How many Australian airports have you flown in/out of?

[Warks]

While by no means the greatest domestic traveller I was thinking of how many Australian airports I have flown in or out of. I only included domestic flights not charters or private planes and came up with:
19 viz:
Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Launceston, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Alice Springs, Kununurra, Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, Maroochdore, Brisbane, Coolangatta, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth, Albury I think (may have forgotten some). Not many really but my OS list is pretty good! Won't try to list all those!
I was talking to a rep who serviced rural Australia and I think he must have flown to just about every airport - including those obscure mine airports out of Townsville.

How many have others done? How many CAN be done?

 

[HardieBoys]

You beat me by a ways. Mine include: Sydney, Bankstown, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Wagga, Coffs, Lismore, Ballina, Coonable, Gold Coast. Also flown out of Rose Bay in Sydney on a seaplane... despite being a patch of water, Rose Bay has it's own three letter airport code.

 

[thadocta]

Let's see:

Queensland (7)

* Cairns
* Townsville
* Rockhampton
* Maroochydore
* Brisbane
* Gold Coast
* RAAF Amberley

New South Wales (25)

* Lismore
* Ballina
* Casino
* Grafton
* Coffs Harbour
* Port Macquarie
* Narrabri
* Moree
* Inverell
* Tamworth
* Armidale
* Williamtown (both RAAF and civilian sides)
* Belmont
* Cudal
* Dubbo
* Narromine
* Wagga Wagga (both RAAF and civilian sides)
* Albury
* Canberra (both RAAF and civilian sides)
* Sydney (Kingsford Smith)
* Bankstown
* Schofields (we remember it fondly)
* RAAF Richmond
* Camden
* Hoxton Park

Victoria (5)

* Melbourne (Tullamarine)
* Melbourne (Essendon)
* Moorabbin
* Avalon
* Mildura

South Australia (1)

* Adelaide

Western Australia (2)

* Perth
* Kalgoorlie

Northern Territory (3)

* Alice Springs
* Yulara
* Darwin

Tasmania (1)

* Hobart

So 44 for me, and they are just the ones I remember.

Dave

 

[dajop]

I think I come close ...

VIC (4)
Melbourne
Avalon
Mildura
Moorabbin (charter)

TAS (4)
Hobart
Launceston
Devonport
Burnie

SA(2)
Adelaide
Mt. Gambier

WA(5)
Perth
Kalgoorlie
Geraldton
Broome
Kununurra

NT(3)
Darwin
Yulara
Alice Springs

QLD (10)
Brisbane
Toowoomba
Roma
Emerald
Blackwater
Bundaberg
Gladstone
Rockhampton
Cairns
Milmerran (charter)

NSW/ACT(16)
Sydney
Canberra
Coffs Harbour
Glen Innes
Inverell
Armidale
Tamworth
Moree
Narrabri
Walgett
Dubbo
Parkes
Griffith
Narrandera
Wagga
Albury

+ in the next three weeks I will hopefully add 2 more to the list.

I must confess, my feet didn't hit the tarmac at five of the airports listed, as they were just enroute to elsewhere (BDB, BLT, IVR, NRR & ABX)

 

[thadocta]

Ahhh, I was referring to places where I got off the plane (so to speak, I didn't get OFF the plane at Narromine, I did get to climb across the wing of the Caribou whilst it was being refueled though - great view from the top of the fuselage)!

If you want to add transits, I can add another few.....

With mine though, most of the NSW destinations came about when Air NSW offered "Mystery Flights" - out and back on the same plane, for $25. Hey, it filled an empty seat, gave thm $25 they would not have otherwise got, and got me to somewhere I hadn't been before.

Dave

 

[Rick93]

What was the criteria again?

I was flying RAAF Airways (the friendly way) from RAAF Pearce (WA) enroute to RAAF Richmond (NSW) back in the late 1970s, when I fell asleep about an hour out of Pearce (was that actually possible in an old Herc. ???..... sitting sideways on a seat made from orange cargo net, wearing earplugs!)

When I woke to the graceful thud / bounce / thud / bounce / thud / vibrate / roar of a Herc. landing, I found myself not at Richmond..... but a place called Learmonth somewhere just out of Port Headland (as I recall).

It wasn't a civvi airport, more of a semi secret military site. No detention centre in those days. I don't remember all the details, but I recall the place was run by the 'yanks'.

Our Herc. was detoured to pick up a few extra passengers at the last minute. However, this exercise required an overnight stay ! No runway lights, I think was the reason. I only had three (3) days off (going home to Sydney). So, it cut short my 'holiday'.

By the way.... the inflight catering on a Herc. ???

A silver foil tray, with a boiled egg; a tossed salad (well tossed - so well tossed, that it was mostly tossed out !), and a few slices of cold meat (we used to call it 'disobedient guard dog') and a few slices of bread .... oh, and of course, an apple / orange. Drinks?.... one choice of cordial, from a picnic type foam eskie thing.

It used to take about eight hours across Australia in a Hercules. Not the most comfortable trip.... and definately no FF points !

Oh, what about 'crash' landings ????

I was in a RAAF Iroquis (sorry if misspelt) chopper, when the fan stopped turning..... (another story)

regards,

 

[Craigo]

Well, seeing Dave and Gordon have included RAAF bases, my list is:

Qld: Weipa, Cairns, Townsville (RAAF and civilian), Gladstone, Bundaberg, Brisbane, RAAF Amberley, Toowoomba, Oakey Army base.

NSW/ACT: Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Williamtown (RAAF and civilian), Belmont, RAAF Richmond, Sydney, Orange, Cudal, Parkes, Forbes, Canberra (RAAF and civilian), Holbrook (in an ultralight :shock: ).

Vic: Melbourne, RAAF Laverton.

SA: Adelaide, Port Lincoln.

WA: Perth.

NT: RAAF Darwin, RAAF Tindal.

Plus I worked out I've been to 28 airports overseas.

 

[Warks]

Hmmm... my criteria was that it not be a charter (or military by inference) - I think it had to have a flight number - whether it be Plummet Airways or what. Still it's all very interesting - I thought there'd be some flying legends out there (and I wasn't disappointed).
I guess we can allow where you landed and left the plane but not necessarily the airport - as it's about airports.
I've been to a heap of farm 'airports' in light planes but we won't count them!!
Ansett used to have a Qld country town milk run - anyone remember the route? It took in about 7 stops (maybe more) in a circuit from BNE.

 

[QF WP]

As I run a spreadsheet of all my flights since 1987, this was a cinch (thanks to thadocta for the format though):

Queensland (13)

* Cairns
* Townsville
* Mackay
* Mt Isa
* Longreach
* Emerald
* Charleville
* Roma
* Rockhampton
* Gladstone
* Maroochydore
* Brisbane
* Coolangatta

New South Wales (2)

* Belmont
* Sydney (Kingsford Smith)
(bit of a poor showing really!)

Australian Capital Territory (it's a separate Territory, Dave!) (1)

* Canberra

Victoria (1)

* Melbourne (Tullamarine)

South Australia (2)

* Adelaide
* Whyalla (on Whyalla Airlines, before it was grounded permanently)

Western Australia (1)

* Perth

Northern Territory (1)

* Darwin

Tasmania (1)

* Hobart

So 22 for me...didn't realise it was such a poor total...

 

[straitman]

I was in a RAAF Iroquis (sorry if misspelt) chopper, when the fan stopped turning..... (another story)

Gordon,
Did the fan stop turning or the engine :?:

Not sure how you are still here if it was the fan :!:

 

[straitman]

As someone here opened the flood gates and made it a free for all, here goes : - thanks also to thadocta for the format.

Qld (30)
Amberley
Brisbane
Bundaberg
Cairns
Charleville
Cloncurry
Cooktown
Coolangatta
Emerald
Gladstone
High Range
Horn Island
Hughenden
Julia Creek
Longreach
Mackay
Maroochydore
Maryborough
Mount Isa
Normanton
Oakey
Proserpine
Quilpie
Rockhampton
Roma
Shoalwater Bay X several airfields
Stanthorpe
Townsville
Weipa
Winton

ACT (1)
Canberra

NSW (24)
Albury
Camden
Casino
Coffs Harbour
Cooma
Dubbo
Grafton
Hay
Holbrook
Lismore
Maitland
Merimbula
Mudgee
Narandara
Nowra
Port Macquarie
Richmond
Schofields
Singleton
Sydney
Tamworth
Wagga Wagga
Williamtown
Wollongong

Vic (20)

Avalon
Ballarat
Benalla
East Sale
Essendon
Latrobe Valley
Laverton
Mangalore
Melbourne
Mildura
Moorabbin
Orbost
Point Cook
Shepparton
Tyabb
Wangaratta
Warnambool
Welshpool
West Sale
Yarram

SA (5)

Adelaide
Ceduna
Edinburgh
Mount Gambier
Port Lincoln

WA (15)

Albany
Bindoon
Bunbury
Canarvon
Collie
Derby
Forrest
Gin Gin
Kalgoolie
Learmonth
Margaret River
Pearce
Perth
Port Hedland
Wyndham

NT (2)

Darwin
Tindal

TAS (5)

Devonport
Flinders Island
Hobart
King Island
Launceston

Total of 102 plus numerous other helipads and oil platforms around Oz.

 

[Rick93]

Bill,

When I was still in the RAAF, (got out in 1981), they were still flying old 'nam era choppers..... complete with the occasional bullet hole !

RAAF Pearce use to have (probably still do) a SAR Flight (search & rescue). They crews use to allow 'joy flighters' to go on training runs with them.... for up to three hours at a time. (how much would that cost these days?)

I got many 'free' flights. We use to land on some of Perth's less populated beaches, and go for a quick dip! Those pilots were quite crazy in those days... all sorts of stuff happened.... like blowing roof tiles off civilian houses by low flying etc. etc.

So, on one occasion, we were going through some 'engine failure' drills, about several thousand feet up. The pilots would gain the altitude, hover, then cut the power! It scared the s*it out me the first time..... I lifted off my seat (and my stomach felt like it was in my mouth), so you really needed your seat belt done up tight, or you weren't falling as fast as the chopper was.... meaning, you were floating, but being pulled down by the seat belt across your lap.

Lucky for me (all of us really), that those old Hueys were able to start back up again! It takes a thousand feet or so to regain full control from a loss of power. Not something to be done just for the fun of it!

They were good 'ol days.....

regards,

 

[straitman]

Gordon,
It's been a long day and maybe I'm just tired and grumpy. I must however take you to task on your post above.

they were still flying old 'nam era choppers.....

The Army still operate the Huey from Oakey. In fact the gunships are due to be retired this week.

complete with the occasional bullet hole !

No way.

RAAF Pearce use to have (probably still do) a SAR Flight (search & rescue).

Yes however,SAR is now carried out Aust wide civilian contract using S76 Helo's.

(how much would that cost these days?)

About $3500 per hour for an S76.

Those pilots were quite crazy in those days... all sorts of stuff happened....

I resemble that remark :!: The current Chief of the Air Force is a Huey pilot from that era and a personal friend. Not sure he'd like to be called crazy :!:

like blowing roof tiles off civilian houses by low flying etc. etc.

No way again :!:

So, on one occasion, we were going through some 'engine failure' drills, about several thousand feet up. The pilots would gain the altitude, hover, then cut the power! It scared the s*it out me the first time..... I lifted off my seat (and my stomach felt like it was in my mouth), so you really needed your seat belt done up tight, or you weren't falling as fast as the chopper was.... meaning, you were floating, but being pulled down by the seat belt across your lap.

Autorotations are done from forward flight not from the hover as it's much too dangerous from the hover. I've only done a few thousand myself :!:

Lucky for me (all of us really), that those old Hueys were able to start back up again! It takes a thousand feet or so to regain full control from a loss of power.

Engine power is only ever taken back to idle. It takes way too long to restart a turbine engine if flight.

Not something to be done just for the fun of it!

Only by the crazy pilots.

I actually visited Pearce in 1981 to check out the pilots after the Iroquois had been grounded as a result of a fatal accident. The pilots were pretty good there then. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Other than all of that it was a good yarn

 

[Rick93]

Bill,

Sorry you've taken offence...
I didn't expect to come across someone from that era on this forum here!
What exactly did you do at that time (circa 1981) ?

However.....

I should clarify some of my remarks then....

"crazy" chopper pilots was only meant to be a colloquialism for an attitude of being somewhat 'over confident' or 'overly confident' in their abilities.

The incident of "blowing off roof tiles" happened around 1979. I remember it being about the time of the release of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'. Allegedly, the pilot of this chopper flew over a 'friends' house at night, with the purpose of shining the 'night sun' down on him (similar to a scene in the movie)..... however, he had the wrong house, and the whole event was 'blown up' in the local Perth paper. The RAAF often gave the excuse of 'military exercises' for errors like this one.

By the way... if you were some sort of 'investigator' at the time..... did you have anything to do with investigating UFOs?

RAAF Pearce and Gin Gin had some sightings around 1979 / 1980.... the same time as a civilian pilot went missing over Bass Strait, after reporting seeing 'something' etc. etc.

Now, the "bullet hole".... I am cetain I flew in an Iroquios at Pearce that had an unrepaired bullet hole in the rear of the aircraft. I asked about it, and I recall being told, that it didn't "need" to be fixed.... it wasn't critical or necessary to be repaired. I remember seeing many 'repaired' holes in this one chopper. Some of the holes were (as I recall) simply covered over with some sort of tape - like material.

I appreciate that today's RAAF has far greater saftey and quality standards than 25 years ago. Surely you would agree, that things done then, would not be done now? OH&S standards in the Services were somewhat different to today.... and the 'attitude' of combat veteren chopper pilots was likely to be still a little 'gung - ho'.

Whilst I don't know your surname, after reading your comments above, I thought you may have been the 'Bill' who was the commanding officer of Base Squadron Pearce at that time.

It's amazing the people you can run into on these internet forums !

regards,

 

[shillard]

As a pilot:

Port Macquarie
Maitland
Coffs Harbour
Kempsey
Taree
Newcastle (NTL)
Lord Howe Island
Bankstown
Camden
Cessnock


As a passenger:

Port Macquarie
Newcaslte (NTL)
Belmont
Coffs Harbour
Taree
Kempsey
Tamworth
Lismore
Ballina
Coolongatta
Gunnedah
Dubbo
Lord Howe Island
Wagga Wagga
Albury
Sydney (SYD)

Brisbane
Rockhampton
Townsville
Cairns
Hamilton Island

Alice Springs
Darwin

Perth

Adelaide

Melbourne (Tullamarine)
Essendon


Canberra



I'll chuck in NZ, just because I'm so impressed with my record there: :wink:

Auckland
Wellington
Rotorua
Napier
Christchurch
Dunedin
Tuarunga
Invercargill

 

[icemann]

You're all forgetting.....

Parafield, Main North Road, Salisbury, SA

 

[redrat]

Many, many moons ago I worked out at Parafield but stayed with some people in Eden Hills. By public transport it took a long time but sometimes I'd catch a lift with the owner of the airline and fly to/from ADL-Parafield. Oh the luxury of it all. I know this is off post but it reminded me when icemann mentioned Parafield.
Those were the days of FC travel (who knew what Business Class was then?).