The Pilatus Porter in Australian Army use

[bob10]

PC-6 Pilatus Porter in Australian Army, Pilatus-Enthusiasts

[JDNSW]

When I was running a geophysical operation in PNG in 1970, we used a chartered PC-6 for transport between Mendi and Bosavi. One of my memories is coming in to Mendi to meet an RPT flight. We had been delayed departing Bosavi by fog, and were still about thirty miles out when the Friendship called taxiing. Our pilot called them and they agreed to wait for our arrival. (even waited for me to rush up to the guesthouse and get some bags!)

Arriving near Ka Peak about 4,000ft above the runway, our pilot made this into a base leg, turning onto final 1,000ft above the threshold of the runway, descending at about 30 degrees at 70kts with the prop in beta, touchdown about halfway down the runway, about fifty feet of ground run, with the prop in reverse. All this at a runway altitude of 5,000ft.

John

[ramblingboy42]

Thanks for that information Bob.

Porters were a major part of my life for 5 years as I served in 5 Base Workshop Battalion and 173 Support Squadron.

An amazing aeroplane was the PC6 and its stol performance could only be beaten by a helicopter......in fact in good headwind they could hover.

Many stories I could tell about these aeroplanes.

Dennis

[bob10]

Thanks for that information Bob.

Porters were a major part of my life for 5 years as I served in 5 Base Workshop Battalion and 173 Support Squadron.

An amazing aeroplane was the PC6 and its stol performance could only be beaten by a helicopter......in fact in good headwind they could hover.

Many stories I could tell about these aeroplanes.

Dennis

I had the opportunity to fly as a passenger in one, from Darwin, to a cattle station [ can't remember the name, Muckity?] where elements of NORFORCE were being trained in the use of horses and pack horses for long range patrol. The pilot put on a show for the dozens of Aboriginal children lining the strip, and I swear the aircraft stopped in its own length. He took off the same way, an experience I will never forget.

[bob10]

When I was running a geophysical operation in PNG in 1970, we used a chartered PC-6 for transport between Mendi and Bosavi. One of my memories is coming in to Mendi to meet an RPT flight. We had been delayed departing Bosavi by fog, and were still about thirty miles out when the Friendship called taxiing. Our pilot called them and they agreed to wait for our arrival. (even waited for me to rush up to the guesthouse and get some bags!)

Arriving near Ka Peak about 4,000ft above the runway, our pilot made this into a base leg, turning onto final 1,000ft above the threshold of the runway, descending at about 30 degrees at 70kts with the prop in beta, touchdown about halfway down the runway, about fifty feet of ground run, with the prop in reverse. All this at a runway altitude of 5,000ft.

John

I recently watched a foxtel program on ex-pat Brits, young pilots flying for an airline in West Papua, I think. They flew Porters, to some of the most remote airfields in Papua. A Kiwi senior pilot had the job of checking out new landing strips, cut out of the jungle by the natives. Most of the strips were up in the mountains, and pretty rough and ready. Talk about flying by the seat of your pants, the Porter would probably be the only small aircraft to handle it.

[JDNSW]

I recently watched a foxtel program on ex-pat Brits, young pilots flying for an airline in West Papua, I think. They flew Porters, to some of the most remote airfields in Papua. A Kiwi senior pilot had the job of checking out new landing strips, cut out of the jungle by the natives. Most of the strips were up in the mountains, and pretty rough and ready. Talk about flying by the seat of your pants, the Porter would probably be the only small aircraft to handle it.

There are a few others I suggest - some that I have actually seen doing this sort of thing in PNG include Do27 and Wren 360, and I flew my Cessna 180 into some fairly primitive places there. The C185 is almost as impressive provided you keep the weight down.

But all of these are smaller than the Porter. But they use a lot less fuel as well.

Another rather impressive flight for me was a trip in a C185 from Mendi to Margarima (7800ft - density altitude that day 10,000ft). I actually flew the outward leg from the right seat, having allowed the pilot a trip in my 180.

John

[bob10]

There are a few others I suggest - some that I have actually seen doing this sort of thing in PNG include Do27 and Wren 360, and I flew my Cessna 180 into some fairly primitive places there. The C185 is almost as impressive provided you keep the weight down.

But all of these are smaller than the Porter. But they use a lot less fuel as well.

Another rather impressive flight for me was a trip in a C185 from Mendi to Margarima (7800ft - density altitude that day 10,000ft). I actually flew the outward leg from the right seat, having allowed the pilot a trip in my 180.

John

Thanks, I will definitely ask mr google about those aircraft, because the cessna is the only one I recognise. Learn something every day.

[Plane Fixer]

I was looking after a Pilatus Porter in Yemen in the mid 90's and the pilot was a very experienced Kiwi. We went many places in this aircraft; impossible I would have thought, as we were servicing oil rigs with equipment and crew.
He showed me beta decents, full reverse and going down vertically at 80 knots. I was also shown short take off and landing (they can rotate on the tail wheel). I was also shown at a safe altitude and zero airspeed, yet still climbing at 500 fpm.
As I was working for a Swiss company we had the latest models with the underwing fuel tanks and the -27 engines. A great aircraft.