Royal Newcastle Aero Club Members and Aircraft Call into CQ Airports while on Safari to Far North Queensland

Several aircraft of the Royal Newcastle Aero Club (RNAC) have been noted at various Central Queensland Airports over the last couple of weeks as they and other members' aircraft embark on one of the RNAC's annual safaris.  This time, the safari was to Thursday Island in Far North Queensland.

In all, as many as seven aircraft have been participating in the safari, which started at the RNAC's home airfield at Russell Field in Maitland in New South Wales last week.

Last Tuesday 18 August, members aircraft were noted departing Roma Airport for Longreach Airport where photos on the RNAC Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/royalnewcastle.aeroclub ) show they enjoyed the Central West hospitality, taking in several sights including tours of the aircraft and other displays at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach Airport.

From Longreach, the aircraft continued to Far North Queensland including stops at Normanton, Karumba, Horn Island, Cooktown and Townsville.  From Townsville, some of the aircraft were noted calling into the Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour on Monday 24 August.

On Wednesday 26 August, three of the RNAC aircraft - Piper PA-28-181 VH-RNN, Cessna 172 VH-RNY and Cessna 182 VH-RNL - departed Shute Harbour for Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast) Airport via fuel stop at Rockhampton Airport.

A fourth aircraft - Diamond DA40 VH-MPM - flew directly from Shute Harbour to Hervey Bay.

After enjoying an overnight stop, the four aircraft departed Hervey Bay, flying South to Lismore on Thursday 27 August.  They are expected to return to Maitland on Friday 28 August.

What a great adventure!

Photos sourced from the Royal Newcastle Aero Club Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/royalnewcastle.aeroclub