World's longest mail run
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I would imagine that during summer, a 402B will be more limited than a Chieftain, especially with temps going 40+.
Ex Vietnam (several confirmed kills) and used to fly for the Queensland Police Service
DF.
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Is the CP intending to do the run every week?
Certainly have to agree with Desert Flower re the stroppy station owners, from what I have heard, they tend to have short wicks.
I guess all we can do now is sit back and watch the performance of WW and see what they achieve.
For info Teletubby, you don't have to be an ace to operate aircraft in and out of bush strips as long as the strip meets the requirements, the aircraft is correctly loaded and the pilot is suitability experienced on the type.
Certainly have to agree with Desert Flower re the stroppy station owners, from what I have heard, they tend to have short wicks.
I guess all we can do now is sit back and watch the performance of WW and see what they achieve.
For info Teletubby, you don't have to be an ace to operate aircraft in and out of bush strips as long as the strip meets the requirements, the aircraft is correctly loaded and the pilot is suitability experienced on the type.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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With ASA the mail run was an RPT run and CASA had required a two pilot op as due to the number of stops it was not possible to shut the Chieftain's engines down at every place of landing. For instance; on the northbound leg (Saturday) the only shut downs were at Leigh Creek for fuel and that days mail, Innamincka, (Moomba if req. as a fuel stop only, which was rare) Ballera; fuel only, Birdsville; for fuel, lunch and to pick up mail, and finally Boulia for the overnight.
Southbound (Sunday) was once again Birdsville for fuel and mail returns, Mungerannie for lunch and Leigh Creek for fuel and to drop off Saturdays returns.
On numerous occasions the Chieftain left Leigh Creek at the MTOW of 3342kg with only the two pilots and two pax. I once remember only one pax and still being at max. And leaving Birdsville with the MTOW back to 3175kg due to high air temps we were regularly at MTOW.
There are indeed interesting times ahead!
Oh and BTW, Teletubby; As Boulia and Bedourie have been dropped from the run I suspect that it no longer qualifies for the title of the World's longest/biggest Mail run.
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
Southbound (Sunday) was once again Birdsville for fuel and mail returns, Mungerannie for lunch and Leigh Creek for fuel and to drop off Saturdays returns.
On numerous occasions the Chieftain left Leigh Creek at the MTOW of 3342kg with only the two pilots and two pax. I once remember only one pax and still being at max. And leaving Birdsville with the MTOW back to 3175kg due to high air temps we were regularly at MTOW.
There are indeed interesting times ahead!
Oh and BTW, Teletubby; As Boulia and Bedourie have been dropped from the run I suspect that it no longer qualifies for the title of the World's longest/biggest Mail run.
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
Last edited by Pinky the pilot; 29th Jan 2005 at 08:18.
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No. I don't think the CP will do the run each week. He has far more important matters to attend to then flying.
The A/C indeed has two engines however on the shorter sectors it is unlikely that both will be used thereby causing a saving in fuel, maintenence costs etc.
The level of infrasructure and support going into this operation is unparalled.
The A/C indeed has two engines however on the shorter sectors it is unlikely that both will be used thereby causing a saving in fuel, maintenence costs etc.
The level of infrasructure and support going into this operation is unparalled.
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ahhhh the mail run.
I was taken on that run a few times, and taught the ins and outs of it... including the "GARLIC BREADS".
Temps in the 40's ???? that must have been a cool day. I think that the highest I ever saw was 56C when landed at Boulia at 1530.
The chieftain, PINKY, was only run with TWO pilots due to the COMPANY stating that it was a lot better for the engines.... NOT CASA, as you said.
Anyone who has tried to start a PA31 engine when it is hot, will testify to the fact that it can be hard to start. When one is time limited, like on the mail run, then the last thing you need is to be slowed down by 5 mins or so at EVERY station.... this can add an hour to an alredy long day(s).
With regards the strips, most of them were in good repair, and the owners knew that they had a responsibility to ensure that they were up to scratch. Having said that, sometimes you had to see for yerself and not trust their word.
Boulia itself is a great little country town, and i enjoyed staying there. Birdsville is great as well, but I would prefer to stay in Boulia - The pub just has more atmosphere.
The people up and down the mail run were great, and I never had many problems there, however if you p!ssed them off, then you would know about it.
A great run, and great experience.... glad I did it, and glad I am not doing it any more!
new blokes doing the run.... respect DF, and she will treat you well. She likes fruitcake, and we always used to take as much fuel as possible from YLEC to keep her happy, as she always helped us immensely.
I was taken on that run a few times, and taught the ins and outs of it... including the "GARLIC BREADS".
Temps in the 40's ???? that must have been a cool day. I think that the highest I ever saw was 56C when landed at Boulia at 1530.
The chieftain, PINKY, was only run with TWO pilots due to the COMPANY stating that it was a lot better for the engines.... NOT CASA, as you said.
Anyone who has tried to start a PA31 engine when it is hot, will testify to the fact that it can be hard to start. When one is time limited, like on the mail run, then the last thing you need is to be slowed down by 5 mins or so at EVERY station.... this can add an hour to an alredy long day(s).
With regards the strips, most of them were in good repair, and the owners knew that they had a responsibility to ensure that they were up to scratch. Having said that, sometimes you had to see for yerself and not trust their word.
Boulia itself is a great little country town, and i enjoyed staying there. Birdsville is great as well, but I would prefer to stay in Boulia - The pub just has more atmosphere.
The people up and down the mail run were great, and I never had many problems there, however if you p!ssed them off, then you would know about it.
A great run, and great experience.... glad I did it, and glad I am not doing it any more!
new blokes doing the run.... respect DF, and she will treat you well. She likes fruitcake, and we always used to take as much fuel as possible from YLEC to keep her happy, as she always helped us immensely.
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I thought two pilots were required so one could check the oil and report back on the rollout that he thought that he secured the overcentre thingy but well I don't Know really. And then the other pilot could react immediately. Feather the right prop and pull the mixture on the left engine. Result, well thankfully no-one killed.
Thread Starter
The A/C indeed has two engines however on the shorter sectors it is unlikely that both will be used thereby causing a saving in fuel, maintenence costs etc.
DF.
Thread Starter
DF It would seem that you are new to the industry.
DF.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Colonel Hannibal; You're correct in saying that it was a company directive originally. However late in CK/TK's time of the company it did become a CASA requirement. I was told this by the C@T person at the time.
Ah yes; the Garlic bread!
Definitely was an essential part of dining at the Australian Hotel at Boulia.
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
Ah yes; the Garlic bread!
Definitely was an essential part of dining at the Australian Hotel at Boulia.You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
Thread Starter
Way back in '89 when Augusta Airways (as it was then) had to use their C402B on the mail run because the Aerocommander was in for a repaint, it was ALWAYS operated with a second person as a loadmaster. It was their job to unload/load mail & freight at any stop where the aircraft didn't have to refuel. I can only remember three stops where we did shut down, Innamincka, Birdsville & Boulia.
DF.
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Arrr the mail run .... what fond memories..... Its all coming back to me now....
Having one of ACZ's bendix drives give up the ghost in Arabury in 50 degree heat. Spending the night there with the station guy who hadn't seen anyone in 6 months... then running out of smokes.
Oh and how could i forget ACZ's right engine letting go at top of descent into Boulia...
But it did have its enjoyable moments, especially the people you ran into.
Having one of ACZ's bendix drives give up the ghost in Arabury in 50 degree heat. Spending the night there with the station guy who hadn't seen anyone in 6 months... then running out of smokes.
Oh and how could i forget ACZ's right engine letting go at top of descent into Boulia...
But it did have its enjoyable moments, especially the people you ran into.
Thread Starter
Oh and how could i forget ACZ's right engine letting go at top of descent into Boulia...
Oh, & the "pride of the fleet" that WW were supposed to be kicking off the run in won't be doing it for about a month. Instead they are using a Baron, which was ferried to YPAG today. Seems like someone had their information a little wrong....
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Teletubby,
Are you for real?Ive never heard of anyone shuting down a
engine to conserve fuel.
Mate Im just glad theres are few thousand miles between you and me.
Struth GA is truly full of stem beaters!!!
Are you for real?Ive never heard of anyone shuting down a
engine to conserve fuel.
Mate Im just glad theres are few thousand miles between you and me.
Struth GA is truly full of stem beaters!!!
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No, but I'm seeing a few wally's here ready to splutter into their coffee and believe any outrageous twaddle about the new operator.
BTW who recalls the Getaway program screening a story on The Longest Mailrun in the world. CASA Adelaide did more than splutter into their coffee at the sight of the pilot removing a wheel at Boulia to have the tyre repaired by the local car mechanic. Class A and all that!
BTW who recalls the Getaway program screening a story on The Longest Mailrun in the world. CASA Adelaide did more than splutter into their coffee at the sight of the pilot removing a wheel at Boulia to have the tyre repaired by the local car mechanic. Class A and all that!
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Oh and how could i forget ACZ's right engine letting go at top of descent into Boulia...
Thread Starter
Yep, top bloke & he done a great job putting it down where he did. However his initials are JH not GH.
DF.
DF.