QF63 A Long Way South

[NickN]

QF63 took a very different track today heading way way south of their normal route. Not sure what atmospheric conditions were like down that way today, maybe one of the resident pilots etc could let us know. Anyway here is a screen shot of how far they went.

http://nickfouche.smugmug.com/photos/489655613_hbuNi-L.jpg

[Oliver A]

Not unusual at all, they often go a lot further south via the east coast of Tas.

[Andrew RC]

QF63 took a very different track today heading way way south of their normal route. Not sure what atmospheric conditions were like down that way today, maybe one of the resident pilots etc could let us know. Anyway here is a screen shot of how far they went.



Nothing too unsual with that track Nick. Outbound flight usually tracks overhead Melbourne, then down through the Southern Ocean near Heard Island before crossing the Sth African coast near Durban usually on a NNW heading, usually ending in a gentle right turn onto a straight in approach for 03R.

Certain times of the year you can see icebergs if you get far enough south, but the self loading freight usually don't see it with the shutters down. :cool:

[Justin L]

When I flew on QF63 last May, from memory from the flight path map we crossed the coast around Geelong and kept heading south, similar to your screen shot, before arcing around towards South Africa and crossing the coast there near Durban before heading to Johannesburg.

[NickN]

I just found it interesting as most days I watch the flight and this is the furthest south I have seen them go. Normally they track overhead Melbourne then hop accross the bight.

[Mick F]

It would depend entirely on forecast winds.

The Pacific routes operate on what they call "Flex" routes. Basically routes made up on the day dependant upon winds.

I can only assume that QF63 is the same.

Mick

[Owen H]

I've done it SYD then straight over Hobart and keep going to 64 South... and yes, it is a bloody long way. Solid ice (not just the 'bergs) that time!

[AdamC]

I notice to in that picture that the thai flight from bangkok to Auckland is a fair way south to or is that normal?

Cheers

Adam

[Nathan Long]

TG981 is BKK-MEL.

[Anthony J]

I flew on QF63 a few weeks ago and we got down to 65 south:
http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/8/1/1/22125_1242455118_tb.jpg (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6562873)
(JetPhotos Link)

[NickN]

Anthony that'd be a fantastic sight for anybody! Great pic!

I wonder if anybody has any with solid ice/land in sight?

[Owen H]

I have some pics of more solid ice and some of bergs, but there is no real aviation theme to them... just very cold water and ice!

I think that the SYD - EZE flights would get some pretty amazing views of it.

[Jason H]

You have to remember that that the earth is a sphere, and the quickest straight line route is in fact to fly SW from SYD. :D

[Daniel M]

Noticed QF63 alongggggg way south again today...must be some nice winds down there...almost touching Antarctica!


http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2458/flightex1.jpg

[NickN]

The westerlies have been bad lately, my mate flew in a few weeks ago on the Emirates A380 and had a 200kt tailwind!!!!!!

They came down near Perth then accross.

[Daniel M]

Enjoying watching the QF63 and how far she gets south. Another nice one today...so close to touching the ice...does she ever actually go over mainland Antarctica?

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8113/qfa63.jpg

[Matt N.]

Wow you're a long way from anywhere on that flight. Daniel can I ask what program do you use to get the flight track display like that?

[Gerard M]

I'll second that. It seems very impressive. I think a while back not sure if it was on the old forum or this one but someone mentioned that they saw glaciers or whatever the really really large floating blocks are lol (geo wasn't one of the subjects i paid attention to at school :p)

[Andrew Norris]

And I'll triple it .. whats the fab program ??? Flight Explorer ??

Andrew N

[Adam.S]

Looks like Sabre Flight Explorer Pro.