Rotorwork

From ABC A passenger rescued from a light plane which crash landed near Lake Eyre in the remote South Australian outback says he feels lucky to be safe and well. Ben Francis and pilot Darryl Koch were returning from a scenic flight over the lake when engine failure forced the sudden landing. Mr Francis said there was no time to make a decision and they needed to ditch the plane. Not knowing whether anyone knew we were out there was probably our biggest concern. Ben Francis "All it was, was getting the plane on the ground in a safe formation and to his credit, Darryl did that," he said. "That was the biggest thing I think, the fact that we were both not injured and yeah, able-bodied." Mr Francis said it was a slightly bumpy landing but they were both safe. "[it was] just on a stony rise ... it was a little bit soft after the recent rains up here so it pulled up pretty quick," he said. "We jumped out because we thought we might have had a fire and thankfully we didn't. "Then after that we went through the process of getting the ELT [emergency locator transmitter] to work, so they could find our location and went about making ourselves comfortable basically for the night ahead." PHOTO: Mr Francis said the pair had a bumpy landing. (ABC News) The duo spent the night sleeping on their plane seats, in between scanning channel frequencies. "Not knowing whether anyone knew we were out there was probably our biggest concern and also thinking about our loved ones back home," Mr Francis said. "Obviously there were going to know that we were out there somewhere and yeah, that was our main concerns. PHOTO: Marree's only police officer Tom Christley and Rebecca Turner from the Marree Hotel both helped with the search. (ABC News: Tom Fedorowytsch) "All night it was quite warm so we didn't have any exposure dramas or anything." As dawn broke Mr Francis said they heard some aircraft activity in the area and knew a search was underway. "We just kept scanning the channels for local frequency, every now and then we'd just switch it on and make a call," he said. The pair set fire to a tyre and the smoke was spotted by local tourism pilot Trevor Wright, who made radio contact with the helicopter that picked the men up. "Darryl was actually walking back from going to get some water ... so he was happy to hear the news when he got back too," Mr Francis said. He said given the circumstances, they were lucky to be uninjured and safe. "[There was] relief that we're all safe and well and our families all know that we're well," he said. Emergency highlights need for better mobile coverage Tourists have been flocking to Lake Eyre to see the usually dry salt pan filling with water. Mr Wright said the emergency highlighted the need for better mobile coverage in outback areas, and wants government to help with improvements. PHOTO: Downpours in South Australia's outback in recent days have led to Lake Eyre filling. Photo taken January 2, 2016. (Supplied: Trevor Wright) "We've had four search and rescues in four weeks. Two of them were [for people from] overseas, two were Australian. The longest one went for 30 hours," he said. "Had we had mobile phone coverage or towers with data, the chances are with the communications, we would have picked up a lot of them quicker and made the exposure to risk a lot less." But Mr Wright praised the efforts of the pair, saying they had done everything by the book. "They did a great job. When you have a catastrophic engine failure at 2,000 feet you don't have a lot of time to think about things," he said. "They went through their checks, they landed in an area that was safe." Rebecca Turner from the Marree Hotel said while the region was remote, people would be safe if they came prepared, which the duo had done. "We always encourage people to travel with lots of water, make sure that they've got appropriate communications, there's lots of different devices you can use to track where you are," she said. "[We're] always relieved when we know people are safe and well and it's the best outcome for everyone concerned." From other news sites:

Not sure. From the ABC report above A passing airliner picked up a mayday call from the men on the ground," said Dan Glover from the authority

Hope for positive news Fly Safe RW From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-06/search-outback-missing-small-aircraft/7069854 Outback search for missing ultralight plane in remote Lake Eyre region Updated 7 minutes ago PHOTO: The scenic flight disappeared in the remote Lake Eyre region on Tuesday. (ABC News) MAP: Marree 5733 A search has started for a missing single-engine ultralight aircraft in the South Australian outback. Two men were on board the scenic flight which failed to arrive at Marree before sunset on Tuesday, police said. Authorities said the search would focus on the remote 5,000 square-kilometre Lake Eyre region in the state's north-east. About six aircraft were expected to join another already searching the wide region. Star Force police also are heading to the area to assist with the effort. Local charter pilot Trevor Wright said a helicopter had now arrived at William Creek to assist with the search. "A plane left Marree to go over Lake Eyre apparently on a scenic flight and I got a call from police around midnight chasing it up," he said. "We've just had the retrieval helicopter come into William Creek and we're just about to refuel him so he's ready to go."

Looks like a Siai Marchette SF 260 Regards RW

It will buff out Fly Safe RW From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-03/pilot-unscathed-in-belly-landing-at-parafield/7065218 Pilot unscathed in belly-landing at Parafield; Skydiver hurts back in jump near Two Wells By Daniel Keane Updated 1 minute ago PHOTO: The pilot was uninjured in the accident. (ABC News) MAP: Parafield 5106 A pilot has walked away uninjured after a light plane landed on its belly at Parafield Airport north of Adelaide, while a skydiver has been treated for back pain following a rough landing at Lower Light. In the incident at Parafield, police said a single-seater plane landed on its belly about 12:15pm. The SA Ambulance Service said the pilot, who walked away from the scene, did not require treatment. The plane has damage to its undercarriage. A short time later, ambulance crews were called to Adelaide Tandem Skydiving at Lower Light near Two Wells. A man aged in his 50s suffered a sore back following a hard landing at the end of a tandem jump.

I agree with my original post with the we'll done Tracey There is a lot of talk on another site about the word "solo" There is video & photos of 2 pob in the Stearman Also the link below for another up coming attempt by a lady named Amanda J Harrison in a de Havilland Moth. The word solo is in bold. Sounds interesting, noticed she is crowd funding so I may send her a few dollars. http://amandajharrison.com

Well done Tracey Curtis - Taylor From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-02/female-solo-flight-a-homage-to-aviation-pioneer-amy-johnson/7064324

Last night in amongst all the noise & celebration, I had a quiet moment to reflect on those that were left behind in 2015, including Ross. Has there been any more thought on Robbos memorial suggestion? Fly Safe in 2016 Regards R W

The Eagle has landed.

There are several scenarios on the other site One that made me smile was the tourists camera strap around the collective. Also noted in the photos was the cabin separation, this seems to happen a lot with AS 350 accidents Fly Safe RW

Passenger received the flight as a Christmas present. RIP. Thinking of his family and friends. Hope Ryan is on the mend. I loved my time flying the Tiger Moth Such a beautiful machine Fly Safe RW

From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-24/chopper-pilot-cleared-over-beer-run-claims/7052768 Chopper pilot cleared over claims of beer run flight to Mt Molloy pub in far north Queensland By Mike Donaldson Posted about 2 hours ago MAP: Mount Molloy 4871 A tribunal has rejected allegations a far north Queensland helicopter pilot flew two mates on a beer run to a local pub at Mt Molloy, north of Cairns, after running out of alcohol. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) alleged the trio piled into a two-seater helicopter after running out of beer at a barbecue, landing at a country pub and buying a slab, then clipping trees on take-off. The pilot went to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, successfully arguing he had not undertaken the beer run flight. He said a key witness was motivated by malice, after the pilot had an affair with the witness's former partner. However, because of a breach of flying rules on another flight, which included consuming alcohol, the tribunal upheld CASA's cancellation of the pilot's approval to act as a chief pilot but it allowed him to continue to fly commercially, after a period of suspension, under a series of strict conditions.

Hi Debb, Learn to fly in Tasmania & you can fly anywhere in the world. Well maybe not North Korea. Have a great Christmas & New Year Fly Safe:rotary: RW

Bit more to the story above Regards RW The pilot of an ultra-light aeroplane that ditched in Bass Strait off Tasmania's north-east coast two years ago has been charged with reckless flying. Shayd Hector of Tingira Heights in New South Wales is charged with the reckless operation of an aircraft, flying an aircraft without a licence, and consuming alcohol within eight hours of flying an aircraft. The Commonwealth prosecutor alleges the offences took place at or near Bridport on October 28, 2013, endangering the life of Hector's passenger, Joel Nelson. The pair were rescued from the sea near Waterhouse Island that afternoon after their ultra-light plane crashed into the sea.

And now the Court case If it was one of us doing the flight by the rules, we probably would have perished! Fly Safe RW From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-09/reckless-flying-charge-for-pilot-who-ditched-ultralight/7012376 Print Email Facebook Twitter More Reckless flying charge for pilot who ditched ultra-light plane in Bass Strait Posted 42 minutes ago PHOTO: Shayd Hector and Joel Nelson received cuts in the crash and were treated for hypothermia before flying home to Newcastle after the 2013 crash. (ABC) RELATED STORY: Two Newcastle men 'lucky to survive' ultralight crash MAP: TASthey described clinging to debris fearing they could be attacked by a shark. Hector did not enter pleas and was ordered to return to the Launceston Magistrates Court in February. Topics: air-transport, courts-and-trials, tas, nsw

I hope we can all have a quite minute for Ross tonight. RIP Ross, sympathy to friends and family. RW

Good friends are hard to find. We are enjoying your forum input, as we move forward I hope you make good friends along the flight path ahead. I like your way of thinking Debra. Fly Safe. R W

The Pastors Donkey Regards RW The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won. The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again. The local paper read: PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT. The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the Pastor not to enter the donkey in another race. The next day the local paper headline read: BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS. This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Pastor to get rid of the donkey. The Pastor decided to give it to a Nun in a nearby convent. The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN. The Bishop fainted. He informed the Nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farm for $10. The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10 This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild. The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE. The Bishop was buried the next day. The moral of the story is . . . being concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . . even shorten your life. So be yourself and enjoy life. Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and just cover your own !!! You'll be a lot happier and live longer!

A red, black & white magpie. Fly Safe RW

Another view

Another fatal accident this time captured on video, It appears the pilot was trying to land on a dolley that moved (not chocked) Fly Safe R W [MEDIA=liveleak]c8d_1448123557[/MEDIA]

Very Sad, There is a discussion on another site as to the blades, they were not rotating as two blades appear to be undamaged. (similar to Glasgow Pub accident) Also for Scenics the machine usually drops the pax of to explore the glacier & returns an hour or two later. There are 4 seats in the rear & two + the pilot in the front. Fly Safe R W From ABC Two Australian tourists, four Britons killed in helicopter crash in New Zealand, police believe Updated about 8 hours ago Photo: The wreckage was found in a crevasse, but rescuers have had difficulty reaching it due to the terrain. (Supplied: NZ Police) Map: New Zealand New Zealand police believe two Australian and four British tourists have been killed in a helicopter crash in Fox Glacier on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Key points: Tourists killed in helicopter crash on Fox Glacier not yet named NZ Herald reports pilot was 28-year-old Mitch Gameren Weather on glacier reportedly "terrible" at time of accident A paramedic and an alpine rescue team who were winched down to the crash site confirmed there were no survivors, a police spokesman said. "It is believed two were Australians and four were from the United Kingdom. Formal identification of those people will take some time," a statement said. "Police have been liaising with the embassies of the countries concerned to ensure the next of kin are advised of the situation." The helicopter's pilot, believed to be a local, was also killed in the incident. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she had spoken to the families of two Australians believed to have been on board. "We hold grave concerns for two Australians who were believed to have been on board the helicopter and we have spoken to the two families concerned," she said in a statement. "My sympathies are with the families of the crash victims at this very distressing time. "I am advised that the location and weather conditions at the crash site are difficult and full details of the crash are yet to emerge." Photo: Mitch Gameren has been named in media reports as the pilot of the helicopter. (Facebook) The sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Fox Glacier, a popular tourist site on the west coast of the South Island, with weather conditions reported to be heavily overcast and raining at the time. The Squirrel helicopter was operated by Alpine Adventures, which said it took off on a scenic flight this morning. The New Zealand Herald named Mitch Gameren as the pilot, adding he was from Queenstown. Gameren's step-father, Kelly Bray, told the Herald he was an "all-around good guy". "We've had heaps of conversations about not taking risks. We'd like to think he was super cautious," Mr Bray told the Herald. The wreckage was found in a crevasse but rescuers had difficulty reaching it due to the rugged terrain. Police said the retrieval of bodies could take some days because of the atrocious weather. "I'm not going to risk any more lives, we've lost seven," inspector John Canning told reporters earlier. "The terrain at the top of the glacier is very rough, as you can imagine it's icy and there are crevasses — it's quite dangerous." Weather conditions 'terrible' at time of accident Photo: The helicopter crashed on Fox Glacier on New Zealand's South Island. (Tracey Nearmy: AAP) Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn described weather conditions around the glacier at the time of the accident as "terrible" with heavy rain and poor visibility. "It wouldn't be a good day to be flying helicopters," he said. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation and four investigators were due at the scene this afternoon. Debris from the wrecked helicopter was spread over several hundred metres with the main part of the aircraft wedged between house-sized blocks of ice. The alarm was raised late on Saturday morning when an emergency locator beacon was activated. The New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre sent four helicopters to the glacier where they found a deep scorch mark leading to the helicopter about 762 metres up the glacier. Fox Glacier is on the remote west coast of New Zealand's South Island and is visited by thousands of tourists each year. Alpine Adventures is a company that provides scenic flights and landings on the glacier, according to local media. In 2010, a plane headed for Fox Glacier crashed while taking off from a nearby town, killing all nine people on board, including four international tourists.

Hi Debbie, Great to see a lady flying in Tassie, I flew a yellow gazelle back in the 90's great machine. Rob is a top guy. Fly Safe Regards RW

Rest in Peace Richard, Carolyn and friend John. I had read in the link below that Carolyn was also rated on the EC-135 A sad day indeed. R W http://www.richardgreen.net.au/

The Dornier 328 VH-PPQ is also on flight radar searching the Warowolong conservation area.