Sydney to Canberra seaplane route to be examined after test flight next week

[illallangi]

Sydney to Canberra seaplane route to be examined after test flight next week | ABC

Canberra might be an inland city, but a novel proposal would see seaplanes ferry passengers from Sydney Harbour to Lake Burley Griffin, if approval from the body that manages the lake is granted.

Seems there's a bit of opposition to this news already, as petrol motors are banned on the lake for recreational fishing.

Anybody know what time they'll be landing on Tuesday? I happen to be in Canberra, would be great to see it land!

 

[jakeseven7]

Will they join Star Alliance?

 

[Mattg]

Interesting idea.

There aren't many markets where you could get people to pay $300 for a journey that can be completed by car/bus in around 3 hours. And it's not like SYD & CBR airports are that far away from the city centres. But given QF & VA regularly charge upwards of $300 or even $400 for SYD-CBR flights, which take around 55 minutes, maybe this is a good market for such a service?

 

[kookaburra75]

Interesting idea.
There aren't many markets where you could get people to pay $300 for a journey that can be completed by car/bus in around 3 hours. And it's not like SYD & CBR airports are that far away from the city centres. But given QF & VA regularly charge upwards of $300 or even $400 for SYD-CBR flights, which take around 55 minutes, maybe this is a good market for such a service?

Given they land and takeoff in Sydney from Rose Bay, that could make it worthwhile. You could have brunch at the Empire Lounge, then fly home.

Seems there's a bit of opposition to this news already, as petrol motors are banned on the lake for recreational fishing.

They complain about anything in Canberra, so the seaplane will be on the list. A few years back before the fireworks show, they were doing demonstrations of the water bombing helicopters, dipping into and dropping their loads into the Lake. People complained that was inappropriate, as it was a waste of water during water restrictions.
But then, there were helicopter joy flights during last summer, taking off from near Lennox Gardens, so one seaplane a day shouldn't be an issue you would think.

 

[Daver6]

Would Lake Ginninderra be big enough?

 

[kookaburra75]

Would Lake Ginninderra be big enough?

It could, but it would depend upon the wind direction. At least in West Basin on the Lake they can come in from a few different directions. Watching them land at Rose Bay they seem to use the same track which is marked with some buoys, but they still have to dodge the sail boats and kayaks. It was entertaining to say the least.

 

[trooper]

Given they land and takeoff in Sydney from Rose Bay, that could make it worthwhile. You could have brunch at the Empire Lounge, then fly home.

They complain about anything in Canberra, so the seaplane will be on the list. A few years back before the fireworks show, they were doing demonstrations of the water bombing helicopters, dipping into and dropping their loads into the Lake. People complained that was inappropriate, as it was a waste of water during water restrictions.
But then, there were helicopter joy flights during last summer, taking off from near Lennox Gardens, so one seaplane a day shouldn't be an issue you would think.

Not sure who this "they" who complain "about anything" is..... (Canberra resident here) Well...I'll complain about one thing. Wish it had been made clear it is a FLOATPLANE service they are proposing......Got all excited for a moment.... Sounds like a good idea to me....there are already waivers of the "no engine" rule on the Lake....and as you say....one a day should hardly be an issue.

 

[muppet]

CBR is really close so can’t see much of a time saving at that end .... is Rose Bay really significantly closer to the city than SYD?

doesn’t look like it on the map, but I’ve never driven it.

this whole idea, while interesting, seems like a solution without a problem.

 

[illallangi]

Not sure who this "they" who complain "about anything" is..... (Canberra resident here) Well...I'll complain about one thing. Wish it had been made clear it is a FLOATPLANE service they are proposing......Got all excited for a moment.... Sounds like a good idea to me....there are already waivers of the "no engine" rule on the Lake....and as you say....one a day should hardly be an issue.

When I lived in Canberra I complained about.. living in Canberra Don't miss it at all.

They're proposing three flights a day. Still shouldn't be that big of a deal. They're also planning on landing at Canberra Airport if weather doesn't permit landing on the lake.

Post automatically merged: Dec 12, 2020

CBR is really close so can’t see much of a time saving at that end .... is Rose Bay really significantly closer to the city than SYD?

doesn’t look like it on the map, but I’ve never driven it.

this whole idea, while interesting, seems like a solution without a problem.

I think there's less requirements around clearing security and checking in so far in advance for a smaller plane - at least the few times I've been on a commercial operation this size there was no security to clear. Could save quite a bit of time I suppose?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I had to check the date!

Love the comment of the NCA:

They've said to us that the way it operates, the propeller doesn't go in the water so it's above the water...​

Have people genuinely never seen a float plane?

 

[kookaburra75]

Not sure who this "they" who complain "about anything" is..... (Canberra resident here) Well...I'll complain about one thing. Wish it had been made clear it is a FLOATPLANE service they are proposing......Got all excited for a moment.... Sounds like a good idea to me....there are already waivers of the "no engine" rule on the Lake....and as you say....one a day should hardly be an issue.

As. a long term Canberra resident (as compared to MrsK who was born and raised here) the amount of complaints about anything different has been annoying over the years, especially the loss of live music venues. Hence my comments about the "They....", and their ability to complain. Just reading the comments on The Riot-Act board is illuminating.

Lake Burley Griffin seaplane proposal is worth looking at | Riotact

At first, some may have thought a seaplane service on Lake Burley Griffin was another pie in the sky idea…

the-riotact.com

But, I hope it gets up. I don't see it replacing normal Point A to Point B air travel, but it would be something a bit special or different to do every so often, especially for tourists - although their luggage would have to travel separately, which is entirely doable.

 

[Brissy1]

although their luggage would have to travel separately,

Mmm, we've probably all had that unfortunate experience

 

[MikeG]

Not sure who this "they" who complain "about anything" is..... (Canberra resident here) Well...I'll complain about one thing. Wish it had been made clear it is a FLOATPLANE service they are proposing......Got all excited for a moment.... Sounds like a good idea to me....there are already waivers of the "no engine" rule on the Lake....and as you say....one a day should hardly be an issue.

Lake Burley Griffin is governed by the National Capital Authority. Not the ACT Government

 

[Hvr]

although their luggage would have to travel separately, which is entirely doable.

As freight on a Murray's bus?

 

[kookaburra75]

Well, the first test flight has been completed
Sydney Seaplanes demonstration flight from Rose Bay to Lake Burley Griffin to test for future route | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Wot?? How does the plane move after landing if there's no propeller in the water?

 

[muppet]

Wot?? How does the plane move after landing if there's no propeller in the water?

I think there’s a job for you at the National Capital Authority

 

[Daver6]

Wot?? How does the plane move after landing if there's no propeller in the water?

Wind down the windows and stick the oars through them.

 

[kookaburra75]

Wot?? How does the plane move after landing if there's no propeller in the water?

From what I've heard, to lessen the environmental impact they are contracting the Dragon Boating Clubs to tow the aircraft in

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2800935576852395

 

[MikeG]

It was only a matter of time before the gags surfaced