Byron Bay Gliding

John Michel is interested in a trip to the Kimberly this winter. He’s taking his Maule and one co-pilot, I think. Long way to go in a motor-glider, but a trip of a lifetime. I’m considering taking the G109.

I did in early 90s did a centre trip in pure gliders and motorgliders and can still remember flying 699km from Mt Isa to Tennant Creek and arriving in PIK20 E at 4pm and wondering what to do for the next 2 hours if ever a 1000km day that was it.

In a totally different way this was just as interesting. Briefly fuel at St George because the computer locked up at Goondiwindi. Places like Eulo were great in that it was 300m from tie down to pub and store. Fuel at Thargamina (they have a dash8 service with 2 passengerson the day we were there) then over Nocondra pub strip too wet then old now dead jackson oil field then every 30 min you would see a total change below like green channel country then moonscape then mars scape to arrive at Inaminka then north to Birdsville.  Caravan park units good value and highlight was Birdsville working musuem - a total must and just as good as Aust nat musuem in Canberra or stockmans hall of fame at Longreach.  Then down to Mungeranie pub (met us at strip and went for lunch coffee $1.50 and Pie $3.50 so no ski field prices like Birdsville pub) - would consider it for overnight stay - hot pool and accommodation. then fly to Marrie - a bit of a dive but good $10 feed at caravan park.  Next day on to Lake Eyre and then William Creek.  Progress has reached William Creek as the airstrip now have a FENCE!!! and you can no longer taxialong road up to fuel pumps at pub.  Progress!!  There is a photo around the club of GLA and KIR at pub petrol pumps 10 years ago.  Then on to Coober Pedy.  Crag was organiser there at it was excellent.  We did a desert tour for $40.  Initally thought it was expensive but it was EXCELLENT.  Then back to Marrie and long wait for fuel.  John and Terry (Maule) and Craig (C172) made it thrugh but 2 dimonas turned back because of bad weather. NExt day a 6.30 am dep to catch up but buggered again by fog so had to find a station airfield to land or a few hours waiting for fog to lift.  John Michell found a tar strip short of Bourke at Wangaarang but not after the publican drove us in and out for lunch at Tibaburra.  No mob at Wangaarang - just fly over the pub.and out he came and carted us standing up in the back of a truck.  Evidently out there it is legal to stand in back of a truck so long as speed is less than 15kph - no seat belt are required according to policeman!!  Then on way John was on the ground at Walgett but all acc was booked out so while stil in the air we diverted to Lightning ridge.  More time should have been spent there but it is local!!  We did find a great outback art Gallery (John Murray I think).  We returned via overnight at Warwick and John Michell and terry made it through to Casino.

What can I say - John Michells organisation was EXCELLENT and Craig was great at organising Birdsville Museum and Coober Pedy tour acc and transport (+ discounts). I would go with John Michell anyday on such a trip

What did I learn - well in future we must teach take offs and landings overweight before anybody goes away.  It would have been almost impossible to go in falke so thankyou John Witham for organising same but not coming and letting me take Dimona.  Fuel can be a problem especially when you have to buy a 200 lit drum.  I did take a 13 lit drum but in futre I would take a 25 lit surf rescue fuel bag which could be used to pick up a bit of mogas in towns for overnight stays.  There is NO internet except when Johns Next G service was available. I would also say it is essential to be able to navigate with lat and log to find a field and to also work out where you are- I have never done it before but sure learnt it this time.  I could say most of our navigating to Cober Pedy was map and 10 min intervals but our way back was down to 400ft.  Bad weather is not the time to learn low level navigation - you do that on blue days.  Probably more time and less long runs would be a good idea. ie add a few more days.

I would also consider a trolly to cart gear or fuel. Also do a carbon fibre job on the glider to remove weight!! 

Airports have fences but the fences and gates are to keep the Kangaroos (and emus) off the landing field.  Airport Security!!! Whats that.  Not once did I need that red security card which I do not have!! I usually add a bright green shirt at airports like Ballina

Sawer engines are amaizingly reliable - all our engines are - an aero engine had no idea if it is over the desert  of AUS or water or anythiong else.  People bogged in those closed roads had heaps more problems!!!!  THe worst places are in the northcoast wilh all the trees.  Out back no worries.
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Costs - average accommodation was $30 to $40 each plus evening meals $10 to $20.  Fuel ranged from $1.44 at St George (Barnaby’s country)  to $2 to $2.50 at Birdsville, Maree, Cober Pedy (no where had 98 and only 95 at Birdsville otherwise all 91 only)  Time of trip was about 25 hours  If I flew at 95kts 2450 rpm I would use 55lit of AV gas while Bill and Vall in Rotax falke would use 48 litres.  If I slowed down to 2250 to 2300 rpm and 10 kts slower I think the Sauer Dimona was even less fuel than other Dimona (rotax 80hp)

The future.  I could only recommend such a trip and John Michell is a great organiser/leader. THe Pilkingtons (Wendy and Allen- both pilots) have done many aviation trips in their working days and as Wendy says there are many great sites to visit by air in inland Queensland.  I would totally recommend to all -go and do it and any motorglider is a great way to go with just a bit of preparation (esp tools and organising fuel).

A great local trip is Hecks field, Dunwich, Tangalooma (poss overnight), Cobulture (aeroclub lunch weekends), Boonah(poss overnight) then home.  Others would be Moree (hot pool) Lighting Ridge then to wherever.  Keepit always have a safari late Nov early Dec.  

I would have to say the 3 great aviation/gliding things I have done is 1 going to Barron Hilton Cup with Brad Edwards as his guest 2 gliding safiri around centre of AUS which included Longreach Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, Allice Springs, Ayres Rock, Cober Pedy Wilpena Pound and finally this trip.  Flying at 26000ft in wave or 750km flights are just minor as all that takes it a good day.  There is a web site of trip think it is www,byrongliding.com\cns

Ian McPhee  .

2:20pm Friday, 4 days late we’re back at Tyagarah. ZDD last one home! Heavy fog and rain at Warwick this morning but we escaped between 2 rain showers through Kyogle and down to Tyagarah.

Well we’ve made it back - almost. Not surprisingly we’re the last ones home.:-) We arrived in Warwick this afternoon after a great run with a tail wind from Moree. 

We fought our way out of Wanaaring yesterday after watching the RFDS in their King Air arrive. The morning at Wanaaring dawned clear but by  the time we were at the airfield the fog had rolled in. By midday the fog had developed into 500ft cloud. John in the Maule braved the low cloud and headed off in the direction of Bourke (100nm). 20 mins later the call came in - climb up above and come on top. 

And we did! The view for the first 40 nm was a little unsettling with 80% cloud cover below and just a few breaks to the south. That all changed to broken cu’s and higher cloudbase as we neared Bourke - we were zipping along weaving between the cu’s!

After a super fast refuel at Bourke we headed to Walget only to divert to Lightning Ridge for the night after John saved us yet again with a call from the ground -no beds - you’re boold at the Black Opal Motel Lightning Ridge.

Lightning Ridge - tirned out to be a good place to stay the night. Good tar runway - if a bit uphill and cheap food at the Bowling Club - even wifi net access arounf the corner at the Bluey Motel.

June 4th dawned overcast with low cloud at 1100 ft but we were again rewarded with improving skies as we travelled towards the 100 nm to Moree.

We’ve all made it to Coober Pedy. A few minor troubles along the way but nothing major. The trip so far has much more than expected - truly a trip of a lifetime. The colours and shapes in the constantly changing desert sceney are amazing.

There’s been almost no mobile or internet coverage for a couple of days so it’s been impossible to post or upload until here. 

First day to Warwick was difficult - dodging the low cloud to find a way though the coastal ranges to the back.

Day two was long and hot but we were rewarded with the first of the desert scenery and emus on the dirt runway at Eulo

More to follow…

UPDATE! 

Midday 25th May. Due to the cyclone and horrendous weather we are behind schedule. Weather is looking better today, clear overnight and low cloud and light rain from 11 am. We plan to leave for somewhere behind the coastal range today - possibly stopping at Warwick. More updates to follow.

Tim

Day 1 25th May  

Fly Tyagarah to Eulo via Goondiwindi.   We may meet other aircraft at Warwick, St George, then off to Eulo.  

Stay overnight at Eulo aprox 6.4 hour flight for Falke from Tyagarah.  If we leave Tyagarah at 800hrs then even the slow aircraft would be in Eulo before 1700 hours allowing for stopovers (Last light 5:59)

Day 2 26th May

 Fly Eulo to Thargomindah (95nm) and visit Burke and Wills dig tree (not sure by car or plane John Michell will advise) then off to Birdsville via Innamincka.  

Stay o’night Birdsville.   Aprox 5.5 hour flight

Day 3 27th May 

Fly Birdsville to Marree via Mungerannie.  We could take a wider route to the west to see the northern part of LE. 

Stay at Marree 3 nights .  Aprox 3.5 hour flight.