GAAR 2021 Leg8 Coolah to Port Macquarie
As I was writing the text for leg 8, I realized that the actual weather situation at my destination is quite dramatic. Heavy rains and floods. It would be easy to load the current weather data, but I'll leave it as it is.
That's why we have the best weather for flying.. few clouds, light easterly wind with seasonable temperatures. From our side, everything is clear and ready to go!
I let my engines warming up..
.. while Thom is taking the lead today!
Cheers pal!
Another quick look at my instruments..
.. and here we go!
The most beautiful workplace in the world!
In the air just after ten in the morning!
After the lively Canberra airport, I felt like I was in an oasis here. Cozy and relaxed!
046° is my course for the next half an hour and as usual.. 6000 feet will be my cruising altitude!
After a few morning wafts of mist..
.. I enjoy a great view over the Coolah Tops National Park..
.. and the Liverpool plains! While the national park offers the most beautiful fauna and flora the plains were mainly used for agriculture.
Lake Goran on my left. Usually it is a dry and swampy area. It fills up about every 10 years. (we are lucky). When it has water, it is a paradise for fish and waterbirdsl of all kinds!
On the descent to 3000 feet overhead my "IF" inbound..
.. straight to runway 14 ~1770m gravel
The small airport is home of the Quirindi Aero Club and is located a few kilometers west of Quirindi town. Sometimes the runways are used by trainee military pilots for circuits.
But also ideally suited for touch and goes!
Too bad.. there would have been a marquee down there!
Back on the route! Here I am flying over the town of Quirindi. The main industry is agriculture and livestock.
I'm pretty surprised how fast the terrain rises..
.. and how quickly you can't see anything!
But then on the further way, one national park..
.. follows the other!
Finally the ocean comes into view!
The typical way down!
Port Macquarie on the coast! A well-known airfield in GAAR history! The BBQ's are legendary!
Runway 16 is my goal, so a slight right turn into the final approach!
Very well established..
.. and aligned with the PAPI
It seems to be low tide.. looks real muddy!
To play out time - a long landing! But it was of little use.. still too early!
No, it wasn't me!
It's like coming home!
Lively into the parking lot..
.. and that's what I call a GAAR parade! All together again!
End of work for today..
.. I'm not so sure about that...
Cheers from Port Macquarie