Sandeep G 1 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 (edited) Hello to all! Over this weekend, the RAAF Pearce AFB (approximately 50 kms north of Perth) is hosting its first airshow in almost almost 10 years. The show includes a static display with contributions from the RAAF, RSAF and USAF as well as the WA Police Air Wing, the Australian Customs, Skippers Aviation, Skywest Airlines, National Jet (Sunday only), Cathay Pacific (Sunday only) and numerous General Aviation aircraft from around the state (but mainly Jandakot). Thanks must be made to Luke Chittock and Keith George for arranging the fly-in with Skippers Aviation, a WA based regional airline. Also thanks to Liam for informing me of the event and finding me a place for the fly-in. Thank you also to the staff at Skippers Aviation for a truly enjoyable and memorable day. Here is a trip report: Sector: PER-PEA Scheduled Flying time: 5 mins Actual Flying Time: 27 mins Flight Crew: Captain Steven, F/O Sasha Aircraft: VH-WAX, Fairchiled Metro 23 Cruising Altitude: 4000 ft. Time of depatrure: 8:45am Time of arrival: 9:12am Arrived at the Skippers terminal with my ah moi at around 8.00am and checked in. Baggage was weighed and we obtained our boarding passes for the Metro 23. Skippers was sending three aircraft to the show, with a Dash 8 and the Metro 23 ferrying pax for the day. We were escorted to the aircraft at around 8:35am. I have never travelled in the metro 23 before, and this was my girlfriends first time in a prop!!! So she was extremely nervous at first To compound that, the Metro 23 resembles a flying needle where one has to fold themselves in half before proceeding down the aisle. We sat right at the back in row 10A and 10C with myself on 10A. Then, the window shade on my window was jammed and refused to open!!! Arrrghhh the distress!!! I played with it for nearly 10 minutes and still no luck. Finally, I dunno what I did, but I managed to get it open (on an angle), but at least it was open The take off was in some pretty strong crosswinds. Liam told of the Cathay Pacifics arrival earlier with the wind at 4 kts downwind and 18 kts crosswind! The SIA 777 (an extremely dirty 9V-SRE) left before us and as it lifted, threw in some rudder to yaw the aircraft and maintain runway heading! We left the ground and made a 180 degree easterly turn to track north. There was some delay due traffic at Pearce and the captain announced a left downwind for 18L approach into PEA. This is where things got a bit strange - the runway was visible on the left hand side of the aircraft but we made a right turn to head east... then a complete circle to track west again. Then he headed straight in for 18L on the promised left downwind. As we were lining up, I (and all the other aerogeeks aboard) noticed that there was a light aircraft still on the runway. This happend at about 300ft AGL. To no suprise, after crossing the threshold a go-around was promptly executed and we were placed in a right-downwind for 18L approach. This time things happend much more nicely and the aircraft greased the deck at around 9:10am. We taxied into the stand and deplaned for the day at Pearce. Ah moi with plane Sector: PEA-PER Scheduled Flying time: 5 mins Actual Flying Time: 6 mins Flight Crew: Captain Steven, F/O Sasha Aircraft: VH-WAX, Fairchiled Metro 23 Cruising Altitude: 3000 ft. Time of depatrure: 1630 Time of arrival: 1636 The day was long and hot but filled with the sweet smell of kerosene jet fuel! So many flying displays and static aircraft to view and a very busy atmosphere with hords of crowds pouring in from Perth. Thank god we flew because the departing road traffic was a nightmare apparently!!! we all assembled at the aircraft at 1600hrs and commenced boarding at 1620 approximately. Soon after boarding, my girlfriend and I went to the same row thinking the window shade would have remained up. Alas, it did not and I had to fight with it again but it was ok this time cos I knew what had to be done. Anyhow, the heat from the day had tired us all out, and the cabin was very quiet for the return leg (well as quiet as could be onboard a Metro 23). With a long holding at the runway 18L for departure, we were soon off and back to PER for an uneventful 6 minute flight. Although I wish it had been longer, i didn't mind as the heat in the aircraft was immense! In Liam's words "That was a pressure cooker"... he was absolutely right. The trip was very memorable and I hope that all of you will one day experience a trip on an aircraft like the metro 23! here are some pictures from the day following this post: Edited November 20, 2005 by Sandeep G Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandeep G 1 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 The highlight of the show was this Rockwell B-1B Lancer from the USAF 37th Bomb Squadron (86-113). This is the same aircraft that did the fly-past of Perth City on Thursday afternoon. Picture of this can be seen here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandeep G 1 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 Here is the contributions from the RSAF. As some of you may know, the RSAF houses its flying school here in Pearce using S-211 trainers. The RSAF also sent down two F-16s and a KC-135R for the day, as well as displayed its S-211 trainer. All were static displays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walter Sim 1 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 wah, got ahmoi. Ibrahim sure happy... Heh, sure that was your shortest flight 6 minuts. Beutiful pictre Sandeep, are they any commercial planes on display or is it all military? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibrahim 0 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 Nice Nice... I Love Military Aircraft... Love your angle of Shot make the aircraft look sexy Rockwell B-1B Lancer.. I Must says it look realy cool. P.S : Got More Ah Moi pic to show ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pieter C. 5 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 Sandeep, Excellent and clear pictures !!! Loved the detailed shots, especially, like the B1 engines and rear... You sure had beautiful, clear and sunny weather: wish I would have been there too, as overhere it's misty and cold (3 degrees) Nice looking ah moi, Sandeep, any more shots ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Smith 1 Report post Posted November 20, 2005 Awesome pics man! Sunday was awesome, B-HLN was put through its paces along with an appalling effort from QF with VH-VXB, topped off by F50 VH-FND! Oh man, best pics of the B-1B came from about half way down the KC-135R's wing You'll have to wait for those! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandeep G 1 Report post Posted November 21, 2005 Here are some pics from the airforce display. Hawks of the 79th Sqn. Based here at Perth and plenty of Pilatus PC-9s. RAAF F/A 18 Anniversery Colours Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Min Chun 0 Report post Posted November 21, 2005 Wao! My favourite FA-18 were there too! Awesome shots! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gavin Andrew David 6 Report post Posted November 26, 2005 Very nice shots Sandeep Thanks for sharing Always nice to have something different once in awhile Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
