DenisPC9

[DenisPC9]

I have just removed the chocks and have barely got past the "Clear Prop" stage ;-)

 

I did quite a bit flying around PNG in the 1970s as a pax and chartering lots of aircraft in the Highlands, then was the IT bod at 2FTS at RAAF Pearce 2001-2004 and running their Flight Scheduling and Training Database. I have been aloft in the PC9s, hence the suffix to my name. So, being retired, I decided that I would try my hand at formalising lots of little bits that I have seen and done and see if it was as effortless as all those people with 100s, and 1,000s of hours in their logs.

 

I have started at Lone Eagle, at Clifton on the Darling Downs. So far I have got up ~4 hours and am getting the hang of "Straight and Level". I quickly worked out that the "effortless" bit required quite a bit of "effort" to become so.

 

I am scaring myself in a Drifter and probably frightening the crap out of my FI. But he keeps asking me back, so I hope its more of the potential than personality ;-)

 

I have just finished building my own house out of Insulated Concrete Formwork (bloody large Lego blocks) and people keep asking my "What will you do now that the house is done to stop you getting bored?" Being retired, time is not of the essence.

 

 

[dazza 38]

Welcome Denis

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Welcome Denis. T'field is not far from my old home (OK). Your town used to have an airstrip; is it still open? Are there other aviators around your area?

 

 

[recflyer]

I have just removed the chocks and have barely got past the "Clear Prop" stage ;-)I did quite a bit flying around PNG in the 1970s as a pax and chartering lots of aircraft in the Highlands, then was the IT bod at 2FTS at RAAF Pearce 2001-2004 and running their Flight Scheduling and Training Database. I have been aloft in the PC9s, hence the suffix to my name. So, being retired, I decided that I would try my hand at formalising lots of little bits that I have seen and done and see if it was as effortless as all those people with 100s, and 1,000s of hours in their logs.

 

I have started at Lone Eagle, at Clifton on the Darling Downs. So far I have got up ~4 hours and am getting the hang of "Straight and Level". I quickly worked out that the "effortless" bit required quite a bit of "effort" to become so.

 

I am scaring myself in a Drifter and probably frightening the crap out of my FI. But he keeps asking me back, so I hope its more of the potential than personality ;-)

 

I have just finished building my own house out of Insulated Concrete Formwork (bloody large Lego blocks) and people keep asking my "What will you do now that the house is done to stop you getting bored?" Being retired, time is not of the essence.

Welcome. Would be great fun to learn in the drifter!

 

 

[DenisPC9]

Thanks Gents. I think I have the right mental approach its just the aerial attitude I have to work on

 

I have had a look at the local strip about 12 months ago and after seeing and working around many PNG Strips and a fair number of RAAF ones, I am severely underwhelmed. Although I do realise that ~1 movement a month or less doesn't really justify 60" of reinforced concrete. I will have another look over the next weeks or so but from memory it resembles a corrugated iron roof.

 

I believe there is only 1 aircraft using the strip. Although I recckon that 60% of the Council would qualify a Balloonists, the amount of hot air that emanates from them is astounding.

 

 

[DenisPC9]

Welcome. Would be great fun to learn in the drifter!

Evening Adam

It is and despite what I have written, quite enjoyable. The scenery of the Darling Downs is incredible. There is lots of clear airspace and not too much traffic, in fact just about none. So I can concentrate on the basics and gradually introduce myself to the other complexities that make up and also occupy "up there". Although there is always the ever present "threat" of low level Fast Jets tracking east or west to and from RAAF Amberley or Helos low levelling around the place from Army Oakey, in the northwest.

 

As well, in the future there is the challenge of the Brisbane Rim to fly along and hop over.

 

 

[recflyer]

Thanks Gents. I think I have the right mental approach its just the aerial attitude I have to work on I have had a look at the local strip about 12 months ago and after seeing and working around many PNG Strips and a fair number of RAAF ones, I am severely underwhelmed. Although I do realise that ~1 movement a month or less doesn't really justify 60" of reinforced concrete. I will have another look over the next weeks or so but from memory it resembles a corrugated iron roof.

 

I believe there is only 1 aircraft using the strip. Although I recckon that 60% of the Council would qualify a Balloonists, the amount of hot air that emanates from them is astounding.

Is the strip open?

 

 

[gareth lacey]

Yes the strip is open , landed there last month but very quiet the guys mowing the side grass told me not many planes landing and the plane in the long grass at the entrance has been very neglected cheers Gareth

 

 

[DenisPC9]

Is the strip open?

Thanks Gareth.

 

Here's an update. Located 13km out of town, signposted (on the road ;-)) but not that well in town. I went out there this morning and its recently been mown, so recently, that you can see the tyre tracks. So I will retract my "corrugated iron roof" statement.

 

I checked the Tenterfield Shire Council Website, as they supposedly own the strip and there's nothing there. Searching various combos of the word aerodrome/airport/airfield drew a blank. But this doesn't surprise because whilst some parts of the place are almost up to date, most of it is somewhere back there in the past, especially mentally ;-)

 

Here is http://ourairports.com/airports/YTFD/pilot-info.html

 

Pix "YTFD 5Sep15" was taken from just up the road. I imagine on a day like today it would be quite scenic to fly into. With the Valleys and greenery.

 

 

Pix "YTFD Welcome 5Sep15" is a bit of faded glory. That's what greets visitors after disembarking ;-)

 

 

Pix "YTFD Pax facilities 5Sep15" and Main (and only) Taxiway

 

 

Pix "YTFD Past dreams 5Sep15" was probably the sight that met Gareth. Had he wandered around he would have come across

 

 

Pix "YTFD Past nightmare 5Sep15" in the scrub behind one of the "hangars"

 

 

[ATTACH=full]37713[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]37714[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]37715[/ATTACH]

 

 

[gareth lacey]

Oh, they do have toilets as well to far to walk in to town for coffee and there is a restricted area close by as well just a pee stop but a bit of wind at the end of strip off the hills cheers Gareth

 

 

[recflyer]

Other than the wrecked aircraft it looks great! Sad about the neglected aircraft though, I wonder how much it would be to get her airworthy...prob too much for me.

 

 

[facthunter]

You could have a lot worse plane than a Drifter....... SB? Nev

 

 

[facthunter]

That's a worn out WELCOME sign. Get's pretty cold there in winter doesn't it? Nev

 

 

[rankamateur]

Yes the strip is open , landed there last month but very quiet the guys mowing the side grass told me not many planes landing and the plane in the long grass at the entrance has been very neglected cheers Gareth

It had a 2010 ERSA on the seat when I landed there about 3 years ago so we assumed it had been given a bit of love sometime about then. It was quite a good strip as I remembered it just a bit up and down over its length. Might depend a bit on what you are used to!

 

 

[DenisPC9]

That's a worn out WELCOME sign. Get's pretty cold there in winter doesn't it? Nev

This happens every several years "Tenterfield View from Office 17Jul15"

 

 

But more often than not in Winter, its balmy like this "Chilly Morn 24Jul11"