DON'T MISS THIS TRIP! (that goes for you to TH!)
BLOCK OUT THE DATES NOW IN YOUR DIARY

John Lowrey and Michael Keating have collaborated on the planning for this trip and it promises to be a fantastic look at the Capricorn area of Queensland.

John and Michael are planning a prior fly-in to Blackwater with a tour of the International Coal Centre, a mine tour and a side trip to Blackdown Tablelands.

Then fly into YBRK on Friday, BBQ at Aeroclub. Rodeo at Lee Kernigan's old pub, Saturday at local attractions, Sunday to Byfield Rainforest with sporting activities, swimming, canoeing, bush walks, and a visit to Nob Creek Pottery.

Monday, back to Rocky for a fly-on to Brampton or another such island in the Whitsundays for the marathoners.

Here is the preliminary itinerary (subject to change, but please block out the dates now):

THUR: 19 August 2010:
PM
Arrive Blackwater
Visit International Coal Centre
Open cut mine tour

FRI 20th:
AM
Visit Blackdown Tableland National Park
Fly to YBRK

SAT 21st:
AM
Historic Quay Street walk
Mt Archer Lookout (easy walks)
PM
Cameroo Caves
Rocky Riverside Walk

SUN 22nd;
AM
Byfield Rainforest
PM
Visits to Nobb Creek Pottery, Stoney Creek

MON 23rd
Transfer to YBRK via Yeppoon, Singing Ship
Fly to Brampton Island

FLY IN UPDATE

Ok friends, colleagues and other hangers on, we need some names and numbers.

For John and I to calculate costs we need to have numbers so that we can decide if we need one 4WD car or one 4WD bus to get us up onto the Blackdown Tableland at Blackwater and around Rocky an the Cap Coast. Accom is also tight in Blackwater aka Tinseltown, moreso than anywhere else
so it will be first in best dressed or else BYO tent. There will be a few minor changes to the itinerary for logistical reasons and this may change further due to numbers but the sooner we have a show of hands the better.

This is a nice easy fly in with only a 30 min flight Blackwater to Rocky and then 1.2 to Brampton. We ahve clear blue skies and 22 degrees during the day at present and it will only get better in August. Winter will be gone by then - up here anyway.


We would like to start getting the numbers bedded down over the next two weeks at the latest. Can you reply to me at mgkeating@bigpond.com so we can start things off. Accom in Blackwater is about $150, Rocky about $170 and Brampton about $190. The runway there is long enough and there is pla-enty of parking. I am in the ppocess of putting together a brochure with some pics to whet your appetite but dont delay, give us your money today

Michael & John

A further update. Still waiting on confirmation of accomodation costs for Rydges Yeppoon and Brampton Island.

Get in and book Blackwater as accomodation is tight.

I have pasted an email with an accom update as well as an excel spreadsheet and hopefully details on th Brampton Island strip although the latter is also available on their website.

I also have an excel spreadsheet for accom but I am unable to paste it here due to its extension. I will email it to those who are coming. If Lembit is able to attach ithere I will email it to him.


EMAIL

Ok now, accommodation is tight in Blackwater. We have only been able to secure 6 rooms at the Blackwater Motor Inn. I will stay with friends so I don’t need a room. It may be that you will have to spread out over a number of motels and we run around and collect you. The accom is tight due to the mining boom. We will run you around as there is NO taxi service in Blackwater and the airport is a fair way out of town.

In Rocky anything on the south side ie Rockhampton NOT North Rockhampton will be ok to make collecting you all easier. Cattle City and Rocky Resort are across the road from each other but they are on the highway so maybe noisy. Just about everything is on the highway here except Central P{ark Motel and The Edge. At The Edge you can do a deal and get a 2 BR which is a one BR apartment and a separate (dual key) 1 BR motel unit linked so 2 couples can stay an that reduces the cost.

We were going to stay up in the rainforest on the Sunday night but cant get the accom we want and they don’t do sundae pm dinner anyway (only Sat night and they are booked for months for weddings) and there would be no breakfast so we thought the closest is Rydges Capricorn Resort. At least they do food!

Brampton would not prebook accom without deposits so I was unable to ‘secure’ rooms there. They quoted $185 a night. I would suggest you check on Wofif etc for a rate then call the resort (and this is for all accom) and say you are with the Mooney Pilots group to see where you can get the cheapest rate. John and I only considered Rydges at Yeppoon as a last minute change the other night so I will give them a call tomorrow to see if I can do a group booking deal


Blackwater. Thursday 19th August 2010

http://www.bicc.com.au/

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&re ... CCUQtQMwAA

Rockhampton. Friday & Saturday 20th & 21st August 2010

http://www.theedgeapartments.com.au/ind ... pAodRW-pxA

http://www.cattlecity.bestwestern.com.au/

http://www.rockyresort.com.au/

Yeppoon Sunday 22nd August 2010

http://www.capricornresort.com.au/

Brampton Island Monday & Tue 23/24 August. Guests can of course extend should they wish.

http://www.brampton-island.com/?gclid=C ... ewodQHF_0w

Dear All,

I have found out the delay with Brampton was a changeover of ownership. I had an email from a chap today who works for United Petroleum in Melbourne no less!

In any event, I have been put in touch with the Island and they will honour the rates we have been quoted but as there are now more of us than expected at first I don’t know if they will have enough cheaper rooms for all so it is once again first in best dressed.

I was unable to block off rooms as they wanted deposits paid and were difficult to get info out of although with the new crowd things seem to be on the improve.

The rates I have are as follows. These are substantially discounted from rack rate::

Palm Room $186
Island View room $231.60
Ocean View $324
Premium Ocean View $396.oo

I will have the contact person on the Island tomorrow for you to call or email and I will send out another email tomorrow with those contact details. This is just a progress email to let you know things are now moving along.

You must say you are part of the Mooney Pilot Association Group to get the discounted rate.

Once I have final news regarding Rydges at Yeppoon from John Lowrey we will be able to book that as well.

Accommodation bookings are now open for Blackwater and Rockhampton.

Regards

Michael

Bookings are now open for Brampton . I bookewd my room today.

Details are as follows

From Subject Received Size Categories
Michael Keating FW: Brampton Island - Mooney Pilot Assoc Wed 23/06 22 KB

sorry. Take two

We reserved 13 rooms for the group at the group rate of $186.00. Individual participants can book directly with Katharine katharine.boyd@bramptonholidays.com.au or reservations@bramptonholidays.com.au and include the name of your group - Mooney Pilot Association - in their requests.
Please email me if you have any quiries

Hi all,

Lyn Lowrey has been chasing our accommodation in Yeppoon and John, Lyn and I had our heads together for a couple of hours tonight sorting out more details and costs. The killer is getting enough vehicles in Blackwater to take us up the Blackdown Tablelands http://www.digthetropic.com.au/places/b ... ional.aspx as the road is steep and narrow and a people mover wont have enough grunt according to Hertz. We are therefore trying to source a number of 4WD vehicles.

The costs of vehicles, some meals and entrance fees etc are looking at being around $225 per head give or take a shekel or two and we will firm this up once we have vehicles locked in. There will still be some meals and entrance fees to pay on top of that because there may be some who do not wish to burrow deep into the magma at Capricorn Caves http://www.capricorncaves.com.au/ or be chased by crocodiles on Monday (before you get to eat them for lunch at Koorana Crocodile Farm http://www.koorana.com.au/ . But then, you might still be full from Sunday lunch at Ferns Hideaway http://www.fernshideaway.com.au/

However, the good news is bookings are now open at Capricorn Resort Yeppoon. Twin/double rooms at the resort are $187 for the night for Bed & Breakfast and the breakfasts are very good. There are also Resort Suits at $217, Ocean View Suite for $247 or even two BR apartments at $307 which would make it cheaper for two couples sharing.

Make sure you let them now you are part of the Mooney Pilots Association Group. The night is Sunday 22nd August 2010. The phone number is 07 4925 2525 http://www.capricornresort.com.au/
If any of you are golfers and fancy at quick 8 holes on Monday morning the course awaits you http://www.capricorngolf.com.au/golfcou ... course.asp

If anyone knows of anyone else who is contemplating joining us it is imperative that you let us know ASAP as we are arranging vehicles in Blackwater (there is no bus or taxi service) to move us around and we are not allowed to tie latecomers to the bull bars. Likewise, if anyone is planning joining us in Rocky and NOT coming to Blackwater could you again let me know as three vehicles there will cost about $1000 (that IS factored into the $225ph noted above).

Any questions, please email me.

Regards

Michael

Hello all,

Just thought I would put pen to paper to give a rundown of what we have planned for the next AMPA Fly In to Blackwater Rocky and Brampton Island.

We arrive in Blackwater Central Queensland on Thursday 19th August 2010. There is plenty of parking at the airport. I’m pretty sure there is a displaced threshold for Runway 18 due to undulations and a rough surface. Dash 8’s stop flying in a week before we do. Mine blasting occurs and I will call the number the day before and send an email out if there is to be any on Thursday afternoon. This is to save them getting 10 phone calls on Thursday.

Thursday afternoon we visit the Blackwater Coal centre and do a an open cut mine tour http://www.bicc.com.au/ and then have a Camp Oven dinner at the home of the Blackwater Hospital Director of Nursing.
I have known Von for many years and she is a keen advocate of aviation. I have often seen her send her husband Rod flying…

Roderick has been a pilot for many years and many a time went flying with me in the early years when I got my GFPT to let me build up confidence before I went for my PPL. Rod works at the mines, as does his son James who is also a CPL holder and recent achiever of a MECIR. They will be great hosts for the evening and if anyone gets sick we can admit you to Blackwater Hospital and perform experiments on you.

Come Friday morning we head off to Blackdown Tableland in our bloody expensive 4WD’s as the road is too steep, winding and narrow, apparently according to Hertz, for a less expensive mini bus…
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/blackd ... index.html There are walks , waterfalls and great views for a pleasant morning jaunt. A light lunch will be provided at the top.

Back into Blackwater early afternoon to pack our planes and head off for the 35 min flight to Rocky. Remember there is NO FUEL at YBTR

Transfers will be arranged to get you to your accommodation

Fri night will be dinner and rodeo at The Great Western Hotel http://www.greatwesternhotel.com.au/index.htm

Sat am is Riverside Heritage Guided Walk then off to the Capricorn Caves by bus http://www.capricorncaves.com.au/

We will be stopping at The Caves Pub for lunch



After lunch we head back to Rocky for a coffee on Mt Archer and or a nanna nap. Sat night a free night but suggest dinner at The Cambridge Pub Steakhouse http://www.cambridgehotelmotel.com.au/

Sunday we head off to Yeppoon and the rain forest hinterland & Byfield State Forrest beyond to have a look at the area & visit Nobb Creek Pottery http://www.cqnet.com.au/nobcreekpottery/

We then take a short drive to the very popular Ferns Hideaway for Sunday Lunch http://www.fernshideaway.com.au/

After lunch we then head off to Capricorn Resort for a late afternoon walk on the beach looking out across the Coral sea. Arriving in time for beer o’clock we shall have to spend the night there
http://www.capricornresort.com.au/

After a good night’s sleep we enjoy breakfast in the Billabong Restaurant before heading back to Rocky by driving along the coast from Yeppoon to Emu Park, the Singing Ship and on to Koorana Crocodile Farm for a tour and lunch - ,maybe for us, maybe for them… http://www.koorana.com.au/

We then head into Rocky for an early - mid-afternoon departure from the Rocky Aero Club http://www.rockhamptonaeroclub.org.au/ where flight planning and notification can be done for our 1 hr 20 min flight to beautiful Brampton Island to recover for couple of days before ( for some of us anyway) heading back to those cold dark damp southern climes http://www.bramptonisland.net/

If there is anyone else who would like to join us please let me know ASAP as accommodation is filling and transport will be a problem for latecomers. You might have to hire a car in Blackwater and Rocky!

Regards

Michael & John

Hello all,

Well it has taken some time to get the costs nailed, mainly due to transport arrangements in Blackwater and Rocky but here we go.

The cost is $235 per person for the whole Fly In = $470 per couple. This is in line with other fly in’s That is in addition to your accommodation and some entry fees / meals I have detailed below.

The entry fees we have left out are due to the fact that some of you have Seniors Cards and will get a discount at the Gate in addition to the one arranged for the Group.

I know a couple of you are not able to make Blackwater and the same for Brampton so I will give you a revised higher costing for being a pain  Actually there is only some meals I have to exclude as the transport arrangements have already been costed taking in to account you are piking out.

What IS INCLUDED: Airports transfers at Blackwater & Rocky. Us running you around in Blackwater & Rocky to / from Motels.
Thursday night dinner in Blackwater
Friday lunch at Blackdown Tableland
Nissan X-Trail transport to Blackdown Tableland
Rocky Guided Historical Walk on Sat morning
Bus Transport to Capricorn Coast
Sunday Lunch at Fern’s Restaurant
Brampton Island Lunch on Tue and Farewell Dinner on Tue Night

What’s NOT included: Items of a personal nature
Accommodation in Blackwater Rocky Brampton
Blackwater Mine Tour $26
Friday night dinner / Rodeo in Rockhampton @ Great Western. http://www.greatwesternhotel.com.au/rodeo_arena.htm We need boots, hats and big buckles please!
Capricorn Caves entrance fee (in case some don’t like caves) $25
Caves Pub lunch (no set menu)
Sun night dinner at Rydges, sorry, Capricorn Resort. Restaurants open – your choice after a big lunch at Ferns.
Monday Crocodile Farm Tour as Seniors Discounts at Gate $22
Monday Crocodile Burger lunch (if they don’t get you first!) If you are not game I’m sure they have some Milk Arrowroot biscuits & a glass of milk
First night dinner on Brampton Island Mon night but Tue lunch and dinner IS included

The Blackwater people are being difficult and now have the Mine Tour at 1.30pm. We know this will present some logistical problems for some as it means getting to Blackwater NO later than 12 to allow time for us to get you into town. We will be in contact with the Coal Centre Management on Monday t try and get a special Tour put on later in the afternoon as was originally advised and we will keep you up to date with that.

Lunch at Ferns on Sunday http://www.fernshideaway.com.au/ for $33 pp includes breads & dips, and choice of rib fillet, chicken breast, fish and lamb dishes with vegetables. There is also a straight vegetarian dish of vegetable risotto. There is also a log fire and live music. I have not been there for lunch but I have for dinner, in fact I am going tonight, and we always enjoy it. The live music cover all tastes except head bashers.

Payment details are direct into John Lowrey’s Account> PLEASE put SURNAME & AMPA as reference so John can track the money. We would appreciate payment as soon as convenient as we are starting to pay for things up front now. Any questions please email anytime or call of a night. My home number is 07 4922 1019.

ACCOUNT DETAILS:

NAB. Cnr Denham & East St’s Rockhampton.

Dr JR & Mrs LB Lowrey BSB 084901 Account # 036316218

Just a quick update.

John has been hard at work arranging dinner venues and bookings and so we have some more info below, particularly regarding the dinner and Rodeo on Friday night in Rocky.

This is of course at The Great Western Hotel which was owned until recently by Lee Kernigan. The arena is indoors and the last time I was there the atmosphere was great. The Young Bucks are riding / competing the night we are all there so we should see some good riding and lots of testosterone as they compete against each other.

Says John, The Great Western opens the gates at the bull ring at 6.00 pm and there is a BBQ there which goes on until the bull thing ends. The cost is $18.50. The show starts at 7.00 pm and there is an entry fee of $10 for adults with $5.00 for seniors (there is some advantage in being a "senior"! We should have no trouble getting in from Blackwater and to motels etc in time to then make dinner at the Great Western. I have to arrange times to depart Blackwater so our arrivals don’t conflict too much with the Virgin and Qantaslink RPT services. Parking is being arranged by the Ops Manager and we will be scattered about a bit. Don’t forget ASIC cads an the Gestapo WILL be out. There is a Shell credit card bowser only. Landing fees are about $5 I think. John and I get hit $22 a month whether we flyo r not.

Don’t forget there is NO FUEL at Blackwater so you will need enough fuel for the 30 min flight onwards to Rocky on Friday. The closest is Emerald or Rocky. Emerald is also Shell but Mackay has both Shell & BP

On Saturday night The Cambridge is booked for the buffet at about 6.00 pm and that is $17.50. After that it is either a free night to sit around and tell aviation lies and tall stories, the movies or an early night.

John is working with the Blackwater Coal centre to secure a later tour than 1.30pm of the mine, preferably around 3pm and they are in contact with the mine to negotiate this. It depends on the mine’s blasting schedule apparently.

Michael

Just a reminder to all heading north for the Winter ... we will be enjoying the sunny climes of Rockhampton on election day. This means;
* For those who are Qld residents, they can go to any polling booth and cast an Absentee vote.
* For those who live outside of Qld, they can cast an Absentee vote if Rocky has an "Interstate Voting Centre"
* Cast a pre poll vote at an "Early Voting Centre"
*Cast a postal vote - download form (before 19/8/10) at http://www.aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm
* Do nothing and pay the fine (Probably cheaper than landing fees at one of our large airports)

Building the airstrips including BRAMPTON, of the Whitsundays

Very Interesting !

http://home.iprimus.com.au/graceandblue/chapter_4.htm

T i m.

Morning everyone,

Great rain in central Qld the last 24hrs but it is set to clear tomorrow and the forecast is sunny days through til next Tue which is as far as the forecast goes at present.. The only problem ongoing rain would cause would be the trip to Blackdown Tableland out of Blackwater but I am confident we will be ok.

I cannot imagine anyone has NOT booked accommodation as yet but John Lowrey said the motel in Blackwater had one spare room left which has now been released to the public so if there Is anyone who does not yet have accommodation in Blackwater please get onto it right away.

I am coordinating arrivals and parking with ATC and Airport Ops in Rocky for the Friday afternoon and don’t expect to have any problems.

Remember there is no fuel in Blackwater, the closest being Emerald and Rocky. There is none on BramptonIsland either but Mackay is only 10 mins away.

As always, check ERSA and check the airport info for Brampton on their website. It is the individual pilot’s responsibility to ensure he or she can safely operate their aircraft into the shorter strips.

Do not forget your CURRENT ASIC. I can almost guarantee the Security people will be out in force in Rocky as there are not many RPT arriving when we do late Friday so they will have nothing better to do then hound you lot. They are friendly enough though. CASA regularly conducts drug and alcohol screening here also.

WE are still trying to get approval for a later tour of the mine at Blackwater. As of now I will put an ETA for BTR as 1200 local for a 1330 mine tour but hope to be able to relax that a bit. It all depends on their blasting schedule.

I will get back to you with updates as they come to hand. For those who have questions or leave early and want to touch base my mobile is 0417616945

Regards

Michael

FURTHER UPDATE RE CURRAGH MINE TOUR TIME

John Lowrey has been diligently chasing the mine manager for us and has been able to get our tour time changed to 4pm on Thursday.

This is great news as it allows for a later arrival time into Blackwater on Thursday and so relieve some flight planning pressure for some.

We would suggest arriving around 2pm will be best as we have to get you parked, unloaded and transferred to the motels and then be at the International Coal Centre by 3.30pm. Don’t forget closed in shoes for the tour. We will be finished by 5pm and then back to the motel to freshen up (should be beer o’clock by then) before heading off to Matron May’s for dinner around 6.30pm.

I will be contacting the mine adjacent to the airport on Tuesday to check their blasting times ( Chris Wrightson is getting paranoid about being blown up) and I will send out an email. If for some reason you don’t get that there is a number to call in ERSA to check. I thought I would call to save them getting a dozen phone calls. They say they don’t blast an hour either aside of RPT arrivals but they all ceased a week ago. The Rocky Aero Club use BTR as the first solo Nav airport and we have not lost anyone yet so we should be ok.

If you arrive on runway 18 the first part is pretty rough or rather more undulating so it might pay to land a bit longer.

It’s good news about the mine tour – you get to sleep in a bit longer on Thursday morning.

Michael & John

Just some housekeeping.

To help with arrivals and transfers at Blackwater, would it be possible for people to plan to arrive between 1 and 2pm. For some this won’t be possible but it will just help with transfers as it isn’t a short drive to / from the airport and we will have 1 car for John and I to use to ferry you all around.

John advised me that runway 18 at Blackwater is shortened by about 300 metres. Runway 36 is much better of course depending on the wind.

Don’t forget to VOTE. I know it’s a pain but it will be an even greater pain to have to find you a Polling Booth come Saturday. Even we are doing postal votes to make life easier – and we live here!

A gentle reminder that payment is now due for the small number who are waiting for their internet to come back up to pay up . If you don’t pay we will take you via Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area on the way to Brampton. The Singaporeans love thing to shoot at anything that moves!. We have crocodiles in the city reaches of the Fitzroy River too don’t forget.

John and Lyn Lowrey are hiring a 4WD tomorrow and driving out to Blackwater to check the road to Blackdown Tableland after the rain last week. This will be an 8 hr round trip for them and a great gesture to ensure all is well and the road passable. Bring old Women’s Weekly’s & AOPA Magazines to read just in case we can’t go. Actually the 4WD we have will be ok but there will be some in cars and that may be problematic if there is water across the dirt road. What an adventure this is turning out to be.

Lastly can you let us know where you are staying in Blackwater and Rocky so we can plan the logistics of pick-ups and drop offs.

Rocky Airport have advised me today that parking will be in the brand new never been used GA hangars. They think we will get 2 Mooneys in each hangar but we wont so some will be outside. I can’t see the access being ready myself but you never know.

Regards

Michael

I contacted the Blackwater mine adjacent to the airport today and was passed from pillar to post. In the end I got a recorded message which gave details for tomorrows blasting ie Wed so hopefully if I call tomorrow I will get Thursdays blasting times. The message is useless as it is in ‘mine-speak’ and I have no idea to what areas they are referring.

I will try again tomorrow and see if I can find a human type to speak to but as I have said before, we have not lost a student out there yet but if you are uncertain after my email tomorrow night then please feel free to call the number in ERSA. That was whom I called today and he said geez mate I’ve got no idea…. Call the emergency blasting number, but that was the recorded message.

As for the weather, I see there is a trough then cold front coming through NSW Wed night. There will be a few late showers in Blackwater Thursday and heavy showers Friday although the local weather guru says sporadic. There ‘might’ be a late storm in Rocky on Friday but I wouldn’t hold my breath and other than that the forecast is for sunny days with lows around 11 degrees and highs in the mid-twenties.

Something waterproof might be an idea for Friday in Blackwater / Blackdown Tableland. John went out there last weekend and says the area is looking great with water coming over the falls and everything fresh and green.

I met with Rocky Airport management today and they have confirmed we will be parking in and in front of the new GA Hangars. They are holding off turfing the 'hard stand' (just compacted crusher dust really). I will provide an airport diagram & briefing before we leave Blackwater and John and I will be there first to help with Marshalling.

Last update tomorrow night

Safe flying for anyone leaving tomorrow

Michael

Finally, we are on the eve of what we hope will be a another great AMPA Fly In.

There will be no blasting at Blackwater which will be a problem

Landing permits have been secured for Brampton island. I have printouts for everyone of the airport details and will give a briefing on Monday before departure from YBRK.

I have A4 size Jepp charts of Rocky airport for landing and taxi / parking purposes and will give a briefing on RK arrivals before leaving Blackwater.

For VFR pilots track towards Mt Lion ( S23 23.5 E150 19.3) and call RK TWR on 118.1 at 25 miles.

For IFR as directed by BN centre. Expect runway 04 unless wind dictates otherwise, usually a right base for 15 but if a northerly is blowing it will be a left base for 33.

Shell at Rocky which needs a credit card or Carnet. No fuel at Blackwater or Brampton.

John & I will be at Blackwater about 1100 local. Bring lunch or maybe some quick takeaway from town. The Mine Tour is at 4pm. Closed in shoes. Dinner at Matron Mays at 6.30 ‘ish

Safe flying. We look forward to seeing you all

Regards

Michael