Super Hornets take AKL by surprise

[markis10]

Looks like AKL got a bit of a surprise !

Australian Super Hornets land in NZ - National - NZ Herald News

Should see them in BNE tomorrow I would imagine possibly overflying inbound to Amberley.

 

[straitman]

Looks like AKL got a bit of a surprise !

Australian Super Hornets land in NZ - National - NZ Herald News

Should see them in BNE tomorrow I would imagine possibly overflying inbound to Amberley.

Lots of fuel tanks hanging off them even with a tanker escort.

The ferry flight of those five super hornets (a very small squadron) and the C-17 probably cost more than the whole NZ defence budget :!:

 

[markis10]

Looks like a day rest in AKL so we might see them Friday, pics here:

MRC Aviation: Herd of Rhinos!

Bet the pilots could describe every rivet in the belly of that Omega KDC10 as they nosed into one of the two wing mounted lines.

 

[munitalP]

Makes you proud to be Australian ( :shock: ) seeing Auckland invaded like that - lol


Mr!

 

[samh004]

Pretty cool sight, wonder if they’ll have a big show entering Brisbane?

Would it not have been cheaper to put them in a large cargo plane, could they even all fit in a large plane?

 

[munitalP]

Pretty cool sight, wonder if they’ll have a big show entering Brisbane?

Would it not have been cheaper to put them in a large cargo plane, could they even all fit in a large plane?

All eggs in 1 basket so to speak?


Mr!

 

[markis10]

Given the RAAF deploy overseas on a regular basis I am sure they could do with the practice on a ferry flight like this, the same tanker supported a deployment of 8 FA18's from Tindal to Alaska two years ago.

Most aircraft get ferried like this from the US, even smaller GA types, the heavylift planes are best used for things that cannot jump puddles - like helicopters or tanks.

 

[NM]

Given the RAAF deploy overseas on a regular basis I am sure they could do with the practice on a ferry flight like this, the same tanker supported a deployment of 8 FA18's from Tindal to Alaska two years ago.

Most aircraft get ferried like this from the US, even smaller GA types, the heavylift planes are best used for things that cannot jump puddles - like helicopters or tanks.

Yep, it all goes towards flight hours, experience and training.

 

[Andyzx]

Makes you proud to be Australian ( :shock: ) seeing Auckland invaded like that - lol

From the Press

"The fighter planes touched down last night, on their way back from the United States."

Looks like they got lost again coming from the US... oops thats right last time was a Qantas plane Its the long way home for them, not sure where they took off from.:mrgreen:

 

[straitman]

Looks like they got lost again coming from the US... oops thats right last time was a Qantas plane Its the long way home for them, not sure where they took off from.:mrgreen:

To answer your question:

All 7 aircraft have routed via night stops at Hickam and Pago Pago and are expected to depart Auckland on Friday.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Pretty cool sight, wonder if they’ll have a big show entering Brisbane?

I believe there's a city flyover around 1pm escorted by a couple of Pigs - according to TV News last nite.

 

[SimonM]

Wish I'd taken a photo now. I've just got back in from Auckland and was very surprised to see the five fighters and two larger aircraft parked out on the tarmac. Looked awesome and quite a sight at AKL and caused a lot of comment amongst my fellow passengers.

This is what the tanker looked like: N974VV - Omega Tanker McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Aircraft - Fairford Photo @ Airplane-Pictures.net

 

[markis10]

Looks like we will get a good flyby tomorrow:

LJR SE QUEENSLAND. MIL F111, F18F AND HAWK JET ACFT OPR ON THE FLW
RTE:
SCOTT / GOLD COAST 045015 (DESCENT) / GOLD COAST 108008 /
GOLD COAST 325009 / BRISBANE 078024 / BRISBANE 048017 /
BRISBANE 349006 / BRISBANE 220003 / ARCHERFIELD 001006 /
ARCHERFIELD 335005 / ARCHERFIELD 219005 / ARCHERFIELD 209009 /
AMBERLEY 049003 / AMBERLEY 339004 / AMBERLEY 270009 /
AMBERLEY 147020 / AMBERLEY.

DELAY AT PSN GOLD COAST 045015 AND AMBERLEY 147020
SFC TO 5000FT AGL
FROM 03 260200 TO 03 260430

 

[SimonM]

Looks like we will get a good flyby tommorrow:

LJR SE QUEENSLAND. MIL F111, F18F AND HAWK JET ACFT OPR ON THE FLW
RTE:
SCOTT / GOLD COAST 045015 (DESCENT) / GOLD COAST 108008 /
GOLD COAST 325009 / BRISBANE 078024 / BRISBANE 048017 /
BRISBANE 349006 / BRISBANE 220003 / ARCHERFIELD 001006 /
ARCHERFIELD 335005 / ARCHERFIELD 219005 / ARCHERFIELD 209009 /
AMBERLEY 049003 / AMBERLEY 339004 / AMBERLEY 270009 /
AMBERLEY 147020 / AMBERLEY.

DELAY AT PSN GOLD COAST 045015 AND AMBERLEY 147020
SFC TO 5000FT AGL
FROM 03 260200 TO 03 260430

Do you have the time we can expect them? If the numbers are times, I'll accept I'm too dazed to decode them!

 

[markis10]

Do you have the time we can expect them? If the numbers are times, I'll accept I'm too dazed to decode them!

The key part of the LJR notification is :FROM 03 260200 TO 03 260430 , thats 12 -2.30PM, word is around 1PM. Tracking from north of BNE to the city.

 

[samh004]

The key part of the LJR notification is :FROM 03 260200 TO 03 260430 , thats 12 -2.30PM, word is around 1PM. Tracking from north of BNE to the city.

I would guess that’s date|time in Zulu, but what do the other numbers mean. What time is this for instance:

GOLD COAST 108008 /
GOLD COAST 325009

Or maybe that’s not a time. Doesn’t look like a time.

I’m on the Gold Coast, so do I just keep my eyes open and ears unblocked from around 1200?

 

[markis10]

I would guess that’s date|time in Zulu, but what do the other numbers mean. What time is this for instance:

GOLD COAST 108008 /
GOLD COAST 325009

Or maybe that’s not a time. Doesn’t look like a time.

I’m on the Gold Coast, so do I just keep my eyes open and ears unblocked from around 1200?

Thats a bearing and distance from a VOR, in that case the Gold Coast Omni at OOL.

 

[markis10]

Thats a bearing and distance from a VOR, in that case the Gold Coast Omni at OOL.

The path they are taking according to the above coords is:

On descent to just east of Coolangatta, then track to Broadbeach, North Stradbroke, then midway between Redcliffe and Tangalooma, then to Nudgee, over Breakie creek to St Lucia.

 

[albatross710]

Just to put that transpacific effort into context....that is how many hours of low residue diet and peeing in their seats?

 

[SimonM]

Went by here a couple of minutes ago, but too low for a good look from the 'burbs.