Breakfast in Tahiti, Supper in Australia, and all the South Pacific in between...
VATNZ and VATPAC are proud to present the 15th Cross the Ditch!
Check out the official Cross the Ditch website
Apply to provide ATC
Book your Flights now!
View the Event Schedule
Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
What's it all about?
For twenty hours this December, the skies of the South Pacific will be filled with aircraft all on a mission to Cross the Ditch.
To celebrate the 15th running of the event, this year's Cross the Ditch will stretch from one side of the South Pacific to the other, involving seven different airports in six different countries. The flight routes all range from two-and-a-half up to five hours flight time, so there is something for everyone.
Throughout the event, the Oceania region's two divisions – VATNZ and VATPAC – will be providing full ATC coverage, in the Southern Hemisphere's premiere oceanic event.
This is a great opportunity to experience Oceanic flying without the need to commit to an eight-hour flight!
If you're new to Oceanic Flying, our reporting tool makes taking part a breeze.
Event Times
This twenty hour event is timed to allow pilots from all over the world join the fun:
UTC: Saturday 1st December 2018 17:00 - Sunday 2nd December 2018 13:00 AEDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 04:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 00:00 NZDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 06:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 02:00
Waves
This season's event is organised in waves. Each airport will typically have a three-to-five hour departure window, during which time flights will be able to leave for the next destination. As the window closes, the departure window will open at the next destination.
Given each of the flights is 2.5 - 5hrs in length, the previous wave's flights will be arriving at the same airport as the next wave departs, maximising the amount of traffic at each airport.
NOTE: in order to ensure that you have ATC coverage throughout your flight, you MUST fly the wave route that is active at the time of your departure.
The individual routes are designed to ensure as much opposing traffic enroute as possible.
Most flights pass from one Oceania division to the other, and the result is six mini-flyins over the course of twenty hours!
The Waves for Cross the Ditch 15 - Summer 2018 are:
Wave Flight Departure Window UTC AEDT NZDT 1A Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to
Nadi, Fiji (NFFN)
(5hr flight) 1700-1800 0400-0500 0600-0700 1B Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to
Apia, Samoa (NSFA)
(3.5hr flight) 1700-1900 0400-0600 0600-0800 2A Nadi, Fiji (NFFN) to
Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) 2030-2300 0730-1000 0930-1200 2B Apia, Samoa (NSFA) to
Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) 1900-2230 0600-0930 0800-1130 3 Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) to
Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW) 2300-0330 1000-1430 1200-1630 4 Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW) to
Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA) 0300-0700 1400-1800 1600-2000 5 Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA) to
Brisbane (YBBN) 0530-0930 1630-2030 1830-2230
Calling all Pilots and Controllers
Flight plans are available from the Flight Plans section.
Book your flights now from the Flight Bookings page. Bookings made on this site help us plan for the event, and will also show up in vroute.
Controllers wanting to get in on the action can also apply now at the event's ATC Applications page.
Hope to see you all there
Cross the Ditch is brought to you by VATPAC and VATNZ
VATNZ and VATPAC are proud to present the 15th Cross the Ditch!
Check out the official Cross the Ditch website
Apply to provide ATC
Book your Flights now!
View the Event Schedule
Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
What's it all about?
For twenty hours this December, the skies of the South Pacific will be filled with aircraft all on a mission to Cross the Ditch.
To celebrate the 15th running of the event, this year's Cross the Ditch will stretch from one side of the South Pacific to the other, involving seven different airports in six different countries. The flight routes all range from two-and-a-half up to five hours flight time, so there is something for everyone.
Throughout the event, the Oceania region's two divisions – VATNZ and VATPAC – will be providing full ATC coverage, in the Southern Hemisphere's premiere oceanic event.
This is a great opportunity to experience Oceanic flying without the need to commit to an eight-hour flight!
If you're new to Oceanic Flying, our reporting tool makes taking part a breeze.
Event Times
This twenty hour event is timed to allow pilots from all over the world join the fun:
UTC: Saturday 1st December 2018 17:00 - Sunday 2nd December 2018 13:00 AEDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 04:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 00:00 NZDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 06:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 02:00
Waves
This season's event is organised in waves. Each airport will typically have a three-to-five hour departure window, during which time flights will be able to leave for the next destination. As the window closes, the departure window will open at the next destination.
Given each of the flights is 2.5 - 5hrs in length, the previous wave's flights will be arriving at the same airport as the next wave departs, maximising the amount of traffic at each airport.
NOTE: in order to ensure that you have ATC coverage throughout your flight, you MUST fly the wave route that is active at the time of your departure.
The individual routes are designed to ensure as much opposing traffic enroute as possible.
Most flights pass from one Oceania division to the other, and the result is six mini-flyins over the course of twenty hours!
The Waves for Cross the Ditch 15 - Summer 2018 are:
Wave Flight Departure Window UTC AEDT NZDT 1A Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to
Nadi, Fiji (NFFN)
(5hr flight) 1700-1800 0400-0500 0600-0700 1B Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to
Apia, Samoa (NSFA)
(3.5hr flight) 1700-1900 0400-0600 0600-0800 2A Nadi, Fiji (NFFN) to
Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) 2030-2300 0730-1000 0930-1200 2B Apia, Samoa (NSFA) to
Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) 1900-2230 0600-0930 0800-1130 3 Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) to
Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW) 2300-0330 1000-1430 1200-1630 4 Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW) to
Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA) 0300-0700 1400-1800 1600-2000 5 Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA) to
Brisbane (YBBN) 0530-0930 1630-2030 1830-2230
Calling all Pilots and Controllers
Flight plans are available from the Flight Plans section.
Book your flights now from the Flight Bookings page. Bookings made on this site help us plan for the event, and will also show up in vroute.
Controllers wanting to get in on the action can also apply now at the event's ATC Applications page.
Hope to see you all there
Cross the Ditch is brought to you by VATPAC and VATNZ
This event begins 12/03/18 and repeats every week on Monday for 3 occurrences
By far the most popular of our regular weekly events, on any given Milk Run Monday you'll find the famous "J-Curve" between Melbourne and Sydney well serviced by both pilots and ATC.
Not to be confused with our Spilled Milk Run Monday events, details of which can be found on the Spilled Milk Run page, the Milk Run invites you to fly in any direction between Sydney and Melbourne and all destinations in between (Canberra, Albury etc).
Prefer to control? We recommend getting in early. ATC positions on Milk Run Monday are often scarce so definitely worth being an early bird.
Traffic levels traditionally start to pick up at around 7:30pm AEST / AEDT and generally peak between 8:30pm and 9:30pm AEST / AEDT.
Not to be confused with our Spilled Milk Run Monday events, details of which can be found on the Spilled Milk Run page, the Milk Run invites you to fly in any direction between Sydney and Melbourne and all destinations in between (Canberra, Albury etc).
Prefer to control? We recommend getting in early. ATC positions on Milk Run Monday are often scarce so definitely worth being an early bird.
Traffic levels traditionally start to pick up at around 7:30pm AEST / AEDT and generally peak between 8:30pm and 9:30pm AEST / AEDT.
It's New Years Eve. Midnight Awaits the bold.
Routes
Any
ATC
As much as possible Scenery
https://archive.org/details/OZxWoS
https://orbxdirect.com/category/oceania
https://flightsimdev.com/downloads/
Routes
Any
ATC
As much as possible Scenery
https://archive.org/details/OZxWoS
https://orbxdirect.com/category/oceania
https://flightsimdev.com/downloads/
-
Upcoming Events
-
03 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:15 AM
0Simulation Date/Time: Current date set to daylight.
Weather: Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
If not using live weather, please be mindful of others who are using live weather and will be taking off and landing into the wind.
Distance: 155 nm
Est Flight Time: approx 75 min
Aircraft: Any GA aircraft capable of 130 kias.
Altitude: Remain in Class G airspace outside Parafield CTR. See waypoint notes below.
Flight plan
File as: YPPF SUB SPR YRFA TUND NUPA TRUO YVAF TLEE YCVA YJST YPIR
GPS flight plan is available for FSX/P3D .pln, MFS2020 .pln, X-Plane .fms and Little Navmap.
Navigation: Pilots are encouraged to navigate visually. For those less familiar the GPS flight plan is the recommended method of navigation.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. During an event, Pilots are requested to broadcast intentions on the published CTAF. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM CoC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor UNICOM on 122.800. Pilots should ensure that at least one of their radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive UNICOM transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Scenery
Due to the plethora of simulation platforms now being used, scenery is left to the discretion of each pilot.
Flight details
ADELAIDE/PARAFIELD [YPPF] Takeoff
elev: 57
rwy: 03L/21R 03R/21L 08L/24R 08R/24L asphalt
TWR/CTAF: 118.7
Tune DME to Adelaide VOR/DME (AD 116.4)
Not above 1500 ft within Parafield CTR or as directed by ATC.
Not above 2500 ft within 20 DME AD or as directed by ATC.
SUBSTATION [SUB] overfly not above 2500 ft or as directed by ATC - H-041° D-5.2 nm
Not above 4500 ft within 36 DME AD
SOUTH PARA RESV [SPR] overfly not above 4500 ft - H-059° D-8.2 nm
ROWLAND FLAT [YRFA] T&G - visual along the Lyndon Valley Road and Barossa Valley Way
elev: 838
rwy: 08/26 grass
CTAF: 126.7
TANUNDA [TUND] overfly not above 4500 ft - visual along Barossa Valley Way
Not above 8500 ft beyond 36 DME AD
NURIOOTPA [NUPA] overfly - visual along Barossa Valley Way
TRURO [TRUO] overfly - visual along the Sturt Highwat
TRURO/VALLEY FARM [YVAF] T&G - visual along Eudunda Road
elev: 1111
rwy: 02/20 07/25 grass
CTAF: 126.7
KAPUNDA overfly - visual along Truro Road
TARLEE [TLEE] overfly - visual along Tarlee Road
AUBURN overfly - visual along the Horrocks Highway
CLARE overfly - visual along the Horrocks Highway
CLARE VALLEY [YCVA] T&G - visual along RM Williams Way
elev: 1120
rwy: 17/35 asphalt
rwy: 09/27 grass
CTAF: 126.7
SPALDING overfly - visual along RM Williams Way
JAMESTOWN [YJST] T&G - visual along RM Williams Way
elev: 1550
rwy: 16/34 asphalt
CTAF: 126.7
GLADSTONE overfly - visual along the Wilkins Highway
PORT PIRIE [YPIR] Land - visual along the Wilkins Highway
elev: 39
rwy: 08/26 asphalt
rwy: 17/35 gravel
rwy: 03/21 dirt
CTAF: 126.9 Charts
-
05 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:15 AM
0Simulation Date/Time: Current date set to daylight.
Weather: Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
If not using live weather, please be mindful of others who are using live weather and will be taking off and landing into the wind.
Distance: 155 nm
Est Flight Time: approx 75 min
Aircraft: Any GA aircraft capable of 130 kias.
Altitude: Remain in Class G airspace outside Parafield CTR. See waypoint notes below.
Flight plan
File as: YPIR WRO YKDI YMLD YARS WHPL DUB RMH OHB YPPF
GPS flight plan is available for FSX/P3D .pln, MFS2020 .pln, X-Plane .fms and Little Navmap.
Navigation: Pilots are encouraged to navigate visually. For those less familiar the GPS flight plan is the recommended method of navigation.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. During an event, Pilots are requested to broadcast intentions on the published CTAF. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM CoC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor UNICOM on 122.800. Pilots should ensure that at least one of their radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive UNICOM transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Scenery
Due to the plethora of simulation platforms now being used, scenery is left to the discretion of each pilot.
Flight details
PORT PIRIE [YPIR] Takeoff
elev: 39
rwy: 08/26 asphalt
rwy: 17/35 gravel
rwy: 03/21 dirt
CTAF: 126.9
Tune DME to Adelaide VOR/DME (AD 116.4)
Not above 8500 ft to 36 DME AD
PORT BROUGHTON overly - visual along Old Broughton Road
WALLAROO [WRO] overfly - visual along the coast
KADINA [YKDI] T&G - visual along the Copper Coast Highway
elev: 138
rwy: 05/23 asphalt
CTAF: 126.7
MOONTA overfly - visual along the Spencer Highway
MAITLAND [YMLD] T&G - visual along the Spencer Highway
elev: 559
rwy: 17/35 asphalt
CTAF: 126.7
ARDROSSAN [YARS] T&G - visual along Maitland Road
elev: 312
rwy: 15/33 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
PORT CLINTON overfly - visual along the coast
PORT WAKEFIELD overfly - visual along the coast
WILD HORSE PLAINS [WHPL] overfly - visual along Wakefield Road
Not above 4500 ft within 36 DME AD
DUBLIN [DUB] overfly not above 4500 ft - visual along Wakefield Road
RIVER MOUTH [RMH] overfly not above 4500 ft - H-169° D-7.7 nm
Not above 2500 ft within 20 DME AD
Not above 1500 ft within 11 DME AD
OUTER HARBOUR [OHB] overfly not above 2500 ft - H-144° D-13.1 nm
*** Inbound reporting point ***
If Parafield TWR is active, do not proceed until given circuit instructions.
ADELAIDE/PARAFIELD [YPPF] Land - track as directed by ATC
elev: 57
rwy: 03L/21R 03R/21L 08L/24R 08R/24L asphalt
TWR/CTAF: 118.7 Charts
-
08 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:30 AM
0This Weeks Flight for Wednesday 8th May 2024 finds us in Canadian Northwest Territories flying from Hay River CYHY to Yellowknife CYZF (home base of the famous Buffalo Airways) with a delivery of freight to Fort Providence (CYJP) on route.
Flight created by YMA555
Scenery: Due to the plethora of flight sim programs now in use scenery is at the discretion of each pilot.
Aircraft: Capable of 150 kias. A DC3 or C47 would be suitable.
Comms: Tune Radio to 122.80MHz - Unless Advised by ATC or further detailed hereunder
.Flight Plan: Details
Distance: 173nm
Weather: Real time weather, fair weather if conditions are not suitable for VFR Flying.
Flight Plan:(CYHY-CYZF)< Just click on this link for Flight Plan for .fms and .pln
BELOW: MAP OF ROUTE
THANKS FOR FLYING VATPAC WORLD DISCOVERY FLIGHTS
-
10 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:15 AM
0Simulation Date/Time: Current date set to daylight.
Weather: Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
If not using live weather, please be mindful of others who are using live weather and will be taking off and landing into the wind.
Distance: 184 nm
Est Flight Time: approx 75 min
Aircraft: Beechcraft Baron or similar aircraft capable of 160 kias.
Altitude: Not above FL125. Suggested 3500 ft.
Flight plan
File as: YPKG YGGR YMZI YJEY YLEO YMMI YLTN
GPS flight plan is available for FSX/P3D .pln, MFS2020 .pln, X-Plane .fms and Little Navmap.
Navigation: Pilots are encouraged to navigate visually. For those less familiar the GPS flight plan is the recommended method of navigation.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. During an event, Pilots are requested to broadcast intentions on the published CTAF. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM CoC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor UNICOM on 122.800. Pilots should ensure that at least one of their radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive UNICOM transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Scenery
Due to the plethora of simulation platforms now being used, scenery is left to the discretion of each pilot.
Flight details
KALGOORLIE-BOULDER [YPKG] Takeoff
elev: 1203
rwy: 11/29 18/36 asphalt
CTAF: 126.6
VOR/DME: KG 114.1
NDB: KG 287
GOONGARRIE MINE [YGGR] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1244
rwy: 09/27 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
MENZIES [YMZI] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1348
rwy: 04/22 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
JEEDAMYA [YJEY] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1414
rwy: 06/24 14/32 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
LEONORA [YLEO] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1217
rwy: 04/22 asphalt
rwy: 12/30 gravel
CTAF: 126.8
NDB: LEO 377
MURRIN MURRIN [YMMI] T&G - visual along Leonora-Laverton Road
elev: 1535
rwy: 03/21 asphalt
CTAF: 126.8
LAVERTON [YLTN] Land - visual along Leonora-Laverton Road
elev: 1530
rwy: 07/25 asphalt
rwy: 16/34 dirt
CTAF: 126.8 Chart
-
11 May 2024 08:00 AM Until 12:00 PM
0Welcome to the next installment of Newbie Night. This event offers the chance for inexperienced members to join experienced aviators and controllers and take to the virtual skies. Whether you're completely new to flight simulation or you've been flying for years but never connected to the VATSIM network, this is the night for you with plenty of people available to help on the VATPAC Discord. To Join the Discord visit this link.
Event Details:
Fly between Adelaide (YPAD) and Melbourne (YMML) in either direction to experience Class C and enroute airspace, with a bit of time to relax in cruise and enjoy the scenery. This flight is for:
Newbie pilots who want to learn and gain confidence flying on the VATSIM network with live ATC. Experienced controllers who are patient and willing to help newbie pilots on the network. Experienced pilots who are patient and willing to assist newbie pilots through the VATPAC Discord. Flights will depart from 0800z (1800 AEST) with ATC requested/available until around 1200z (2200 AEST).
We recommend planning to depart before 1030z (2030 AEST) to complete your flight with full ATC.
Tutorials:
This site has tutorials (see Help > Tutorials in the menu) which give an overview of flight and ATC procedures. An example of procedures between Class C airports in a radar environment can be found here: https://vatpac.org/help/pilot-tutorials/ifr-melbourne-to-sydney/
Routes:
We recommend using the following routes which are suitable for a jet such as an Airbus A320, Boeing 737, regional jet or business jet, or a turboprop such as a Dash-8, ATR 72, Saab 340 or King Air.
YPAD-YMML:
Jet: DCT AD V255 BENDO Y12 ARBEY H119 ML DCT
Nonjet: DCT AD V255 BENDO V211 PUBAP W291 WENDY V279 ML DCT
YMML-YPAD:
Jet and nonjet: DCT ML H345 AD DCT
Charts:
If you do not have charts they are available here: https://vats.im/pac/charts
ATC:
Controllers interested in controlling the event are encouraged to submit their ATC Applications here. Applications will remain open until three days before the event (08MAY24), after which the roster will be released and available for viewing. Please keep in mind that slot availability will be dependent on the number of applications. Non-standard positions (marked with *) can be opened in accordance with the Activation of Non-Standard Positions NOTAM.
Login Identifier: Radio Callsign: Frequency: AD_DEL Adelaide Delivery 126.100 AD_GND Adelaide Ground 121.700 AD_TWR Adelaide Tower 120.500 AD_APP Adelaide Approach 124.200 AD_DEP* Adelaide Approach 118.200 ML_DEL Melbourne Delivery 127.200 ML_GND Melbourne Ground 121.700 ML_TWR Melbourne Tower 120.500 ML_APP Melbourne Approach 132.000 ML_DEP* Melbourne Departures 118.900 ML-TBD_CTR Melbourne Centre 123.050 ML-YWE_CTR Melbourne Centre 134.325 ML-MUN_CTR* Melbourne Centre 132.600 Scenery:
YPAD - Adelaide:
Payware - Impulse (MSFS)
Payware - AUSCENE 2 (P3D/FSX)
Freeware - Gateway (X-Plane)
YMML - Melbourne:
Payware - Orbx (MSFS)
Payware - Orbx (P3D/FSX)
Freeware - flightsim.to (MSFS)
Freeware - Gateway (X-Plane)
-