Why fly Qantas or Virgin, when you can fly Pelican!

[love_the_life]

Funny, I actually thought the Jetsream was a Big plane!

Was a nice read Kam

Anything less that 717 size constitutes small to me
Though I have been on single engine cessnas etc. I try not to book any Dash8 unless that's the only plane on offer. I know lots of people love the Dash though.

 

[exceladdict]

Enjoyed the TR! Just did a quick hop on a prop myself, might have to write that up as well.

Echo all your sentiments about bumpiness! On bigger planes, you very rarely get that sudden 'drop' feeling or 'strafing' (video game, not warfare) feeling.

 

[kamchatsky]

Thank you all for your comments! I thought that our focus on AFF has been on major airlines and J and F. So I thought it is good to try something else for a change and write about it.

Thanks for the TR Kam, I enjoyed it very much. I have taken this route, it was a few years ago (4?) and onboard Brindabella Airlines (CBR based) - the experience was very similar to yours....sort of, see below.

Out of interest Brindabella was later acquired by Pelican who slowly retired the Brindy aircraft (or repainted them) and took over the route.

My NTL-CBR flight on a little Metro turned out to be NTL-SYD as CBR was not available for landing. I enjoyed watching through the coughpit door to see the huge Rwy 35L as we landed. Rough weather made our little plane jump around like a kids toy. After arriving in SYD we were offered overnight in SYD and continue to CBR or transfer to VA (DJ?). I took the DJ option so my trip unexpectedly ended up with a transit but as I recall no SC or Lounge (perhaps it was in the DJ time and these weren't avail?). I was just glad to get home

I also enjoyed seeing the runway at CBR via the coughpit door as well as it is doing its landing.

Thanks for posting this TR - really nice to see support for the regional players.

After this trip, I hope to see more trip reports for smaller players actually. I think sometimes they just need some "air time" for the rest of AFF to think about trying them out.

Thanks for the trip report, reminded me to do a trip report of a small Australian airline that is not part of the Qantas or Virgin group.

What airline is it, and where did you go? I look forward to see the trip report!

Thats great! I remember using Aeropelican back in the day to fly between Syd & Belmont and landing on this strip in Twin Otters which was a great experience

Nice pics! I could't even see the terminal unless I really zoomed in!

Funny, I actually thought the Jetsream was a Big plane!

Was a nice read Kam

Thank you. Maybe next time I will find an airline that flies on Cessna 180!

Anything less that 717 size constitutes small to me
Though I have been on single engine cessnas etc. I try not to book any Dash8 unless that's the only plane on offer. I know lots of people love the Dash though.

I had the same thought as well. After my Dash 8 experience many years ago, I swear I will only fly big jets. However work opportunities presents itself and with the summer weather I thought I will give it a shot.

Enjoyed the TR! Just did a quick hop on a prop myself, might have to write that up as well.

Echo all your sentiments about bumpiness! On bigger planes, you very rarely get that sudden 'drop' feeling or 'strafing' (video game, not warfare) feeling.

I look forward to your trip report. It would be great to see the smaller players in this forum. Surely we have talked about QF/VA etc to death :mrgreen:

 

[exceladdict]

I look forward to your trip report. It would be great to see the smaller players in this forum. Surely we have talked about QF/VA etc to death :mrgreen:

Glad to oblige - it's been a slow day: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....orts-and-trip-photos/hop-on-a-prop-80687.html

 

[zig]

Thats great! I remember using Aeropelican back in the day to fly between Syd & Belmont and landing on this strip in Twin Otters which was a great experience

Love the photo. I also clocked up many miles between Sydney and Belmont, and loved the approach and landing at Belmont. Somehow I never took a photo though. I guess it was pre camera phone days

 

[OATEK]

This really takes me back, to many flights with Hazelton in the last century. Always used to go for the front row in the hope of a good view forward through the coughpit. Enjoyed quite a few flights into SYD from OAG, CUG etc with a great view as we landed on runway 16. Yes the small planes can be a bit bumpy, but I really loved the EMB110s and even one fight on a Cessna 6 seater. The current Rex Saab 340s seem quite large by comparison, but the Jetsream looks very similar in size to the old Bandierantes. Thanks for this thoroughly enjoyable TR.