Lunch by the Sea

"We'll be down in Port Fairy just after new year.  From Saturday to Saturday.  You should come visit." said my friend Ken.

My brain instantly went into scheming mode.  I wondered if there was an airstrip near to the Port Fairy township.  Initially I thought about Warrnambool, however a few moments of googling showed that there was in fact an airstrip closer than that... In fact, right next to the town!  It is not included in the ERSA, but the Port Fairy ALA (or Authorised Landing Area) had a really helpful information brochure on the council's website. 

The plan was coming together.  Unfortunately, Mel had to work, so I gave Shane a call.  "Sh*t yeah!" I belive was the thrust of the response.  So, the plan was to head down there, where Ken and his wife Geraldine would pick us up (yay, airport transfers!) and we'd all go and enjoy lunch and then return to the airport where we'd take to the air once again and be back in time for pre-dinner drinks!

I decided to book the Tecnam for two days - the Monday and Thursday, to raise the chance of getting good weather.  For the next few days I watched all of the weather websites like a hawk.  I noticed that Monday was consistently predicted to be 36 degrees, and Thursday was looking to be about 24.  To my horror, a couple of days later, both days were 35 degrees!   Oh no!  Thankfully it wasn't long before Thursday was updated to a more comfortable 24 degrees with light winds.  When Monday rolled around, I rang Shane to see if he was keen to brave the heat.  He replied that he'd prefer to chance it with Thursday having more comfortable conditions.  As it turned out, the high temperature for the day didn't really arrive until about 4:30 in the afternoon - so we probably could have gone. 

Getting ready to go.

Thursday dawned clear and bright, with scarcely a breath of wind!  Perfect flying weather!  I arrived at the airport early and prepared the aircraft - pre flight, filling in paperwork and putting in full fuel (even though we'd only need 1/3 of it, I thought it would be a nice thing to do for the people hiring the aircraft the next day).  I had also factored plenty of fudge time during the day for the many conversations that must be had when hanging out at an airport!  Lucky I did, because sitting on the tarmac opposite our hangar was a beautiful TBM850, being lovingly washed by the chief pilot.

The beautiful TBM850, with a monster of a turboprop on the front!

We ended up chatting for a while, all the while other pilots walking past would stroll past and then join in the conversation.  By the time I had to go, there were four of us standing around this aircraft.  They asked me where I was heading today.  Every time I'd tell someone that I was heading to Port Fairy they would giggle - almost in an "I know something that you don't" sort of way.  I didn't know what they weren't telling me until I asked inside the Aero Club.  The guys there filled me in on the fact that the strip is renowned for windshear on late final, especially when the wind is from the South East.  My throat went a little dry at that point, but I figured that I had survived a pretty difficult crosswind at Tyabb, so I figured that if it doesn't work I can always go around and try again, or even return home.  Ken would understand.  They also mentioned that the lake next to the strip can overflow and cover up the start of the runway, so even though it is officially 900 metres, plan to use 600 of it.  Not a problem for the Tecnam - even at maximum takeoff weight!

Departing runway 18, Ballarat.

I felt better now having a much more complete picture about what to expect.  Shane had arrived, so we wasted no time and jumped in the aircraft.  As we took off, there was a little bit of thermal bumpiness but as we reached our cruise height of 6,500 feet they all stopped and it was as smooth as silk!  We made good time the first half of the leg, but as we got nearer to the coast there was a definite headwind component.  It only added a couple of minutes, but the GPS showing a reduced ground speed.

20 Nautical Miles out of Warrnambool I called up the local CTAF.  Because of their close proximity, Port Fairy ALA shares the same frequency with Warrnambool.  I was expecting to be greeted with heaps of traffic, but to our surprise there was only one or two departures, one aircraft doing circuit training with an instructor and two gliders with a tug operating at Port Fairy.  I told the Warrnambool traffic that we would be passing on through and heading direct to the ALA.  We received a reply, but it was just a garbled noise.  I replied with a request to re-transmit the message. Unfortunately it was the same incomprehensible noise.  Thankfully the instructor at Warrnambool chimed in and relayed what they had said.  It turns out that the tug was having some radio difficulties, but they knew what to listen for.  I thanked them and began formulating my circuit entry plan. 

Passing Warrnambool Airport.

Our first glimpse of Port Fairy town and the ALA.

By this stage, the tug and the second glider were both on the ground, having no luck finding some thermals.  I kept my eye out for the other one.  Shane saw it over the water on the other side of the township.  We then observed it join a long downwind, so I hung out on the dead side for a little bit and then headed in to join mid-field crosswind.  When I entered the circuit, the glider pilot reminded me that when they land they will stop on the runway and it will take a few seconds to clear.  I replied that I'd extend downwind and if they're still on the runway when I line up for final, I'll simply go around for another circuit.  That's exactly what I had to do.  The glider only stopped about half way down the runway, so it had to be dragged the rest of the way by the ground crew.  We didn't mind, another scenic view of the town!

Mid-field crosswind.

Established on downwind.

Base leg.  Looking East towards the city of Warrnambool.

On final.  Runway all clear now. I'm a little right of the centreline because it is recommended to avoid overflying the historic home on the left.  I straightened up on late final.

The Ballarat locals that had previously flown in there said to look out for the end of the runway near the water.  As we lined up on final, I could see why.  It is very close to the Belfast Lough!  I found out later that when the water level rises, it floods several metres of the threshold.  Thankfully, that wasn't the case today.  When we got really close I could see that there had been a car driving on it and turned around fairly recently.  That made me feel better!

I had been warned about the windshear on final when the wind is out of the South West.  I don't know if it is because the wind was closer to South today, but the fabled turbulence didn't really eventuate.  I held my nerve and flew the numbers exactly - no windshear to be found!  I put the Tecnam on the grass as smoothly as anything (I think Shane won't mind me saying that!).  We slowed very quickly to taxiing speed.  I looked down.  The grass, while beautifully mown by the council, was still very dense.  For a moment I thought I had left the brakes on - but it was just the grass!  No wonder the glider didn't roll to the end. 

Ken was waiting patiently at the end of the runway.  I thought it would be best to keep out of the way of the gliders and was about to shut down to ask them when Ken (who had obviously spoken to the club and found out the best parking spot) started waving his arms towards our left.  "Well, that answers that!" I said to Shane.  He agreed and we gave Ken the thumbs up.  Ken looked like he'd be right at home on a carrier deck! We pulled in to the left parking area.  Quite a bit of throttle was needed to overcome the difference between the runway grass and the slightly longer parking area grass.

As we shut down and got out, who do I see?  A Ballarat pilot who's aircraft shares a hangar with Inbound Aviation's Jabiru.  I knew David was involved in gliding, but I didn't expect to meet him here! I also recognised a Warrior parked on the other side as being from Ballarat, too.  Small world!  David came over and had a chat.  All the while, Shane was doing a wonderful job of tying down the Tecnam.  When I turned back around it was all done!

One of the two gliders.

The tug.

Made it!  Tecnam all tied down, and two travellers ready for lunch!

Ken and Geri had their two dogs with them on a lead.  They were very excited to see us.  We all got into their car and headed into town.  First order of business was coffee!!  We stopped and sat outside a cafe in the glorious sun to have our coffees.  It was strange but also a good feeling, leaving the aircraft behind.  I also felt better that the gliding crew were going to be there the whole time.

Ken, Shane and I enjoyed a pleasant stroll with the dogs a few blocks back to their cottage, while Geri took the car to the supermarket for lunch supplies.  It was a beautiful place, with large bedrooms, a comfy lounge room, quaint little kitchen and then a bathroom on the end.  It also has one of the biggest fireplaces I have ever seen!

Geri had bought beautiful fresh bread and lots of toppings.  We all served ourselves from the local ham slices, onion jam, crumbly tasty cheese and freshly sliced tomato.  We ate like kings and talked for what seemed like ages!  However, it wasn't long before I turned to Shane and said some of the coolest words in existence: "Ready to go flying?"

We made our way out to the car and Geri said goodbye.  Ken took us on a quick tour of the beaches and walks they've taken with the dogs.  It is a very pretty little town that doesn't seem to get quite as affected by the influx of Melbourne people that other places seem to (like Apollo Bay, Torquay, etc).  It still has a very laid-back feel to it.  As we turned back in to the airport car park, we saw that another aircraft had arrived in the meantime.  Apparently, he also thought he'd left his parking brake on when he touched down - so I'm glad I wasn't alone!

Pointing out Gliding Ground Control.

Ken, checking out the glider close up while we got ourselves prepared.

..just to prove we were there!

Ken helped us pull the aircraft on to the shorter grass for startup.  I pointed it slightly into the wind and let the oil temperature climb up once again.  I gave Ken the thumbs up (who was patiently and eagerly watching), did a quick run up and then released the brakes to taxi down to the other end of the runway.  The windsock was almost 90 degrees to the runway, but every now and again it would swing to one side so I took that as a sign.  I turned around and lined up on the imaginary centreline.

Ken, watching from a safe distance.

About to taxi down the runway for departure.

I looked up the runway and was horrified to see, well, stuff!  Cars and aircraft and tents and people!  At that moment it dawned on me that I'd never had that before.  All of the runways I had operated on to date have been in large paddocks.  It was a bit confronting to see things what seemed to be so close.  I decided that a soft field takeoff would be best.  I lifted the weight off the nosewheel as soon as I could and then as soon as we were nearing flying speed, I pulled the stick back to lift off.  Once airborne, I lowered the nose slightly to make use of ground effect and accelerate.  Once I was happy with the speed, I then raised the nose again to begin the climb.  It sounds like a lot, but it happens really quickly - and we were climbing in no time.

I turned and climbed to depart overhead.  Shane informed me that Ken was waving frantically as we went past.  I didn't see it, but I gave him a wing rock to say goodbye.  After that, we set course direct for Ballarat.  I got to have a look at Tower Hill Reserve as we went past.  It looks like a beautiful place - one to visit next time I'm in the area with surface-based transport.

One last look at the coast.

Tower Hill Lake and Wildlife Reserve.

 

Looking towards Lake Corangamite.

Checking the map.

Cruising.

Some silliness at 6500 feet. Somewhere over Mortlake.

This leg had a slight tailwind, so we made excellent time.  It wasn't long before the familiar shapes of Mt Buninyong and Mt Warrenheip loomed into view.  There had been some fires in Victoria over the preceding days.  As we got closer to Ballarat, we passed the still smouldering remains of the Chepstowe fire.  It is quite confronting seeing from the air exactly where the fire started, exactly where it headed and just what was still in its path before it was brought under control.

Scorched earth of the Chepstowe fire.

Parts of it still smouldering.

Lake Burrumbeet.  Very close to home now!

Home! Ballarat Airport.

Back safe!  Great trip.

We touched down only 54 minutes after setting course for home.  The tailwind helped a lot in that regard!  It was a great trip, and I'm so very glad I did it.  Thanks to Shane for being my aircraft crew.  A very big thanks to Ken and Geraldine for having us and providing such a tasty lunch.

I wonder where we'll lunch next?