|
Mon, 9 Nov 2009 9:43am
Capt. Greg "Twenty" Barber F/O. Nic "SimGod Jnr" D'Alessandro
The World Flight pack departed from Avalon for the final leg of the journey enabling us to navigate and separate under our own guidance and not get stuck in the logjam that is WF945. We kept the speed up all the way knowing we were going to struggle to keep up with the 747s and 777s but did quite well.
We descended into Sydney via a touch and go circuit at Richmond before the traditional flight under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barrel roll and landing back at Sydney Intl.
All went well until the long trip caught up with us (or perhaps the gremlins at the instructor PC in the back) and we lost an engine in the circuit at Sydney. We proceeded to land runway 16L at Sydney where "traffic on the runway" (aka Rob Hooley wanted us to go around) caused us to have to go around on a single engine. A quick visual circuit with wind shear on short finals...there was no way I was not landing this time...I was hungry and nearly all the pizza was gone), we landed safely on 16L and taxied in to end another epic journey.
I'd like to finish off by thanking all the people who made the trip possible. All the crew, all the sponsors and supporters including Fran, Joan, Jess, Jill, Glenda, Channel 10, The Hobart Mercury, 7HOFM, Cripp's Bakehouse, Olive Tree Catering and the Bellerive Yacht Club, Canal Pizza and Cockpit Builder dot com.
Last but not least a very big thanks to Nic "SimGod Jnr" D'Alessandro and Neil "Piano Keys formally known as TOGA" Brown at SIMSATION for taking their time and the sim out of action for the entire week so we could complete the trip that we love so much.
Until next year! Cheers!
Sun, 8 Nov 2009 5:28pm
Captain: Jeremy Soulsby (Pilot Flying) FO: Steve Marion (Pilot Monitoring) Jumpseat: Kristian Demian (fuel config advisor and cabin crew)
Departed 0456z Landed 0556z Fuel burn 4200kg
The second last leg of Worldflight.
Our dispatcher had planned us via Melbourne but we were re-cleared to Avalon in preparation for the final leg of Worldflight. KD joined Shirley and I on the jump and we set about preparing the aircraft for departure after agreeing on a revised fuel figure of 9000kgs. Adelaide was buzzing with traffic and we were subjected to a runway change after pushback. After 23mins of holding on the ground we were bumped up in the sequence (thanks Barbs!) and set off on the TBD5 departure. Once airborne we were cleared direct to TBD and requested an amended cruise level of F310 to facilitate our arrival into Avalon. With the majority of the traffic tracking for Melbourne we were given a JAYBI3 arrival for runway 18 and after a short cruise at M0.81 to catch up to the pack, we commenced descent for Avalon. The wind was out of the east at 10-15kts and after a firm touchdown we vacated on taxiway Delta and found the rest of the Worldflight teams preparing for the final leg to Sydney.
It's been a long week, but an extremely enjoyable one at that. There has been plenty of laughing and not alot of sleep, but overall we've had a great time all the while raising much needed money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Thanks to everybody who has been involved - those of you who donated money, those who flew, cooked, transported, accomodated and anybody else who helped to make the event a success.
Nic and Greg are now only moments away from launching to Sydney as flight 945 to complete WF09.
Until next year...
Sun, 8 Nov 2009 4:29pm
Captain: Neil Brown First Officer: Trent Hopkinson
Off Blocks 0103z Airborne 0128z Landed 0324z On Blocks 0330z
Jumping in the cockpit with our Jumpseater Shafi, we got the aircraft pushed back and got stuck behind QF25 for a bit on the special "WorldFlight Extended taxiway Alpha grass taxiway" before takeoff on runway 30. After airborne we turned Left, tracking the 155 radial outbound to the first point SADEL, Some minor technical issues with the Front Projector were quicky fixed by the tech crew and we soon settled into the routine of cruise.
Had to modify cruise FL360 due to preceeding traffic and we subsequently tracked at that altitude all the way to TOD, passing Oodnandatta Woomera and Whyalla on the way in. BILCO3 arrival to the rwy05 and Neil handflew the VOR/DME inbound from about FL130 down. Vacating on taxiway D1 Steve 'Shirly' Marion guided us as AD_GND into the gate for my last flight of WorldFlight 2009.
Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:30am
Captain: Nic D'Alessandro (PF) FO: Craig Woodbridge (PM)
Off time: 2134z Out time: 2145z On time: 2338 In time: 2342 Fuel burn: lots
The arriving aircraft came in on time with some very tired crew. My FO Craig was also a little worse for wear after a big night out. But he did a great job considering 
We pushed back on time and got ahead most of the traffic, climbed out from runway 11 in hazy, grey skies. Enroute to Alice we left radar coverage and were under procedural control all the way in, so lots of time checking and position reporting.
Inbound to Alice we copped some ice and moderate turbulence, before breaking out at 9000 feet. We were tracked for a right downwind for a visual circuit to runway 30, following 2 other aircraft in the circuit. In the hazy conditions it was a challenge to see the runway from 5 miles, but we finally picked it up and made a reasonable landing.
This was my last flight in the event this year as pilot flying (PF). Thanks to Craig for his able assistance.
Sun, 8 Nov 2009 1:40am
Capt. Greg "Twenty" Barber (Pilot Flying) F/O. Sean "BigMac" McCormack (Pilot Monitoring)
Eventful departure with a slightly gung ho (well we were at Guam) approach to an intersection departure which found us rotating on the piano keys and lifting off from the stopway only to discover there were some rather tall trees at that end of the runway. I think we missed them by about 2 feet...might be worth inspecting the gear on arrival to Port Moresby.
Currently in the cruise at 36,000ft expecting to climb further to 38,000ft a little later on in the flight.
We are estimating arrival in Port Moresby roughly on time with passengers disembarking at about 0605z.
Will update a little later in the flight.
Pilot report archive here


|
 |