Page 49 - Twin & Turbine May 2017

Flying Aussie Style in a Cessna 182
Touring Australia in a Cessna 182
Eight days, 22 flight hours, memories for a lifetime
“I have an idea,” said friend and Citation owner Kirk Samuelson. “Let’s meet in Sydney, rent Cessna 182’s, and fly around Australia.”
“Sounds interesting, but I fly jets and haven’t flown a single- engine anything in over 40 years,” I replied.
“Then you better go back to school,” said Kirk. Learning to fly again (see On Final, April, 2017) was one of the many things I had to do in preparation for this lifetime adventure.
Our travelling partners, Kirk and Rebecca Samuelson, Joe and Annie Fisher, and J.R. and Jane Spalj all owned Huskies, Cubs or 182’s. Patty ordered matching shirts for all. We named our group the “Aero Nomads” to reflect the spirit of the journey. But for me, it was back to the airport and numerous touch-and-go’s.
On Final
by David Miller
an Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC) worn at all times while traveling. In addition, we had to be English language proficient (fairly easy for Americans). Finally, we had to have proof of airplane qualification prior to our trip and pass a check ride in the airplane upon entry into Australia. Under Clare’s supervision, the faxes, emails, and FedEx envelopes flowed frequently between the United States and Australia.
It was worth the effort.
Aussie Ground School
We found ourselves at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport in early February (Australia’s summer) in three 182’s and a 206 where we met Marilyn Anderson, our classroom instructor. Marilyn provided an eight-hour briefing covering differences in Australian airspace and ATC procedures, and loaded us up with more VFR charts than you can imagine. Rules there are similar to the United States, but enough differences exist to get your attention. As Marilyn said, “You are departing from a Class D, transiting military Class C, (Nowra and Sale), landing at Class C, (Essendon), and Class D (Parafield). The rest are Class G CTAFs apart from Bankstown, plus the Class C transit for the Sydney Scenic.
“Our military airspace is all Class C and requires a clearance to transit, but we don’t have MOA’s. Clearance may or may not be available, so have a Plan B. Also remember that apart from that Class C, you will be outside of radar assistance, so do not expect vectors or flight following.”
Stateside Prep
Our trip was organized by Clare McEwan of Air Safaris International (www.airsafarisint.com) who leads excursions in Europe and Australia customized for the experience level of the participants.
But first the paperwork.
Likely the result of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the United States, world-wide entry requirements for pilots hoping to fly small airplanes in foreign countries have dramatically increased. First, we had to obtain a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Certificate of Validation (COV) by submitting a multi- page notarized application, including a security background check, copies of logbooks and medicals, followed by acquiring
May 2017
TWIN & TURBINE • 47