Snow Bird Time

In a very modest way the Bazflyers could justifiably claim flying their Taupo based Piper Comanche across the Tasman Sea to Australia has become a well rehearsed routine. Somewhat in the manner of habitual Snowbirds, those retirees who wish to avoid the snow and cold temperatures of winter, waking up to a few frosty mornings is all it takes to once again trigger our annual migration. This year we have chosen Central and North Queensland for our winter playground.

Prior to every Tasman Sea crossing ZK-BAZ is given a through 100 hourly inspection. All of its vitals are checked and tested. For example, even although the installed set of fine wire spark plugs had reliably performed for 700 hours, the Lycoming IO540 engine was shouted a new set of twelve Tempest fine wire plugs. Uncompromised reliability and performance is never negotiable. When the Comanche is flight ready it is loaded with an already prepared travelling pack-up. This includes bottles of oil and essential spare parts, tools, life raft, survival kit and even spare pens. Everything stowed in their rightful locations and checked against a master list. 

Bazflyer selfie while in the cruise somewhere over the Tasman Sea

A routine of weather-watching precedes each Tasman crossing with suitable conditions a prerequisite. Route planning for this week's flight went through several iterations due to there being no AVGAS presently available on Norfolk Island. Then there was a last minute notification that Australian quarantine services were not currently available at Lord Howe Island. A final routing solution was settled for Wednesday 28 June which also promised a suitable weather window. 

It was decided then....the Bazflyers would overnight at Kerikeri and in the morning after receiving our all important Customs clearance, we would fly for 5 hours 15 minutes direct to Lord Howe Island. Here we would do immigration formalities into Australia and up lift 50 litres of fuel before flying a further 2 hours 15 minutes to the Gold Coast airport for quarantine services. 

Flight route across the Tasman Sea

Onroute winds were true to forecast enabling us to average 150 Kts ground speed for the 1150 NM flight. The friendly controller on Brisbane Approach had us slow-up to 130 knots for our descent from 8000 feet into the Gold Coast. We were expertly vectored onto the RNAV for runway 33, all the while nicely sequenced as number-two for landing behind a Virgin B737. 

The view outside

The quarantine man was there to meet us when the propellor finally stopped as we came to rest on the Platinum Aviation ramp. A generous release of cabin insecticide later we were set free on Ozzie soil. Another uneventful Bazflyer flight across the Tasman Sea. Tomorrow we head outback.....where the weather forecast looks great!