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