Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

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Robin
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Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

The plan...

Next weekend, we have finally finished planning for the retrieval of my DA 40 XLS, that is currently stranded at Marree, South Australia. We have to replace the prop. The next prop has landed in Australia from Germany.

My mate and I are flying over from Melbourne to Adelaide, we are then driving with the new prop, 600km, half of it on dirt roads, so a 10 hour trip. Its in a container 2m by 1m, by 75 cms.

Its a remote loaction...[album][/album]

The next day we drive 200kms to pick up the LAME - licensed aircraft mechanical engineer from Olympic Dam. The LAME is flying from Sydney to Adelaide, overnights in Adelaide, then flies to Olympic Dam, where we will pick him up.

Hopefully the prop can be replaced in 2 hours, will take lots of photos and post this on DAN.

Once replaced, test flight, then fly to Broken Hill, overnight, then fly back to Melbourne. VH-JRZ then goes in for a 50 hourly!!

I have not flown for a month!!! :cry:
Attachments
marree.pdf
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Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
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Joey
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Joey »

That's quite an adventure....glad to see you making the best of bad situation and hope you get your plane flying again soon. And thanks for the map.
Joey Ritchie
DA40 XLS 40.940
JGG Williamsburg VA
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Robin
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Hi Joey

The news just gets better...

The prop has been delivered, but my dad has emailed me...
Your prop has arrived and is now in storage in garage 2.
The parcel is an equilateral triangle with all sides 2 metres long and with a 400mm thickness.
Unless you have a clearance of 2m there is no way you can get it into a people mover. Even unpacked it is still going to be a triangle of 1.8m sides, allowing for 100mm packing protection for tips.
So time to run around and find a larger vehicle.

Moral of the story...when your plane goes U/S do this outside the maintenance facility.

Looking forward to the adventure.

Robin
Robin
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Jean
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Jean »

Always look on the bright side of life !
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8jlou ... shortfilms
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Robin
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Hi Jean

Always looking on the bright side of life. The weather is now spring, usually very stable weather, in Central Australia usually CAVOK for 6 months. However unseasonal weather. It is going to rain...

I have attached the weather chart. This area is so remote, we do not have TAFs or Metars. So it looks as if the roads will be closed, so I have chartered a plane. Will I be expelled from DAN? the only plane I could get was a Cessna 210!

We are hoping that we can drive up to Marree Sunday, the last 80 kms is dirt road. Usually this is the last road to close, if it does as it was for 3 weeks in August, I will charter a larger plane to fly the prop into Marree from Leigh Creek, 50 NMs away.

On the Monday I was going to drive 200kms over dirt roads to pick up the LAME - aircraft mechanic. As the roads will most likely be closed I have organised the plane charter.

Should be fun...



Cheers

Robin
Attachments
Weather PDF.pdf
Weather synoptic chart, showing rain, in fact flood warnings have been issued
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Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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Robin
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Dear All

I have attached the map.

The blue line is the last part of the road. Leigh Creek to Marree.

On the Monday we are picking up the LAME from Olympic Dam in the Cessna 210. This airport is owned by BHP Biliton the big mining company. Lots of paper work to get to fly into here.

I will hopefully drop the LAME off on Tuesday in my DA 40 VH-JRZ.
Attachments
Map2.pdf
Map of the Marree area.
(113.54 KiB) Downloaded 236 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
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Robin
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Some pictures of the trip upto Marree. The drive is about 700kms.
Attachments
The prop package fits perfectly into the van.  Darren and I ready to leave for Marree.
The prop package fits perfectly into the van. Darren and I ready to leave for Marree.
trip 1.jpg (164.54 KiB) Viewed 3834 times
When it rains there is tremendous wash out of the creeks, note the piles of washout that the graders have had to push to the side of the road.
When it rains there is tremendous wash out of the creeks, note the piles of washout that the graders have had to push to the side of the road.
trip 2.jpg (149.79 KiB) Viewed 3834 times
One of the hazards when driving, another reason to fly!
One of the hazards when driving, another reason to fly!
trip 3.jpg (157.58 KiB) Viewed 3834 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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Robin
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Another hazard of the outback...
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Kangaroos are particularly active around dusk and dawn.
Kangaroos are particularly active around dusk and dawn.
trip4.jpg (133.93 KiB) Viewed 3834 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
User avatar
Robin
4 Diamonds Member
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Posts: 456
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:28 am
First Name: Robin
Aircraft Type: DA40
Aircraft Registration: VH-JRZ
Airports: YMPC POINT COOK, MELBOURNE
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS-a finally arriving at Marr

Post by Robin »

Finally arriving at Marree...
Attachments
Finally we have arrived.
Finally we have arrived.
Marree 1.jpg (132.06 KiB) Viewed 3831 times
Its a remote area.  After rain, roads are closed.  The only way to get around is by plane, wow what a life!
Its a remote area. After rain, roads are closed. The only way to get around is by plane, wow what a life!
marree 2.jpg (133.51 KiB) Viewed 3831 times
A sense of humour is needed in the outback.  The Lake Eyre Yacht Club. Lake Eyre only fills with water once every 5 to 25 years. The nearest sea is over 750 kms away.
A sense of humour is needed in the outback. The Lake Eyre Yacht Club. Lake Eyre only fills with water once every 5 to 25 years. The nearest sea is over 750 kms away.
Maree yacht.jpg (142.88 KiB) Viewed 3831 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
VH-JRZ, Australia
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Robin
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Posts: 456
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:28 am
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Airports: YMPC POINT COOK, MELBOURNE
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Re: Trip to retrieve my DA 40 XLS

Post by Robin »

Our accommodation, the centre of the town, the pub. We had a few beers here
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The Marree Hotel
The Marree Hotel
DSC02410.JPG (134.49 KiB) Viewed 3831 times
Robin
DA-40XLS 40.1078
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