Stef please do one on ballpark costs! Aircraft (rental hours roughly required and if you can negotiate the fee, wet vs dry ect)/take-off & landing fees/fuel, accommodation, miscellaneous expenses, any insurance requirements, what happens if the aircraft breaks down half way through the trip ect. I think this would be the biggest hurdle stopping someone like myself going out and doing this.
Stefan, as an old rated Commercial pilot, aged now 69 yrs old, but sadly living in SE Asia for 20+years.. .trained originally in WA (Royal Aero Club of WA Jandakot ) I've enjoyed immensely your air ventures around Oz in the Cirrus in late 2018. I've flown most of those areas/routes ( Not Vic- turned back west before we got there - but Ayres Rock etc) but back then, in the Mooney M20E and Piper Cherokee 180c we only had Wac Charts, E6B "Prayer wheel "Computer", compass, NO GPS , NO ADSB, Mark one eye ball, HF radio only( outside terminal areas) and map reading/ DR navigation over all that magnificent countryl. oh and the trusty Narco Mark 12(?) ADF.....one of the very few navaids (NDB'S) placed over 1000+ sq miles in WA. But we made it! No Fuel flow meters, just needed to know it by experience - ..Mooney: 140kts - 160kts and EXACTLY 8(Imp) GPH------ 5hrs endurance. Thanks for the memories and professionally flown and produced vidoes. (PS. dont know why most of this text is in Red!!)
Stefan, I followed all of your out back videos prior to going on holiday to New Zealand and Australia over the past three weeks. I just returned to the United States last night. I was very interested in your videos at and near Ayers Rock. We started our trip by flying from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand via Sydney. From there we took a 11 day Princess cruise back from Auckland to Sydney visiting New Zealand ports along the way. From Sydney we started our inland trip to Uluru and Ayers Rock to Darwin to Cairns and then back to Sydney for our flight back to the U.S. If anyone is planning on going to the out back in Australia on a holiday they should make it a mandatory they they view your videos before going. You gave us a big heads up and I thank you for your videos.
Congrats Stefan on an excellent series. I've got this crazy idea to come down there and fly your route .... in a trike! Anyway, I can see why that idea lingers in my mind after watching your series. Stunning! Excellent job on the editing - that take's an awful lot of work and patience and setting up all the vid shots takes a lot of work too!! But - it's worth it for all us! My wife and I watched your vids on our big screen - and it was excellent! I have lots of vids flying around the mountains of Northwest US - but nothing as engaging as yours! I'm taking notes!
Aussie living in UK have lived in Alice Springs and travelled extensively in the outback that you covered - enjoyed your trip as brought back many fond memories.
Great tips. This trip was truly valuable for your "know the limits" of aviation.. including what is fun and what is just a haul. Also, A good long loner trip rewards with a overwhelming sense of self achievement! :) But that said, I've also made the mistake of trying to achieve the same thing twice... it was a huge boring mistake. Better to share with someone you think would appreciated the opportunity and add flavour to your own experience and help mix it up. Great job as always.
I was born in Bendigo. I have been back and I was cool 😎. And I worked at the Tram depot when it was owned but a power company called The SEC (Powercor). Back in 1968.
Stefan THIS is why I look forward to your next production. Yes all your Vlogs are entertaining and educational. Sharing safe practices, the thought process and preparation, I think is extremely valuable as well as entertaining. When you "unpack" or, detail "how to" there is no one better. A year or so back you shared other Vlogger pilot's you thought WE might like to follow. That was brilliant! I still follow MANY I discovered from you. Thanks for taking us along! I have enjoyed it very much!
Thanks for leaving that comment Lee, it's great to know you've been watching the videos for a while and I'm glad you're finding them useful. Thanks, I really appreciate the support, stef
Your plan C is the most important. There are many pilots that feel pressured, because they’ve made promises to their mates to take them. But if the conditions don’t permit, don’t go. Even if you encounter bad conditions enroute, land somewhere stay and have a coffee and wait out the bad weather until it passes. Sadly there are many pilots who should have applied rule C. Good tips STEFAN. Great camera work and editing.
If we had more motor vehicle drivers plan their trips using these principles, the road toll would drop. I loved the series and it has encouraged me to drive the outback. I have been to most of the areas you visited during my time in the RAAF, in and out in C130s as cargo and loved the people and the general feel of the Australian bush. Safe landings my friend.
While I could merrily nit-pick some of the things you did/said in the previous videos, this one should be mandatory viewing for all new pilots contemplating their first long trip away. Well done Stefan. Maybe you could also apply for an Aero Refuellers card which will cover you for other locations? Going with someone else makes a lot of sense; while going in two aircraft (not necessarily the same type or even similar performance) is simply huge fun. Having and, more importantly, adhering to your own set of standards is a pure gold suggestion.
Stef...I'll just echo what others have said....I really appreciate the creativity, time, effort, and expertise you put in to making these videos. Absolutely AWESOME. And this trip was equally beautiful and educational. I live in Orlando, Fl and was lucky enough to go to Australia (Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane) about 12 years ago. I was curious if you ever fly over that area as well. I recall that Brisbane and the Gold Coast were beautiful. Thanks again!
Thanks Aaron, I really appreciate that. I've flown into Canberra a few times, we used that as part of my Night VFR training out of Sydney a few years ago. But I've never flown into the Gold Coast or Brisbane airports. They're on the list though!
I found your channel just after you came to Sun N Fun. If you come back to Florida, let me know and maybe we can go flying together. Your channel helped me take the plunge to get my private pilots license. Thanks for the videos!
Great tips Stef , Plan C , yep , I,ve used it a few times due to winds and weather etc .. I had all the cameras set up once and the wind was outside my personal mins , cancelled the flight that day and sat in the plane and did some work with the avionics instead , not wasted time at all .. Always have a plan C ... looking forward to the next and final leg .. great editing BTW .. thumbs up ..
When I was learning to fly the big messages on cross-country flights were ALWAYS file a flight plan, and call in position reports to Flight Service en route. Our local Flight Service people always seem delighted when people call them on the radio. PIREPs make them particularly happy. :-)
Check the new ForeFlight Trip Advisor on it's website and it does all of that, including travel time on the roads in your car if you want, such a great new tool to use in the future for us here in the US and now Europe...
You mentioned using google maps just as I found the Melbourne airport on Google Earth as you were flying into the airport and I was curious. Another great video. I love watching as I am between MEDICAL’s at this point. Hope to get healthy enough to climb back in a real cockpit.
G’day Stefan, Welcome home, you have now completed an adventure that will be etched into your consciousness forever. Congratulations on not only completing the journey safely but also for taking us all along with you in an informative and interesting way. You have whet many appetites for a similar trip and bought back some fantastic memories for those that went before you. We, the newbies and the old and not so bold, thank you and will look forward to your ongoing postings. Stay safe Cheers John B
Been following and loving the series. Planning a similar trip in a month. Big Respect great series. Interested in your planning and how camera mounts went. How much food did Milkshake eat? :)
I've enjoyed watching your trip videos. I eventually caught up as I've been so busy with my channel. You succeeded well and you have planned the trip well and you survived. It's been awhile since I've been to Bendigo. I love tram rides. I must get back there sometime. I love travel videos as I visited Lake Eildon and did a lot of filming. Awesome place with stunning views from Frazer National Park.
Your tips make perfect sense, even to a non pilot like me, last time I was in a plane was 2001 in a 747 to Antarctica and back ( a fantastic experience) and prior to that 1968 from Alice Springs to Melbourne. Would love to see a “behind the scenes “ video. Looking forward to episode 13.
Loving it Stefan! Plan C has just become part of my planning! I'd love to hear about how you're filming the flying. I'm learning in a PA28 and have recorded every flight so far but only a single view. I experimented with a 360 camera but didn't result in what I had hoped! My instructor here in Qatar said he is ok with me adding some mounts around the plane but so far I've not been able to get my round on best positioning, especially on mountings for the outside... Keep up the good work!
Stef, just want to say a massive congrats on this series. Just love the way youve explained everything, keep up the awesome work. Oh, and if you ever need a flying buddy, i tell amazing jokes and absolutely love flying!! Cant wait for the last flight!!
Good luck with your solo cross country. I remember my first solo X/C, I was nervous beforehand but that feeling after you land back at your home airport is very special. Have a great flight.
Stefan I've been enjoying your vids. $$$You spoke about a budget, spreadsheet and other money matters, so at the end will you be able to tell us how much the entire trip cost you all up?$$$
I’d like to see how you used the flight planning software specifically in relation to filing flight plans. Yeah I know there probably lots of videos by others on this subject but non the less, that’s my request. Great video. Hope the flight home goes well and looking forward to it.
Oh, Stephan you make me laugh! I need you to know that you also need to know your fellow passenger! I was invited to join a novice solo pilot on a practice flight out of Tyabb airport on a let’ s count the hours flight. So, after a half hour or so, over Westernport Bay, the pilot suggested to his step father that he might like to have control of the plane at 4500 feet. Well, step father flew hurricanes in WW2 from Britain to Italy and in those days was allowed to target anything that moved. So, to cut a long story short, ‘Young John’ took control of the rental plane and push the stick forward in a dive and swooped down to 50 metres in a trouserfilling dive , reliving his war time experiences, except he made several fishermen in their tinnies absolutely s..... themselves as he barrelled down on them. We survived, but what memories! I am loving your current series of flight episodes, may be tempted to join flight training.....will they train me @ 73?
Thanks for sharing that story Otto, I bet that would have got the attention of those fishermen for sure! Yes of course they'll train you at 73, and if they don't then you already know it's the wrong flying school. If you want a starting point and you're around Moorabbin Airport, head to AirRTP and ask for Robert Papov, tell him I sent you. He can sit down with you and go through your options for flight training and you can see if that's something you want to do. As long as your medical is in order, there's no age restrictions for learning to fly, nor should there be.
If only! The footage is superb and certainly gives you a taster of what you are doing. To be sat in the other seat now that would be “flying along with you” 😎👍🏻
Great tips, Stef! In your trip, did you feel that maybe you should have included another day or two of down time? You mentioned how mentally challenging these trips are - did you ever feel like you were a little too ambitious and wish you had made the trip a bit shorter? I've learned from many travels that planning down time is as important as planning what you want to do. Great trip - thanks for sharing.
This is a really good point Ben, and yes looking back I would have liked a little more time to explore the places I went to more than just stopping overnight and continuing on. So I think a key learning is shorter legs, with longer gaps, and enjoy the actual destination as well as the journey. Thanks, stef
Hey Stef, another insightful video. I’d be interested to know more about the GoPro mounts myself and how you worked with the relevant authorities in regards to them. Cheers, great video and great trams.
Thanks for all your videos. Just wish I'd known you were in Bendigo in time. Would have loved to meet you and take you to lunch or dinner if you'd had time.
Hi Stefan, I enjoy watching your videos. Would it be possible if you could do a run through on the total cost for the trip and also if you could show us how you planned your trips. Thanks in advance.
great series thus far stefan! please do a follow up behind the scenes vid, im interested in your camera mounts (internal and external) and a basic rundown on your editing workflow. in my experience, video editing is tough long work, but your knocking out quality stuff within 24hrs :o
Yes, I want to know everything about mounting the cameras on the plane. I'm also curious about why do you switch (or have to) the fuel from left to right and viceversa.
The engine takes fuel from one tank or the other, it can't drain from 'both'. So we switch tanks to keep the aircraft in balance. If I ran one tank dry I'd be out of balance to the other side, not good for aircraft handling and it can affect the servos on the autopilot too. The Cirrus fuel gauge actually flashes yellow if there's more than a 10 gallon imbalance between the tanks, just in case you've forgotten to switch them.
Hey Stefan, great series. I have really enjoyed following along! I completely agree with Plan C, and as pilots I have noticed it is something noone likes doing, we fly for passion right!? If you get a chance in later videos, I would love to see how you got through the permissions with CASA to externally mount cameras. Seems like it would be a headache, but it would be great to see from your point of view. Regards Eli
In case someone hasn't mentioned it - google maps is great but google earth with it's cheap little flight sim mode is even better. I've "flown" many trips as part of my planning on my couch at home with google earth and a map
Great video, brilliant tips for us newbies! Would love to learn more about the planning and the camera set up Stef. I'm flying my first solo Nav on Friday and cant get enough. Also if you ever want company???
It’s been awesome following your journey around Australia! I’m looking at doing a similar trip around South Africa. Would love to see some of the more technical planning details that went into this! But more importantly, what was Milkshakes top tip of the trip? Look forward to watching the last episode of this adventure 🛩
It would be cool to see a video with whatever agencies perform search and rescue in Australia whether it be out at sea or in the remote land regions similar to the Steveo and Flightchops videos with the US Coast Guard.
I flew around Tassie for my CPL training, but haven't been back for a little while. However now the weather is warming up and freezing levels are rising, watch this space...
Great tips - very cool to watch the trip. I have been watching for a couple of months. Just received my private pilot certificate yesterday. Did you have any surprises on the trip?
Congratulations on your PPL Tony, that's awesome news. You'll remember that day for the rest of your life. I think I covered most of the ups and downs in the videos, nothing really surprising that wasn't in there, apart perhaps from birds getting pretty close to the aircraft on the approach into Kununurra, that woke me up at one point.
Speaking of #KYA and #EmergencyProcedures, there was a 17-year-old student pilot in Massachusetts this past Sunday who had a HUGE lesson in that. She was able to bring her plane down safely with the help of ATC and her instructor, but this was a good reminder that emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, even on your first cross country solo. Here's a link to the ATC audio: ruclips.net/video/B229-KLudTo/видео.html
Hi Stef, I've been following you along the entire way (and flew in to Bendigo for the first time for Nav lesson #2 a couple of days behind you) but didn't seen the 'big question' answered for this flight: AvPlan or OzRunways? :-) More importantly, what kneeboard are you using? and how'd it go after such a long flight??
+10 internet points to you for spotting that. Yeah that's the same one. I knew I could send the drone up there without hassling or endangering anyone so I headed for a familiar place. I'll have to get a new location next time I'm in Bendigo... 🤔
"CASR Subpart 21.M does not disallow the installation of a modification or alteration to an aircraft, it is a regulation that allows design approval of the modification. CAR 42U requires any modification or repair to an aircraft to be installed in accordance with approved data. Therefore attaching a temporary modification must be done to 21.M approved data by an appropriately licenced person." Read more at www.australianflying.com.au/news/casa-confirms-external-camera-ruling#h3MiPrsCfOQx0hsw.99
Mate I'm an aspiring pilot myself and just want to say thank you for your videos, awesome job. I think someone has already asked but what was the total cost of your trip?
Good question - as some of the legs were outside of 2-way radio coverage I couldn't do as much IFR as I would have wanted, but out of the 10 days flying, 3 were IFR.
Stefan Drury thanks for the reply mate. Would have loved to seen you make it up north to Archerfield. Maybe next time you should the wife to Hamilton Island !
I was trained to fly approaches using NDB, ILS, VOR, and RNAV (GNSS). However I'm only current in ILS, VOR and RNAV which is the main one I use. It's all going the GNSS way anyway, ground based aids are costly to maintain and I really enjoy flying PBN en route anyway.
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Would love to hear about the filming/gopro mounts/filming permission etc. Thanks for making this series! As a student pilot its very inspiring!
Stef please do one on ballpark costs! Aircraft (rental hours roughly required and if you can negotiate the fee, wet vs dry ect)/take-off & landing fees/fuel, accommodation, miscellaneous expenses, any insurance requirements, what happens if the aircraft breaks down half way through the trip ect. I think this would be the biggest hurdle stopping someone like myself going out and doing this.
Yeah I think that's some great content there and would be helpful to other travellers and pilots. I'll definitely do that, thanks tshopguy,
Stefan, as an old rated Commercial pilot, aged now 69 yrs old, but sadly living in SE Asia for 20+years.. .trained originally in WA (Royal Aero Club of WA Jandakot ) I've enjoyed immensely your air ventures around Oz in the Cirrus in late 2018.
I've flown most of those areas/routes ( Not Vic- turned back west before we got there - but Ayres Rock etc) but back then, in the Mooney M20E and Piper Cherokee 180c we only had Wac Charts, E6B "Prayer wheel "Computer", compass, NO GPS , NO ADSB, Mark one eye ball, HF radio only( outside terminal areas) and map reading/ DR navigation over all that magnificent countryl.
oh and the trusty Narco Mark 12(?) ADF.....one of the very few navaids (NDB'S) placed over 1000+ sq miles in WA. But we made it!
No Fuel flow meters, just needed to know it by experience - ..Mooney: 140kts - 160kts and EXACTLY 8(Imp) GPH------ 5hrs endurance.
Thanks for the memories and professionally flown and produced vidoes.
(PS. dont know why most of this text is in Red!!)
Stefan, I followed all of your out back videos prior to going on holiday to New Zealand and Australia over the past three weeks. I just returned to the United States last night. I was very interested in your videos at and near Ayers Rock. We started our trip by flying from San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand via Sydney. From there we took a 11 day Princess cruise back from Auckland to Sydney visiting New Zealand ports along the way.
From Sydney we started our inland trip to Uluru and Ayers Rock to Darwin to Cairns and then back to Sydney for our flight back to the U.S. If anyone is planning on going to the out back in Australia on a holiday they should make it a mandatory they they view your videos before going. You gave us a big heads up and I thank you for your videos.
Congrats Stefan on an excellent series. I've got this crazy idea to come down there and fly your route .... in a trike! Anyway, I can see why that idea lingers in my mind after watching your series. Stunning! Excellent job on the editing - that take's an awful lot of work and patience and setting up all the vid shots takes a lot of work too!! But - it's worth it for all us! My wife and I watched your vids on our big screen - and it was excellent! I have lots of vids flying around the mountains of Northwest US - but nothing as engaging as yours! I'm taking notes!
Aussie living in UK have lived in Alice Springs and travelled extensively in the outback that you covered - enjoyed your trip as brought back many fond memories.
Great tips. This trip was truly valuable for your "know the limits" of aviation.. including what is fun and what is just a haul. Also, A good long loner trip rewards with a overwhelming sense of self achievement! :) But that said, I've also made the mistake of trying to achieve the same thing twice... it was a huge boring mistake. Better to share with someone you think would appreciated the opportunity and add flavour to your own experience and help mix it up. Great job as always.
I was born in Bendigo. I have been back and I was cool 😎. And I worked at the Tram depot when it was owned but a power company called The SEC (Powercor). Back in 1968.
Stefan
THIS is why I look forward to your next production.
Yes all your Vlogs are entertaining and educational. Sharing safe practices, the thought process and preparation, I think is extremely valuable as well as entertaining.
When you "unpack" or, detail "how to" there is no one better.
A year or so back you shared other Vlogger pilot's you thought WE might like to follow. That was brilliant! I still follow MANY I discovered from you.
Thanks for taking us along! I have enjoyed it very much!
Thanks for leaving that comment Lee, it's great to know you've been watching the videos for a while and I'm glad you're finding them useful. Thanks, I really appreciate the support, stef
Awesome tips! It would be cool to see some of the “behind the scenes” stuff! Great video once again!
Agreed behind the scenes would be great
Sad to see the trip coming to an end. Bumped into this chan on the kal leg and have enjoyed since. I do recall your Mel atc vid however!
Your plan C is the most important. There are many pilots that feel pressured, because they’ve made promises to their mates to take them. But if the conditions don’t permit, don’t go. Even if you encounter bad conditions enroute, land somewhere stay and have a coffee and wait out the bad weather until it passes. Sadly there are many pilots who should have applied rule C. Good tips STEFAN. Great camera work and editing.
Yes yes yes please do more on the planning and cameras that would be fantastic as I’m planning for a trip right now
Ok, on it...
If we had more motor vehicle drivers plan their trips using these principles, the road toll would drop. I loved the series and it has encouraged me to drive the outback. I have been to most of the areas you visited during my time in the RAAF, in and out in C130s as cargo and loved the people and the general feel of the Australian bush. Safe landings my friend.
great tips. I actually used the google maps trick for my first cross country solos, makes things a lot easier when you know what you're looking for!
While I could merrily nit-pick some of the things you did/said in the previous videos, this one should be mandatory viewing for all new pilots contemplating their first long trip away. Well done Stefan. Maybe you could also apply for an Aero Refuellers card which will cover you for other locations? Going with someone else makes a lot of sense; while going in two aircraft (not necessarily the same type or even similar performance) is simply huge fun. Having and, more importantly, adhering to your own set of standards is a pure gold suggestion.
Very very good. Highly informative.
brilliant video! extremely useful tips and information! Thanks again Stef! Would love to hear all the things you mentioned at the end!
Thanks foggy11, and I'm working on the next videos to give some more tips, coming very soooon...
Oh I love the sound of that! :D
Stef...I'll just echo what others have said....I really appreciate the creativity, time, effort, and expertise you put in to making these videos. Absolutely AWESOME. And this trip was equally beautiful and educational.
I live in Orlando, Fl and was lucky enough to go to Australia (Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane) about 12 years ago. I was curious if you ever fly over that area as well. I recall that Brisbane and the Gold Coast were beautiful. Thanks again!
Thanks Aaron, I really appreciate that. I've flown into Canberra a few times, we used that as part of my Night VFR training out of Sydney a few years ago. But I've never flown into the Gold Coast or Brisbane airports. They're on the list though!
I found your channel just after you came to Sun N Fun. If you come back to Florida, let me know and maybe we can go flying together. Your channel helped me take the plunge to get my private pilots license. Thanks for the videos!
Great tips Stef , Plan C , yep , I,ve used it a few times due to winds and weather etc .. I had all the cameras set up once and the wind was outside my personal mins , cancelled the flight that day and sat in the plane and did some work with the avionics instead , not wasted time at all .. Always have a plan C ... looking forward to the next and final leg .. great editing BTW .. thumbs up ..
Very interesting and well put together
When I was learning to fly the big messages on cross-country flights were ALWAYS file a flight plan, and call in position reports to Flight Service en route. Our local Flight Service people always seem delighted when people call them on the radio. PIREPs make them particularly happy. :-)
Check the new ForeFlight Trip Advisor on it's website and it does all of that, including travel time on the roads in your car if you want, such a great new tool to use in the future for us here in the US and now Europe...
You mentioned using google maps just as I found the Melbourne airport on Google Earth as you were flying into the airport and I was curious. Another great video. I love watching as I am between MEDICAL’s at this point. Hope to get healthy enough to climb back in a real cockpit.
Thanks for commenting Brent. I hope you get past your medical hold up and can get back flying soon. All the best mate.
G’day Stefan,
Welcome home, you have now completed an adventure that will be etched into your consciousness forever.
Congratulations on not only completing the journey safely but also for taking us all along with you in an informative and interesting way. You have whet many appetites for a similar trip and bought back some fantastic memories for those that went before you. We, the newbies and the old and not so bold, thank you and will look forward to your ongoing postings.
Stay safe
Cheers
John B
Thanks John, I appreciate that and it was great having you following along.
Been following and loving the series. Planning a similar trip in a month. Big Respect great series. Interested in your planning and how camera mounts went. How much food did Milkshake eat? :)
I've enjoyed watching your trip videos. I eventually caught up as I've been so busy with my channel. You succeeded well and you have planned the trip well and you survived. It's been awhile since I've been to Bendigo. I love tram rides. I must get back there sometime. I love travel videos as I visited Lake Eildon and did a lot of filming. Awesome place with stunning views from Frazer National Park.
Appreciate the great effort and patience it takes to video and edit your video. Thank you!
Such an awesome series! Watched the whole thing start to finish!
Nice shot of the post office and the Shamrock.
Your tips make perfect sense, even to a non pilot like me, last time I was in a plane was 2001 in a 747 to Antarctica and back ( a fantastic experience) and prior to that 1968 from Alice Springs to Melbourne. Would love to see a “behind the scenes “ video. Looking forward to episode 13.
Thanks Peter, Antarctica is another real bucket list item for me, I bet that would have been an amazing experience for sure.
Good tips, & not just for pilots. Even driving some people have a serious "Get-there-itous!"
Loving it Stefan! Plan C has just become part of my planning!
I'd love to hear about how you're filming the flying. I'm learning in a PA28 and have recorded every flight so far but only a single view. I experimented with a 360 camera but didn't result in what I had hoped! My instructor here in Qatar said he is ok with me adding some mounts around the plane but so far I've not been able to get my round on best positioning, especially on mountings for the outside...
Keep up the good work!
Yes, planning, camera mounts, permissions, how you kept occupied on long legs without being distracted, nervous moments?
Stef, just want to say a massive congrats on this series. Just love the way youve explained everything, keep up the awesome work. Oh, and if you ever need a flying buddy, i tell amazing jokes and absolutely love flying!! Cant wait for the last flight!!
Ha, thanks Ryan. Glad you've been enjoying the series.
Great advice. As a student pilot about the go on my long solo cross country(290) miles you gave lots of valuable tips. Thanks for porting.
Good luck with your solo cross country. I remember my first solo X/C, I was nervous beforehand but that feeling after you land back at your home airport is very special. Have a great flight.
Bloopers reel!!!!!
Never! Besides it would be too long!
Stefan I've been enjoying your vids. $$$You spoke about a budget, spreadsheet and other money matters, so at the end will you be able to tell us how much the entire trip cost you all up?$$$
I’d like to see how you used the flight planning software specifically in relation to filing flight plans. Yeah I know there probably lots of videos by others on this subject but non the less, that’s my request. Great video. Hope the flight home goes well and looking forward to it.
Oh, Stephan you make me laugh! I need you to know that you also need to know your fellow passenger! I was invited to join a novice solo pilot on a practice flight out of Tyabb airport on a let’ s count the hours flight. So, after a half hour or so, over Westernport Bay, the pilot suggested to his step father that he might like to have control of the plane at 4500 feet. Well, step father flew hurricanes in WW2 from Britain to Italy and in those days was allowed to target anything that moved. So, to cut a long story short, ‘Young John’ took control of the rental plane and push the stick forward in a dive and swooped down to 50 metres in a trouserfilling dive , reliving his war time experiences, except he made several fishermen in their tinnies absolutely s..... themselves as he barrelled down on them. We survived, but what memories! I am loving your current series of flight episodes, may be tempted to join flight training.....will they train me @ 73?
Thanks for sharing that story Otto, I bet that would have got the attention of those fishermen for sure! Yes of course they'll train you at 73, and if they don't then you already know it's the wrong flying school. If you want a starting point and you're around Moorabbin Airport, head to AirRTP and ask for Robert Papov, tell him I sent you. He can sit down with you and go through your options for flight training and you can see if that's something you want to do. As long as your medical is in order, there's no age restrictions for learning to fly, nor should there be.
Loving the series Stef
It's great to have you flying along with me Marvin ✈️👍
If only! The footage is superb and certainly gives you a taster of what you are doing. To be sat in the other seat now that would be “flying along with you” 😎👍🏻
Great flight thanks 😎✈️
Thanks Douglas.
Love following the adventures of Milkshake haha
Go pro and filming permissions would be great Stef!
Great tips, Stef! In your trip, did you feel that maybe you should have included another day or two of down time? You mentioned how mentally challenging these trips are - did you ever feel like you were a little too ambitious and wish you had made the trip a bit shorter? I've learned from many travels that planning down time is as important as planning what you want to do. Great trip - thanks for sharing.
This is a really good point Ben, and yes looking back I would have liked a little more time to explore the places I went to more than just stopping overnight and continuing on. So I think a key learning is shorter legs, with longer gaps, and enjoy the actual destination as well as the journey. Thanks, stef
Good advice
😎👍
...awesome tips. Many Thanks from Kenya!
Hey Stef, another insightful video. I’d be interested to know more about the GoPro mounts myself and how you worked with the relevant authorities in regards to them. Cheers, great video and great trams.
Thanks Floyd, yeah I'm definitely going to do one on that mount and the CASA approval processes. Thanks for the suggestion.
Awww loved Milkshake on the bench!!! Also Bendigo is the best (my home town), and yes please would love to know more info!!!
Ha, well spotted Ben. You live in a pretty cool town, I do like it there.
Thanks for all your videos. Just wish I'd known you were in Bendigo in time. Would have loved to meet you and take you to lunch or dinner if you'd had time.
Very sensible bloke,you are stef.
Hi Stefan, I enjoy watching your videos. Would it be possible if you could do a run through on the total cost for the trip and also if you could show us how you planned your trips. Thanks in advance.
Thanks Lukas, I'm making a video on the trip costs, a few people have asked me about that. Thanks for the suggestion.
great series thus far stefan! please do a follow up behind the scenes vid, im interested in your camera mounts (internal and external) and a basic rundown on your editing workflow. in my experience, video editing is tough long work, but your knocking out quality stuff within 24hrs :o
Thanks Joel, and this is why I'm up until 1am every night and back up at 6am. Editing is a labour of love that's for sure!
Love the series. Have you thought what the next adventure will be?
Yeah got a few ideas, I don't want to spoil any surprises but definitely planning some fun content for the channel.
Genuinely sound advice! Cool place too!
Very good tips for newer pilots.
Yes, I want to know everything about mounting the cameras on the plane. I'm also curious about why do you switch (or have to) the fuel from left to right and viceversa.
The engine takes fuel from one tank or the other, it can't drain from 'both'. So we switch tanks to keep the aircraft in balance. If I ran one tank dry I'd be out of balance to the other side, not good for aircraft handling and it can affect the servos on the autopilot too. The Cirrus fuel gauge actually flashes yellow if there's more than a 10 gallon imbalance between the tanks, just in case you've forgotten to switch them.
Thanks for the answer! Yes, I tought that but the 'both' position made me doubt.
Hey Stefan, great series. I have really enjoyed following along!
I completely agree with Plan C, and as pilots I have noticed it is something noone likes doing, we fly for passion right!?
If you get a chance in later videos, I would love to see how you got through the permissions with CASA to externally mount cameras. Seems like it would be a headache, but it would be great to see from your point of view.
Regards
Eli
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In case someone hasn't mentioned it - google maps is great but google earth with it's cheap little flight sim mode is even better. I've "flown" many trips as part of my planning on my couch at home with google earth and a map
Thanks Stefan Excellent Advice
Great video, brilliant tips for us newbies! Would love to learn more about the planning and the camera set up Stef. I'm flying my first solo Nav on Friday and cant get enough. Also if you ever want company???
Thanks Robert, yes a video on the camera setup coming soon for sure, I know a lot of other viewers are interested in that side as well. Cheers, stef
It’s been awesome following your journey around Australia!
I’m looking at doing a similar trip around South Africa.
Would love to see some of the more technical planning details that went into this!
But more importantly, what was Milkshakes top tip of the trip?
Look forward to watching the last episode of this adventure 🛩
Haha those key cards always do that
Fabulous series........
great tips, nice flight
It would be cool to see a video with whatever agencies perform search and rescue in Australia whether it be out at sea or in the remote land regions similar to the Steveo and Flightchops videos with the US Coast Guard.
Would love to showcase the awesome work our airborne SAR services provide. Always happy to make content like that.
I’m going to do what you did on my flight sim
Gotta love Excel!
Looking forward to the tips of getting permission to mount a Gopro on the wing.
On it 🎥👍
It would be nice to see you fly around tasmania
I flew around Tassie for my CPL training, but haven't been back for a little while. However now the weather is warming up and freezing levels are rising, watch this space...
Great tips - very cool to watch the trip. I have been watching for a couple of months. Just received my private pilot certificate yesterday. Did you have any surprises on the trip?
Congratulations on your PPL Tony, that's awesome news. You'll remember that day for the rest of your life. I think I covered most of the ups and downs in the videos, nothing really surprising that wasn't in there, apart perhaps from birds getting pretty close to the aircraft on the approach into Kununurra, that woke me up at one point.
Yep tips are good.
How you setup camera gear be great to see.
Speaking of #KYA and #EmergencyProcedures, there was a 17-year-old student pilot in Massachusetts this past Sunday who had a HUGE lesson in that. She was able to bring her plane down safely with the help of ATC and her instructor, but this was a good reminder that emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, even on your first cross country solo. Here's a link to the ATC audio: ruclips.net/video/B229-KLudTo/видео.html
Hi Stef, I've been following you along the entire way (and flew in to Bendigo for the first time for Nav lesson #2 a couple of days behind you) but didn't seen the 'big question' answered for this flight: AvPlan or OzRunways? :-) More importantly, what kneeboard are you using? and how'd it go after such a long flight??
Haven't you walked through that drain in Bendigo before with your Daughter?
+10 internet points to you for spotting that. Yeah that's the same one. I knew I could send the drone up there without hassling or endangering anyone so I headed for a familiar place. I'll have to get a new location next time I'm in Bendigo... 🤔
I would like to see how you mounted your cameras and how you pick up the audio
Say, does your plane enable to drive backwards? Prop Feathering
Enjoyed it so far, what was the total flight hours you did on the trip?
Great advice!
I would love to know how you managed to get the wing camera approved!!
"CASR Subpart 21.M does not disallow the installation of a modification or alteration to an aircraft, it is a regulation that allows design approval of the modification. CAR 42U requires any modification or repair to an aircraft to be installed in accordance with approved data. Therefore attaching a temporary modification must be done to 21.M approved data by an appropriately licenced person."
Read more at www.australianflying.com.au/news/casa-confirms-external-camera-ruling#h3MiPrsCfOQx0hsw.99
The navigation tips along with the camera mounting approval would be great, also the only people who didn't raise their hand are non-pilots or liars
Haha, yep that's what I reckon too!
Mate I'm an aspiring pilot myself and just want to say thank you for your videos, awesome job. I think someone has already asked but what was the total cost of your trip?
Thanks Rexy, nice to have you following the adventure. I think I'll do a video on that question, been asked a few times. Stand by...
You mention hotel costs etc, but what did the actual flying/hire/fuel cost all up?I’m guessing around the $10-15k in the SR22.
Video on that coming very soon Paulie, I'm going to be really open with the costs, I think it's useful information for everyone watching.
I forgot to cancel my flight plan once. I think they were about to scramble the helicopter. There were 7 missed calls on my phone.😬
You're not alone, we've all done it or at least come close to it I reckon.
Hey Mate,
One thing on this trip compared to your longreach series was there was no ifr procedures etc. how much of this trip was ifr vs vfr?
Good question - as some of the legs were outside of 2-way radio coverage I couldn't do as much IFR as I would have wanted, but out of the 10 days flying, 3 were IFR.
Stefan Drury thanks for the reply mate. Would have loved to seen you make it up north to Archerfield. Maybe next time you should the wife to Hamilton Island !
Question: Where is KEPPA waypoint?
Question ...Where does the wind speed and direction information in the corner of the display obtained from ?
That's a feature of the Avidyne PFD, and I believe calculated based off drift angles and ground speed.
Plan D. Don’t be afraid to turn back.
Do you still use NDB,s and VOR,s or is it now all GNSS?
I was trained to fly approaches using NDB, ILS, VOR, and RNAV (GNSS). However I'm only current in ILS, VOR and RNAV which is the main one I use. It's all going the GNSS way anyway, ground based aids are costly to maintain and I really enjoy flying PBN en route anyway.
I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND. You’re so cool.
As you derive some income from your channel, I assume, does it entitle you to make the trip tax deductible.