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MeMock · 06-04-2008, 06:18 PM

Hi everyone,

This is the beginning of what I hope is going to be a trip of a life time.

From Sydney in New South Wales to my home town of Kununurra in Western Australia in a R44 Helicopter a distance of around 4,000 kms at between 500 and 1,000 feet.

We plan to take 3 and 1/2 days to complete the trip stopping to sleep in Charleville, Mt Isa and Daly waters. There will be three stops per day between these points to take on fuel and to stretch the legs.

For people who have no idea about these towns or Australia for that matter here is a map cimboc knocked up for me.

The R44 is brand new. Here are some pics taken yesterday at Bankstown airport in Sydney.

We plan to leave next Tuesday the 15th and arrive Friday lunch time the 18th.

I will update this thread over the next 7 days as I get ready to go and then 10 days later when I return to NZ I will hopefully upload a stack load of awesome pics for you all.

Thetyim · 06-04-2008, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the map, I didn't know Kununurra was right up there.
No wonder letters take 18 days from LOS.

Have a nice trip

MeMock · 06-04-2008, 06:57 PM

Thanks Thetyim, I will

18 days from Thailand to Kununurra? Sounds about right. It would have taken about 5 days to get to Australia and then 13 days bumping around on the back of a camel to get to Kununurra.

Thetyim · 06-04-2008, 07:06 PM

Have I read that right
Twelve re-fuelling stops on a 4000km trip ?

And is it a RAVEN 1 or 2 ?

MeMock · 06-04-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Have I read that right
Twelve re-fuelling stops on a 4000km trip ?

Thats what I have been told although on the last day it might only be 1 so just 10 for the trip. We will be at max weight.

Quote:

And is it a RAVEN 1 or 2 ?

Good question, I will find out for you. I am assuming it is a 1 but will double check.

cimboc · 06-04-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMock

We will be at max weight.

Yep with you on board ain't that the truth

Looking forward to some sweet pic's just wish I was riding along with ya

Thetyim · 06-04-2008, 07:21 PM

How many passengers will they be.?
Make sure the front passenger has it drummed into his head not to touch the stick close to his right arm/leg.
It can be easily knocked with nasty results.

MeMock · 06-04-2008, 07:24 PM

Actually that shouldn't be a problem in this case as the passenger in the front seat will be an instructor as the pilot is still on his 'L' plates.

I am in the back by myself looking after ipod tunes for the other two.

Northern Scum · 06-04-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMock

pilot is still on his 'L' plates

This pilot was a learner, too.

YouTube - Swedish Helicopter Crash

Rather you than me Memock.

Looking forward to the thread.

MeMock · 06-04-2008, 07:35 PM

Well the pilot will have actually finished his training (the day before we leave) but because he and the chopper need to get home he can't wait for the paper work to come through so therefore needs to have an instructor with him.

Thetyim · 06-04-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMock

the pilot is still on his 'L' plates.

In that case you will probably have the full cyclic T bar fitted so that both pilots have control. No problem.

Fuel tank is only 49 gallons (and that must be US gallons) so after 2.5 hours flight time you gotta start thinking about fuel again

MeMock · 06-04-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeMock

the pilot is still on his 'L' plates.

In that case you will probably have the full cyclic T bar fitted so that both pilots have control. No problem.

As far as I am aware, the T bar will still be fitted.

Quote:

Fuel tank is only 49 gallons (and that must be US gallons) so after 2.5 hours flight time you gotta start thinking about fuel again

Yeah it is a pretty small tank and with three people + luggage there will be a few stops along the way!

Katana · 06-04-2008, 07:58 PM

Wow awesome trip.

Where are you refueling between Sharlevile -- Mount Isa and Mount Isa --- Kununarra ?

What fuel does it run ? Is it a turbine engine ?
Thanks Mark

And good luck!!!!

(edited for bad map reading)

MeMock · 07-04-2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katana

Where are you refueling between Sharlevile -- Mount Isa and Mount Isa --- Kununarra ?

Not sure exactly, where ever we can find fuel for sale I suppose. It is pretty isolated as you can imagine but all over the top end of Australia there are many choppers busy at work so there will always be somewhere you can find to top up the tank.

Thetyim · 06-04-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katana

What fuel does it run ? Is it a turbine engine ?

The R44 burns 100 low-lead Avgas.
It is a 260hp piston engine

Tao · 06-04-2008, 08:26 PM

Good luck mate, looks like a great adventure. Although sayting that, i ride in helicopters to work and about an hour is enough for me.

klongmaster · 06-04-2008, 08:47 PM

You do get the good jobs Memock...I'll be looking forward to seeing the piccies of the trip...safe journey mate...

astasinim · 06-04-2008, 08:52 PM

Sounds like quite an adventure. Looking forward to the trip report.

bongthom · 07-04-2008, 05:59 AM

hope you drive safely mate

MeMock · 07-04-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongthom

hope you drive safely mate

I'm taking an intro chopper license flight sometime this week in the hope that I get to take the 'wheel' a little on this journey. Apart from that I won't be driving and therefore it will be a safe trip.

Thanks for the kind words though

06-04-2008, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
MeMock Marmers is God Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Emerald triangle Posts: 9,753	Across Australia by Helicopter. Hi everyone, This is the beginning of what I hope is going to be a trip of a life time. From Sydney in New South Wales to my home town of Kununurra in Western Australia in a R44 Helicopter a distance of around 4,000 kms at between 500 and 1,000 feet. We plan to take 3 and 1/2 days to complete the trip stopping to sleep in Charleville, Mt Isa and Daly waters. There will be three stops per day between these points to take on fuel and to stretch the legs. For people who have no idea about these towns or Australia for that matter here is a map cimboc knocked up for me. The R44 is brand new. Here are some pics taken yesterday at Bankstown airport in Sydney. We plan to leave next Tuesday the 15th and arrive Friday lunch time the 18th. I will update this thread over the next 7 days as I get ready to go and then 10 days later when I return to NZ I will hopefully upload a stack load of awesome pics for you all. __________________ News is what someone, somewhere is trying to suppress - everything else is just advertising. Last edited by MeMock : 06-04-2008 at 08:05 PM.

06-04-2008, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Thetyim ssshhhhh Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mousehole Posts: 14,633	Have I read that right Twelve re-fuelling stops on a 4000km trip ? And is it a RAVEN 1 or 2 ? Last edited by Thetyim : 06-04-2008 at 07:11 PM.

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06-04-2008, 06:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Thetyim ssshhhhh Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mousehole Posts: 14,633	Thanks for the map, I didn't know Kununurra was right up there. No wonder letters take 18 days from LOS. Have a nice trip

06-04-2008, 06:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
MeMock Marmers is God Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Emerald triangle Posts: 9,753	Thanks Thetyim, I will 18 days from Thailand to Kununurra? Sounds about right. It would have taken about 5 days to get to Australia and then 13 days bumping around on the back of a camel to get to Kununurra.

06-04-2008, 07:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Thetyim ssshhhhh Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mousehole Posts: 14,633	How many passengers will they be.? Make sure the front passenger has it drummed into his head not to touch the stick close to his right arm/leg. It can be easily knocked with nasty results.

06-04-2008, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
MeMock Marmers is God Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Emerald triangle Posts: 9,753	Actually that shouldn't be a problem in this case as the passenger in the front seat will be an instructor as the pilot is still on his 'L' plates. I am in the back by myself looking after ipod tunes for the other two.

06-04-2008, 07:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
MeMock Marmers is God Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Emerald triangle Posts: 9,753	Well the pilot will have actually finished his training (the day before we leave) but because he and the chopper need to get home he can't wait for the paper work to come through so therefore needs to have an instructor with him.

06-04-2008, 07:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Katana Sukhothai Last Online: 30-10-2009 11:39 AM Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chiang Mai Posts: 318	Wow awesome trip. Where are you refueling between Sharlevile -- Mount Isa and Mount Isa --- Kununarra ? What fuel does it run ? Is it a turbine engine ? Thanks Mark And good luck!!!! (edited for bad map reading)

06-04-2008, 08:26 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tao Thailand Expat Last Online: Yesterday 03:50 PM Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sikhiu Posts: 1,012	Good luck mate, looks like a great adventure. Although sayting that, i ride in helicopters to work and about an hour is enough for me.

06-04-2008, 08:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
klongmaster Thailand Forum Last Online: Yesterday 05:29 PM Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nonthaburi Posts: 3,844	You do get the good jobs Memock...I'll be looking forward to seeing the piccies of the trip...safe journey mate...

06-04-2008, 08:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
astasinim Small Member Last Online: Today 07:04 AM Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 2,057	Sounds like quite an adventure. Looking forward to the trip report.

07-04-2008, 05:59 AM	#19 (permalink)
bongthom 3 Pagoda Pass Last Online: 01-09-2008 06:34 PM Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: rejectdoor Posts: 591	hope you drive safely mate

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