Reaching Back

Along the way a very enjoyable day is shared.

A charter flight beyond the normal airline route structure comes with its own challenges.

Behind the scenes Captain Andrew Simpson attended to the operational aspects of the flight, which included a pavement concession to operate the 737NG into Longreach’s regional airport which normally hosts Dash 8 turboprops. In turn, a suitable parking space had to be found that allowed other aircraft movements to proceed normally.

The flight dispatch department was called on to provide a special flightplan and weight and balance calculations for a 737 with differentcatering requirements and no underfloor baggage. The list was extensive and every detail was attended to well before the crew signed on for duty on a sunny Saturday September morning.

As the crew pored over final fuel figures and flightplans, the passengers gathered excitedly at the gate. One last phone call was made to air traffic control, which generously complied with a scenic departure route for this fundraising flight. A true spirit of cooperation existed between all parties and further enhanced the feeling that this was to be a very special day.

QF1351 pushed back from the Sydney domestic terminal for the one-and-a-half hour flight to Longreach and the home of Qantas. As the 737 lifted off from runway 34 Right, Sydney ATC had kindly allowed the Boeing to set course over Sydney Harbour, turning right towards the Heads. With the sun low in the east, a spectacular view of the harbour city was on show as the 737 initially banked to the right and then turned to the left to set course along the coast. Farewelling Sydney with a climbing turn, the aircraft was pointed to the northwest and the Pathfinder charity flight was on its way. Captain Simpson was mindful of the pavement concession from the outset and ensured that the aircraft was flown to arrive at the appropriate approved landing weight. Consequently, the generous offers of track-shortening to Longreach by air traffic control were politely declined –a situation very rarely encountered in commercial operations.

As the aircraft nosed over into cruise flight, the routine tasks were attended to just as they would be on any flight. However, today there was one other duty to perform. Solo aviator Ryan Campbell was on the final leg of his epic journey, so the crew of QF 1351 took a moment to call the young pilot on the radio to welcome him home.

With Sydney left behind, the flight tracked across NSW and into central Queensland. All around were vast expanses of land with only pencil-thin roads and capillary-like tracks breaking up the endlessness. Such scenery reinforced the undertaking of the pioneer aviators that founded the air services that grew to criss-cross this wide brown land. They didn’t possess a GPS or flight management computers. It was leather helmets and goggles, with the rare route lit for night flight by a line of towers with beacons flashing from their tops. It was another world.

As Longreach appeared in the distance, an inbound call was made to warn traffic of the jet’s impending arrival. It was met with a typically warm Aussie reply from ‘Shorty’ who was driving along the runway at the time to ensure that it was clear of birds. Approaching overhead, the unmistakable white forms of a Boeing 747 and 707 loomed large amongst the array of aircraft parked in the grounds of the Qantas Founders Museum. As the 737 manoeuvred to land, a call came from the pilot of a small gyrocopter who would remain on the ground, content to watch the jet land before departing.

Assisted by the technology of a head-up guidance system, Captain

The generous offers of track-shortening to Longreach were politely declined.

Simpson brought the Boeing back to earth and taxied onto the apron where an enthusiastic welcoming committee was waiting. When the aircraft was shut down, a set of stairs were wheeled out to the front left door, but these weren’t just any stairs. They were antique stairs once used by Qantas and had allowed royalty to disembark in days gone by. Now they were an operational artefact of the Qantas Founders Museum.

The Pathfinders coordinator, Kaye Bailey, had organised an amazing itinerary for the guests in Longreach.

They were treated to a visit to the Stockman’s Hall of Fame and an old-time tent show in downtown Longreach. As it was the day of the federal election, the tent show offered up a range of suitable jokes to the gathered crowd. By noon the passengers were back at the airport and received by the Founders Museum within the walls of the original Qantas hangar.

To a backdrop of biplanes and mannequins at work in the 1920s workshop, pre-dining delicacies were enjoyed standing on the veryfloor where the airline had begun so many years ago. The museum’s curator Tom Harwood welcomed the gathered audience and provided a few interesting insights into the surroundings, including the fact that the workshop annex was equipped with a wooden floor so dropped items would bounce rather than break.

Lunch was served surrounded by aviation artefacts and under the watchful eye of an Avro 504 replica.

Models of bygone aircraft slowly circled the room, hanging from tracks overhead as three courses of dining and a number of speeches were offered. It was the perfect setting for the event, made even more special when the items in the cabinets were eyed more closely.

Contained within were the original documents, flying equipment and wartime medals of the pioneers who gave birth to a national airline. The time then came to climb aboard the giant Boeing 747 and stylish 707 parked outside and walk around the DC-3 and Catalina. Cameras were clicking and the flightdecks were abuzz with questions and

The crew took one last look at the humble hangar where it all began before lining up and taking to the skies once more.

conversation, but for the crew it was time to return to the terminal and ready their own Boeing.

Walking around the 737 prior to departure, one could not help but draw upon the images from the past.

The original hangar with Qantas emblazoned above its wide sliding doors and the old-style ‘Flying Kangaroos’ upon the red tail fins in the distance. Every standpoint seemed to provide a reminder of how this modern 737 had come to be on the shoulders of more than 90 years of proud history.

There was time for one last photo of the crew standing on the vintage stairs before the passengers boarded and the 737 was powered up and brought back online. Captain Simpson reviewed the taxi route and departure sequence that would set QF1352 on its return path to Sydney.

Turning the 737 on the small Longreach apron area, the Boeing pointed to the west and made its way out to the runway. In the process it had fittingly stirred up some of the outback dust, making for a dramatic photo opportunity in the late afternoon sunlight. The crew took one last look across at the humble hangar where it all began before lining up and taking to the skies once again.

Queensland and then NSW slid beneath the wings as the sun slid beneath the horizon. A little cloud had formed over Sydney, but as the Boeing broke through the cover, the lights of Sydney looked all the more spectacular. Fireworks were spearing into the sky below as if organised especially for the flight’s return, even though they weren’t.

Once more the magic of Sydney’s skyline was on show to the passengers, although this time they were treated to the view by night.

Soon the only lights that remained to be seen from the flightdeck were those illuminating the runway and its approach area. The wheels returned to terra firma and the sound of reverse thrust struggled to drown out the excited chatter that still echoed in the cabin. The flight had come to an end, but the memories created still had many miles to cover.

The excitement of the passengers had been tangible on board for the entire flight and it was a quality the cabin crew had supported with the best of service and smiles. As always, something special transpires when the support for a worthy cause like the RIDBC and a very special aviation event come together.

And so it was for the 2013 Pathfinders Charity Flight. With the aircraft now safely put to bed and the crew on their way to their respective homes, only one question remained unanswered.

Where to next year?