Jimmy's Quest to See a Kangaroo

Down safe at WSSL

Decent flight, only a few thunderstorms along the way! Was able to appreciate the scenery for most of the flight however, so that's something to be thankful for!

Flight Time: 01:41:14
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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Down safe at WIIH

I'm starting to get used to this whole idea of landing in the fog. Perhaps even starting to enjoy the whole white-knuckled grip on the stick while dropping the plane in from a poor angle and height due to not seeing the airfield until the last possible moment, gingerly touching down with just enough forward push to keep the plane level (drop it on it's tail too soon and it pops back up in the air, only to come down again, hard), applying the brakes softly so as to not cause the plane to nose over... yep, enjoying it I'm sure.

Once I get to Melbourne, I'm going to drop flying planes as a hobby and take up drinking. Oh, wait...

Flight Time: 02:30:11
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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Departing Batavia for Selaparang

While resting briefly at my current stop, a telegram came in detailing a major flood on the island of Lombok. I scrapped my plans for landing at Rambang, for fear that it may be flooded. A message was passed to me about a new airfield being prepared at Selaparang. A quick study of the charts, and off we go.
 
Down safe at WRRA

A bit stormy and a bit slow. Visibility was quite poor, so I decided to stick with the northern side of the island, which seemed to be a wise choice, since for the first half of the trip visibility was maybe 2 - 3 sm. It let up a bit later, even saw the sun at least once or twice!

Flight Time: 03:17:50
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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Departing Selaparang for El Tari

Amazing how many things come up when you undertake something as this. From a bout with the stomach flu, to my 2 year old's not-so-fun discovery of a food allergy, real life seems to the greatest obstacle I've faced yet on this trip!
 
I really have to admit, it's been great flying over scenery I've never had a reason to visit. With both FTX Vector and Global installed, this region is really, really nice. I had a free hour yesterday evening, too short to make another flight, but I used it to take off from my saved point at Selaparang in the Bell 407 and had a blast flying up the volcano slopes and then along the beaches at 50 ft ASL.
 
The definition of nervous is when you figure that you only have enough fuel left for about 20 minutes, and land is nowhere in sight....

I wonder if anything in this tiny cockpit floats...
 
Down safe at WRKK

Made it with plenty of fuel to spare.

An annoying headwind, but otherwise a decent flight.

Flight Time: 02:26:14
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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I don't want to linger here long, the next stop will have me looking for kangaroos!
 
Down safe at YPRP

Definition of a boring flight, not exactly a lot of scenery to stare at! However, very happy to step foot in Australia. Going to see someone about a few pints of Foster's Lager, then going to start asking about kangaroo's.

Flight Time: 02:17:05
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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Departing Darwin for Tennant Creek

Time to start my trek through the fabled Outback! I've already tossed two snakes out from my plane, I sure hope I found them all, after all, one should hate to have snakes on a plane.

On another note, I'm concerned a bit at the charts I have - the place name listed is Tennant Creek, but the locals are telling me the place is actually called Newcastle Waters!
 
Wow, really enjoying my low level flight into oz here. Very scenic, in a wide open sort of way.

My initial plans were to fly at 11,000 ft to stretch my fuel and travel all the way over to Cloncurry. Nasty looking headwinds up there nixed that idea, and I'm quite pleased that I changed my plans.
 
Down safe at YTNK

Great flight. Had a slight tailwind the entire way, enjoyed the scenery, and spent my time squinting out the windows to see if I'd scared up and kangaroos down there.

Flight Time: 02:20:05
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

(Kinda funny, I'd figured this leg out in my notes as 2:20; I guess being off by 5 seconds isn't that bad!!)

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Departing Tennant Creek for Cloncurry

I'm sure something bit me. I was checking things over quickly and I was doing a quick check of the tail skid. A snake? I sure hope not!

A quick fuel up and about to get in the air again. My slight tailwind is going to turn into a headwind on the course for Cloncurry, I think.

I'm really sure something bit me...
 
Down safe at YCCY

Well, whatever bit me must not of been too dangerous, since I'm still here. I'm sure the boys at that last airfield are having a good laugh at my expense. I was worried! I'd heard stories, you know.

It was another good flight. Very scenic. Bit of a headwind, but bearable. Had quite a bit of turbulence over the last 45 minutes or so.

Flight Time: 01:49:38
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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Downa safe at YBCV

Another pleasant flight. I'm enjoying these legs much more than the ones through Persia to India and down into SE Asia. No thunderstorms, and I can actually see the airfields from away off!

Flight Time: 02:15:18
Routine Ground Time: 00:45:00
Special Ground Time: 00:00:00
Penalty Time: 00:00:00

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