Goolwa Flight Sat Nov 12th

[Guest SAJabiruflyer]

With the looming arrival of many Aircraft for a Sonex Fly in on Sat 12th November, I showed up at Goolwa Airfield around 0830hrs to find the Goolwa Recreational Flying School (http://www.goolwaairport.com.au/GRFT.htm) aircraft (Jabiru 230) already out on the tarmac. I’ve spent a lot of time in this aircraft and it’s beautiful to fly. Quite new too with under 300hrs. Performing the in-depth daily inspection, nothing was found to render the plane unsafe, so a quick personal pit stop and it was time to go.

 

A quick note: For those of you considering flying into Goolwa, make sure you read ERSA as Goolwa is a CTAF with it's own frequency and Mid-field, Crosswind Circuit entries are not permitted (Parachute Ops), and RH Circuits are required for some runways due to terrain. Also be aware that Jets operate and Parachute Aircraft can make non standard turns when departing. No flying on the dead side due to parachute ops. Yes, we did see one aircraft join Midfield Crosswind on the day, not good considering they can conflict with parachutes.

 

Runway 01 was the active and a check of the windsock showed this to be the most into-wind runway, so we taxied to the run-up bay to perform the required checks, then off down the grass taxiway to the threshold of 01. It’s quite a long Taxi but the excellent work of Geoff and the team at Goolwa Airport keeps it in good condition. Crossing 27 (with a radio call given) we held short for a great looking Cessna doing circuits, then gave our entering and rolling call and off we went. After a few circuits with Touch N’ Go’s, (thankfully resulting in Acky realising that I can actually kind of fly), we departed for a scenic flight to the Murray Mouth via Finniss and Hindmarsh Island. Showing Acky the many strips on Hindmarsh Island, none of which we have permission to use for training, we arrived over the Murray Mouth at 2500’. Giving a radio call with intentions, we tracked coastal to Victor Harbor, admiring the lovely scenery along the way. While I’ve seen aircraft fly coastal at the legal minimums, to me that means a beach landing in the event of an engine failure, so I always aim for between 1500’ and 2500’ depending on the particular spot of coastline – there are many nice paddocks easily reachable from 2500’!

 

After tootling about over Victor Harbor, we flew coastal back to Murray Mouth, watching other aircraft in the circuit as we flew past the end of 19. We then popped over to our Training Area at Milang and performed a couple of stalls (docile aircraft!) and some engine failure practice over an airstrip on which we have permission to go to 200’.

 

We then decided to fly to Strathalbyn and perform a couple of touch and go’s. Never been there before and I was quite nervous as I don’t yet have my Nav Endorsement and have not been PIC and flown to other airfields without an Instructor. For the technically minded – yes Strathalbyn is well within my 25nm limit J . Changing frequencies we gave our Inbound Call, and yes I stuffed it up at the last word – I said “Goolwa” instead of “Strathalbyn”. Eagle ears monitoring the Goolwa CTAF as well as 126.7 jumped on to remind me of the Goolwa CTAF Frequency. But that’s ok we all make mistakes, as long as we learn from them. A fly over of Strathalbyn showed 32 was the most into wind and also the longest, so we performed a couple of Touch n Go’s (it’s a very narrow strip, they were closer to Touch n “Lets get out of here!) whilst keeping an eye and ear out for Microlights operating at the airfield.

 

Heading back to the Milang Training Area, we watched a Helicopter performing low level aerial work, quite an interesting sight. At this time, there were many aircraft inbound for the Sonex Fly In, so we listened and gave our inbound call, joining midfield downwind for 01. We performed one more touch n go (had to show Acky the first ones weren’t a fluke) and then parked back at the hangar. Another great day flying with 2.2 hours added to my Logbook, and 2.2 years taken off Acky’s life :)

 

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[J170 Owner]

Thanks for your post. I wanted to get down there myself but other things stopped that.

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Good stuff SAJF! I had to work all day yesterday and in fact right in the area where you were flying, I could hear an A/C overhead a couple of times, possibly was you. Also saw a few bugs around the Strath area on the way in, was a good day for flying apparently, not so much for working.

 

 

[Guest SAJabiruflyer]

Good stuff SAJF! I had to work all day yesterday and in fact right in the area where you were flying, I could hear an A/C overhead a couple of times, possibly was you. Also saw a few bugs around the Strath area on the way in, was a good day for flying apparently, not so much for working.

Thanks for the comments. We were around there from about 1030hrs - 1200hrs on and off, was a great day. Saw two Microlights at Strathalbyn, one in the air and one on the ground - that looks like a lot of fun!

 

 

[Guest SAJabiruflyer]

Thanks for your post. I wanted to get down there myself but other things stopped that.

My pleasure. There's always something happening at Goolwa, busy place on weekends. This coming weekend on Sunday 20th, there will be a BBQ Lunch at about 1300hrs, as part of the Aeroscene "Cruisin the Coorong" event. I'll be there along with many other fliers. I'll be in the Pax Seat with Acky PIC for the trip, should be a lot of fun and a good experience.

 

http://www.aeroscene.com.au/event/22-cruisin--the-coorong--.html

 

 

[Acky]

. I'll be in the Pax Seat with Acky PIC for the trip, should be a lot of fun and a good experience.

I can guarantee an experience not necessarily good tho

 

But in all seriousnes, saturday was a great morning flying around with SAJabiruflyer. Lots of fun was had, and contrary to popular belief, I can report that he is a competent and safe pilot and CAN land a jabiru.

 

 

[Tomo]