tim_A Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Well, "NSW Tour Leg 28b" didn't seem to pull in the punters! Now you're here, you might as well read on... NSW Tour Leg 28B: Katoomba to Pinnical Homestead At all of 9 miles, this has to be the shortest leg of the tour so far, and yet the highest number of pictures (and believe me, I took many more!) Starting off essentially from where we leff off last time. I've taxied out onto the runway. Now normally I wouldn't take off uphill, but I didn't want a standing start from the top of the hump, for reasons that will soon become clear... [img width=1160 height=341]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8303/ta123.jpg Yup, these are power lines, crossing the runway threshold! And believe me, you don't want to get tangled in them... [img width=1160 height=341]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4066/ta124.jpg ... or you'd have the entire output of this substation up your jacksie! [img width=1160 height=341]http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/1873/ta126.jpg Here you can see it in all its glory. If you get the chance, visit Katoomba: It's a really great little strip. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/7926/ta130.jpg This is katoomba town, and the reason most people visit is just over that ridge... [img width=1160 height=341]http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7062/ta132.jpg On the peak of the ridge there: The Three Sisters. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7403/ta133.jpg The Blue Mountains area is a sandstone plateau, cut through with massive gorges. Our destination is just over that saddle to the right. (in fact, you can just make out the strip, if you know where to look...) [img width=1160 height=341]http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7367/ta134.jpg Aboriginal legend has it that the three sisters - Meehni, Wimlah and Gunnedoo lived here in the Jameson Valley as part of the Katoomba tribe. They had fallen in love with three brothers from the nearby Nepean tribe, but tribal law forbade them from marrying. The brothers were naturally unhappy, and battle ensued... [img width=1160 height=341]http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6084/ta138.jpg Sensing their danger, the witch doctor turned the sisters to stone, in order to protect them from harm. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5607/ta139.jpg But he was killed in the battle, and since nobody else had the power to turn them back, here they remain. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2020/ta149.jpg Crossing the saddle, aptly named 'Narrow Neck' [img width=1160 height=341]http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6383/ta150.jpg Looking back into the Jameson Valley [img width=1160 height=341]http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/55/ta151.jpg Over the ridge, and you can see the strip on our left. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/8795/ta153.jpg We're pretty much immediately on a wide downwind. [img width=1160 height=341]http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/1069/ta157.jpg The notes for this strip say 'Steep slope'. They are not wrong! [img width=1160 height=341]http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/8006/ta161.jpg Final [img width=1160 height=341]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/1845/ta163.jpg There are not many places where you add power after landing! [img width=1160 height=341]http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5006/ta164.jpg And up to the top of the runway. This time I don't think we'll try taking off up hill! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Harris Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Nice shots Tim, and a very familier place for me, Its a terrifying place to fly to be honest, when your puttering around at only 500ft up here, there really isn't anywhere to land if the engine conks out, and the updraft from the cliffs is enough to turn you over in a light aircraft sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lovell Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Really liking the airfields and some very spectacular scenery. I have become quite attached to your tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean (PC Aviator) Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Another great update. This might have been a short leg, but it was very interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TenBlade Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I´ve enjoyed that flight before, I really love that airfield. But, it´s mean to place tripwires at the end of the runway . I´ve enjoyed the area for real, but on foot...Hope the Three Sisters will be modelled more life like one day, perhaps with the cable car, the boardwalk and the visitors centre?! Nice shots. Bjorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Harris Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 All traffic at Katoomba takes off and lands on the longer runway, the shorter runway is used only when the wind is really bad (sometimes we get 15-25kt crosswinds), and then only for landing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-WCE Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Great shots mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_A Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 I think I had about 10kts split between the runways. RW, I'd have done the sensible thing, but this is FS, and, well, "where's the fun in that...?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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