Post by uhug on Mar 30, 2021 15:27:42 GMT
GAAR 2021 "Grande Final" Leg10 YSPE to YTWB
The last leg of the GAAR 2021 is fact.. unfortunately! Here is a busy atmosphere all around, like at a fair!
Some boxes still need to be loaded into my aircraft and that will take a while!
Finally everything is ready.. and while I'm starting my engines, Thom reports "ready for the push".
The case is clear.. Thom goes first! Have you packed everything? Toothbrush, Enfield etc.?
And there he flies away! Have a good trip pal and see you later!
Wind from the southeast, runway 08 in use!
With my handkerchief I wave goodbye!
Another quick check..
.. and quite punctual..
..full throttle!!
Do well, have a good time.. and who knows?
Turning left to a heading of 053° to my first fix north of the city of Gold Coast on the Queensland Southeast coast!
The first part of the trip passes some nature parks..
.. and of course impressive cloud formations in the late afternoon light!
On 6000 feet annoying headwind with 18 knots!
A highlight on the route is to see the aera near Mount Nothofagus National Park. Many peaks rising up to more than 1000 meters in hight..
.. and are wooded with ancient rainforests. It is a World Heritage Site. In November 2019, after a severe drought, about three quarters of the park were burnt in a bushfire!
Reaching the Hinze Dam or Advancetown lake. The main purpose of the dam is for potable water supply of the Gold Coast region..
.. and here we are! The City of Gold Coast. It is Australia's sixth largest city and the most attractive region in the country for tourists. (Well.. a matter of taste)
The image of the city itself is characterized by skyscrapers and countless artificial canals and islands.
Final runway14 with wind from the southeast.. that fits!
On top of things!
Stopwatch is checked, about the time I calculated.
The start for the construction of the airport was made in 1936, when an emergency runway was built. First scheduled flights took place in 1939 and have been continuously expanded ever since.
A sharp bend to the right..
.. passing the skyscrapers again..
.. and then directly to the approach sector for runway10 Archerfield airfield. Archerfield Town can be seen below, and in the distance, Brisbane and surroundings.
Brisbane River, my checkpoint for turning in.
On the PAPI runway10. The small hill with a tree park just in front of my nose is called Mt. Ommaney with a height of 269 feet. I have to keep an eye on it!
Touch..
.. and Go!
Hey guys..! Thank you for the moral support! Enjoy the spectacle!!
The genesis of Archerfield Airport, the stories before and after the Second World War, the airlines at that time.. all this is already very worth reading. And today? Not even an airmap on Airservices Australia can be found for YBAF.
I say goodbye to Archerfield via righthand downwind on a new heading..
.. towards sunset!
There is unfortunately not much to tell about the landscape below me.. and in addition, it slowly gets dark out there!
Unfortunately no sunset, but impressive clouds around!
In the last daylight, the airfield of Toowoomba to my left.
Something like an airport light in front! Time to switch ON the lights in the cockpit!
One last course correction..
.. and finally on a short final for a long landing runway11
I almost have to praise myself. Only a little minute too early!
Always trust the signposts!
Voila, in the parking position.. and my last switch is: Lights OFF!
Toowoomba City Aerodrome, a very historic place. Many famous pioneer fliers took off and landed here and Toowoomba was once a Qantas destination. Regional services was transferred to Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport in January 2015, which left Toowoomba City Aerodrome without any regular passenger services.
So it has become quieter here..
.. but not today!
A big farewell party with many thank you speeches to all of you and of course many cheers..
.. including a magnificent fireworks display ends the GAAR 2021
Stay safe and sound!
Cheers Urs
Cheers Urs