Wackett, Lost & Found in Aussie Outback, 1960s, Part 2 (MSFS)

[FrankPilot]

In 1962, Jim Knight decided to fly his newly acquired WW2 Australian-made Wackett aircraft from Melbourne, Victoria, across outback Australia to Perth, Western Australia. He made it as far as Ceduna, South Australia, then disappeared. After one of the largest aerial searches in Australia's history, nothing was seen of him or his aircraft.. Three years later, his aircraft was accidently spotted way, way off track. Previous Part 1 video covered his trip from Melbourne to Ceduna. This Part 2 video covers the loss & the finding of his Wackett after Ceduna, & provides some info on Wackett aircraft. Hope you find this interesting. Cheers.

 

 

 

[red750]

I had a similar experience on my final (solo) navex before getting my unrestricted PPL. The course was Moorabbin - Lilydale - Mangalore (touch and go) - Kerang - Horsham - Moorabbin. I was flying a Beech B-19 Sport (2 seat Musketeer). Things were fine until Mangalore. About half an hour after takeoff, the weather was quite bumpy, and the ball-in-liquid compass was dancing around like a cork in a washing machine, so I was navigating by the DG. Landmarks were few and far between, but the most obvious one was Pyramid Hill, which according to my track on the chart should have been off my left wing. At the time I should have been abeam, it was nowhere to be seen. A thorough scan located it well off my right wingtip. My DG had been precessing, resulting in my track curving to the left. I established my position over the Lodden Valley Highway, about 40 km off track.

 

The Lodden Valley Highway leads directly into Kerang, where I landed and ate my cut lunch. (The airport was unattended.) I contemplated how I was going to proceed back to Moorabbin and decided to climb higher to find calmer air to let the compass settle and constantly reset the DG along the way. No further incidents were encountered, and I landed back at Moorabbin. I passed the navex and got my unrestricted licence. This was back in 1968.

[facthunter]

IF you had a GPS based record of the flight that you couldn't access  before the Instructor saw it, do you think you should/would have Passed?.   Nev

[FrankPilot]

Hey, red750, amazing story because something similar happened to me on my first solo xcountry from YTYA Tyabb to Echuca via west of Melbourne, then back to Tyabb via east of Melbourne. It was a bit scary, but turned out OK and I passed. Then went straight out and bought an EFB for my iPad! Now always fly with 2 EFBs and paper maps! Cheers.

[facthunter]

Debrief yourself at the end of every flight and think about the things that could have been done better. THAT way you will improve." I got there," is not enough.. Nor is "A miss is as  good as a mile"  Luck has it's limits.  Nev

[red750]

2 hours ago, facthunter said:

IF you had a GPS based record of the flight that you couldn't access  before the Instructor saw it, do you think you should/would have Passed?.   Nev

No Idea, that technology wasn't around 56 years ago, at least in GA. I lodged a maintenance report immediately on landing. Went on to fly for 18 years before failing the medical.  (And financial).  38 years since I last flew.

[red750]

33 minutes ago, FrankPilot said:

Then went straight out and bought an EFB for my iPad! Now always fly with 2 EFBs

No electronics in those days. WAC charts and E6B.

 

[facthunter]

 Use your Hypsometric Tints. Fly towards distinct features on your track.  Nev

[FrankPilot]

22 minutes ago, red750 said:

No electronics in those days. WAC charts and E6B.

 

Yeah, Peter, I had to learn and pass tests with that too, despite EFBs being available. People who do not fly often do not realise that over rural/remote areas, from on high, identifying specific landmarks can be problematic. EFBs/GPS sooooooo much safer if used properly. Cheers.

[facthunter]

That's why you fly a bit lower and use the earths geographical features plus a few powerlines rivers,  roads and railway tracks as a backup.. Not available over water . One wave looks much the same as any other.. Hard to miss something like New Zealand though. Nev

[red750]

There are areas where such features are as scarce as hens teeth. One silo looks pretty much like the next.

[facthunter]

Maybe so but the roads Railway lines and houses near it won't . In such areas you need better planning. Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.. How well were you taught navigation?  Nev

[FrankPilot]

14 minutes ago, red750 said:

There are areas where such features are as scarce as hens teeth. One silo looks pretty much like the next.

You’re so right there Peter. EFBs are so accurate and so safe. Of course, they also involve visual flying. And they are becoming so powerful - different colours for different heights, gliding ranges, direct to’s, 3D terrain mapping etc etc. To maximise the use of my real-life flying EFB on my iPad I have it connected to MSFS on my PC so I can practice the EFB use while simulating, plus aeronautical maps for all around the world! Cheers.

Edited July 23 by FrankPilot