In the early 1980s, the then Department of Transport operated a small fleet of different types, ranging from a Beech Bonanza to Fokker F28-100s. They were based at Essendon and had their own maintenance facility capable of servicing the F28-100s. It is a little surprising to see the size and range of types that were operated back then.
I am happy to be corrected, but I think that Department Of Transport (DOT) became the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and today Air Services Australia. There was also the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) as they issued my Flight Crew Licence on the 6th May 1968 aged 16 (now CASA).
Essendon was always great to visit in the 1980s as there was a great range of aircraft to photograph, DOT, the cargo operators, GA and a number of historic aircraft. The replica "Southern Cross" was there at one stage.
DOT F28-100 VH-ATD at Essendon in November 1980
DOT F28-100 VH-ATG at Essendon in September 1985 - the inbuilt front stair was very useful as gate lounges with aerobridges did not
exits at airports. There was always a walk across the tarmac to the terminal, not the best when it was raining.
DOT F28-100 VH-ATE at Essendon in December 1983 - plenty of aerials for calibration work.
DOT F28-100 VH-ATD at Essendon in November 1980 - nose to nose with VH-ATE
DOT F28-100 VH-ATG at Essendon in December 1990 - I always liked the look of the F28 and they were great to fly in.
DOT F28-100 VH-ATG at Essendon in December 1985 - DOT had the own hanger at Essendon and performed maintenance right up to
the F28s.
DOT BAe125-700B VH-JFT at Essendon in December 1987 - Qantas operated the original HS125 back in the early 1970s when I first
applied to the Qantas Cadet Scheme.
DOT Commander 695A VH-LTO at Essendon in September 1985
DOT Commander 695A VH-LTI at Essendon in December 1983 - probably one of the first aircraft with winglets that I can remember.
DOT Commander VH-LTJ at Essendon in October 1991 - looks to be a fairly well equiped cockpit for the day.
