Aerial videos of Tasmanian walking areas

[Wandering-Foxbat]

Hi

I'm a new member. Actually I'm well past my previously active bushwalking days, but in my older years I now enjoy the Tasmanian landscapes from the air while flying my light sport aircraft.

I have noted that some members have already come across my Wandering Foxbat videos on YouTube [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCE61C821B297A88] - and some comments were made about incorrect captions. I hate not having the correct labelling, so to that end I would invite anyone familiar with the Tasmanian mountain landscape to help me by checking the captions before I make future videos publicly available.

I operate out of the Wynyard Aero Club using a red Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat 2-seat aircraft with glass doors giving superb vision outside. Cameras are mounted on wing struts.

Ideas for any scenic aerial videos would be most welcome. I don't do this for money, just for the love of flying over the superb Tasmanian landscape and capturing the scenes to share with others.

Cheers
Gary

[Nuts]

Hi Gary, yes your videos are great, Iv'e watched the trip through the park and over the Tyndalls many times... and don't worry about being less capable bushwalking wise, your contribution more than makes up for it. Well Done!! (and welcome).

[Overlandman]

Hi Gary,
Welcome to the forum, your videos are great,there are a few pilots on this site, including myself.
Keep the camera rolling.
Regards Overlandman

[simonm]

Hi Gary,
Concur with all above, those are fantastic video's. Keep it up and welcome.
Simon

[Wandering-Foxbat]

Hi
Thanks for all your support. While the sun shines and the winds are light, the cameras will continue to roll...
Gary

[Doonish]

A two-seat aircraft, you say?

Seriously, these are lovely videos, keep it up and thanks for letting us know about them.

[GerryDuke]

Thanks also Gary. A great resource. Let's know if you need a passenger!

Gerry

[biggbird]

Thanks Gary, they were a pleasure to watch, will look forward to more!

[GPSGuided]

Beautiful footages! Thanks for showing us.

Curious, is there any air exclusion zones that relates to heritage and protected natural areas there in Tasmania?

[tastrax]

Beautiful footages! Thanks for showing us.

Curious, is there any air exclusion zones that relates to heritage and protected natural areas there in Tasmania?

A couple of areas have "Fly Neighbourly" agreements that suggest approaches etc. Mainly to do with wildlife issues (Orange Bellied Parrots). Might even be one in place at Cradle Mountain for overflights as well.

[doogs]

Fantastic stuff, really enjoyed the Du Cane and Eldon range films. Beautiful. Do you have any footage of the extent of the fires in the SW from this last summer? Thanks

[GPSGuided]

A couple of areas have "Fly Neighbourly" agreements that suggest approaches etc. Mainly to do with wildlife issues (Orange Bellied Parrots). Might even be one in place at Cradle Mountain for overflights as well.

That's logical. Lest Tassie be turned into another one of the tourist destinations with a mass of buzzing tourist helicopters and planes.

[Wandering-Foxbat]

Hi

Answering your queries...

Yes, I welcome passengers, but a strict non-commercial basis (I'm not a commercial pilot) and the passenger can only be asked to contribute towards the operating costs. The only problem is, I operate out of Wynyard on short notice, only when the weather conditions are just right.There's no point even considering a flight if it's cloudy or winds are more than light. So, it's a matter of making use of those very few special "magic" days when they come up.

Yes, when flying over the heritage areas there is a Fly Neighbourly procedure to minimise noise and impact on walkers. Fortunately my aircraft is extremely quiet. I can't imagine there will ever be a plethora of tourist planes in Western Tassie since the weather conditions are mostly not flyer-friendly. I can assure you flying over mountainous terrain in strong wind conditions is not pleasant! There are virtually no emergency landing areas, so if an unlikely engine failure were to occur, the situation would be interesting to say the least. It's a risk I'm prepared to take as I feel it is more risky driving to the airport.

Be aware that Cradle Mountain Helicopters operate commercial tourist flights out of Cradle or Strahan - weather permitting.

I actually flew over the SW fires while they were in progress during my Devonport to Maatsuyker north-south traverse in January this year - this video is on my list "to be prepared".

Cheers
Gary

[stepbystep]

"I actually flew over the SW fires while they were in progress during my Devonport to Maatsuyker north-south traverse in January this year - this video is on my list "to be prepared".

Hi Gary. I will be very interested in seeing this vision. A group of us were walking the Prince of Wales Range then. We saw no planes but I'd love to see a low level fly over that range some time and I'd be happy to contribute to costs to join you

[Wandering-Foxbat]

Because of the huge smoke plume we were forced to divert west from our planned direct track - unfortunately the visibility was pretty marginal until we got to Port Davey.

Here's a grab from the forward view video as we climbed and diverted over the Crossing River Plains with Greystone Bluff? in the murk at right:

[Eott]

G'day General, great video's have passed on details to other former workmates who are similarly impressed.

Mark

[Son of a Beach]

Think I saw you (or somebody) tinkering with or cleaning that plane at Wynyard when we were en route Three Hummock Island in early January this year.

Nice work with the videos!

[Wandering-Foxbat]

Son of a Beach: you were lucky to catch me actually washing it...

Gary

[tas-man]

Great videos Gary! Thank you for sharing your passion for Tassie from the air with us. Looking forward to seeing some more from the Franklands to South West Cape areas.

[cooee]

Yes, a big thank-you. Great shots from a great place, well done.