Post by uhug on Mar 10, 2021 11:56:23 GMT
GAAR 2021 Leg4 Strahan to Launceston
A new GAAR day! Sleep in and a Tasmanian brunch:
- Chickpea, red pepper, egg & feta hash..
- Mushroom, bacon & tomato, French toast and Healthy egg & chips!
That work wonders!
Here you see two fellow pilots after the briefing! (Liabilities are covered by the GAAR management.. thank you!)
Strahan ist he main aerodrome of the West Coast in Tasmania. Helicopter and fixed wing flights operate from here for charter flights and a thrice weekly service between Hobart and Strahan.
And of course a whole armada of vintage aircraft visit this aerodrome and region every few years. Called GAAR!
Everyone is kind of busy - Thom's motorcycle is ready to be loaded..
.. and I still have a few (spanish-white-wine) - boxes to load! A present from Thom to the whole group! Thank you!
Nearly ready!
Clouds, wind and weather: Heavily cloudy with moderate southeasterly winds. And.. we're flying into the twilight.. so let's be surprised!
Last checks: Fuel, maps, general aircraft condition, miscellaneous equipment.. All set, let's go!
Thank you for your help.. see you next time!
On the way to runway 18. By the way: Strahan offers: Cool and very rainy winter days (June to September), but mild summer days and Strahan is an popular tourist destination!
Lack of animal proof fencing has created a need for the landing strip to be checked and cleared!
Nothing hops and jumps there..
.. full throttle!
Quite on time (4pm) in the air!
To gain altitude, I fly a wide arc over Macquarie Harbor. The island of Sahrah is down here somewhere. Notorious for its penal camp in the 19th century. Only a few attempts to break out succeed!
Through wisps of cloud I climb to my cruising altitude of 6000 feet.
Finally on course directly to my approach point Hobart Airport.
Late afternoon light.. The southeast end of Macquarie Harbor.
Unfortunately there isn't much to see..
Overhead the Franklin-Gordon National Park.. characterized by impressive mountain peaks, beautiful rainforests, deep river valleys and spectacular gorges. One could see.. if..
All the more time to study my ILS approach for Hobart runway 12
Approaching my fix. A nice aerial view of Hobart and the surrounding area!
The ILS frequency and approach course are set.. the needles come to life!
Fully established on runway 12..
Localizer and Glideslope are centered..
That looks..
.. very good!
Touch..
.. and go.. done!
Unfortunately, I only now see that a Austrian and Swiss fanclub, with a banner to boost morale, has organized a small party! Very much appreciated!
In a right turn back to course and hight.. I think it will be darkening quickly!
84 miles to Launceston! The deep cloud base worries me a little. I still have the option of an ILS approach runway 32L with a tail wind of 14 knots..
.. or an VFR approach to runway 14R. Now I need some good advice!
The clouds clear a little. Good view of the ground. I'm flying the VFR approach!
The Clouds turns to dramatic.. down to 3300 feet and free of obstacles according to my chart!
.. further descent to 2200 feet and turning into left base runway 14R
It could have been different..
..but I got the right timeframe of opportunity!
I will never understand these VASIS approach lights..
Anyway – on ground and two minutes late! (Any airline could be proud to be so timely!)
I get a parking space assigned.. but at the far end of the ramp!
Ah.. finally..! They sent Tom to the other end of the world too!
Parking off the beaten track! The man from the control tower: " Apron Service is on the way "..
At the end of the day.. of course our BBQ! Besides hunger and thirst, there is always a lot to talk about!
Some impressions..!
Cheers from Launceston!