Dear Reader,
Getting out of Wollongong, we had to
dodge a few clouds over the escarpment. Fortunately the weather report called
for all the weather to be totally coastal. So once past Goulburn, the skies
cleared up nicely and we flew under clear skies to Narrandera and Swan Hill.
We refuelled at Narrandera and again
topped up at Swan Hill. As there is no AVGAS available at Kingscote (Kangaroo
Island), the plan was to refuel at Goolwa (30 minutes flight from Kingscote)
before proceeding to Kangaroo Island. Goolwa is near the Murray Mouth, where the mighty Murray River, Australia's longest river, finally enters the sea afters a long meandering journey from the Australian Alps through NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
Coming into Goolwa, flying over the
magnificent Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert, the oil pressure gauge
recorded a higher than normal oil pressure reading. As we were quite close to
Goolwa and the oil pressure gauge in Jabiru are notoriously prone to
malfunction, we flew on and landed at the rough dirt strip at Goolwa. Goolwa
has a perfectly good sealed strip but it was lent out by the proprietor Geoff
for testing of some racing cars. He gets $220 per car as compared to $8 that we
paid as landing fee. So it was the rough dirt strip for the poor Jabiru.
Once on the ground, we refuelled at
Goolwa. A quick call back to base to Bruce confirmed that there was nothing to
worry about and that the higher oil pressure reading was due to a faulty gauge.
So we decided to fly on. Fortunately there were no further high oil pressure
warning lights. Whatever was wrong with the oil pressure gauge had fixed it
self
Enroute to Kangaroo Island, the
winds were pretty strong, roughly 17 knots, so it was a bumpy ride. We headed
for the nearest point of Penneshaw, where the ferry goes as well and then
followed the KI coast into Kingscote strip.
Kingscote has three strips, one
sealed and two gravel, so that no matter which way the wind blows, you can
always find a strip into the wind.
After a four night marvellous stay at KI, the flight
from Kingscote to Horsham via Meningie was uneventful though a bit overcast
and windy. A cold front had passed the area a few hours ago and we caught up
with it when we reached Meningie.
We refuelled at Horsham and set the
course for Toc. Again uneventful but windy and overcast
After three days and some
gliding at Toc we got to the airport early. It was cold (4 degrees) and wet
(lot of dew on the grass). This was going to be the true test of the cold start
kit that we had installed on the Jabiru just a few months ago. Happy to report
that the cold start kit did its magic and the engine started first go.
The trip from Toc to Gong via a coffee
at Cootamundra was uneventful. We ran into ex president of RA-Aus, Rodney
Birrell, at Coota who was returning with his wife from NatFly2014 and had made
a coffee stop at Coota just like us.
All in all, the trip was good and
apart from the brief high oil pressure reading there were no other problems.
Well done Jabi!
As usual the pilot and the navigator worked well
together as a team and special thanks to our loyal SARWATCHER Kate!
Until next time, check out our updated map!
The Pilot.
Until next time, check out our updated map!
The Pilot.
