Showing the way

The original Pathfinders led the way for bomber fleets through the night skies over war-torn Europe. Today, the name lives on in a charitable organisation that seeks to light the way for the children of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.

Founded by Qantas chief steward Pat McGann in 1967, the organisation’s origins came from the simple act of Pat ‘passing the hat’ onboard a flight to assist a gravely ill child.

Now the fundraising activities have grown to include the annual Qantas Jumbo Joy Flight for children with disabilities and disadvantaged children, the Splash for Cash swimathon, trivia nights, the Pathfinders Revue – a theatre production showcasing the wealth of talent from within Qantas ranks – and a major lottery which features fantastic prizes.

2011 marked 10 years of the Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight, which each year sees a Boeing 737 fly to a different destination, brimming with generous supporters.

The initiative of Qantas Captain Roger Gee, the charity flight is the biggest fundraiser on the Pathfinders calendar.

Past flights have visited everywhere from Queenstown in New Zealand, to Alice Springs, Norfolk Island and Uluru, over a decade that has seen over $650,000 raised for the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, even before this year’s departure from Sydney.

The destination for the 10th anniversary was Fraser Island, via Hervey Bay Airport, but the planning was underway long before the Qantas 737-800 ever left the ground.

Making it Happen

The cornerstones of the annual Pathfinders flight are generosity and dedication – without these key elements it would never take place. Although it takes place almost unnoticed every day, the execution of any RPT flight calls for the coordination of myriad entities and infrastructure. From crewing and catering to air traffic control and fuel supply, there are a cast of characters all playing their part to complete the overall picture. For such a charity flight to be successful, these players not only perform their normal tasks, but tailor them to the specific need of the charter and in turn donate their time and services.

Qantas donates the use of the aircraft, while the flight and cabin crew volunteer their time.

As the major sponsor, Qantas donates the use of the aircraft, while the flight and cabin crew volunteer their services for the day. Shell Aviation provides the fuel and not to be outdone, the local distributor at Hervey Bay, Exxon Mobil, offered to top up the tanks for free. The list of sponsors and supporters goes on to include Sydney and Hervey Bay airports, Airservices, Q Catering, Alpha Flight Services, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Aqua Dining and so many more. In essence, the many hands and organisations that allow such a flight to safely operate ask for nothing more in return than the satisfaction of contributing to a job well done for a worthy cause.

The coordinator behind the flight is Kaye Bailey and this year the operational aspects fell upon the shoulders of Captain Andrew Simpson. The task is a complex one from the outset as the flights are frequently chartered to airports outside the normal Qantas 737 network, as is the case with Hervey Bay this year. As such, a great deal of attention is applied to assessing the suitability of the airport and ground handling facilities to cope with a 737. In the case of Hervey Bay, a pavement concession had to be granted by Fraser Coast Regional Council, which outlined a revised maximum weight and limiting tyre pressure for the aircraft. Runway length, pavement strength, available instrument approaches, runway lighting and air-stairs are just some of the considerations. Additionally, consideration is given to which variant of the 737 would be most appropriate, and in the case of a 737-800, which engine power specification.

Preliminary flight planning avails flight times and consequently fuel requirements, which in turn allows a maximum weight calculation to be made which leads to the total number of seats that can be sold on the aircraft. As the fuel is being donated, a calculation of the uplift at both ports is made, while the routing and schedule are relayed to permit the donation of all Airservices charges.

With a date and destination set in place, Captain Simpson then coordinates with numerous departments within Qantas.

Flight planning and dispatch, ‘airports’, 737 fleet management, load control, pilot and cabin crew scheduling all have a specialised role to play long before the wheels leave the runway. With a lot of work and a dash of good fortune, everything is in place and set to flow seamlessly for the passengers as they walk down the aerobridge.

Big Day Out

The Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight is traditionally quite a long day. As a consequence, flight and duty times must be observed and are facilitated by a ‘split duty’ with adequate rest facilities provided for the crew at the destination should they be required. While Captain Simpson attended the flight briefing armed with a tailored package of procedures, performance charts, maps and photographs of the airport, Captain David Read was already at the aircraft ensuring that all was ready with the crew and equipment.

When the crew come together for the first time that day the overall theme of the briefing is safety. It is a charter flight to an unfamiliar port and while the passengers are set for a great day out, it is imperative that the crew always maintain an operational focus as they go about the business on what is sure to be a very enjoyable day.

There is a final call by Captain Simpson to air traffic control regarding the departure clearance, while the Pathfinders Charity Host, Tara Moss, mingles and greets the passengers as they board.

Normally a 737 departure from Sydney to the northeast would leave from Runway 34 Right and turn to the coast shortly after takeoff. However, this Saturday morning air traffic control has cleared the charity flight from Runway 34 Left with a right turn along the Parramatta River and over Sydney Harbour on climb to 5000ft to maximise the view for the passengers (and undoubtedly the crew too!). The clearance is greatly appreciated by all onboard and a subsequent left turn along the coast past Palm Beach ensures that the day is off to a wonderful start.

The flight time to Hervey Bay is a little over an hour, so soon after levelling off the crew review their briefing package and plan for the arrival. The latest weather conditions are reviewed and local traffic, frequencies, NOTAMS, airspace limits and the method of approach are considered.

Ideally, the arrival will be via Fraser Island before joining the circuit, but that will be weather dependent. After speaking to the good QantasLink folks at Hervey Bay, the descent is commenced with all the appropriate radio broadcasts for the entry to a non-towered aerodrome. With three crew on the flightdeck, lookout and an acute listening watch are maintained as the Fraser Coast approaches. Unfortunately, cloud precludes flying over Fraser Island, so Captain Read flies a gentle arc over the crystal clear waters and sandbars before positioning to join downwind and landing to the east.

Our arrival is met by a sea of friendly ground staff, an enthusiastic refueller, TV crews and even a whale mascot. It’s not often that a 737 is the biggest show in town. As the passengers disembark and board their buses, the crew secure the aircraft while a Qantas engineer, who has also made the journey, attends to the refuelling and engineering requirements. With the aircraft safe and secure, the crew change into casual clothes and join the passengers to make the ferry ride across to Fraser Island.

The day at the Kingfisher Bay resort is a resounding success. From fine food to a coach tour over the rugged undulating four wheel drive tracks, there is no shortage of entertainment for the supporters of the charity. Their generosity is not limited to their airfare either, as the raffle which included $5000 worth of Qantas travel vouchers sells out of tickets and there is a hurried initiative to ‘create’ more as Tara Moss continues to keep proceedings rolling along. There are auctions for accommodation at Fraser Island and jewellery, and after a show of hands it is evident that a number of the guests keep coming back each year for the Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight.

Heading Home

As the day’s proceedings wind down, the crew are the first to the buses and onto the aeroplane. As the pilots and engineer bring it back to life, the cabin crew ready the cabin and organise the specialised catering.

The sun is creeping ever lower and the pilots review their departure, the activation of lighting, minimum altitudes, and the proximity of controlled airspace and the need for a timely clearance request. It has been a wonderful day, but it is also back to the business of a safe operation.

To the waves of ground staff, the 737 makes its way down to the full length of the Hervey Bay runway before turning around, broadcasting departure intentions and taking off for the return flight to Sydney.

As the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane slip by on the right hand side, the customer service manager, Norrie, conducts one more auction.

It is a crystal clear night over Sydney and a fireworks display seems to be right on cue for the passengers to receive a special welcome home. Landing to the north on Kingsford Smith’s longest runway, the 737 is taxied and parked on Bay 1, where her day began.

The work of the Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight supports a wonderful cause in the form of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. However, it would not be possible except for the generosity and dedication of the many people and organisations that work together to make it happen. 2011 marked 10 years of the successful flight and it is set to continue into the future.

There’s only one question.

Where to next year?