Biggles (Bob and Sally) drop into Starke Field NQ.....

[Guest Maj Millard]

Had the pleasure of meeting Biggles and his lovely wife again today at Starke field west of Townsville. (I had run into them recently at Natfly Temora) They are on their way up to visit Frank Arri (Farri) just South of Cairns, and should be there tomorrow sometime.

 

They had overnighted in Longreach central Qld, stopped at Charters Towers for fuel, and arrived over Starke around 1pm today.

 

After a relaxing chat at Starke with local CFI Steve O'Donnell and others, we both departed and I escorted them in the Lightwing towards the dreaded "Pinnicals pass", just to make sure they had indeed left the area !....they are overnighting at Ingham before continuing North tomorrow. Nice job on building the Jabaru 160 Bob and Sally by the way............Safe travels, and have a great time at Farri's !!....Biggles and wife are from Bairnsdale Vic so they are a fair way from home !..................................................................Maj...

 

 

[Tecsar]

Maj, I'm in early stages of planning a June/July flight from Gold Coast to Innisfail and return. For Townsville looks like best OCTA passage is Starke field to Bluewater field, just to the west of Frederick Peak. Is this what you describe as 'the dreaded "Pinnicals pass"'. And why is it "dreaded"?

 

Thanks, Steve.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Yes that's it, it's not that bad really but you are limited to 2500' which puts you level with the top of a flat plateau downwind, so can get very bumpy with lots of down, when it's blowing. Thing is you don't want to be much below 2500' as there are few landing option for 5 mins or so, plus a 700' foot hill right in the middle. Wouldn't loose too much sleep over it though, all sorts of aircraft have been through there on regular occasions, plus your only in there for a short time.........................Maj...

 

 

[Tecsar]

Maj, thanks for that. Good info.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Steve, Additionally this is the only passage out to the coastal route North, from the South/West of Townsville. You can go well inland which in itself has it's own difficulties, or request clearance through the Class C, but both certainly adds extra distance and time. On the Eastern side of the Pinnicles is the Townsville Class C boundry, and to the immediate West is the 'High Range' country which is often active Military restricted zones that are often active, and closely watched by the Townsville controllers for unplanned incursions.

 

In fact years ago the military wanted to close the pinnicals VFR route for their own purposes but thanks to the efforts of the late Bill starke (Starke Field) at the time, it remains as a valuable and well used route to the coast. There are no further restrictions up the coast all the way to Cairns for the rec aviator. I used to commute north regulary through the pinnicals and occasionally you can get some low cloud in there down to about 600' but I don't believe I've ever not been able to get through.............................................................Maj...

 

 

[biggles]

Steve, Additionally this is the only passage out to the coastal route North, from the South/West of Townsville. You can go well inland which in itself has it's own difficulties, or request clearance through the Class C, but both certainly adds extra distance and time. On the Eastern side of the Pinnicles is the Townsville Class C boundry, and to the immediate West is the 'High Range' country which is often active Military restricted zones that are often active, and closely watched by the Townsville controllers for unplanned incursions.In fact years ago the military wanted to close the pinnicals VFR route for their own purposes but thanks to the efforts of the late Bill starke (Starke Field) at the time, it remains as a valuable and well used route to the coast. There are no further restrictions up the coast all the way to Cairns for the rec aviator. I used to commute north regulary through the pinnicals and occasionally you can get some low cloud in there down to about 600' but I don't believe I've ever not been able to get through.............................................................Maj...

Steve ,

 

Maj's knowledge , comments and advice regarding the airspace in and around Townsville is extremely accurate

 

Bob

 

 

[biggles]

Had the pleasure of meeting Biggles and his lovely wife again today at Starke field west of Townsville. (I had run into them recently at Natfly Temora) They are on their way up to visit Frank Arri (Farri) just South of Cairns, and should be there tomorrow sometime.

 

They had overnighted in Longreach central Qld, stopped at Charters Towers for fuel, and arrived over Starke around 1pm today.

 

After a relaxing chat at Starke with local CFI Steve O'Donnell and others, we both departed and I escorted them in the Lightwing towards the dreaded "Pinnicals pass", just to make sure they had indeed left the area !....they are overnighting at Ingham before continuing North tomorrow. Nice job on building the Jabaru 160 Bob and Sally by the way............Safe travels, and have a great time at Farri's !!....Biggles and wife are from Bairnsdale Vic so they are a fair way from home !..................................................................Maj...

 

Starke Field looking approx. South West

 

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Maj's Lightwing

 

 

Being escorted by the Maj. to the ' dreaded Pinnacles '

 

 

 

The ' dreaded Pinnacles '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tecsar]

Great photos. Current plan has me passing through this way on Tue 26th after overnight at YSHR and back again on Thu 28th. Can someone pass along airfield info for Starke field e.g. CTAF freq, lat/long and runway layout. Nothing in Country Aitstrip Guide. Steve.

 

 

[biggles]

Steve ,

 

You will need the Townsville VTC . Stark Field is located on the 3500/4500 boundary near Woodstock .

 

Bob