Advice and hints on flying from Bundaberg to Ballina

[Tigerfish]

Hello to all you pilots

 

I am one of the very lucky few that will soon take possession of an aeroplane, the Jabiru 230, and will need to fly it back to Northern NSW.

 

I have a few questions.

 

Firstly, to all you factory built Jab owners. What advice can you give me with regards to what you think I would need to look at, for, test, try etc, etc. before coughing up the big bucks?

 

How much time would I need to iron out any bugs and problems that might turn up.

 

What would you suggest I bring with me apart from the necessary maps and publications?

 

What has been your experience?

 

Secondly, to the general flying public, what help,hints, advice can you give with regard to navigating my way back to Ballina (YBNA) from Bundaberg airport?

 

Thanking you all in advance

 

Nick

 

 

[dazza 38]

Hi Nick, keep the ocean on your Left and Australia on your right.Should have no worries. Seriously though.I would go coastal, just have to skirt around, Sunshine coast CTA inland, down the coast of Bribie IS. Then cross Morton Bay, under Brisbane CTA .Then skirt around Coolangatta CTA.Then your home free.

 

 

[HEON]

Coast Ok. What about Kingaroy; Toowoomba/Warwick; Ballina. No control areas. Fuel all locations.

 

 

[Roller69]

Not a bad plan Heon

 

Coast Ok. What about Kingaroy; Toowoomba/Warwick; Ballina. No control areas. Fuel all locations.

Inland via KRY/TWB/WCK is a good plan, but Oakey CTA is active most weekdays. Unless your 230 is VH registered and equipped with a transponder plan on extra track miles (not a big deal from KRY). Inland is certainly an easier option if avoiding CTA is a factor - have a great trip and let us know how your new baby goes..

 

 

[Guest Walter Buschor]

Hi Tigerfish,

 

I agree with Dazza in that you should go the coastal way. It's a great fly!

 

When leaving Bundy head east or east south east for the coast and follow it down. You will skirt down past Hervey Bay with Fraser Island on your left. Thats great stuff. Once reaching the southern end of Fraser stay coastal and fly past Rainbow Beach and the lighthouse right at the tip. It's beautiful out there. Then just follow the coast until you hit Marrochydore CTA and track over Nambour. Once south of Nambour head back towards Caloundra and the beach following the beach all the way to The southern tip of Bribie Island. Then cross the water at 3500ft ( max allowed ) to Morton Island. Once there stay on the west side ( normal practice when going south ) and follow the beach as low as you like. Then continue on to Straddie Island and again follow the beach . All great stuff! When you reach the south of Straddie stay coastal down the Gold coast at 1000ft going south until you hit Q1 - That's the big black building - i think that's what it's called. Once at Q1 turn inland heading south west to avoid Cooloongatta CTA. Once clear of that turn back to the coast and fly past Byron Bay lighthouse and home to Ballina. Great fun and lots of landing opportunities on the way.

 

fly safe

 

Walter

 

 

[Tomo]

G'day Tiger, sounds awesome, the J230 is really a nice aircraft.

 

Just do a thorough check on everything, It should be fine, but do it anyway.

 

In the air, check that it flies straight, check that it revs out, should get about 3300rpm S/L (I think that's what it is)

 

At 2900rpm you should be cruising about 120kts if empty, if not get them to look at the prop, because it should do it - as advertised.

 

If you're buzzing around, come on out if you like, I can show you around the area if you want something to do.

 

Take care,

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

I recently did almost exactly that flight, except I went to South Grafton, after the Monto flyin in June. We went to Bundaberg because of the significant cost benefit for fuel rather than direct from Monto.

 

As others have said the flight to the east of Brisbane over the islands, and to the west of the goldcoast is truely one of the most spectacular available and living locally you should take the opportunity to do it. Bundaberg to Ballina wont even go close to stretching you fuel wise and can easily be done in one stretch if your used to flying longer than an hour at a time. flying over the range to Murwillumbah, while staying under the control steps is spectacular, as is the reverse direction where as soon as your over the entire gold coast vista is suddenly visible.... Do it, you wont be unhappy that you did. Just watch the steps it could be easy to have a violation if you spend too much time sight seeing :)

 

As to the J230... The're not as refined as some of the imported models, but at the same time, in my opinion you get quite a bit for the $ you spend.

 

Andy

 

 

[Guest disperse]

"Have lots of fun" Lucky Sod

 

 

[frank marriott]

Inland via KRY/TWB/WCK is a good plan, but Oakey CTA is active most weekdays. Unless your 230 is VH registered and equipped with a transponder plan on extra track miles (not a big deal from KRY). Inland is certainly an easier option if avoiding CTA is a factor - have a great trip and let us know how your new baby goes..

No need for VH rego - only certified instruments and PPL licence

 

Frank

 

 

[Ballpoint 246niner]

G'Day, TF- think I saw your 230 being finished off last week when I was up there- there were 3 being prepped! I fly Caboolture - Bundy quite frequently. Sunshine Coast Class D extends west past Cooroy so track Bundaberg -Tiaro- Gympie - Boroon Pocket Dam, - Bald Knob @3500-4500 feet Watch for western vectored traffic form Maleny VOR.CTR129.0/TWR124.400 Then track coastal to sth tip of Bribie- East to Tangalooma, ( less than 25nm or glide over water!- 3500'LL CTA!) south down the VFR route ( western side of Moreton and Stradbroke)- Jacobs Well, head SW to intersect Hinze reservoir - then south staying west of Cooli CTA and Murwullimbah then home... this route gives you maximun weather options but get's tight if there's weather over Springbrook, but you can divert west to intersect Rathdowney via Laravale NDB and stay west of the weather then back via bit of tiger country around Killarney- Casino. You miss Amberley R660 and also if they activate Tin Can Bay in the north,you won't have to modify your plan.

 

On delivery- I've found the guys great. Get photo's before you head up, make sure everything fits right. Make sure it's trimmed and flies straight. Make sure all instuments and comms work- especially radio's and EFIS stuff! Previous posts suggest giving yourself a couple of days- good advice I reckon! Ask lot's of questions. Congrats and hope you enjoy her!