Australian Tour 2: Surf and Turf   

Here we enjoy the semi-tropical intersection of Queensland and New South Wales. We start at the recreational airport Watts Bridge and make our way to the coastline and Moreton Island before turning back over the metropolitan Brisbane area. We then continue out to the Scenic Rim at Boonah before returning to the popular beaches of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast. Finally we head southward to the alluring laid-back experience of Byron Bay and then land at Ballina. The highlights here include five classic grass turf airfields, Brisbane's working harbor, international airport, and central city, as well as miles of great surfing beaches. (Not to mention The Gabba, Brisbane's cricketing icon.)
 

Routing           

This week's airports are: Watts Bridge (YWSG), Caboolture (YCAB), Redcliffe (YRED), Tangalooma (YIGA), Archerfield (YBAF), Boonah (YBOA), Gold Coast (YBCG), Tyagarah (YTYH), and Ballina (YBNA).

In list form, they are:
 

YWSG                       Depart              Watts Bridge [Ants]

YZMT              4       T&G                 Mount Brisbane [OZx]

YCAB              24       Stop                Caboolture [OZx[

YRED              9       Stop                Redcliffe [Orbx Free]

YIGA              16       Stop                Tangalooma [OZx]

BN                18       Flyover             Brisbane (113.2 MHz)

Racecourse        5       Flyover             Eagle Farm Ascot Racecourse

The Gabba         4       Flyover             Brisbane Cricket Ground

YBAF              5       Stop                Archerfield [OZx]

Swanbank          12       Flyover             Swanbank Power Station

YBOA              22       Stop                Boonah [Ants]

SURFERS           40       Flyover             Surfers Paradise

YBCG              10       Stop                Gold Coast [Max Kraus]

YTYH              26       Stop               Tyagarah (Byron Bay)[OZx]

Byron_Light       5       Flyover             Byron Bay Lighthouse

BPRAWN            15       Flyover             Big Prawn (Ballina)

YBNA              2       Stop                Ballina [Ants]

Total distance is 218nm.
 

Aircraft           

This week's distances here are more modest than last week. You might like something in the 140-180kts range. Say a Beech Bonanza, Cessna 177, 182, 210 or 337, Mooney M20J, Piper Saratoga, Ryan Navion, SIAI Marchetti SF.260, or Vans RV7. Or whatever pleases you the most. We shall operate from five grass runways, but that should not restrict your choice. These are not bush airstrips.
 

 

I shall fly the Carenado Bonanza F33 in the Aussie VH-MCM livery by "Butch".
 

Scenery Addons        

Pilots should have OZx (updated through v3.4) installed as well as OZx libraries (v1.0 and v1.1). You can get all the OZx sceneries here.

In addition, you probably should install Anthony Lynch's freeware Aussie Airports, a package of 33 airports. While you are at Anthony Lynch's site, you should download his excellent freeware Boonah (YBOA), Watts Bridge (YWSG), and Ballina (YBNA) – all three for this week. You might also pick up his Brisbane International (YBBN) which is both freeware and more efficient than the Orbx version. (We shall fly over the airport but not land here.) You can get Anthony Lynch's freeware sceneries here.

You can get the Orbx Freeware Redcliffe here.

You will probably want Max Kraus' wonderful freeware for Coolangatta Gold Coast Airport (YBCG). You can obtain the Max Kraus Gold Coast Airport, along with Update 1.01, here.

Also, you probably should install the Holgermesh Australia. (The OZx and Anthony Lynch sceneries were built for Holgermesh elevations.) The freeware AU Holgermesh is available through Orbx here.

For flying in Australia, the textures of Orbx Global will do nicely. But owners of Orbx Australia will want that installed because it provides more varied textures and also better landclass and autogen.
 

Participation   
 

Time: Saturday April 11, 2015. 18:00 UTC

(Note change in time to accommodate Daylight/Summer Time.)

Where: AVSIM RTWR Teamspeak - Casual Flights Channel

Teamspeak Server Address: ts.teamavsim.com

Multiplayer FSX Multiplayer (IP will be provided on Teamspeak)

The digital flightplan (in FSX format) and is available from the DropBox location here.

Please post your aircraft details in the MP spreadsheet so that we can see you in your true colors.

You can get a descriptive "narrative" here.

I will be there Saturday, also in a Bonanza F-33 painted by Butch

 

I will be there in a C337 painted by me. I'm working on a new one which I hope will be ready on time.

Really hope to make it this time. A little flight to KOSH is happening (If WX OK) for a fly-in breakfast to celebrate Steve Wittman's birthday on Saturday. Should be back in time, it's going to be really close.  Last weeks "no show" was due to a last minute family plan for Easter. 
 
Going "Banana's" for Bonanza's - I will flying a Carenado V-35B in Civil Aviation Authority colors, so y'all better be on your best behaviour..    

 

 One thing, and it may not happen on your system, is the .PLN Mike uploaded in the zip. It does not load in my FSX and it was found that the many if the waypoint IDs ex. <ATCWaypoint id="TheGabba"> is more than 5 characters. PlanG does not seem to automatically truncate to <= 5 characters when exporting.  I hand truncated them ex. <ATCWaypoint id="Gabba"> and it now loads. If needed you can get the revised .PLN here.

 

A SkyVector version of the plan is here.

 

Guess I be ready to go now! Hope to cya on Saturday.

 

Thanks Roman for the correction on the FSX Flightplan "PLN" file entries.

 

(The files in the original DropBox zipfile are now corrected as per your suggestion. The waypoint names are truncated to five characters as you suggest.)

At Watts Bridge, ready to go on today's flight. The repaint is a genuine Ron Attwood (thanks Ron!). 

 

Recently arrived from Maryborough having done last Saturday's route during the week.  Took a long time to persuade myself to leave Lady Elliot Island.  I'll be back there... with my dive gear (nice scuba video you found, Mike!).

 

Tonight my steed will be....

 

 

 

 

Managed to get it finished in time! Link on the Multiplayer Aircraft page

Part One of "Trees"

Here is my PIREP from todays awesome flight!


Nick Climbing out from Watt's Bridge (YWSG).... He's already in trouble for falsifying aircraft registration!  (RON!)   It looks like a good day for flying. :-)



Myself hugging it low to get the visual. Just about ready for a left downwind turn for Mount Brisbane (YZMT)



Mike getting ready for a Redcliffe (YRED) approach.



It may have been a beautiful day but the crosswinds where just a bit...... ( Insert answer here )
Mike getting 'er down.



Nick sneeks into Jeff's blind spot on final approach.

 

You gents have to do it KOSH style... "Skymaster to the Orange Dot, Bonanza to the Green Dot... Rock wings to acknowledge."



Nuttin but trouble.. Mike, Jeff & I in Bonanzas while Ron & Nick are in Skymasters. Roger is in a 172 but he was a ghost except for effects. I Think I finally figured out the MP problems I have. Will test next time.



JEFF! Hustle UP! - Got the throttle chopped, climbing, and.... starting a left bank to miss.



Over the radio was heard from Ron & Nick in Skymasters.. "Had you.. Where are you?" "Seen you too. Now where?"



"Up Here"



Ron is rotating southbound from Tangalooma (YTGA) while either Mike or Jeff is rolling on the left side of the runway. There's a bunch of us just starting to make dust in the background.



The shipwrecks just south of Tangalooma (YTGA).



Approching Brisbane... Somwhere down there Jeff is preparing to skirt underneath the crane towers.



Is this the race course? Seems right or did I miss something.




To be continued......

Part Duex of "Trees"


It's a googly! LOL :-) Overflying "The Gabba".

 

 

Mike overflying "Bunnings Warehouse" on his approach to Archerfield (YBAF).



Jeff doing the same.... Is there a sale? What's with all the traffic?



Jeff just getting into the ground effect..... (More)



Correcting..... (More)



TOUCHDOWN! As said before, the crosswinds where a B.



Nick, with his illegal registration, doing a slight crab @ YBAF.



Up Ron's rear end.. (UGGH) He's doing the same, taking care of the crosswind just a few inches off the ground.



TROUBLE.... No more can be said.



Splitting the towers @ the Swanbank Power Station just southwest of Brisbane.



Ron, coming into Boonah (YBOA) whilst the stall horn is starting to buzz. Speaking of buzz. There are 2 Buzzards up and to the right of his right wingtip. They went home without dinner. :-) BTW that new, gorgeous looking repaint should be available soon at.....



Yumm, a Hurricane. At least she's getting rebuilt.



The most disturbing part of the flight.. 4 of us, except Ron, were admiring the scenery of the locals from Boonah. Ron shows up and the "beauty" in the red dress pulls out a "cease and desist" order. Mike throttles up instantly. MMMM?



Getting out of Boonah following Ron as he retracts his legs... ( Just the thought.. UGGH )



Later on Ron starts "Rat Tat Tat Tat" on Jeff - Unfortunately he was fast and overshoots. Jeff gets on him for a bit. Hey Ron! - That's a Tree Tree Seven not an Oscar Deuce! Keep it upright!




To be continued......

Part Tree of "Trees"

 

 

Buzzin Surfers Paradise.

 

 

The Sun was starting to set and as such we had to hustle.. We all taxiied to the active and the tower replied. "Y'All can go now." Ron, Mike & Jeff just to the front. I believe that is Jeff starting to retract on the F-33.

 

 

At first we all thought they were whales. But alas, it was waves on the "rocks" ** . Whales would have been cool though.

 

 

Mike w/ myself at his 8 while the sun is setting. Nice glimmer!

 

 

The Sun is going down, we gots a way to go. The Sun through Mikes cockpit.

 

 

Nick, as the Sun dips below the treeline. Just a few feet above the ground @ Byron Bay (YTYH) in an unregistered! (LOL) 337.

 

 

Mike turning in for Byron Bay whilst eyeing up his "Spot".

 

 

Ron in his soon available 337 on his way into Byron Bay. Aint dat pretty!

 

 

One of the biggest advantages of having a "V" tail is that a vertical tail gets in the way of a nice sunset whilst a "V" doesn't . HA!

 

 

** Anyone ready for a "Shrimp on the Barbie"?

 

 

** Add up "Rocks" & "Shrimp" ( or lobster whats the diff ) =

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=36&v=tDZy6-fMCw4

 

Ron coming in just a tad left, plenty of room, no worries. Daylight is waning.

 

 

Mike coming in long, real long @ Ballina ( YBNA). Just before I was ready to PTT "GO AROUND!" she was placed down nicely with plenty of space. ( Easier Taxiing )

 

 

Jeff bringing it in nicely as what's left of daylight is nil.

 

 

Mike doing the shutdown list @ Ballina... Oh Look! The pub is still open!

 

 

Once again, the meeting of the minds where we figure it all out. The last glimmer along with the FBO lighting makes a nice shot. BTW, that "V" needs a good scrubbing.

 

 

Discussion over, the pub is open, let's go in.

 

 

 

Just an idea. As the discussion was going towards doing warbirds 'n such for next week. I was thinking that although a Spit (or similar) would be fitting for the area I was thinking of doing this for a different and known reason.

 

Why can't we line up like this? 

 

Now here's some Bonanzas for all you "Bananas"

 

Roman you've excelled yourself! Some really sweet screens there Part 1, picture 4 in particular! You are of course buggered for next week. How can you possibly top this? :o

Truly excellent, Roman.

Should anyone want the repaint for the aforementioned VH-DND or indeed VH-EPM they are available on the AVSIM library. For VH-DND there may be a little wait.