Maybe.... soon.... perhaps....

Pilatus recently announced their new design - a twin jet SVJ (Super Versatile Jet). Within an hour of the announcement, I had drawn this image and distributed it to the CEO and a few other friends.... Took them by surprise somewhat.

Anyway, the rumour is that we're being courted by Pilatus to purchase one or two of these beauties.... they won't be available until 2017, but don't let that disappoint. If they (Pilatus) can deliver the performance they promise - I don't see why they won't -  this will be a spectacular performer.....

Can't wait!

Between storms

After a recent flight to Coober Pedy to rescue a crew with a broken aeroplane, I was refuelling when it struck me that the lighting was changing very quickly, but was pretty spectacular.... Sadly, I didn't have my Nikon with me, so the phone had to suffice. Nevertheless, you get the idea I'm sure. It was a pretty special time.

Mt Ive Clinic

Another clinic, this one at Mt Ive in the Gawler Ranges to the west of Port Augusta. This is a working sheep station that has a healthy tourist programme as well, so we often drop in the find there are a bunch of interested people hanging over the fence and keen to talk. Of course, as the pilot, I'm therefore the tour guide while the doctor and nurse are busy seeing the customers.. er.. patients.

Recently I was there again, and spoke with a photographer who happened to be there writing an article about Mt Ive. He agreed to send me some copies of his photos, and I offered to give him an inspection" pass on departure to get a good view of the aircraft.....

Clinic at Cadney Park

This is my first update for quite a while, so a great deal has happened and I have a few photos to add. Here's a shot of us leaving from a clinic we conducted at Cadney Park in central South Australia. We go there probably less than once a month as we only normally see the people working at the roadhouse. On this occasion, I noticed a couple of people hanging around, one of whom had a brace of Nikons hanging from his neck, so I went over to chat with them while the doctor and nurse were seeing to the patients.

As it happened, the chap was a QANTAS A380 captain, at the time on leave as the fleet was currently grounded. We chatted about the PC12 for a while, and I showed him over the old girl. Sadly, I didn't have an NG that day or I could have shown him all the LCD screens we have in the latest version. Nevertheless, he seemed to be suitably impressed.

He mentioned that he would hang around for our departure and get a few photos, so I offered to give him a photo pass on departure if he promised to send me some photos. He readily agreed, so that's how I got these shots. He did a great job to get the detail. Check out the gravel being kicked up by the wheels.