VFR lanes Gold Coast - Bribie

[Guest thomaswb]

I'm planning a flight to Queensland, and I'll be stopping at Heck Field, but I want to continue on to Caloundra the next day. It seems the Stradbroke / Moreton VFR lanes are the way to go, but I can't find any details about the rules and procedures.

 

I'm an RA pilot, so I'd be flying under the 3500' CTA, but what radio calls are made? What frequency? Is there a specific altitude to fly?

 

Since there is 10 miles of water, and my Jabiru can only glide 7.5 miles from 3000 feet, I imagine I will have to take a life jacket as well.

 

Any pointers would be most welcome.

 

 

[Guest becky]

Hi Thomaswb,

 

All you need is a current VTC chart for the area,Bris,Goldcoast Maroochydore etc ,it has all you need to know on that,just stay below the control steps you will have no worries.and follow the assigned route as indicated.

 

The over water segment is no big deal, its over before you know it.Radio frequencies are all listed ,however I do not have a chart in front of me at the moment, Caloundra is 118.8 be careful not to fly past Caloundra northbound as you are in Maroochydore control airspace very quickly.

 

If you study the chart carefully before leaving plus have your ERSA it should be really enjoyable.Have lots of fun.

 

 

[Guest sypkens]

Hi thomaswb,

 

I fly from Heck in a drifter and have gone up to moreton a few times. If you stay on 126.7 up to Moreton you will be fine - not sure from there on - You will have to check the VTC. As far as flying from Heck to Moreton, go to Jumpinpin and track up Straddies beach to point lookout, then over to Amity with a climb to cover the water over to Karingal (bottom part of Moreton). There is a bit of Tiger Country on the western side of Moreton so track up the beach until you have to do the water crossing. This is probably one of the best if not the best scenic flights in the area and be sure to keep an eye out for whales and dolphins. Also the VTC indicates a track northbound on the beach side of Straddie and a south bound track on the western side. Most aircraft follow this rule. There is a fair bit of traffic in the area on weekends so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

 

I know of some drifters that have done the water crossing over to Bribie. Apart from being scary seems to be relatively straight forward as long as you keep an eye on the ceiling.

 

Also the hospitality on straddie (if you have time) at the Dunwich airfield is incredible. You can also stay there - they have caravans that you can hire for the night as well. The strip itself has a bit of tiger country around it but is well worth dropping in for a cuppa.

 

Either way you wont regret coming up to the area. Enjoy the flight.

 

Jan

 

 

[Guest Crezzi]

Watch out for helicoptor joy flights from Tangalooma resort - mostly low level round Moreton. Don't land at the Tangalooma airstrip without PPR - its $100 if they catch you ($20 with PPR). There is lots of local traffic at weekends &, in my experience, not necessarily following the north bound / south bound routes. The western side of Moreton is tiger country - stick to the eastern side. Switch to Redcliffe / Caboolture / Caloundra CTAF no later than Bribie Island. Keep well clear of Brisbane CTR (obviously) !

 

John

 

 

[Wilfred]

Hi Thomaswb

 

Seeing as you are at Heck you may as well take advantage of the area and include a flight over the Gold Coast

 

When you take off from Heck, head out to the coast and head coastal over water south at 1000 feet along the beach. You are in the Southport CTAF R so don’t forget your radio calls. (all on the VTC)

 

The VFR route goes south at 1000 feet and north at 500 feet . ( on the VTC)

 

It is an excellent scenic route as you fly along the coast you will be looking up into the high rises. Going south you need to watch for Gold Coast CTR so if you do a "U Turn" at Jupiter’s Casino, and descend to 500 feet for the trip north, The Casino very visible and on the VTC

 

As you get past the Gold Coast and near the seaway you can climb to a comfortable height and proceed along the eastern side of South Stradbroke island. At this point you may want to climb to about 2000 feet as you cross the Jumpinpin Bar and then follow the eastern side of the island .

 

At this stage you have the option to drop into Dunwich for a look, or carry on up the coast across the South Passage Bar and up the East Coast of Moreton.

 

The traffic In this area is, East Coast of the island northbound and West coast of the island Southbound. Most GA traffic in this area will be on the Brisbane CTR area freq (125.7)

 

For a bit more scenery you can go right around the northern tip of the island for a view of the Cape Moreton lighthouse, and then just follow the coast back to Combayuro Point which is easy to see on the VTC and makes the shortest distance over water to Bribie Island. If you cross at 3500 you should be within gliding distance of land either way.

 

At Bribie you can descend and fly up the coast to Caloundra

 

The Southport Freq is on the VTC (119.0)

 

Most GA traffic up the island to Cape Moreton will be on the area freq (125.7)

 

Caloundra area freq is 118.8 switch to that and give an area advisory call as you leave Moreton to Cross the water to Bribie.

 

Its all on the VTC and is a very scenic flight.

 

Cheers

 

Peter

 

 

[Admin]

I was very lucky last year to do that when Turtle organised a trip in his Jab along the coast for me when I was up there with the family on holidays - you're flying below the top of some of the tall Surfers paradise building see the residents looking out their windows at you - great trip if you can do it.

 

 

[Guest thomaswb]

Thanks to everyone for their very useful information. Here's a summary of what I plan for the Heck-Caloundra segment, from all these posts (I may well do the Gold Coast as well).

 

- departing Heck Field, change to Suthport 119.0 and make an advisory call about heading to Jumpinpin;

 

- climb to 2500' (even thousand plus 500) and change to Area 119.5

 

- fly up the east coast;

 

- just before Cape Moreton, climb to 3500' for the water crossing;

 

- when over water, change to 118.8 and make an advisory call;

 

- at Mermaid Lagoon, descend to 2500;

 

- make an incoming call for Caloundra.

 

Not so frightening after all! And the water isn't a problem-- although it's 10 miles, I'll never be more than 5 miles from shore. Jabiru's best glide speed is 72 knots, losing 500' per minute, which gives 7.5 miles from 3500'.

 

Thanks to all.

 

Thomas

 

Hi ThomaswbSeeing as you are at Heck you may as well take advantage of the area and include a flight over the Gold Coast

 

...

[eastmeg2]

Hi Thomas,

 

I did the same flight from Heck Feild to Caloundra in a 582 powered Airborne trike a few years back. I'm sure you will have no troubles in a Jabiru.

 

With the extra speed and range you will have I also thoroughly recommend doing the Gold Coast flight to the Casino before turning north again.

 

Cheers,

 

Glen

 

 

[Guest sypkens]

hi Thomas,

 

You only need to change to 119.0 if you are heading south towards the gold coast from Jumpinpin. If you are heading north along the beach to Moreton stay on 126.7 because Dunwich traffic uses 126.7 as well.

 

Regards

 

Jan

 

 

[Guest JRMobile]

Hi Thomas

 

I up loaded some pics to the Gallery/Jabiru showing some veiws flying south from Bundy to Lismore via the VFR routes around Brisbane and the Gold Coast. One of my all time favorite routes!!:big_grin:

 

 

Veiw looking south down Morton Is. - Stradbroke Is.

 

Hope you enjoy your flight.

 

Cheers

 

JR

 

 

[Guest thomaswb]

Since you folk have been so helpful with this navigation business, I think the least I can do is give you a report of how it went. Have a look in the "Flight Reports" section for the Caloundra trip.

 

Regards

 

Thomas