Southern Microlight Club of Victoria
PROM FLIGHT by Ken Jelleff
Sunday Morning 25th July, by sheer and absolute fluke, promised to be a lovely day,
Which is generally not the case for those of us who slave away at the salt mines every other day.
It took only the merest suggestion of a journey somewhere, to get another 4 people excited about a flight to Wilsons promontory. The circumnavigation of mainland Australias southernmost tip was a worthy objective of a beautiful day, and so we departed Latrobe through patchy fog, rising through scattered cloud at about 9:30am.
The view of the upcoming Strezlecki Hills through gaping holes in the scattered cloud was spectacular as always. With nearby Yarram looming, we decided to have a little stretch before, what would be a long leg around the prom. Landing at Yarram, as usual was easy, with the negotiation of the deserted circuit area a breeze. After a short yak with local pilot Warren, who had the audacity to suggest there may be some fog at the prom, we headed off toward the coast.
Skimming the deserted beach at 20 feet with the emerald green sea on one side and the golden sands of Port albert on the other was a rush. As we wound our way toward snake Island, a 12 knot sw breeze began to stir up some turbulence, so a short climb back to 3000 ft found us back in still air with ample height for the crossing of the channel over to Wilsons Prom itself. Warren was unfortunately correct.
A low band of cloud completely blanketed the South end of the Prom, causing us to cut across the Northern end toward Shallow inlet and Sandy Point, (Gippslands Surfing Mecca). Arriving at Sandy Point, we waved goodbye to the coast and headed inland for Leongatha where John needed to refuel his edge outback. The circuit was again deserted at the ‘Gatha’ which was fortunate
As I forgot circuits on 04 were to the right, so after a flawlessly flown base and final to the left we touched down to be greeted by our old friend Daryl Smith who was keen to offer us caffiene and the shelter of his newly concreted hangar, however, Bacon and scrambled eggs at Café Aura in Traralgon were beconing, so it was off back to LV, passing some spectacular cloud streets along the way.
The feed was great, but breakfast was unfortunately off, so we all recounted the highlights of the morning flight over numerous late’s and Gippy Burgers. Next mission when a decent Sunday appears again is a flight down to Tooradin to tackle the newly re-opened alacarte brekky. Any takers……………. Ken Jelleff
Valley residents Ray and Julie (XT Outback 912)_________________Frequent Flyer John Brent ready to go
Scattered morning cloud over Strezlecki's_______________________Cloud band obscuring south end of Prom
One of the Gems on the coast of the Prom______________________Ray and Julie over water
Ray, Julie, Ken, Pauline & John stretching at Yarram
Sunday Morning 25th July, by sheer and absolute fluke, promised to be a lovely day,
Which is generally not the case for those of us who slave away at the salt mines every other day.
It took only the merest suggestion of a journey somewhere, to get another 4 people excited about a flight to Wilsons promontory. The circumnavigation of mainland Australias southernmost tip was a worthy objective of a beautiful day, and so we departed Latrobe through patchy fog, rising through scattered cloud at about 9:30am.
The view of the upcoming Strezlecki Hills through gaping holes in the scattered cloud was spectacular as always. With nearby Yarram looming, we decided to have a little stretch before, what would be a long leg around the prom. Landing at Yarram, as usual was easy, with the negotiation of the deserted circuit area a breeze. After a short yak with local pilot Warren, who had the audacity to suggest there may be some fog at the prom, we headed off toward the coast.
Skimming the deserted beach at 20 feet with the emerald green sea on one side and the golden sands of Port albert on the other was a rush. As we wound our way toward snake Island, a 12 knot sw breeze began to stir up some turbulence, so a short climb back to 3000 ft found us back in still air with ample height for the crossing of the channel over to Wilsons Prom itself. Warren was unfortunately correct.
A low band of cloud completely blanketed the South end of the Prom, causing us to cut across the Northern end toward Shallow inlet and Sandy Point, (Gippslands Surfing Mecca). Arriving at Sandy Point, we waved goodbye to the coast and headed inland for Leongatha where John needed to refuel his edge outback. The circuit was again deserted at the ‘Gatha’ which was fortunate
As I forgot circuits on 04 were to the right, so after a flawlessly flown base and final to the left we touched down to be greeted by our old friend Daryl Smith who was keen to offer us caffiene and the shelter of his newly concreted hangar, however, Bacon and scrambled eggs at Café Aura in Traralgon were beconing, so it was off back to LV, passing some spectacular cloud streets along the way.
The feed was great, but breakfast was unfortunately off, so we all recounted the highlights of the morning flight over numerous late’s and Gippy Burgers. Next mission when a decent Sunday appears again is a flight down to Tooradin to tackle the newly re-opened alacarte brekky. Any takers……………. Ken Jelleff
Valley residents Ray and Julie (XT Outback 912)_________________Frequent Flyer John Brent ready to go
Scattered morning cloud over Strezlecki's_______________________Cloud band obscuring south end of Prom
One of the Gems on the coast of the Prom______________________Ray and Julie over water
Ray, Julie, Ken, Pauline & John stretching at Yarram
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