A Few Photos from the Rockhampton Aero Club's Breakfast Flyaway to Gladstone Airport Last Sunday

Last Sunday 11 May, I was welcomed aboard one of five aircraft to participate in the Rockhampton Aero Club's first ever breakfast flyaway - on this occasion to the Coffee Club restaurant within the Gladstone Airport terminal building.

The first aircraft to take to the skies was privately-owned Diamond DA 20-A1 Katana VH-CMF.

It was followed by another privately-owned aircraft in the form of Victa Airtourer 115 VH-BQW.  Also departing soon after was the Rocky Aero Club's own Cessna 172 VH-XUI.

These slower aircraft were then followed by privately-owned Cessna U206G Stationair VH-FEG which is based at Comet.  I was fortunate enough to be invited on board VH-FEG by owner Hayden and pilot Rob. 

After engine start, and a long wait for Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance, we eventually taxied out of the General Aviation (GA) area at Rockhampton Airport and departed off Runway 15, making a left turn to set course direct to Gladstone.

After a short time, we had caught up with VH-XUI and passed the smaller Cessna as if it was standing still!

Despite pushing into a fairly strong head wind, Mount Larcom and Gladstone came into view after about half an hour of smooth flying.

After positioning for approach onto Runway 10 at Gladstone, we were flying as number 2 for landing behind the fifth and final aircraft of the group - J. M. Kelly (Project Builders) Cessna 310 VH-FFA - which had departed Rockhampton behind us but was the second aircraft of the group to arrive at Gladstone!  Great twin engine performance!

Some photos of the flyaway aircraft on the ground at Gladstone Airport shortly after arrival.

While the group walked to the Gladstone Airport terminal building for breakfast, we were all treated the fantastic sight and sound of locally-based Air Charter CQ / Australia by Seaplane De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk1 Floatplane VH-IDO make a spectacular departure to nearby Heron Island.

After a great breakfast at the Gladstone Airport Coffee Club, we walked back to the aircraft, and prepared for departure back to Rockhampton, with the Katana VH-CMF departing first, followed by the Airtourer VH-BQW and Cessna 172 VH-XUI.

Time for a couple of quick photos, before we boarded and taxied out for departure off Runway 10.

A left turn after departure and climb to 500ft with the plan of taking the coast back to Rockhampton.

Stunning views of the Capricorn Coast, with us eventually climbing to 2500ft and a direct track from Emu Park to the Northern Tip of Berserker Ranges and onto Rockhampton.

We made contact with Rocky Tower - who was again quite busy!  Eventually, we joined downwind and the base for landing Runway 15, following a Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) ATR 72.

On the ground, a short taxi back to the GA parking area, and after a few more plane spotting photos, and many more "thank-yous", all participants went on the their merry ways, including enjoying Mother's Day functions.  For me, I drove back to Clermont!

It was a truly fantastic morning with the members of the Rockhampton Aero Club - and I would like to sincerely thank Paul Tyler, and other members of the Club for their kind hospitality.  I would also like to sincerely thanks Hayden and Rob for allowing me to ride with them on Cessna 206 VH-FEG.

The Rockhampton Aero Club is located on the General Aviation side of Rockhampton Airport, with the Aero Club building situated on the General Aviation access road which is off Canoona Road.  For further information about flight training, charter flights and scenic tours, the Rockhampton Aero Club can be contacted on (07) 4922 4596 or 0427 224 596 or by visiting their website at:  http://www.rockhamptonaeroclub.org.au