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Reload this Page Across Australia by Helicopter.
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Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea Travel Forum The forum to tell us about your travels in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, where you stayed, the beaches you went to, the tourist attractions you saw.

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Old 06-04-2008, 06:18 PM   #1 (permalink)
MeMock
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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.
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Last edited by MeMock : 06-04-2008 at 08:05 PM.
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Old 06-04-2008, 06:23 PM   #2 (permalink)
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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
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Old 06-04-2008, 06:57 PM   #3 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:06 PM   #4 (permalink)
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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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Old 06-04-2008, 07:16 PM   #5 (permalink)
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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.

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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:21 PM   #6 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:24 PM   #7 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:28 PM   #8 (permalink)
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pilot is still on his 'L' plates
This pilot was a learner, too.



Rather you than me Memock.

Looking forward to the thread.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:35 PM   #9 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:35 PM   #10 (permalink)
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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
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:39 PM   #11 (permalink)
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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!
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:48 PM   #12 (permalink)
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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
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Old 06-04-2008, 07:58 PM   #13 (permalink)
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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)
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Old 06-04-2008, 08:04 PM   #14 (permalink)
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What fuel does it run ? Is it a turbine engine ?
The R44 burns 100 low-lead Avgas.
It is a 260hp piston engine
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Old 06-04-2008, 08:26 PM   #15 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 06-04-2008, 08:47 PM   #16 (permalink)
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You do get the good jobs Memock...I'll be looking forward to seeing the piccies of the trip...safe journey mate...
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Old 06-04-2008, 08:52 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Sounds like quite an adventure. Looking forward to the trip report.
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Old 07-04-2008, 05:47 AM   #18 (permalink)
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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.
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Old 07-04-2008, 05:59 AM   #19 (permalink)
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hope you drive safely mate
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Old 07-04-2008, 06:04 AM   #20 (permalink)
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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
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