The Best Trip of my Life

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Well hello all once again. I am back on the Eastern part of Australia and have so much to tell you. My trip to Perth as you could tell was awesome. I have also been in Sydney doing a bit of Spotting with Chainsaw. He is a really top bloke and if you get the chance, do a bit of spotting with him. He really loves aviation (even nmore than I do and that?s saying a lot). I was fortunate to stay at his house the other night. And now for my trip report from Mt Gambier.

 

Day 1

 

 

 

Mt Gambier Airport

 

I started my trip at Mt Gambier Airport on Saturday afternoon. I drove to Mt Gambier Airport and arrived at about 1.30pm (SA Time). I was in Mt Gambier for the arrival of the Classic Wings DC 3 with the Rego of VH-CWS. Sixtiesrelic was on board and I was due to be onboard the flight from the next day.

 

The whole trip took 4 days to complete. The first leg was Sydney (Bankstown Airport)-Temora to see the Museum and also to do a Joy Flight. The it was from Temora-Wagga Wagga where they picked up 60?s Daughter Paula. Then the aircraft headed from Wagga Wagga- Denilequin where they did 3 Joy Flights. The gang overnighted there at the Deniliquin Aero Club.

 

The next day proved to be a good flight with both the towns of Horsham and Mt Gambier having a big turn out to see this Historic and Wonderful Plane arrive. The next leg was Denilequin-Horsham. From what 60?s told me, half of Horsham was out at the airport to see the aircraft come in and also to take a Joy Flight on it. While at Denilequin the plane had a lot of trouble starting. From all reports the right engine wasn?t starting. Apperently there was fuel dribbling out of the overflow. The pilots thought that the engine was flooded but something went wrong in the fuel lines and this caused the fuel to bypass the engine and straight into the overflow. Once the engineers had a look at it and worked out what the problem was and did all of the work on it, it Fired 1st time. The aircraft did 2 Joy Flights on the Saturday.

 

Because they where late, they unfortuantly had to turn away a group of people for the 3rd Joy Flight. Then they flew from Horsham-Mt Gambier. I told the president of the Mt Gambier Aero Club that I wanted to join and also told him that I was going on the trip to Perth. He offered me the chance to go up in a chase plane and take a few Air to Air photos. I accepted without thinking twice. We went up in a little 6 seater Beachcraft Low Wing. We got about half and hour out of Mt Gambier when we made contact with the DC-3. After a few turns we caught up and started taking photos.

 

Then we broke away and descended into Mt Gambier Airport. The DC-3 did a fly past of the airport. It then did a big long sweeping left turn and lined up for the longest Rwy at Mt Gambier (I forgot what heading it was) and made a nice and smooth landing. I got out of the light plane and headed over to the DC-3 which was smaller than what I expected. The crew disembarked and I met all of the people that I would be going on this trip with. After that I helped Paula write out some tickets and a passenger manifest for the 2 Joy Flights that we did. 1 was at night. I then decided to take the folks out to tea. I took them to a Chinese Restaurant in the main street of Mt Gambier. They couldn?t eat all of what they ordered. It was nice to sit down and have a yarm with a few people who I have only talked tom on the phone or through E-Mail.

 

Wen then all went our separate ways as it was getting late and we where leaving Mt Gambier at 8.30 that morning. I stayed a mates house for the nice.

 

Day 2

 

 

 

Mt Gambier-Adelaide

 

The day started with an nice sunlit drive out to the Airport where I soon met up with the other crew. We loaded our bags and then fired the engines up. After a short taxi to the end of the Rwy, the Captain pushed the throttles to full power and we sped down the Rwy. After about a 5 minutre climb we reached our cruising altitude of 6000 feet. We couldn?t go any higher as the DC-3?s aren?t pressurized. It was then time to move around and take some photos. I went up the front and was talking to the pilots. They where showing me what some of the instruments where and what they did and how to read them. I then sat down as we started our descent into Adelaide. We where ment to be landing at Parafiel Airport but the aircraft was too heavy for Parafield so we had to divert to Adelaide International.

 

Adelaide-Forrest

 

After a short pit stop and re fuel it was time to head on the last leg for the day and also the longest one of the trip on the DC-3, the trip to Forrest. It would take just under 4 hours to get to Forrest so I tried to catch up on some of the sleep that I had lost. It didn?t happen so I just boringly stared out the window and the ground which was just flat and brown. 4 hours is a long time when you have nothing to do. It then came time for the descent into Forrest. After a few course corrections the plane touched down and the taxied to where it would be parked for the night.

 

Forrest is a beautiful little town. It is about 80kms from the Western Australia/South Australia border on the Nullarbor. It is on the Railroad so there are quite a few Trains that go through Forrest. There are only 2 people who live in Forrest. The controlled the Airport. They also ran the accommodation we stayed at. It was a nice little town. There was an old weather station that had been converted into a museaum that we had a look at and then we went over to the plane to clean it. The only problem was the sun was setting and we decided to spend some time taking pictures of the plane. There where 4 of us taking pictures of the plane. Then the sun set and it was time to clean the plane up. It only took 20 minutes but we where still in a buzz from the Pictures so we decided to wake up at sunrise the next morning (5.47 WA Time).

 

The people at the accommodation cooked us a mouth watering 3 course meal for us. For starters we had Pea and Ham Soup and then we had Post Meat that had been cooked on an open fire out the front of the Accommodation. It was beautiful. And then for desert we had some Apple Crumble with cream. It was only 9pm (WA Time) and this was late as we had been up for about 14 hours so we all decided to go to bed.

 

Day 3

 

The owner of the accommodation were we were staying at told us that the Sun was due to rise at 5.47 WST. So with this everyone set their alarm clocks for about 5am.

 

5am arrived and everyone was eager to get a few early morning photos. The owner of the accommodation met us at 5.30am and took us for the short but interesting ride to the airport where the Aircraft was sitting patiently for us.

 

Some magnificent shots where taken. They will be put in the Album as soon as I get a chance to get home and edit them. 7.30 come around and the Captain decided it was time to lock up and depart. After saying goodbye to the folks at the lovely little town of Forrest, we started up and taxied out to the end of the Rwy for our Departure to Kalgoorlie.

 

Forrest-Kalgoorlie

 

I got to experience my very first Jump Seat Take Off ever of any aircraft (except for light aircraft). This leg wasn?t that exciting. It lasted a little under 2 hours. I didn?t have much to look at except for the odd Freight or Passenger Train heading for Adelaide or Kalgoorlie. The ground was mainly Desert. There where few Cattle Stations on the way but they weren?t that Interesting.

 

This leg would be a chance to catch up on some sleep that I might have missed from a few nights ago in Mt Gambier (too excited to sleep). Our arrival into Kalgoorlie was one that I have never experienced before. We flew into Kalgoorlie from the East. We passed over a Giant Mine that was in operation. There were trucks and mining equipment everywhere and one of the locals said that it was about 150 meters deep and about 2.7kms long. I got some great photos of it which will be posted with this report.

 

Arrival into Kalgoorlie Airport was a bit rough but once we touched down we where given clearance to go to the General Aviation section of the Airport where we were greeted by a re-fuelling truck that would give us the ?Motion Lotion? required to get us to Perth. We met the owners Mother and Uncle who payed for half of the flight. They would accompany us on the final leg to Jandakot.

 

Kalgoorlie-Jandakot (Perth)

 

This was a nice and enjoyable flight but on that note a sad one as it was the last ride on a DC-3 for this Trip. After a steady Take-Off and climb out there were a few chances for some photographs of the airport. Kalgoorlie has a big Airport but there were only 2 aircraft that where on the ground including us when we where there. Kalgoorlie?s main Rwy is just over 1500 meters long, long enough for a Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 to land there.

 

After a few course corrections we headed for Perth. 2 hours everyone including the Pilots on the aircraft were treated with a 500 foot pass over the main Rwy at Perth International Airport and then a wonderful Scenic Flight around the City of Perth. Some of the photos where just fantastic.

 

We then made our way to Jandakot Airport after a few turns and lined up for the Main Rwy. After a wonderful landing, the aircraft was directed to a hangar where it will be kept and maintained while it is on the ground.

 

When the plane stopped we were amazed to see so many Airport workers and Pilots who come to have a look and take some pictures of the Aircraft. When we arrived at the Hangar we were met by everyone who had help David in any way to get this plane to Perth from Sydney.

 

After the customary hugs and kisses from everyone it was time to toast the aircraft at its new home. David grabbed a bottle of Bubbly and popped the cork onto one of the Propeller Blades. After the toast everyone was invited to have a look inside it.

 

While we were on the ground a few nice planes went pass. Most of them where light general Aviation Aircraft but the few that where interesting to see where the Cessna?s used by the Singapore Airlines for flight training and also we were lucky enough to have one of the RAAF Roulettes taxi pass us.

 

This was where I unfortunately had to leave for Perth International Airport so I could catch my Midnight Flight to Sydney. While I was at the Airport, a few interesting Aircraft made their way into and out of Perth International Airport. While I was talking to Chainsaw on the phone an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 landed. This aircraft has got to have one of the best liveries on a Triple 7 that I had seen in a while. There was also an Emirates A340-300 land and a China Airlines A330-300.

 

There where the usual Qantas A330-300s, Boeing 737-800?s, Boeing 767-300?s and the Virgin Blue Boeing 737?s landing and taking off but the real interesting airline and aircraft that I have never seen where the Skywest Airlines Fokker 50?s and 100?s.

 

The take-off of the Air New Zealand Triple 7 was phenomenal. As the aircraft sped passed the Domestic Terminal the noise and vibration were so enormous that every window in the Virgin Blue Terminal vibrated and shook. Definitely an experience in itself.

 

So now I was sitting at the Terminal and bored. It was about 5pm and my flight didn?t leave until 12.25am the next morning. I tried to get some sleep but I just couldn?t because I was so excited.

 

Perth-Sydney

 

After a long wait it was finally time to board the plane to Sydney. The plane was half full. After we where in the air the drinks and food service was started. I decided that I had done such a good time that I would spoil myself so I bought a can of Bundaberg Rum and Cola. After that I had a Chicken and Salad wrap which was awesome. Then it was time to catch up on some sleep. We where about 1 and a half hours out of Perth on the 4 hour trip. I got about 2 hours which isn?t much but I felt good afterwards.

 

Day 4

 

I woke up just before we started out descent into Sydney. The descent took about an hour but it was a good view we got of the airport as we come in for final approach. We come in on Rwy 16L. We flew over the Domestic Terminal and got a great view of the International Terminal. The plane touched down safely and taxied to the Gate at the Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal. By this time it was 7am. On my way out I got the chance to have a quick look at the Cockpit and got a photo. Then I went out into the Terminal and collected my bag. I was meant to be spending the day with a few friends that I met at Sydney Airport 2 years ago but one of them was sick so they didn?t end up coming.

 

I sat at the end of the Virgin Blue Terminal which gave me a great view of the airport. I nearly fell asleep twice. I have to admit that because I was just sitting there it was boring.

 

Then after about 7 hours of waiting Mr Chainsaw (formal because he treated me like royalty) come and picked me up. He took me back to his house and started to show me a few photo storing and editing programs.

 

After that I set my Laptop up and posted my Trip Report on TAA. Then after checking my 37 E-mails that I received it was time to get some much needed sleep. I asked Chainey if we could wake up early and go out to the Airport to do some spotting before the 1st plane landed. He said yes. After a short shower that I desperately needed as I stank I hopped into bed.

 

Day 5.

 

I woke up at 5.30 and quickly had a shower. After that I packed my bag and set my Camera up. Chainey and I then hopped in the car and headed off to the Airport. It was about 6.15 and there where already some International Heavies in.

 

We went out to Sheps Mound. The lighting wasn?t all that good though for phototgraphy so we sat there and listened to Chainey?s scanner.

 

We could see that most of the planes where coming in on Rwy 16R so we made our way to just off to the side of the Flight path of the planes coming into Land. There where a few planes coming in. The highlights of being out here was the Asiana Boeing 777-200 landing and the Boeing 767-300 landing.

 

We then headed out to the beach next to the Old Control Tower and went right up to the Fence. I got some great shots. The highlights of being out here was seeing a Qantas Boeing 747-400 take off in front of me, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 taking off in front of me, a Emirates Airlines Boeing 777-300 and Veitnam Airlines Boeing 777-200ER landing and taxiing right in front of us.

 

We the headed over to the there side of the Airport and where standing on the Beach watching the planes go out of 16R. I liked this place but it wasn?t good for me doing any photography as I was too far away for my 18mm-55mm lens to get some good close up shots.

 

We then went to the Observation Deck where a hype of activity was going on. An Atlas Air Cargo Boeing 747-400 was taxiing out. We also got a few pictures of a Cathay Pacific A330, the Veitnam Airlines Boeing 777-200ER that had come in while I was at the Beach. Chainey then brought me lunch and dropped me off at the Virgin Blue Domestic Terminal. We said out good byes and then went our separate ways. I had already checked in the night before at Chaineys house so I just went in and dropped my bag off. I then had the chance to do a bit of spotting at the end of the Terminal that overlooks the intersection of Rwys 16R and 34L and 07/25.

 

It was then time to board my plane back home to Merlbourne. It was a boring flight but I was also stuffed so I had a sleep. When I woke up we where starting our decent into Melbourne. At about 3.30pm the plane arrived in Melbourne. I went and collected my Bag . I then went and checked in for my flight to Mt Gambier.

 

After I checked in I decided to go down to the end of the Virgin Blue Terminal where I had a chance to get some Tea and start to write this Trip report. My flight was due to leave at 6.35pm but the plane was delayed and it wasn?t until about 7.15pm before we left the Terminal. I was ticketed to be sitting in Seat 1A but due to all of the Passengers (7 in total) sitting forward of the wing, the Captain decide to move me and another bloke down to the very last Row.

 

It was a smooth flight which lasted for about 50 minutes. After we arrived in Mt Gambier I picked my Bagfs up and started the 80km trip home. I had a real ball on this Trip and if anyone got the chance to go on one, take it, you will never foget it.

 

My Recollections of this Trip

 

This was the BEST ever Trip that I have been on. To be on a Classic Airliner like the DC-3 and to do such a Historic flight it was was just ?unbelievable?. I still have to pinch myself to see if I am actually awake and not dreaming. This was the first time that I had ever been on a DC-3 and also the first time that I had been further West than Whyalla in South Australia.

 

The turn out of people at Mt Gambier was mind boggling. I had never seen so many cars and people out at the airport at one time. While at Mt Gambier Airport every person that went on a Joy flight all said that it was a great ride.

 

The people and the accommodation at Forrest where just superb. It is a tiny town but that was made up by the friendly atmosphere of the place.

 

Kalgoorlie wasn?t anything exciting when we landed there but I was told that during peak hour quit a few movements go on. The Passover the town and mine was brilliant, one that I would recommend to anyone.

 

The Passover of the main Rwy at Perth International Airport was awesome. I just can?t describe how it felt to be flying over a modern day Airport in a Classic Airliner.

 

Perth International Airport isn?t as big as Sydney International Airport and it didn?t have as many Arrivals and Departures but it was still a nice airport. If you are flying over to Western Australia try to make a stop at the International Airport.

 

All of the pictures that where taken are great and will preserve the memory of this flight. We have over 2300 photos all up and that was from 5 cameras in the space of 4 days. Some of the video take was also good. There is enough there after being edited to make a 4 hour DVD which 60?s had planned to do once he got back to Brisbane.

 

I must say a Big THANK-YOU to 60?s Relic for telling me about this Trip and the owner David Gray for allowing me to come and participate in the manner that I did even if I was just a passenger and not significant to the flight, Graham Lowder and Bill Gray for flying the Aircraft and giving me a ride that I will be passing onto my Grandkids 1 day and to Brendan Scott for doing such a fantastic job at keeping the aircraft up to scratch.

 

He really did a good job by putting oil in each Engine after every landing and for doing all of the things that where needed after the final flights of each day. If ever you need to have an engineer on board, pick Brendan as he is a great bloke and he also does a good job.

 

My Advice to each and everyone of you is ?If you get the opportunity to fly on a DC-3, don?t pass it up, go on it and experience the best damn flight you will ever go on in your life and experience what it was like to ride in the first plane to ever make money out of carrying passengers and not cargo?

 

Meeting the Great Chainsaw for the first time was an experience. He is a really nice bloke that shares his passion with everyone he meets. He is an asset to the Aviation Enthusiast Community of the world. If you are up in Sydney try and get Chainey to show you around. He has some great Sites for spotting.

 

My first flight on a Saab 340 to Mt Gambier was good. I only hope I get more chances to fly on them. Now that I have my new camera I am going to try and do a few trips up to Sydney.