Grahame Hutchison
10th January 2010, 03:48 PM
Between work and Christmas / New Year holidays, I have not been able to get out flying for about 6 weeks, so a quick run along the Northern Beaches was in order before a flight out to Bathurst next week.
Bankstown was absolutely quite at 7.30am today, the aircraft was already fueled, so I was away by 8am, no aircraft in the run up bays, and straight out to the 29R holding point. After an immediate clearance, I was tracking out via Parramatta and Hornsby to Mona Vale. Flying conditions were perfect, variable and 3kts on departure, and a smooth run all the way around.
As I tied down the Archer there a few gusts on wind to signal the southeasterly change, and very quickly there was a change to Runway 11LRC. The wind picked up quite quickly and combined with the heat, it would probably be a little bumpy during the afternoon.
Afterwards I had a walk around the airport to see if there was anything of interest, the Police and Rescue choppers were in and out, one of the Agusta 139s arrived on Runway 11L, and the Sky Cranes are always worth a close look.
Heading west from Mona Vale to Hornsby / Dural, the city was a fairly hazy view
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-028.jpg
The new golf ball shaped Dopler Weather Radar next to the Terry Hills "Pitch and Putt" course
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-029.jpg
DHC-2 VH-AAO - one without floats, a little unusual around Sydney
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-034.jpg
Lake LA-250 VH-WMW a nice go "Anywhere" aircraft as the logo implies.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-035.jpg
Lake LA-250 VH-WMW a nice go "Anywhere" aircraft as the logo implies.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-036.jpg
N194AC Erickson Sky Crane - these choppers look to be in better condition every time I see them
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-037.jpg
Bell 214B-1 N214JL (28066) 1980 model registered to Helicopter Express in Chamblee Georgia (Helitak 404)
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-039.jpg
Bell 214B-1 N214JL - the chord of the rotor blades just amazes me
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-040.jpg
N178AC Erickson Sky Crane lifting off after a long runup
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-048.jpg
N178AC Erickson Sky Crane on a Choppers North departure at 700ft, on their way out to Richmond.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-055.jpg
Bankstown was absolutely quite at 7.30am today, the aircraft was already fueled, so I was away by 8am, no aircraft in the run up bays, and straight out to the 29R holding point. After an immediate clearance, I was tracking out via Parramatta and Hornsby to Mona Vale. Flying conditions were perfect, variable and 3kts on departure, and a smooth run all the way around.
As I tied down the Archer there a few gusts on wind to signal the southeasterly change, and very quickly there was a change to Runway 11LRC. The wind picked up quite quickly and combined with the heat, it would probably be a little bumpy during the afternoon.
Afterwards I had a walk around the airport to see if there was anything of interest, the Police and Rescue choppers were in and out, one of the Agusta 139s arrived on Runway 11L, and the Sky Cranes are always worth a close look.
Heading west from Mona Vale to Hornsby / Dural, the city was a fairly hazy view
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-028.jpg
The new golf ball shaped Dopler Weather Radar next to the Terry Hills "Pitch and Putt" course
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-029.jpg
DHC-2 VH-AAO - one without floats, a little unusual around Sydney
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-034.jpg
Lake LA-250 VH-WMW a nice go "Anywhere" aircraft as the logo implies.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-035.jpg
Lake LA-250 VH-WMW a nice go "Anywhere" aircraft as the logo implies.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-036.jpg
N194AC Erickson Sky Crane - these choppers look to be in better condition every time I see them
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-037.jpg
Bell 214B-1 N214JL (28066) 1980 model registered to Helicopter Express in Chamblee Georgia (Helitak 404)
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-039.jpg
Bell 214B-1 N214JL - the chord of the rotor blades just amazes me
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-040.jpg
N178AC Erickson Sky Crane lifting off after a long runup
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-048.jpg
N178AC Erickson Sky Crane on a Choppers North departure at 700ft, on their way out to Richmond.
http://www.16Right.com/MessageBoard/D300-2010-01-10-055.jpg