18FEB24 | Grafton to Archerfield

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: 151 nm

Est Flight Time: approx 75 min

Aircraft: Any GA aircraft capable of 130 kias.

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

Flight plan

File as: YGFN YPLI YBNA BBAY YTYH BRH STOT TLC ROTC NEN OFD DRLD TAR YBAF

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

• GRAFTON [YGFN] Takeoff
  elev: 110
  rwy: 18/36 asphalt
  CTAF: 126.7
  NDB: GFN 389
  
  Pilots may optionally take off from nearby South Grafton (YSGR) if Grafton is congested.
   
• PALMERS ISLAND/MACLEAN [YPLI] T&G - visual along the Pacific Motorway
  elev: 6
  rwy: 09/27 grass
  CTAF: 126.7
  
  Not above 8000 ft between Maclean and Ballina to remain below restricted military airspace.
  
  If tracking along the coast, remain outside the Evans Head Air Weapons Range.
   
• BALLINA/BYRON GATEWAY [YBNA] T&G - visual along the Pacific Motorway
  elev: 7
  rwy: 06/24 asphalt [RH circuit rwy 06]
  CTAF: 124.2
  NDB: BNA 206
  
  Tune DME to Gold Coast VOR/DME (CG 112.3)
  
  Not above 4500 ft within 30 DME CG
   
• BYRON BAY [BBAY] overfly not above 4500 ft - visual along the coast
   
• TYAGARAH [YTYH] T&G - visual along the coast
  elev: 10
  rwy: 05/23 grass
  CTAF: 127.55
   
• BRUNSWICK HEADS [BRH] overfly not above 4500 ft  - visual along the coast
  
  If Gold Coast ATC is active, contact after Brunswick Heads for clearance to transit the Western VFR Route northbound.
  Note: Brisbane Approach may be extending to Gold Coast or Brisbane Centre may be controlling Gold Coast top down.
  
  Not above 2500 ft within 15 DME CG or as directed by ATC
  Not above 1500 ft within 10 DME CG or as directed by ATC
  If ATC is active, do not proceed within 7 DME CG until given clearance to transit the Western VFR Route.
   
• STOTTS ISLAND [STOT] overfly not above 1500 ft or as directed by ATC - visual along the Pacific Motorway
   
• TERRANORA LAKES COUNTRY CLUB [TLC] overfly not above 1500 ft or as directed by ATC - H-325° D-3.5 nm
   
• ROBINA TOWN CENTRE [ROTC] overfly not above 1500 ft or as directed by ATC - H-319° D-9.5 nm
   
• NERANG [NEN] overfly not above 1500 ft or as directed by ATC - visual along the Pacific Motorway
  
  Not above 3500 ft beyond 15 DME CG
  
  Tune DME to Brisbane VOR/DME (BN 113.2)
   
• OXENFORD [OFD] overfly not above 3500 ft - visual along the Pacific Motorway
   
• DREAMWORLD [DRLD] overfly not above 3500 ft - visual along the Pacific Motorway
  
  Not above 2500 ft past Beenleigh
  Not above 2000 ft within 15 DME BN
   
• TARGET [TAR] overfly not above 2000 ft - visual along the Pacific Motorway
  *** Inbound reporting point ***
  
  Not above 1500 ft within Archerfield CTR or as directed by ATC.
   
• BRISBANE/ARCHERFIELD [YBAF] Land - track along Beenleigh Road until visual
  elev: 65
  rwy: 10L/28R 10R/28L asphalt
  rwy: 04L/22R 04R/22L grass
  TWR/CTAF: 118.1

Charts