Twelve Apostles flight

Having been out of the flying loop for a few months, it was time to go up with an instructor a few weeks ago and do some circuits. With an instructor in the right hand seat, flying is much like riding a bicycle- everything comes back reasonably quickly. Despite this, I decided to keep flying for the full hour as there is always something to learn with an instructor in the right seat. With this dual flight out of the way, I was good for another 90 days, so I was able to plan my next flight.

A couple of friends were coming down from interstate and wanted to go flying. The aim was to try and pack Victoria’s best landmarks into one flight, so we decided on doing the Twelve Apostles. I had never flown this far down the coast before, but had once been a passenger with another pilot.

The plan was to go from Moorabbin, do two city orbits, then follow the coast and travel through Class E Avalon airspace before tracking inland via Colac for the Twelve Apostles. The best part of the flight was saved until last, which was following the coast back home.

On the day the weather was OK, although the cloud was  a little lower than optimal. I fuelled up, gave the passengers the obligatory airsick bags (I issue one to each person before departure) and we were soon on our way, leaving on Runway 13R at Moorabbin. The aircraft was the 2004 C172 VH-LSP which is a highlight with the passengers with its sportscar-like interior. 

We got to Albert Park Lake, and got clearance from Essendon Tower to complete two right-hand city orbits at 1500’. When we entered traffic was quiet, but then another aircraft started left city orbits at 2000’ and a helicopter headed for the hospital helipad.

We then headed down to Point Cook, a few aircraft were in the circuit and we passed overhead to enter Avalon Class E airspace. With the clouds at around 3000’, we were kept quite low just underneath but with sufficient clearance above the Class D below. Passing over Geelong, I headed out towards Colac with the autopilot now doing the flying. Colac was also busy with training flights.

About 20 minutes later, we hit the coast and tracked towards the 12 Apostles. ERSA has some fly-neighbourly procedures like flying west at 1000’ and staying offshore. There is also the requirement of calling up on the Port Campbell CTAF. Traffic was very busy along this stretch of the coast but there was no conflict as all the sightseeing helicopters seem to operate at 500-750’ with us staying above them the entire time. It was interesting to hear about the life of the commercial pilot in this area with the same voices making the same CTAF calls every 10 minutes (doing the same 10 minute runs with passengers).

The Twelve Apostles were amazing to see from the air…it now makes me want to drive the Great Ocean Road again by car. All too soon, it was time to turn around and climb to 1500’ to track eastbound and follow the coast home. Along the stunning coastline are the towns of Apollo Bay, Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and more. It was back into familiar area after Anglesea (my old training area when flying from YBRS). We flew over the heads with the water looking quite rough for the day and headed around to Carrum.

Back at Moorabbin it was back to Runway 17R with an 8 knot crosswind. The winds were a little gusty, but we got down OK (solo circuits to work on landings needed) and taxied back to the apron. Another 2.9 hours for the logbook (not bad when you get to cost-share) and another great flying experience. Still plenty of destinations on the to-do list, but, as always, funds and time are holding me back at the moment.

I don't have any photos from this flight yet, but here are some previous photos which show some of the areas flown.

The cockpit of LSP

Approaching Albert Park Lake

City Orbits

The Heads