Crossing the Ditch

New Zealand Flyabout Leg 1-3

Getting ready

The 24 hours leading up to our crossing I was a bubbling mixture of excitement and nerves. Ever though we had taken all precautions and gear, knowing the risks and the stats, it is a high risk trip and needs to be respected as such. While it is a risk we have taken, it was with our eyes wide open. We chose saying yes to a life of adventure, knowing that it was a choice for a a life well lived.

Getting away from bankstown a bit later than expected, the little electric scooters paid dividends in the first stop, as we wizzed to the nearest pub just in time before the kitchen closed. We stayed at a little caravan park down the road – while nothing flash, both comfy and close to the airport.

With the alarm going off at 5am, we made it to the airport at 5.45. With Billie all packed and ready to go with full wings of fuel, all that was left for us was a final briefing and check of safety gear.

Flying with four life jackets and two life rafts, rupert had the big one in close proximity (4pax plus emergency supplies) and I had a one person tethered to my belt along with the PLB. I also had a grab bag on hand with more emergency supplies and first aid kit and two spare life jackets. We then talked through the emergency process and practiced procedures.

While no one wants to go for a swim, we planned for it, and knowing that gave me both nerves and calm. Nerves knowing that it could happen, calm knowing that it’s survivable.

We could have taken extra precautions with wearing a survival suit. Speaking honestly, it was a matter of cost. Getting a suit in time would have been very costly. But if money wasn’t an issue, there is no reason to not. However we did research ocean temperatures and consulted with Search and Rescue on both sides of the ditch and calculated that if we went down the temps were survivable and max time at sea would be 3 days.

Ready to leave Bankstown

Heading out from Port Macquarie

Arriving at Lord Howe Island

After hours over water the spectacle of Lord Howe can’t be described. It bursts through the ocean, seemingly out of nothing. The aqua waters, rock towers and palm tree littered landscape the place is just begging for a Jurassic Park remix.

Landing was challenging with plenty of wind – 19kt headwind bouncing us around, exhacerbated by knowing that there was no plan B. Rupert ranking it in his top 10 of difficult landing. With a 12kt headwind most of the way we made the 320nm in just under 2 hours. We flew at 10,000 with IFR, which was handy for getting through the storm clouds on the coast.

Once disembarked and processed with customs, people were super chilled and helpful. One of the guys lent us a ute to run into town and grab breakfast, where we found ourselves at the Anchorage and ate the best ever bakery pizza I’ve ever eaten! Perfect way to refuel before the big leg!

Customs and paperwork is a whole other blog which I’ll share at the end once we’ve got full clarity by going through the process!

Approach into Lord Howe

The height of the peaks was unexpected

Departing with a view

Driving back from the airport

We made it!

Best bakery! The anchorage.

The big crossing

At a distance of 777nm the flight from LHI to Kerikeri is a long distance over water. With even more nerves than the previous we took off into the unknown. With a strange combination of nerves and boredom the time actually passed quickly, with the assistance of plenty of snacks and some pre-downloaded netflix for inflight entertainment.

Taking off with IFR we cruised at 10,000 with the aim of downgrading once we were heading out of radio contact. We had been advised in our research that you can only use a satellite phone if you receive special permission, but having gone through the process that’s not the case. If you have one, bring one. As we did not, we relied on relaying messages via commercials nearby, with two virgin flights receiving and relaying our “ops normal” and eta to weigh point every 30 min. This system worked well for us, and we enjoyed the cheeky banter from the boys way above.

The crossing ended up being blissfully uneventful, but I was surprised at how gleeful I was to see land!

Landing at Kerikeri was a welcome end to our journey. Exhausted, happy, and proud of ourselves for living a big life of big adventure.

Post-Script from the pilot – Technical info

Rupert will do a post without ‘all the fluff’ post trip for a purely technical download of the trip… stay tuned.

Land! Land sweet land!