Home for Christmas

Been a very busy 4th Qtr of 2016.

What with our move from Cairns, Australia to the island nation of Vanuatu.

This was never a planned move, a total surprise.  Life can be like that.

So with flying in PNG and the moving, life hasn't stopped moving.

While during my PNG tour, managed to do a couple of early starts. Always the best time of the day.

Picture of one of my early departures

Towards the end of my tour it was off to Bangkok (2nd time in 3 months), to check a couple pilots in the ATR sim.

Finally, arriving back in Vanuatu on 17th Dec, just in time for Christmas and the New Year.

May everyone have a Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Lihir Island Airport, PNG activity

Uncontrolled Bush Fires On New Britain, PNG

Recently flying from Lae to Lihir, PNG, flew passed miles of bush fires. All out of control.
Local people burning the land, clearing the land for palm plantation development.

Dash8 taking off at AYKY

PX Dash8-300 taking off from Lihir Island Airport, PNG.

ATR42-320 landing at Lihir Island Airport

 

Short final RWY15, YBCS

On short finals to RWY 15 at Cairns, Qld, Aust.

Early morning starts at Mount Hagen, PNG

Sometimes getting up before sunrise is all worth while.
Recently, on two early starts, was greeted with a couple of beautiful dawn sights.

Christmas Greetings

To all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

From Gerard (Wandering ATR Aviator) and Lucy

CNS to LNV

On 16th Dec flew the latest addition to the Hevilift fleet (ATR42-500 P2KSL) from Cairns to Lihir Island, PNG. Great flight.

Wall of CBs

Approaching Lihir Island at F240

Currently, in Vienna, Austria where I'm doing four ATR42 Type Rating Endorsements.
We are using the Franair Training facilities.
Great facilities and the staff are very helpful and accommodating of our requirements.
Although we are working in Austria, our accommodation is in Bratislava, Slovak.
The hotel is some 45mins down the road.

During our time here, we have done a couple short day trips around the area.
Bratislava has lots of history that well worth a look.


Will be in Vienna until 27th October before returning Cairns, Australia.
When returning Cairns, I will have been away for eight weeks.
So looking forward to see the family.

Airborne out of DXB enroute to VIE

ATR Simulator

Public transport in Bratislava

Inside the ATR Simulator

VIE train station

Traveling between VIE and Bratislava on the Danube

Cessna Agwagon spraying between Cairns and Innsfail

Recently traveling between Cairns and Innsfail along the highway.

Came across a C188 was spraying sugar cane. Took some great pictures.
Its more than 40yrs since I last rode in a C188.
That was when I showed a pilot where to spray on the family farm in South Otago, New Zealand