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Thread: Annual OZ Trip

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  1. #1
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    Default Annual OZ Trip

    I thought I'd share a little of the trip we are on at the moment. Each year since launching we have headed off for a little fly to some of the interesting remote places in Australia.
    We have undertaken trips straight across the country to the remote Kimberley region, into the red centre and up to Queensland and Sth Australian deserts. This year we have headed Nth through NSW, up the Queensland coast to Ayr, then across to the Gulf country where we are tonight in Bourktown. We have flow over 20 hours so far on this trip and will double that by the time we get home in a few weeks time.

    I will make a few posts covering a few days at a a time.

    Here is the route so far.

    I hope this is interesting enough as I realise it isn't about building and technical stuff.

    cheers

    ross
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    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    Day 1 and 2 - up through NSW and over to the Qld coast.

    We left home on a cold morning with heaps of fog. But that cleared off after an hour or so, stopped at Cootamundra for a short break, then Warialda, WArick in Qld and then on to our friends cattle porperty near Boonah. Col and Anna have a Super Cub and have adventured with us before so it good to catch up with them at their new property. Col had put a rough runway in with a 10' slope up to his Hanger - fun!

    1. leaving home.jpg2. up central NSW.jpg
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  3. #3
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    Incredible trip Ross!
    This is why we build.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    Kakadu National Park
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    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    Last few days coming up!

    Jim - yes, I find that a bit frustrating too. Perhaps I am posting using the wrong format?

    Phil - yes, they have a pretty large op up in that parts of OZ.

    cheers

    r
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    After leaving Cols place we headed over to coast between the Gold Coast and Brisbane control areas and picked up the coastal VFR route north along Sth Stradboke island and Morton Island then up the coast getting a clearance to track coastal through the Sunshine Coast Control area, along Fraser island then over to Hervey Bay for the night.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    I thought it might be useful to show a pic of my tie downs. I use the main peg to hold the tie down rope and it has a dog chain on it through which I drive a second peg - it is very strong. And the hammer is essential as is the hook welded to it for pulling pegs out!

    cheers

    r
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    JABIRU TO DUNMARRA – 242 NM

    It was time for us to start heading south again and eventually to home! This meant the last of the tailwinds unfortunately. There was a big high pressure system sitting over Australia which meant we were wanting to go Sth and the winds were strong from the SE – not ideal! Normally in this pat of Australia it is hot and it is best to get up early and fly before too many thermals get established. But this weather pattern was different. The temps were relatively cool and the winds strong in the morning and settling a bit around 11am. The forecast was for severe turbulence below 7000ft until 1000, so we waited until 1100. The best winds were forecast at 7500ft so up we went! We would much rather fly low over this interesting country but we had no real choice because of turbulence and also because the winds backed to the east the higher we went.

    Out in this part of Australia, fuel planning is important as there are not many places where you can get it, nor is the supply always reliable. Dunmarra is just a road house on the Stuart highway but there is a dirt strip out the back, premium unleaded is available, you can taxi right into the camp ground and the owner is a pilot with a Cessna 182 and a Murphy Rebel. We had been there before and the owner Garry is very welcoming. So it was no brainer for an over night stop. Again the winds persisted and made for a slow trip and at least up high is was smooth – although it made for pretty spectacular landings!!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    BIRDSVILLE TO WHITE CLIFFS

    Birdsville is In Western Queensland. 2 or three days home from here depending on weather. So it was time to start studying the charts and plan how to get home (Mt Beauty, Vic). The stable weather patterns over the central and Nth parts of OZ make it all pretty predictable day to day. But down Sth, a series of fronts sweep across the nation from west to east bringing cold, wet and sometimes wild weather.

    The forecast was for fog in Birdsville, and true to forecast we woke to a pretty thick one! There are about 12 charter planes bringing people to see water of the channel country and Lake Eyre that only fills with water every few years. They were mostly Caravans and 206's. While we waited, the Kitfox become the 'plane of interest' with the charter pilots all coming to look it over and ask us about the trip - they loved the idea of being able to do trips like we are at such a low cost and also to go the places we can go. We didnt mind as it helped to pass he time and before long the IFR mob were starting to depart and 45 mins later we took to the air.

    A great flight down over the Strezleki Desert to Tibboburra with a 20kt tailwind. The Strezleki had a lot of water after recent rains so that was interesting and rare sight. We made good time, so after a short stop we decided press on to White Cliffs - an opal mining community. We had a few challenging bits of weather to negotiate. Sometimes having to stay low and at other times going up on top

    The local pub owner came out to give us fuel and take us into town.

    A good day despite the slow start and we enjoyed a few beers chatting to the locals.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Annual OZ Trip

    Kept going up the coast. We had to divert inland around the Shoalwater Bay Military Training area to Mackay. It was blowing hard. We got a clearance into Mackay and performed an imitation of a helicopter landing into a 25KT wind blowing straight down the runnaway!!
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

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