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

 

Back at HGU

Arrived back into Mount Hagen (HGU) yesterday after 26hrs of non-stop travel from Bangkok (BKK), Thailand.
Was really feeling somewhat stuffed or as they commonly call it, 'jet lagged.'

Taking today easy with a rest day assigned. Got another rest day tomorrow.
Back line flying on Wednesday, with an overnight in Cairns (CNS).

The simulator sessions for my ATR42 recurrent training and OCA went well.
Also did a new company pilot's ATR42 type rating endorsement, while in BKK.

Two pics from my trip to BKK.

Happy Flying

Breakfast in Bangkok

Currently, having breakfast in the Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel.
Got to the restaurant early, now waiting for my sim partner and instructor to join me for breakfast.

Already done two hours of  study for my ATR simulator check-ride tonight. In the simulator at 11:30pm.
Not the best to perform well in the simulator. Should really be sleeping then.

This hotel is very nice.

Friends have arrived for breakfast, time to be sociable.

On Tour Break

Now back in Cairns with family for a well earned break.
Pictured en-route between Mount Hagen and Cairns on Friday, 28th Feb.

Will be back to Mount Hagen on 30th Mar.

Happy Flying

This morning up at 4.45am and airborne at 6.45am.
Lovely sunrise to get airborne in the ATR42-500, from Mount Hagen, PNG.
The MG sports car of the ATR stable.

Great feeling crossing the upwind end of runway climbing at 2000fpm ROC.

Went straight up to cruise altitude of FL230 for the flight through to Rabual, PNG.

One hour and fifty three minutes later landed at Rabual. Uplifted some JetA1, more passengers for the return leg. Back in Hagen by 12:45pm.

Another day's work complete. Job well done.

What a day for flying

This morning got airborne Lihir Island, PNG to a glorious day. Lots of Cbs around, static crackle on the HF radio and 26 pax in the cabin. My kind of day. LOL.
3.9 flying hours and five sectors later, back into Mount Hagen.

Easy day tomorrow, with a trip to Rabaul and return to Hagen.
Might taken the camera, never know what I might see.

Eight more sleeps and then on tour break. Back to Cairns, Australia. Always look forward to home.

Happy New Year, 2014

Just returned from a five night break in Port Douglas, QLD, Australia.
It's about an hour's drive north up the coast from Cairns.

Been a wonderful break with Lucy and the children.
Our first major break since moving to Australia in Feb 2012.
Well overdue.

Back to the PNG FIFO job on 2 Feb.
Should be interesting, sure there will be changes while I'd been away.

Still enjoy flying around PNG and doing the odd international flight down to Cairns.

Since last blog, the company has got three ATR42s, two 320s and one 500.
Also have the use of a privately owned 320. Making four ATRs.
This has been over a two and half year period. Not bad for a private company.

ATR42-320 (P2-KSJ)

ATR42-500 (P2-KSV)

Flying in PNG is always challenging and most rewarding. Especially as I'm heavily involved in the training of new pilots to the ATR.
Training seems to be ongoing as several pilots who joined in 2011 have moved onto greener pastures.
That's life.

Remember, keep the wing the right way up. LOL

Regards