Rawnsley Park, Flinders Ranges
21 May 2011 9:00 - 22 May 2011 17:00
Just south of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders ranges lies Rawnsley Park station with a runway, campsites, cabins and luxury villas. Something for everyone. Just 70 nm north-east of Port Augusta.
The format will be much like the Mt. Ive trip; book yourself a room, show up on Saturday (or earlier, if you wish!) around noon, have fun flying and hanging out, cook a BYO barbie and have a good time by the bonfire at night. Depart at your leisure on Sunday.
Fly over the stunning Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound and if you want to make it a longer trip, go up to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary or drop in for lunch (or overnight stay) at the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna. (PPR)
AVGAS is available by prior arrangement, but probably best to get this at Port Augusta. (they also have PULP in the bowser at the campsite)
Here's what's currently available (as of March 21) - plenty to choose from!
Holiday units
Twin share – 3 $115
One bedroom queen bed – 7 $115
Two bedroom – 9 $135
Three bedroom – 2 $135 plus $25 for extra adults
Eco villas
One bedroom – 2 $360
Two bedroom – 2 $410 plus $50 for extra adults
And of course there are plenty of spaces for you to pitch a tent if you prefer.
Go to the Rawnsley Park website or phone them on 08 8648 0030 to book now.
Be sure to let us know by email or in the comments that you are coming so we know! Also mention the AeroScene fly-in when booking at Rawnsley Park.
See you at Rawnsley Park!
Driving Volunteer(s) wanted!
Because the strip is 2 KM away from the camp, we need transfers. Rawnsley Park offer this, but with so many people, it is simply not going to be practical. So we need at least one vehicle up there.
Here's the deal: you drive your vehicle up, and (unless you want to do it all yourself) allow a select few people to drive it on the private road between the strip and camp to ferry people and bags. Everyone who flies up will help pay for fuel. This is unlikely to be more than $10/person.
On the way back to Adelaide, you hand the keys to someone else who flew up as passenger and you get to fly home. Either that, or Gary, myself or someone else is guaranteed to give you a good long fly over the Flinders ranges.
Either way, if you drive, you will also get to fly that weekend and everyone will be most grateful!
Airfield info:
YRYK
S 31:39’14.4 E 138:36’32.8
Field Elevation: 1400'
RWY: 03 / 21
Length: 1100 meters
Surface: Gravel
Obstacles: East-West SWR line 300m south of 03 Windsock and fence are close to the runway. Gable markers
Website: http://www.rawnsleypark.com.au/main/things_to_do/airstrip
Note that because we are providing our own transfers, Rawnsley Park have agreed to waive the landing fee, which normally includes pickup and drop-off.
Comments
Just a note about Parachilna:
They have an airstrip, but it's PPR, and they'll ask questions about experience, operations on bush strips, and type of aircraft before they give permission.
The airstrip may be U/S depending on how much rain they've had and where the runoff goes.
On this map:
http://arseh.at/parachilna
the airstrip is the bit I've highlighted on the map.
When I landed on it last year, it had embankments from the grader on both sides, low wing aircraft wouldn't be able to use it unless they were short span. It's long enough for a C172 with 3 POB. The operators of the railway have imposed a rule about obstacle clearance over the railway line on final approach from the North, so it's shorter than the aerial photo on google maps makes it look (perhaps just a bit longer than my green line though)
- mark
Bedding and towels are provided in the cabins, which are equipped with gas heaters and electric blankets.
There are free BBQs and bonfire areas.
Winter weather can be very cold at night. Rug up.
Flying in: The weather conditions around Wilpena Pound can't be extrapolated from the surrounding weather due to influence from the surrounding ranges. Wind strength and direction can be totally different from elsewhere, and can vary unpredictably. Cloud and rain can be very localized too. There are significant microclimatic effects which are too small to show up on synoptic charts.
If you're approaching YRYK and can't get in, consider dropping in to YHAW about 15 miles South West before trying again after an hour or so.
Me and Kristin wouldn't mind taking the drive up. I'm trying to hold off flying while I save up a bit of cash so I can start and not stop till CPL so wasn't planning on flying up. But would be more then happy to drive.
My car isn't really practical and Kristin's car probably wouldn't make it (It's been a bit sick lately). I can see if I can borrow my family's car, otherwise I was thinking I could take the Aeroscene Ute up, Take some fuel too if needed. What do you think Garry?
Anyway, to business! Kristin and I would happily drive it up and down no worries.
I'll probably throw a couple of cans of unleaded on the back of the ute, Ollie.
Ollie and
It's available, I've offered it on a first-in-best-dressed basis to a couple of people but they haven't confirmed yet, Danny can grab it if he's quick with email to newton@atdot.dotat.org
Telecommunications can be patchy. Vodafone and Optus mobiles don't work at all, NextG mobiles can work but only if you stand in the right place and wear the right facial expression. A couple of winters ago a creek flooded near Orroroo and washed away a fibre optic cable, wiping out all phone service (fixed line and mobile) between Orroroo and Leigh Creek for nearly a week.
There's a payphone outside the Rawnsley Park cabins office.
Bear this all in mind when setting your SARTIME. Call Rawnsley Park before you depart to make sure the phones are working, bring a Telstra phonecard with you because you won't be able to trust your mobile, plan enough time to accommodate a 2km walk from the airfield to the payphone in case there's nobody there to pick you up. You can cancel SARTIME while airborne, but only if there's no OVC and you can get above 5000'.
Cheers
No cards work at port Augusta at all not eaven Mobil you have to call the operator plus call out fee plus credit card surcharge wise to get fuel at Port Pirie Cheers
If you plan via Whitwarta-Jamestown-Orroroo-Hawker then you'll pass enough airfields that a diversion for a safe landing due to weather should be achievable. See http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid= 216122555505663962660.0004a39b84180ca0194a8 for the route and nearby airfields.
Jamestown and Hawker are sealed, I make no representation about the surface quality of the other ones, nor do I know about any permissions that may be required.
The area affected by the warning is mainly Eyre Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula (including Port Pirie - Probably not a good fuel stop)
I spoke to the BoM briefing office this afternoon, they're expecting strong and gusty winds East of the ranges as well, just not quite strong enough to justify a SIGMET. Also expecting moderate to severe turbulence in westerlies after the front passes.
I'm pulling the pin. Doesn't look like flying weather to me.
Was a great weekend and very relaxing, makes it very difficult to return to work today!
The Adelaide University Gliding Club is running their regular June long weekend trip to Rawnsley Park from June 10th - 15th.
We'll be aerotow-launching gliders from the Arkapeena strip (just across the main road from Rawnsley Park, assuming it hasn't been washed away in the last 12 months) and ridge soaring the ranges in the area. The lucky ones among us will find mountain wave and get into the flight levels.
If you're looking for something to do on the long weekend you can feel free to join us. We'll be staying in the cabins, and running a bonfire most nights. If you can't find us during the day, try calling us on 122.7 MHz.
It's been a blast. Perfect weather, lots of flying, big-ass fires.
Oh, and no rain :-)
Sunday was a mountain wave day, here's a pic I took on descent. http://twitpic.com/5agksj
Back to civilization tomorrow, sadly. Thinking about where to go next.
Sounds like a blast!
8500' wave: http://www.twitvid.com/5MXLT A bit of 70 kt ridge flying (the 125 kt ridge flying wasn't conducive to camera usage, but was a lot more fun): http://www.twitvid.com/EFZR0 Taking mates for scenic flights in the RV: http://www.twitvid.com/GS5BU
Oh, and there was a train wreck: http://www.twitvid.com/NJFV9 Better photos from an actual professional here: http://thesentimentalbloke.com/2011/06/in-the-news/
And no rain :-)
What a week.
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