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18 December 2022 – Home
Reflecting on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and the friendships renewed and new friends made and the conversations about life in rural and outback NSW, I am both humbled by the spirit and endurance of every one of them, and optimistic about the future of small towns and regional cities. The diversity of personalities, background, beliefs and personal circumstances must be challenging, but they are all appreciating each one’s particular strengths, overlooking their faults and supporting one another. It was clear to me that each is daily evaluating his or her situation and finding something he or she can contribute to their local community. Meanwhile I was able to stay in touch daily with Yung back at home in Sydney, except for a slight communications delay in Wilcannia where Optus doesn’t quite reach. This holiday was a learning experience and a joy. Now to make myself useful at home.
17 December 2022 – Bathurst – Bankstown
Home again with Gaby, Yung and Danny.Arrived back at Schofields Flying College https://www.sfcaero.com.au/ and taxied right up to the club rooms. While unloading I was privileged to meet Australian aviator Anne Coleman (Anne Carter) and her biographer Eva Chow. See “Car vs Plane 1968” Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Murray_(racing_driver).Badgery’s Creek has become easy to find since this runway materialised in the middle of the Bankstown airport training area. https://www.westernsydneyairport.gov.au/: “Construction of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) is underway and on track to begin operations in 2026.”Great Western HWY near BathurstGreat Western HWY KatoombaGreat Western HWY HazelbrookThe Great Western Highway (3 hrs drive from Bathurst to Sydney) gets you over the Blue Mountains. I prefer the scenic route (the great western higher-way?) – nearly 6 hours from Bathurst to Sydney if you include planning, pre-flight checks, fuelling, taxiing, turbulence on final approach, landing Bankstown in a crosswind, unloading, paperwork and washing the plane.
https://www.fastjet.com.au/flight-experiences “Top Gun Flight $2490 For 25 minutes you will get the full Top Gun experience, incorporating thrilling aerobatic maneuvers”.Bristell parked at the Aero Club. In my Flight Service years, during the Bathurst races, we provided pilot briefing services from here.Bathurst airline service: Fly Pelican Jetstream 32Charlie Camilleri and his L-39 Albatross – for joy flights httpswww.fastjet.com.auBathurst fuel stop for AS355 VHYUR QLD to Hobart httpswww.mcdermottaviation.comChatting with John from the Bathurst Aero Club
Back in Bathurst and treated to delicious pasta and pizza with Katarina (lawyer), Dagmar (nurse), cousin Steve (teacher) and Ari (Lightning McQueen fan).Cousin Fiona (in purple on the far left) with the Dubbo Outback Dragons winning a medal in Auckland in 2017Auntie Allaine and the Dubbo team win gold in 2012. Image from Daily Liberal dubbo-delights-with-gold-at-pan-pacific-masters dragon boatAuntie Allaine, Fiona and Fiona’s son James, all in the one dragon boat on Darling Harbour in 2011.In Dubbo with cousin Fiona and Auntie Allaine
This is what I love about private flying and a clear day. After lunch in Bathurst with Clive and Thommo, and before dinner in Bathurst with my cousin Steve and his family, I could “hop” up to Dubbo and back to see Auntie Allaine who was unwell when I was there last week and cousin Fiona again.
Eglington Bathurst: Steve, Dagmar, Katarina and Ari’s home. En-route to DubboAt the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon, with good friend Clive from CookamidgeraClive with his cousin Thommo, both from Cooka. Thommo learnt to fly in Cowra in the Brumby 610. Short hop from Orange to BathurstWaving to cousin Stephen having a morning walk on Mount Panorama.Joining midfield crosswind at Bathurst as a brightly coloured Bristell takes off below.
15 December 2022 – Griffith – Orange
Robinson helicopter flying down the taxiway at Orange.Refuelled and tied up for the night at Orange.Participating in an inter-faith meeting https://colindibdin.com/weekly-zoom-interfaith/ , thanks to Zoom in the Canobolas Hotel, Orange.West Wyalong (township under a cloud but the airport is sunny) between Griffith and OrangeMount CanobolasDownwind for the grass runway at OrangeAgricultural Aviation is a big thing in Griffith.“Little Wings” https://www.littlewings.org.au/ sponsored by Bankstown Sports Club. Marissa (Lorraine’s daughter) in Accounts at Thomson Airborne Geophysical Survey based at Griffith airport.Marissa (left) with my sister Linda at our home in Griffith (photo taken a little earlier)Ron Gibbons CFI Griffith Aero Club who gave me my licence in 1974 and navigation endorsement in 1977.Neil, World Fuel Services Griffith.Sunny, Instructor Griffith Aero Club
Enjoyable conversations at Griffith Aero Club which presently instructs students in two Jabiru J230s and a Sling 2.
14 December 2022 – Deniliquin – Griffith
More good tailwinds.
Front: Lorraine and Soheil (my friends since the 1970s), Middle: Sera and Bharat (www.mdaa.org.au), Back: Anne (Griffith City Councillor) and me, at Giuseppe’s Restaurant Griffith.This Fairey Firefly aircraft was in action in Korea.Griffith main street Banna AvenueGriffith Airport (REX airlines at the terminal)Lorraine and Soheil’s home in East Griffith. The city has grown since the 70s. Deniliquin – Nine Mok, Chau Kim Tran (Giselle) and daughter AlexandraBreakfast at the excellent Crossing Cafe, Deniliquin, where Giselle worksMorning in Deniliquin
13 December 2022 – Broken Hill – Deniliquin
Favourable tailwinds today. Non-stop from Broken Hill to Deniliquin via overhead Mildura.
Friends “Nine” from Cambodia who has made Deniliquin his home, and Omid from Persia, adding to the rich diversity of Deniliquin.Learning about Deniliquin from Nine (an accountant) and Omid (a teacher).Deniliquin AirportDeniliquin – former RAAF training centreDeniliquin Aircraft & VH-SFR
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Mildura – looking EastMildura Airport from 5,500 ftMildura – looking North (showers in the area)
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Picturesque Dareton just northwest of Mildura
Above the clouds, at 9500ft, Broken Hill to MilduraBroken Hill – Ready to goDeparting Broken Hill13 December 2022 – VH-SFR has a new alternator and is running well.
12 December 2022 – Broken Hill
The aircraft alternator is coming from Brisbane by road (via Melbourne and Adelaide) and could reach Broken Hill tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, another relaxing day and enjoyable conversations with Barry.
Barry, aged 94, preparing for a World Religion Day eventBroken Hill Station. Earlier today Barry gave a presentation to the Probus Club on The Baha’i Faith.Barry took me to the resting place of his dear late wife, Doreen.
11 December 2022 – Broken Hill
The unexpected holiday in Broken Hill means that I won’t get as far as South Australia on this trip. The strong westerly winds and the importance of getting back home (to Sydney) before the end of the week without stress of weather or tight deadlines mean that I have decided to head back east tomorrow IF a mechanical part has arrived (from Brisbane) and after the experienced engineers at Consolidated Aviation Services have installed it. Meanwhile Barry, who has lived here for decades, has been a great tour guide, driving me around and explaining some of Broken Hill’s very interesting features.
Barry and new friend Richard who arrived today to live in Broken Hill
Barry’s pet, FinIn Barry’s backyardDinner at the Sturt ClubArtists Ian and Wendy
8 December 2022 – White Cliffs – Broken Hill
White Cliffs to Broken Hill
Back row L to R: Abtin, Giti holding Alara, Andrew, Barry, Colin, Nelly. Front row L to R: Nara, Aiya.Barry’s homeWith Abtin, Alara and GitiAbtin & Giti’s homeBroken Hill Maintenance Engineer (Chris) looks at the alternator, recharges the battery and liaises with Schofields Flying Club Ops (Tristan) while I enjoy my first visit to Broken Hill.Approaching Broken HillAlthough a flat battery approaching Broken Hill caused some incorrect engine readings, the reliable engine ran like a charm and took us to Broken Hill.White Cliffs HotelWhite Cliffs AirportDeparting White Cliffs
7 December 2022 – Cobar -Wilcannia – White Cliffs
Cobar to Wilcannia and White Cliffs
Inbound to White Cliffs from WilcanniaWhite Cliffs for fuel and accommodation before the next leg to Broken HillWhite Cliffs Opal MiningKelvin, Foketi, Colin, NellyKelvin and Foketi are the most down-to-earth and welcoming couple.Kelvin (Wilcannia)The Paaka Thartu Karnu healing project. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-20/wilcannias-mosaic-healing/10636318Beautiful Mosaic HeadstoneFloodsRivers and lakes covering properties east of WilcanniaThe Darling River and WilcanniaEmmdale Roadhouse and Airstrip on the Barrier Hwy between Cobar and Wilcannia
7 December 2022 – Parkes – Cobar
Arriving CobarCobar – Fuel stop only, for next leg to Wilcannia Cobar little girl waiting with her Dad for a medical flight to Sydney
Approaching CobarStarting engine at ParkesAirborne Parkes for Cobar
6 December 2022 – Dubbo – Parkes
School-friend David David and Ducati – his preferred mode of travel, and surprisingly more hi-tech than the Archer III I am flying.Enjoying a stop in Parkes where I grew up.Alectown – between Dubbo and Parkes, near the radio telescope
Peak Hill
5 December 2022 – Dubbo- Mudgee-Dubbo
David Bailey has run Lynx Print in Mudgee for many yearsPeter and Louise Windeyer have a beautiful garden. Louise is an artist, and makes a great lunch.Approaching Mudgee, NSWMudgee
DubboDeparting Dubbo for MudgeeDubbo – over cousin Fiona’s home MIssed out on seeing Auntie Allaine this time due to COVID.
4 December 2022 – Bankstown-Dubbo-Coonamble – Dubbo
Dubbo – Securing VH-SFR for the nightLanded DubboGulargambone en-route Coonamble to DubboDavid Levick opened the Tourist Bureau for us and we enjoyed cheese, olives and crackersCoonambleAnissa and David
WellingtonPenrith – Heading West. Not the outback yet.Bankstown – Ready to Go
3 December 2022 – Preparation
As well as items I collected for the flight as shown in the videos below, the Sydney Flying Club provided a kit with spare oil, tie down stakes and ropes, windscreen cleaning equipment, a first aid kit, a filter-straw, fuel carnet cards, and even a spare tyre. My instructor, Tarquin Watt, briefed me on outback flying, loaned me his portable VHF radio and gave me his number in case I had more questions.
Playlist of short videos about my preparation for this flight.
Also, an especially helpful and entertaining resource is the set of videos, at the link below, prepared by CASA:
