Aviators?

[NT5224]

Hi folks

Just noticed this 'flight' section on AULRO. I'm curious to know what aviators are on here and what do you fly?

I'm not a 'real' pilot but have had my RAA ticket for about seven years and enjoy the freedom it gives me to get around the Top End in conditions that would bog even the Land Rover! Looking to place an order for our first light aircraft next year. Interested in something along the lines of the SuperCub.

Cheers

Alan

[JDNSW]

I have held a private licence for 45 years, but do not have a current medical and have not flown since my wife died thirteen years ago (Costs and security requirements leave me with little desire to return to it). My experience is almost solely on single engined aircraft in Australia and PNG, and a little in USA. Most time has been on Cessna 180, Cessna 210, Beech A36, and Auster J5F, but I have flown a wide variety of other singles.

I started flying while working in the Simpson, after seeing the advantages (trained with Alice Springs A/C, Hoxton Park Flying School, and RQAC, learning in Cessna 150, Victa, Musketeer). Finished my training while working in Western Qld, and bought an Auster. Traded it on a Cessna 180 when I was transferred to PNG, and then sold the Cessna after I moved to a new job in Melbourne - renting planes was a lot cheaper than owning one!

I retain an interest in aviation, and have a large collection of books, mainly historical.

John

[fclandy]

I learnt with RVAC at Moorabbin, in Cessnas and Warriors. Two of the Cessnas I learnt in have since been crashed by other students :(

Greatly enjoyed the Dawn Patrol Battle of Britain commemorative flights around the bay each year and the breakfast afterward - great speakers, and one year won a flight in a Harvard as a door prize. :)

Only got to GFPT before running out of time (family) and money (also family). No current medical, still enjoy reading Flight Safety magazine, and maybe one day I'll manage to get back to it.

[pawl]

Helicopter PPL got close to completing CPL but funds, family and job at the time going belly up put it all on the backburner. Haven't flown now for a few yrs, really miss it too, but $580p/h is a little out of reach now.
Flew Robinson R22's and trained at Kestrel Aviation, Mangalore Vic.

[stallie]

I'm not a 'real' pilot but

Don't kid yourself. You are a real pilot, you just have a licence issued by a different authority. Getting it wrong will kill you just the same. And flying around the top end is incredible (but a bit rough at the moment!).

[solmanic]

Just got my PPL(A) earlier this year. Have only been flying ancient C172Ns at RQAC out of Archerfield. Just starting to think about NVFR + endorsements and getting checked out on some more exciting planes (maybe a 172S...wow!). I got the license to go to and from jobs that are further afield and not economical to drive to but so far I'm just getting to see a lot of whales.

[101RRS]

We do have a senior Qantas Jumbo and A380 Captain on the forum. Me, I do have a Comercial licence but have never used it.

[BigBlackDog]

Hi Alan
I'm a cpl, instructing and charter up to light twins.

Don't dumb down what you do, I have seen some terrible RAA people about but at the same time some great ones too, no different to CASA licence holders, even experienced people:o It's all in your attitude to it. I love the technical and modern but also the simplicity of things like the landy. My first lesson was in a thruster!

[Eevo]

is RAA the same as RA-AUS?

[BigBlackDog]

Sure is. We used to just call them ultralights but that seems to offend now!

[Eevo]

must be a eastern thing
al the sa airfields ive been to its called raaus. probably cause raa is the road side assist guys in sa.


some still call us ultralight. i like LSA, light sports aircraft.
a fly a jabiru and FK9. never heard of the FK9? its cause there is only two of them in aus

there is nothing wrong with being a raaus, compared to a ppl. who would want to fly in controled airspace anyway, all the best things to see are in class G airspace!

[GregTD5]

Commercial Helicopter Pilot for close to 20 years now.
Flying mostly AS350 Squirrel Helicopters for last 7 years in the Fire Fighting role, in Perth and Brisbane area.
Not a lot of flying each year, but some of the most satisfying flying I have done. Nothing feels better than saving a house.

My career has taken me to many fantastic places through out Australia and Asia, meeting some great people along the way.

Greg

[superquag]

Commercial Helicopter Pilot for close to 20 years now.
Flying mostly AS350 Squirrel Helicopters for last 7 years in the Fire Fighting role, in Perth and Brisbane area.
Not a lot of flying each year, but some of the most satisfying flying I have done. Nothing feels better than saving a house.

My career has taken me..... to many fantastic places through out Australia and Asia, meeting some great people along the way.

Greg

Wot ? - you get PAID to do that ?????:o


Pssst... You want your OWN helo ? - Can arrange a Gazelle for a mere $100k .......http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2026093/MoD-sale-Helicopters-Snatch-Land-Rovers-sold-plug-36bn-black-hole.html

[jb747]

Currently A380 Captain.

History includes command on B747-400, B767-200/300 & and FO on B747/200-300.

A4G before that.

[JDNSW]

An interesting addendum to my flying history. I recently bought some new batteries for my stand alone power system here. While discussing the technical aspects with the principal of the company (LJWSolar), I discovered that his father taught me to fly! (at Hoxton Park F.S.)

John

[101 Ron]

Hoxton park is now history for training.
I havent been to Sydney for a while, but I think the airstrip is still there, but is totally surrounded with houses.
I was self trained..........ie read a few books , hopped in and tried to fly.
This was in the early 1980s was there was no Two seat training on Gyrocopters.
I almost killed myself learning that way.
Things have changed every much now for the better.
I learnt from paddocks in various places, but mostly Erskine PK, not that far away from Hoxton PK.
I ended up building Two machines which were successful.
I am not currently flying , but may get back into it one day.
I did Four hundred hours on these freaky machines and never wanted to move to fix wing or anything bigger or better.
Flying in the weeds and trying my hand at ariel mustering is something you never forget.
I liked the fact with these very small machines it was flying by the seat of your paints and you could feel temperature changes etc as you were out in the open and yet flying in 30 knot lumpy X winds was not a problem for these machines.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/flight/92851-my-trail-bike-skies.html

[lightwing]

I have been flying ra-aus for 20 odd years now. Also have GFPT.
Used to own a Lightwing GR 912 which I flew approx 400 hours. I was based in Cairns at the time and flew as far afield as Ballina and Torres Strait.
Currently not flying much due to work commitments but will get back to it later.
My Land Rover is taking up most of my spare time at the moment.
Either way, flying or 4Wding I love the bush.
Heading down the East coast and across to Tas. next week, cant wait to get started.

[Randylandy]

Flying ag in north QLD

[NT5224]

Keep the responses coming.

Really impressed (so far) at the cummulate level of flying experience among forum members.

There can't be many automotive forums ( as a cross section of the general populace) accommodating so many aviation-minded people.

It must be a Land Rover thing -the sense of adventure, interest in the technical, or perhaps just individualism

Thanks for responses so far -and happy aviating!

Cheers

Alan

[alpick]

Current A330 Capt.,
yak52 (wanna come for a ride mild or wild?)pm me,

Previous
B737 300-800
C404
nomads n22-24
Bell 204/5. 412

Military
choppers As350, squirrels UH-1H Huey
Instructing

18000 hrs and plenty left in the old dog yet.

[Jojo]

Have an expired PPL and haven't been flying for years due to other commitments. Was considering "upgrading" to commercial a few years ago but decided against it. Somehow I'd like to get airborne again but as it is a time-intensive activity I have to admit there are other tasks in my life I consider more important right now.

[Craig]

Current EMB120 Capt.,

Previous
C441
C404/402
Barron B55/58
Cessna 208
Plenty instructing in C152 and 172's

Just nudging 5000 hours and still having a ball.

[Rustydog]

Current Aeromed Kingair Pilot in Aus.

Previous
777
Beachjet
Lear 35
Westwind

6k hours ish.

[Epic_Dragon]

i was trying to get my PPL but injury put a stop to that. My dad is a pilot though. was an instructor on single engines for a while. cant remember if he also instructed on twins. He now works at parafield at the ground school for the airline students. I have a cousin in the navy in the UK as well. Was planning on getting into the airforce. So I just sit back and admire planes now, and paint portraits of them. and go up when ever dad can take me for a fly. so free up there.

[stallie]

Hmm, enough Landy loving pilots in Darwin to have a few beers one night! I spend a lot of time up there (callsign clue in my avatar).

[AndrewGJones]

just started CPL -1 hour down 149 to go!

[VladTepes]

Currently A380 Captain.

History includes command on B747-400, B767-200/300 & and FO on B747/200-300.

A4G before that.

Mate you should give us a link to your YouTube channel. Some good vids on there.

[elevators]

I am the captain of a Cessna 182! Current CPL, hoping to complete an instrument rating by mid year. Then I will be packing up the Defender and heading up to NT / WA on the hunt for charter jobs. I have a few connections but any more are aways welcome!

[stallie]

Good luck with it - you'll have a ball. I did exactly what you are planning back in the late 90's. Ended up in Timber Creek flying for a year flying C210s then moved to Darwin on 402s and Barons.

I had this advice said to me before I left - Remember to take the time and enjoy every minute, even amongst the heat, flies, smell (you'll know what I mean after your first flight). It will be hard. You will be lonely at times and despair where that next paycheck is coming from, or even fearing for your job if you don't push it. BUT - it will be the best flying you do and the most fun you'll have flying. The adventures, the weird things you fly in the NT GA charter world, the close calls you have, the things you learn will make you a better pilot - and a better person.

I now sit in a nice chair with a view at 41,000 feet and get served coffee and nice food, and always find great memories as I look down over anywhere north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

I've lost count of the number of airline pilots that reminisce about the real flying adventures they used to do - not just the button pressing that goes with an Airbus or Boeing.

Enjoy it and good luck. - and sorry, don't have any contacts left in GA up north. :)

[elevators]

Thanks Stallie! I hear this quite a bit from the experienced guys. I see it all as a but of an adventure so I think I'm going to enjoy myself. Times are quite good now it seems. I have a good chance of getting a job in Darwin with a fresh CPL. I know in years gone by, telling people that would raise some eyebrows. 5 guys before me have done it so it looks promising. Would also love to check out Broome and other parts of WA. I think Landy pilots in Darwin should meet up for a beer. Stallie what do you fly these days?

[stallie]

Sounds like you've got a good attitude, work hard, keep your nose clean and you'll get where you want to go.
Yes, times seem pretty good these days compared to those (my!) days when you needed 1000 hours to get a 210 charter job and 2000 to get a 310 job! Make the most of it.

I do this now - and spend a lot of time in the tropics when not doing this. Not my video just one on youtube I found.

Airbus A319 Antarctic landing - YouTube

[HUE166]

Hi Nt5224,

AT-802's and Dromaders on ag and fire bombing operations.

[strangy]

I am the captain of a Cessna 182! Current CPL, hoping to complete an instrument rating by mid year. Then I will be packing up the Defender and heading up to NT / WA on the hunt for charter jobs. I have a few connections but any more are aways welcome!

Flick me PM if you are coming through Alice.
Couple of operators here.
Cheers

[BigBlackDog]

I am the captain of a Cessna 182! Current CPL, hoping to complete an instrument rating by mid year. Then I will be packing up the Defender and heading up to NT / WA on the hunt for charter jobs. I have a few connections but any more are aways welcome!

If your interested PM me, I sit across the room from a guy who has a William creek operation, mostly airvans I think. Season there is not far away

[elevators]

Thanks BigBlackDog and strangy for your suggestions. PMs sent. Great to get advice from different people, I really appreciate it. No matter where I end up, I think flies, red dirt and hot days are coming my way. It makes me think of this video.

Bush Pilot trick - How to remove flies from Cockpit - YouTube

Stallie I see your current location is a little cooler than those when you were flying 210s. I would love to end up doing something like that. I know you do a lot of other Federal Government contracts so Im guessing your work is pretty diverse. Looks very exciting!

[GregTD5]

Good luck with it - you'll have a ball. I did exactly what you are planning back in the late 90's. Ended up in Timber Creek flying for a year flying C210s then moved to Darwin on 402s and Barons. :)

Hi Stallie, our paths must have crossed in the late 90's at Timber Creek. I worked for NAH in Katherine and spent a lot of time down at Timber Creek in a Helicopter flying the Army around when they purchased Bradshaw Station off of McBeen.

From there, I spent a few years flying out of Darwin for Jayrow.

I still miss the flying in the Top End.

Greg