Trip Planning
Thread Starter
Trip Planning
I'm planning to fly S/E VFR from Leigh Creek to Innaminka, Thargomindah, Bourke & back to Broken Hill in mid April. I've had a look at the WAC's and the best way seems to be Leigh Creek-Lake Blanche-Moomba-Innaminka which is pretty much over the Strzelecki Dessert. The rest of the route I'm familiar with but not having flown over dessert before, I'm looking for any tips or advice from anyone that's done this or a similar flight before.
Many thanks
AS
Many thanks
AS
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sydney
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1/ Get yourself a GPS
2/Learn how to use it
3/ Draw your lines on the map,look for PROMINENT landmarks... ie the Strzlecki track, some of those dried up lakes etc. PLan to use NDB's, VOR's and DME's. LEC and OOM both have DME's and NDB's. LEC also has a VOR.
Fly high... do not "hug the earth". OOM is a very prominent landmark, and can be seen from 40-50 miles away. DO NOT PLAN to land there.
Leave very early in the morning... ie First light. It DOES get very hot out there. Take lots of water with you. Use the bathroom wherever one is available. Take fuel wherever you can get it.drink the local beer.... if you turn up at INNAMINKA and ask for a "flaming lambourghini in a pink glass with a purple straw and a little umbrella" .... well,. I don't want to THINK about what will happen.
Organise a LOCAL SARWATCH. most of the places you want to stay at will pick you up from the airport... and a LOT of these have UHF radios in their Toyotas... so maybe buy a handheld UHF radio and take that with you, and call them from 20 miles out.(thjey cost about $80, are AA battery operated, and work from the air at about 40NM)
CDMA mobile phones also work at a few of these places, and once again,. can be used from some way out!!!
have maps that surround the maps you will need... do not just take the bare minnimum... and remember the 7 "P's" ...
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance !!!!
Enjoy, hope it has been of some help
2/Learn how to use it
3/ Draw your lines on the map,look for PROMINENT landmarks... ie the Strzlecki track, some of those dried up lakes etc. PLan to use NDB's, VOR's and DME's. LEC and OOM both have DME's and NDB's. LEC also has a VOR.
Fly high... do not "hug the earth". OOM is a very prominent landmark, and can be seen from 40-50 miles away. DO NOT PLAN to land there.
Leave very early in the morning... ie First light. It DOES get very hot out there. Take lots of water with you. Use the bathroom wherever one is available. Take fuel wherever you can get it.drink the local beer.... if you turn up at INNAMINKA and ask for a "flaming lambourghini in a pink glass with a purple straw and a little umbrella" .... well,. I don't want to THINK about what will happen.
Organise a LOCAL SARWATCH. most of the places you want to stay at will pick you up from the airport... and a LOT of these have UHF radios in their Toyotas... so maybe buy a handheld UHF radio and take that with you, and call them from 20 miles out.(thjey cost about $80, are AA battery operated, and work from the air at about 40NM)
CDMA mobile phones also work at a few of these places, and once again,. can be used from some way out!!!
have maps that surround the maps you will need... do not just take the bare minnimum... and remember the 7 "P's" ...
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance !!!!
Enjoy, hope it has been of some help
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Having flown over that area for nine years in GA, I whole heartly concur with apache.......don't mention my name to the atco hut hotel operater at Innaminka - you'll prabably have to explain the reason for the....never mind.
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a couple more things... There are THREE airstrips at Innaminka, so make sure you land at the right one!
If you have a couple of hours spare, give DICK LANG a quick call, he has a tonne of experience around those parts. Prior to leaving for YLEC, ring Rosie (number in the Ersa). She is the refueller, and prior notice is required/appreciated.
Air North / Airlines of South Australia have a mailrun that goes to YINN and YLEC on the Saturday, ex YPAG (at about 0630) in a PA31.... always helpful to have someone out there to help you... just in case.
Take some fly spray/repellent.
If you have a couple of hours spare, give DICK LANG a quick call, he has a tonne of experience around those parts. Prior to leaving for YLEC, ring Rosie (number in the Ersa). She is the refueller, and prior notice is required/appreciated.
Air North / Airlines of South Australia have a mailrun that goes to YINN and YLEC on the Saturday, ex YPAG (at about 0630) in a PA31.... always helpful to have someone out there to help you... just in case.
Take some fly spray/repellent.
