08DEC23 | Port Macquarie to Cessnock

Circumnavigation of Australia - Stage 97

Simulation 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: 130 nm

Est Flight Time: Approx 75 min

Aircraft: Cessna 172 or similar aircraft capable of 110 kias.

Altitude: Remain in Class G airspace. See waypoint notes below.

Flight plan

File as: YPMQ YCMH YTRE WDU GCR YGCR SRO EGT YCNK

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. Updated X-Plane scenery is available for Taree.

Flight details

• PORT MACQUARIE [YPMQ] Takeoff
  elev: 15
  rwy: 03/21 asphalt
  CTAF: 118.1
  NDB: PMQ 395
  
  Not above 8500 ft to Wirradgurie.
   
• CAMDEN HAVEN [YCMH] T&G - visual along the Pacific Highway
  elev: 7
  rwy: 12/30 grass
  CTAF: 118.1
   
• TAREE [YTRE] T&G - visual along the Pacific Highway
  elev: 38
  rwy: 04/22 asphalt
  rwy: 12/30 dirt/clay
  CTAF: 118.1
  
  Remain on CTAF 118.1 within 10 nm of Taree.
  
  The INLAND VFR ROUTE, also known as "The Snake", is a narrow lane below restricted military airspace from Wirradgurie to 2nm north east of Dungog. Remain within 1nm of the railway and do not exceed 2500 ft.
   
• WIRRADGURIE [WDU] overfly not above 2500 ft - visual along the railway
   
• GLOUCESTER [GCR] overfly not above 2500 ft - visual along the railway
   
• GLOUCESTER [YGCR] T&G - visual along the Pacific Highway
  elev: 382
  rwy: 17/35 grass [RH circuit RWY 17]
  CTAF: 126.7
   
• STROUD ROAD [SRO] overfly not above 2500 ft - visual along the railway
  
  Tune DME to Williamtown TACAN (WLM 110.2)
  
  If Williamtown APP is active, check the status of the WLM C2 airspace before proceeding.
  Not above 2000 ft within 25 DME WLM or as directed by ATC.
   
• EAST GRETA [EGT] overfly not above 2000 ft - visual along the railway
   
• KURRI GOLF COURSE overfly not above 2500 ft - visual along Main Road or the power lines
   
• CESSNOCK [YCNK] Land - visual along Cessnock Road
  elev: 210
  rwy: 17/35 asphalt
  CTAF: 122.65

Charts