"FLIGHT TO DOWN UNDER"
Thai Flying Club trip to Australia
August 2005

GROUP FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA
Some members of Thai Flying Club are organizing a group of aircraft to fly from Thailand to Australia in August 2005. They will fly through Malaysia and Indonesia to Bali and on to East Timor to land in Darwin. It will be about a two week trip with lots of adventure and experiences for those who would like to join. The idea for the trip came from Khun Eric Bodart (also known as Le Baron Rouge de Thailande). He and his wife Taow will be flying their Cessna 177 with their two children.

TRIP LEADERS
Khun Lek is one of the trip leaders. He and his wife Dr. Nuni have been working tirelessly to get their Cessna 206 ready for the trip. Lek has been flying for many years in the Cessna 182RG that he shares with Khun Wattana and Adjan Kaew. He and Dr. Nuni also both fly a Robinson R22. They often come to Bang Phra and camp in the clubhouse, so they can get an early start working on their plane the next morning. Lek is very excited about this trip and is happy to help the other "Team Leaders" - Khun Norman and Khun Eric - organize the trip.
ROUTE PLANNER
Khun Norman and "Nang Fah" Lek are are also some of the trip leaders. They are working on the route organization for the trip, and they will be flying their Mooney. Norman has recently completed his IFR training in Canada, and he is very excited to make a long trip like this in Asia. For those of you who have flown in Bang Phra before, you will recognize the voice of "Nang Fah" Lek on the radio. She does an excellent job with radio communications and advising Khun Norman. There are many Tewadas (male angels) in the Thai skies who are jealous of Khun Norman.

ROUTE TO AUSTRALIA
Khun Norman has been working on the route.

For advice in Indonesia, contact:
Rod Leonard in Australia or
Flying Friends

MISSION OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this flying expedition is not only to practice navigation and gain flying experience, but it is also to locate and photograph one of these - a kangaroo - on the continent of Australia. The first person to find one of these and take a picture, will receive a prize when they return to Bang Phra. Chok dee.

If you think you would like to join the adventure, Email Khun Norman.

 

LATEST NEWS
Norman has posted the ROUTE INFORMATION
Plans are progressing very well for the August flight from BangPhra Airfield to Darwin, Australia. Our route will take us from BangPhra down to Hat Yai, Thailand. Then direct to Seletar Airport in Singapore to complete day one. The second day will have the group flying from Singapore through Palembang or Jakarta, Indonesia to clear immigration and customs before landing in Bali. Then it will be over the islands of Indonesia for Kupang Airport on the coast of Timor. The last leg will be 445 miles over the ocean to arrive in Darwin. In Australia we have a number of potentially interesting sites within easy flight range of Darwin – which itself is an interesting destination. We are considering day trips to Ayers Rock, Kakadu National Park, Katerine Gorge and Argyle Diamond Mine in Kununarra. Our departure date is planned for Saturday, August 13th. Returning two weeks later on Saturday, August 27th.
At this time the original three planes from Thai Flying Club are confirmed. Dr. Jim Foran, a resident of Sydney, Australia, is planning to join the return flight in his Cessna 150 taildragger. We are planning IFR flights to Darwin and VFR returning to Thailand; subject to regulations and pilot preferences. Our outbound route map and flight information is posted on the website and at the Thai Flying Club. Flight planning is underway and we are getting tremendous help and guidance from all over Asia. Particular thanks goes out to:
Tom Claytor – Thai Flying Club
Captain Adam – Udara Flying Club, Malaysia
Chepy Nasution – Indonesia
Rod Leonard – Cairns, Australia.
You are great friends and we appreciate your help very much. We’ll keep everyone posted on the trip……….in the meantime we welcome contact from anyone who is interested in joining for all or part of this once in a lifetime trip.