but unfortunately can not stay as I have to return to Darwin for another charter. Hope you enjoy our Ozzie hospitality.
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Post by davidrevans on Mar 7, 2015 5:28:34 GMT
Quick thank you to all that have taken the time and talent to send the great screen shots , they are being enjoyed
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Post by uhug on Mar 7, 2015 9:28:46 GMT
Thank you Rob and David! Wow! a Seafood-Festival-GAAR 2015-Party? That must be after Flight#12 - We are looking curiously forward to this event!
Here some news about GAAR 2015 Flight 11 Elcho Island to Milingimbi 11:15am local at Elcho Island Airfield. I have to redigest that big steak. Thom has eaten two!!! Some more cargo left the hold. I think, the weather is clearing a bit! So a last I can enjoy a nice view of Arnhem land! Just finishing the start-up procedure and checking the instruments. All set.. .. and ready for taxi. Sorry for the dust folks! Westerly winds here – on my way for runway 28 No other traffic around – transmitting blind that I’m taking off. Here I go! Going up to 2500ft AMSL only! No wasting fuel! Still hazy overhead the Castlereagh Bay. Soon later on left hand downwind leg for runway 11 And finale grande.. .. with some nasty cross wind! And touchdown – My time? I’m not going to tell you – a disaster! Milingimbi Island also Yurruwi is the largest island of the Crocodile Islands group off the coast of Arnhem Land. “The island was bombed by the Japanese during World War II and most of its population moved to nearby Elcho Island. After the war, the Island was used as Royal Australian Air Force base.” I stay here for an hour or so, checking the airplane – having some tea please!
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Post by uhug on Mar 9, 2015 19:03:07 GMT
GAAR 2015 Flight 12 Milingimbi to Maningrida Flight 12 – my last leg today for Maningrida! Still having enough Gasoline in the tanks and I have capacity available for some cargo! TOW: 11.8 tons Remember – big GAAR 2015 Seafood Festival tonight – sponsored by Rob! Back to work.. .. and taxiing for the active runway 11 Checklist – It has to be! Its easy to fall into dark oblivion!! Around 1:05pm local time – airborne! Right-turn-out and intercepting my course 275° 2500ft AMSL only to have a food view! Amazing scenery! For a good while, I follow the vast nothern coast of Arnhem Land. Left hand downwind leg for runway 14, towards the base entry point. Overhead “Entrance Island” turning into left base! Entrance Island is just around 120 hectares in size and a uninhabited Island. Worth seeing for birdwatcher! Hazy approach! On the right you see the little village area of Maningrida. On the night of 24 April 2006 Cyclone Monica, the most severe cyclone ever to strike Australia, passed just to the west of the community. Fortunately the community was spared the full brute force of the category 5 cyclone and infrastructure damage was only light to moderate.” Some corrections.. .. and a pinpoint landing! That was a stressful day.. short legs and mile-long checklist items.. Oh! What my do my tiredly eyes see? An Australian DHC-4 Caribou parked on the ramp? That must be Rob with all the catering items for tonight’s big GAAR 15 Seafood-Festival! Unloading my cargo. No fuel needed! Whow! great show! Our dinner is marching-in! – direct to the grill! We are ready and hungry! Thank you Rob!
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 9, 2015 22:22:23 GMT
leg 11 YELD - YMGB I ate to much.....(deep sigh) but these steaks are fantastic and who knows if I might come back another day? thank God, Rob organized a seafood festival,....I cannot see these BBQ grills for a while...lol.... MTOW plus two ribeyes.....here we go,,,, just a foggy landscape and a dizzy feeling in my stomack need a digestive..... Urs,....some "Magenbitter" or "Schnaps" or "Grappa" glad to have a chance to come down on earth.... needing to have a rest.... just a short brake to calm down....well,...this is GAAR and we are proud to be part of it! Cheers!
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 10, 2015 22:40:46 GMT
leg 12 YMGB-YMGD it seems that I fell asleep..... its already sunset approaching....wow.... I have to fly my last leg for today.....hey Urs there is another Swiss GAAR member!!! starting up in a hurry.... I have to leave in VFR conditions..... these guys from the committee are watching carefully! speedy checking through, .... taxi to the active RW the distance is not the problem,...my sleeping to long is it.... sun in the back, cleared for take off making a steep turn and then.... a low pass across the airfield.... towards the sun..... engines smooth running towards the red ball turning to the last target on my way for tonight following the coastline..... hope to make it before sunset.... the first stars in the sky approach... busy airport ....the radio is hot.... traffic in sight starting aircraft towards me.... turning into landing pattern on downwind,...traffic climbing on my left wing side.... hot pic.... magic scenery..... turning base.....two other aircrafts turning on final..... so far position 2 for landing....but.... we have to overtake to catch the target time.... they agree for my GAAR participation and hold their aircrafts back.... overtaking....on final....!!!! speedy aproach and descent.... crosswind component and sweaty hands..... like a rodeo ride.... yess yess yess ....we did it!!!! fantastic timing!!!! thank you folks!!!!thats an extra bottle of champain for each of you!!! unbelievable! taxiing back towards THE SEAFOOD PLATTER there's Urs.... there must be the party!!! parking position all the boxes full with lobster and fresh fish....hmmmmm lucky me....just befor sunset!!!!! great feeling!!! Robs seafood party is the hit....there comes the crowd!!!!! GAAR at its best the next one just touched down..... might there be enough.....for all these guys thanks again for this wonderful invitation!!!! and a perfect night stop!!!
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Post by uhug on Mar 11, 2015 8:14:23 GMT
Thom's flight #12 "Ah! quel diner je viens de fair" I think the airfield Maningrida had have never seen such many airplanes at once!!!!
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Post by Rob on Mar 11, 2015 11:30:00 GMT
Just enjoy your seafood platter guys, there is enough for all.
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Post by jazzthom on Mar 11, 2015 19:39:23 GMT
leg 13 YMGD - YGBI THANK YOU SO MUCH ROB the seafood "garlic" festival was great I'm just speechless about these quality and hospitality we find here in Australia! you have to come to Austria one day and get "revenge"... there were so many of all these crabs prawns lobster and oysters that I have got a few boxes to take with for the next stopovers..... early morning and everybody gets ready to go on within this race.... Urs must have left before sunrise eh??? okay we don't let you alone out there.... just wait till we come.... take off with this precious load! thanks again Rob! turning west last view back to this wonderful party still foggy..... but out of a sudden we leave the early morning mist behind and move through clear sky time gets short within these marvellous feelings.... the next target in sight.... right downwind for RW 10, just on time turning to final this leg will be on perfect timing, my clock tells me..... flaring down touch down yeeeeeeeeeesssssssss only 0,02 difference from 20,86 sorry for my engines exhaust...... c u for a drink after parking perfect organization from the GAAR people..... lets take a short brake.... Urs?
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Post by uhug on Mar 12, 2015 7:43:45 GMT
GAAR 2015 Flight 13 Maningrida to Goulburn Island That was a very festive layover here at Maningrida. "And when the barby's over and your homeward way you wend With a funny tummy on the family dummy, many lonely hours you'll spend You might find yourself reflecting, like many often do Come rain or shine that's the bloody last time that you'll have a barbecue!"Thom is still in “Lullaby of Birdland!” Flightplans are made for my three flights today – so lets go and hoping for reasonable times "HB-IMS - number two - behind the small plane from the left" - yep - give way to him!! Oh - i nearly missed to hold short!! penalty points? The small plane is out of sight, so its my turn now! Take off power! Bye bye Maningrida! Westerly heading! If feel very comfy in my cockpit! Travelling on 3500ft AMSL. The mist is clearing away and for the first time I have a spectacular and bright outlook into Arnhem Land! A last bay has to be crossed until I reach my goal! Hey look, there is a cargo vessel just below! As I have some upwind for landing, I join a right-hand-downwind for runway 10 Due to time-shortage, a slight kamikaze approach is necessary! Some corrections.. .. and reducing to 95 KIAS A bit a racy touchdown and a ‘µ’ too late! Backtracking to the ramp.. a dusty affair!! How comes? Thom is already here?? smooth operator!! The Goulburn Islands are a group of small islands and islets in the Arafura Sea off the coast of Arnhem Land. The largest islands are the North and South Goulburn Islands. Well then!
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Post by deltahotel on Mar 14, 2015 11:29:51 GMT
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