Southern Alps Tour

 

East Sale - Mt Hotham - Cooma - Polo Flat - Canberra 

 

The Australian Southern Alps Tour crosses the States of Victoria, New South Wales and into the Australian Captial Terriory. This is one for Light Propellor Driven Aircraft as the Challenge of a Polo Flat arrival is most difficult in a large Aircraft.  We also suggest the tour should be undertake as a VFR flight to enjoy the scenery.

 

Overview

  • The tour starts in Victoria at the East Sale Military Airfield and departs heading north to Mt Hotham

  • Leg 2 passes Australia's Highest Mountain: the approaches to Mt Hotham and Cooma will need some careful navigation

  • Down the mountain we go to Polo Flat: rather short that runway I say wot ol chap!

  • Finally we head to the Nations Capital and pay our respects at the Australian War Memorial with a formation flyover before finally landing at Canberra Airport

Tour Itinerary

 

  • LEG 1 Depart:  East Sale Military  YMES Heading 355 @ 7500 ft  - 64 miles

  • Arrive : Mt Hotham YHOT

  • LEG 2 Depart:  Mt Hotham YHOT  Heading 048 @ 7500 ft  - 90 miles

  • Arrive : Cooma YHOT

  • LEG 3 Depart:  Cooma  YCOM  Heading 050 @ 3500 ft  - 9.5 miles

  • Arrive : Polo Flat YPFT

  • LEG 4 Depart:  Polo Flat  YPFT  Heading 349 @ 7500 ft  - 55 miles

  • Arrive : Canberra YSCB

 

Preflight

  • Include your estimated time on route = total distance / max cruise speed

  • Submit your Flight Plan - using the itinerary as a guide

  • Read the charts, find the approaches, NDB's & VOR's and consider the terrain constraints

  • Check the weather - mountainous areas can create unique weather conditions

  • Do you need all the fuel?  Less weight will mean better performance

Charts

 

You should acquaint your self with the Aerodrome charts and approaches

YMES > YHOT > YCOM > YPFT > YSCB: Air Services Australia Index

 

ATC

  • 118.75 Unicoms for VFR stage

  • 118.70 Canberra Tower if available

  • 116.70 ATIS Canberra

Other

 

Try this in company  - wait until one or two aircraft gather and then fly together changing positions as lead aircraft on each leg.

 

If you want to chat or need help try switching to another frequency or use the chat window

 

When you have completed the tour - try it in reverse or reset the weather to simulate Stormy Conditions

 

Many Thanks to DC45 for preparing this Flight Bag.. Cheers Don!