Arnhem Land ferry flight

Yesterday I got to do another ferry flight to Arnhem Land, this time in GA8 VH-MQO. This aircraft had previously been based in Timor Leste so it was nice to 'complete the set' and add its rego to my pilot logbook!

As usual, although the route was the same as previous flights, the views and weather were different. Last time I had to make some fairly significant deviations around towering cumulus; this time I nearly went blind looking for a cloud! (They don't call it the dry season for nothing, I guess.)

My trusty steed

150 kg of rather bulky cargo

View out the right window

View out the left window

Dendritic patterns in the salt flats

Flying lower gives a completely different view

Limmen Bight River

Until the last 45 minutes approaching Gove,
these were the most clouds I had seen all day!

Walsh's Pyramid (again)

Walsh's Pyramid was the first day walk I did on arriving in Cairns just over two years ago, and it has been on my bucket list to do again before I leave. Somehow I convinced three of the students to give it a go last Saturday.

Drone shot of Walsh's Pyramid (courtesy of Jacob)

An expansive view from the summit

The obligatory attempt at a group picture -
not great with the shadows!

Ethan, Joe and Jacob enjoy the view to the south

Scrambling back down

Training flights

In the final stages of the students' PPL (private pilot licence) training we have been teaching them navigation skills and techniques, which means we've been venturing a bit further afield. Here are some photos I took along the way...

Rainbow en route from Port Douglas to Cairns

Cropduster being loaded at Tully aerodrome

Departing Cairns airport

Flying towards Cairns from the south.
(Walsh's Pyramid is on the left)

Andy Little congratulates the students on passing their PPLs