Boaty

Thanks guys,

I stayed at Curtin Springs once before on another trip. We ended up flying from Mittagong to Broken Hill for lunch and fuel then over Wilpena Pound, Painted Hills and up to William Creek. Stayed in their Pelican Suite dongas which were ok (better than the rooms out back of the hotel that we stayed in previously). Next day was on to Ayers Rock. Spent a couple of days there then a day up at Kings Ck Station, Kings Canyon and flying around the md ranges. The weather was starting to turn at home so we checked out early a flew from Ayers Rock to Mt Connor (Curtin Springs) straight to very top of Lake Eyre, down the middle of it to Maree (didn't see a drop of water!) then Broken Hill and all the way home to Mittagong (over 1200nm that day!).

Hi guys,

I am planning a trip from Mittagong to Ayers Rock and back so looking for some recommendations for overnight stays on the way there and back. The wife is coming along so would like to find some nice accommodation. Have previously stayed at Broken Hill, Arkaroola, William Creek so wouldn't mind somewhere different. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Wayne

Congrats mate!

Some interesting vids collected here.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aviation-action/316741145083072

Great job on the face book page, just liked it!

where should I leave the $6 if you blokes aren't there?

Regards,

Wayne

Hi guys,

Please check out our new club facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BerrimaDistrictAeroClub .... and drop in and see us some time.

Don't forget to "Like" our page :)

Regards,

Wayne

That would have been an epic. All I can think of is intermittent sunburn under that rotor. Did you have a ground crew or did you have the fuel range to do it unsupported?

No ground support. Two gyros. Both of them were tandems (an ELA-08 and an MT-03) so we had our spare fuel (70 ltrs) and luggage in the back seat. Pushed along fairly hard (75kts + most of the time) so that and all the weight made our fuel consumption crap (3 hours), but that worked out just fine. With some local flying around the Kimberleys the total trip was 84 hours flying. The whole trip was a great adventure and easier than most people imagine. No problem at all with fuel, accommodation, transport ... all worked out brilliantly .. and had the time of our lives.

Mittagong to the Kimberleys and back in a gyrocopter.

A fellow by the name of Sean Herbert who is the Australian importer for the new Arrow-Copter gyroplane is hosting an interesting event at his Gunadaroo property (near Canberra) this Friday 18th & Saturday 19th. A film production company is shooting a pilot for a tv show to be called "Backyard Flyboys" so Sean is trying to round up as many wierd and wonderful ultra-light aircraft as he can to be part of it. If you are interested in getting involved or dropping in for a look contact Sean at [email protected] or on 0419 289212.

Boaty, I would be very interested in any tips/planning/ problems etc you encountered on the trip back. Looking at a couple of trips out west and have not done it before. Very interested in your stops re fuel, etc. Maybe catch up at either mittagong or Albion park when you return.Have a good trip

Maynard

Heading over to Kununurra tommorrow for the return trip. Kununurra, Bungles, Nicholson Station, Coyote Gold Mine, Yuendumu, King Creek Station, Kalgera Roadhouse, Oodnadatta, Lake Eyre, William Creek, Maree. Arkaroola, Broken Hill, Griffith, Temora, Mittagong .. plus a few more stops along the way.

For what it's worth peppermint oil is supposed to be a good way of keeping mice away. Just soak a few rags with it and drop them in.

Just back from the west. The trip went incredibly well apart from a bit of weather delay early and some prop damage which saw us spend the night in a mining camp. Still made it on schedule though. Will head back over in a couple of months to collect the gyros for a return trip via a different route. Highly recommend it to anyone that has a spare week or two and Kununurra itself is a wonderful place to fly around. Approximately 2200 nm at average of ground speed of just over 60kts.

Day 1

Albion Park

Mittagong

Crookwell

Temora

Griffith

Day 2

Griffith

Hillston

Ivanhoe

Menindee

Broken Hill

Day 3

Broken Hill

Arkaroola

Marree

Lake Eyre

William Creek

Day 4

William Creek

Cadney Homestead

Curtin Springs

Day 5

Curtin Springs

Ayers Rock

The Olgas

Kings Canyon

Kings Creek Station

Day 6

Kings Creek Station

Yuendumu

Coyote Gold Mine

Day 7

Coyote Gold Mine

Wolfe Creek Crater

Halls Creek

Kununurra

There are a few gyro guys from Kununurra (and Murray Bridge) but not sure who has done that trip. Thanks for the offer on the Mogas. Probably just pick up some Avgas at Temora. Happy to have some others along for the trip so if you know anyone that's interested shoot me a message.

We've got 4 days up our sleeve at the other end. If we don't use them up on the way over we'll do some day trips from Kununurra to El Questro, Ord River, Cape Dommett, etc. Haven't got anything planned for the return trip yet but would like to take a different route home. Will probably leave the machines in Kununurra for a couple of months.

No ground support but plenty of spare fuel in the back seat and have identified all the necessary fuel stops. Range should be about 200 nm at a conservative 55kts gnd speed but will have more than double that with spare fuel. Will probably cruise at 70-75. Will stop often to top fuel up and stretch the legs.

Day 1

Albion Park

Mittagong

Crookwell

Harden

Temora

Griffith

Day 2

Griffith

Ivanhoe

Menindee

Broken Hill

Arkaroola

Day 3

Arkaroola

Marree

Lake Eyre

William Creek

Day 4

William Creek

Cadney Homestead

Marla

Kenmore Park

Curtin Springs

Day 5

Curtin Springs

Ayers Rock

The Olgas

Kings Canyon

Kings Creek Station

Day 6

Kings Creek Station

Haasts Bluff

Papunya

Yuendumu

Chilla Well

Tanami / Mongrel Downs

Wilsons Camp

Coyote Gold Mine

Wolfe Creek Crater

Halls Creek

Day 7

Halls Creek

Bellburn (Bungle Bungles)

Kununurra

Thanks for the reply. The plan at the moment is Griffith, Ivanhoe, Menindee, Broken Hill, Arkaroola. very open to other suggestions though. :)

Planning a trip with a couple of gyrocopters from Mittagong to Kununurra. Broad plan over about 7 days is Griffith, Arkaroola, Lake Eyre, William Creek, Curtin Springs, Uluru, The Olgas, Kings Canyon, Kings Creek Station, Tanami Track, Wolfe Creek Crater, Halls creek, Bungle Bungles, Kununurra. Love to hear any suggestions.