Destination Avalon GVAC Air Tour

[Guest AusDarren]

Well I've taken the plunge.. Sent registration fee off to GVAC, Aircraft is booked (thanks Christine!), and accommodation is booked..

 

Now if only the weather god will be kind!!

 

Amazing how things try to intrude... I have a 21st to go to on the Sat night, So I'll have to pass on the gala Dinner on Sat (sigh)

 

I hope to take a few photos and post them here once I get back.. I havent been on anything like this before, and I'm REALLY looking forward to the trip. 4 days of nothing but aviation.. After taking the jab back to its nest, I'll Probably go back to Avalon on Friday.

 

Anybody else planning on going?

 

Regards,

 

AusDarren

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

Day 1 Ballarat - Shepparton

 

First photo is at Ballarat in front of the Australian Jet Adventures Office.

 

The climb out was silky smooth, excellent conditions, tracked via Bendigo.

 

After turning at Bendigo and taking up direct Track to Shepparton I had time to take a few pics.

 

Circuit at Shepparton was very busy, joined and landed after a traffic go round.

 

in all a good days flying.

 

more to come!

 

AusDarren

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

Day 2 Shepparton Moonambel Maryborough

 

Chris the stripes are new.. the plane is the same one as featured in the RAAus article and Hour around Ballarat. looks much better now :-)

 

Conditions at Avalon today were pretty bad, high temp, gale force winds, and dust. Lots of dust..

 

The trip to Moonabel was very smooth, and a strip nestled in a horseshoe of hills and high ground around the airstrip, which made for challenging winds on approach, and sorry no photos. of there I was too busy flying.

 

After a delicious Lunch, a little cruel stopping at a winery for lunch.. was unable to sample the wares. after a roast lunch, it was a short hop to Maryborough. On arrival a number of locals had come out to watch the planes arrive. We had 26 aircraft in the group.

 

in all an excellent day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

Day 3 Maryborough

 

For Day 3 the original plan was Portland for a seafood Lunch, then on to Warrnambool for dinner and overnight.

 

However, the weather was low cloud and rain. and we had a 4000' range between us and the coast.

 

The Organisers called it a no fly day around 7.30am. (which was absolutely the correct call) and the organised a local bus tour of the surrounding area.

 

I spent a bit of time learning how to drive command flight planner.

 

was a very relaxing day :-)

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

Day 4 Maryborough - Avalon

 

today we did the group Photo prior to departure,

 

the Aircraft ranged from a Sapphire to a Baron. Everyone was welcome,

 

Today the conditions around Lethbridge became increasingly hazy, visibility was increasingly awful. I wasn't able to receive the ATIS (I found out later the tower had been closed for a few hours)

 

and in the end I decided to return to Ballarat. I went to Avalon by Car on Fri and took the whole family on Sunday.

 

One amusing exhibit was the new J160 from Lilydale. Proudly showing VH-LFS on the side.. but when you Looked under the wing.. it had a 24- rego..

 

I asked and was told "Its on AOPA's Stand, and they didn't want recreational aircraft." :;)1: To AOPA for that..

 

Would I go again? ABSOLUTELY!! Excellent value, very well organised, Good Company, To the Organisers, a big thank you, the work put in was huge, and it showed. a job well done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Mullokintyre]

congratulations Darren

 

What Darren failed to mention was the fact that when he came into Moonambel, there were quite a few people watching. It was a tricky wind - just ask one of the taildraggers who had a lot of fun landing. He wasn't happy with the approach, so did the correct thing and went around - lots of pilots in that situation would try to force the aircarft on - he didn't and should be congratulated for good airmanship under pressure.

 

Well done Darren.

 

Mick