Landing at an RAAF Base at the Worst Possible Time
Facing bad weather and a restricted military airport as we fly to RAAF Point Cook to watch my friend complete a historical aviation achievement. Nobody else was flying today, you'll see why when you watch this video. Follow the flight, hear ATC radio calls, watch us as we try and land at a restricted airport in bad weather, and see Michael Smith complete his circumnavigation of Australia 100 years after the first successful attempt in 1924.
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VERY IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video, like all videos on this channel, has been significantly edited from the original source footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only. Many radio calls and procedures have been omitted. If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please speak to a Certified Flying Instructor first.
Пікірлер: 215
There is mention of the Spitfire in this video which was recorded prior to the tragic event in the UK a few days ago that took the life of Squadron Leader Mark Long in a Spitfire that he was flying. As such, I'd like to pass on my sincere condolences to Mark's family and loved ones, a member of our aviation family gone too soon.
@danpaddy
Ай бұрын
Well said Stefan. Such a tragedy, of course for the loss of the pilot, but also for the loss of one of so few WWII planes still flying.
@tonymax6632
Ай бұрын
RIP S/Ldr Mark Long.
@novemberromeo2500
Ай бұрын
Sorry Stef, I've been following you for quite sometime. I heard you mention "Bucket List" and straight away got me thinking that you've got health news that we don't know about?
@G0RXA
29 күн бұрын
Well done Stefan and well said. A sad day indeed.
@Andreassyrimi-si2nt
26 күн бұрын
how are you allowed to land and film a RAAF base
"It's not going to be one of those nice landings" *butters it*
@Eschelonistic
25 күн бұрын
Subbed purely for that comment as he just landed like it was floating haha
Being born in the UK, I may be slightly biased, but the Spitfire is the superior looking, manoeuvring, and of course, sounding plane
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
+1 for the spitty, I agree!
Team Mustang 🐎 The Hawker Hurricane was the real hero in the Battle of Britain.
@stuw4055
Ай бұрын
Agree. Hawker Hurricane totally under appreciated.
@emlynjay8633
Ай бұрын
The Hurricane considered by many the finer Aircraft but the real 'Heroes' were the guys who flew them.
@thelowedown2571
24 күн бұрын
I came here for this comment.
@jonathanbair523
23 күн бұрын
I think the late war Mustang is the best... Once they replaced the engine she had the speed and the distance to fly to Berlin and hang out looking for target of opportunity and fly back.... Otherwise P-38 Lighting I think was the best 2 fighters.
Point Cook is sacred ground. The birth place of RAAF in 1921.The 2nd oldest airforce in the world. I'm exairforce 21 years
@PL4GU3d
18 күн бұрын
You’re forgetting the part where it was actually bought and built into its original airfield in 1912 encompassing the land from Point Cook to Laverton hence why both share the name RAAF Williams. It is the oldest continuously operational military airfield in the world and while yes there was a partial official break between the disband of the army aviation into the RAAF, the undoubted history is that the airfield is the birthplace of virtually all aviation in this country. Thank you for your service.
@Guvna947
18 күн бұрын
@@PL4GU3d raaf Williams was a later thing, I was posted at laverton 85 to 89. Williams was about 1988. 😊
@PL4GU3d
18 күн бұрын
@@Guvna947 fair I do remember learning that it was named after a legend in the earth RAAF history, but from everything I ever learned everytime I’ve been to Point Cook it was that originally all the land of that area was RAAF owned from 1912 and gradually they sold off parts of it as the city grew and the bases were made more dormant, as Laverton is now just a base with no runways rather depressingly with new housing estates built over the area it used to be. Much the same way Fisherman’s bend was slowly demolished and aircraft development moved to other areas.
@Guvna947
18 күн бұрын
@@PL4GU3d was sad to see.
My dad trained at Point Cook. He was a Lancaster bomber pilot in WW2 based at 186 squadron Stradishall, UK. He gave me my interest in flying from a young age. My first flight was on a DC6 Melb to Hobart in about 1960 when I was 4 - on my own!! Great to see Michael’s return - a real treat 😊.
I'm studying at aviation RMIT and am about to start my pilot training in july at Point Cook. Your videos were what made me realise I wanted to become a pilot, I'm super excited to start!
Hey Stefan, hope you are doing well! I just want to say thank you for all the work you've done to reignite that spark I have for aviation. Got my PPL during the Part 61 transition but a couple years back you gave me the kick in the ass to push for my CPL and MECIR, so thank you for that ❤
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Hey, that's good to hear, and congrats on your PPL. I wish you all the best with your CPL/Multi, thanks for leaving this comment.
F4U Corsair - Go Navy, Go Marines!
Wonderful to see PCK again after so long. I went through pilots course there in 81, and glad to see the wx hasn't change at all... All that's missing is the smell from the Werribee Sewage Farm.
Ran into Micheal while he was in Esperance and I feel so lucky meeting him and seeing his seabear. On him for getting home safe!
I was there! I saw EYZ taxi past and I was a very happy man haha. Thanks Stef!
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Hope you had a great day as well, thanks for commenting.
This is cool see Moorabbin is just a good airport I love the runway view from the road and the spitfire is number 1
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Yes, +1 for the Spitfire
I think the Mustang vs Spitfire debate needs to be settled on DCS World. Dog fight between you two!
Tragically ironic timing with your Spitfire comments. Not sure if the news reached you in Aus, but one of the Battle of Britain memorial flight spitfires crashed over the weekend. Sadly the RAF pilot was killed in the accident. Spitfires are definitely the superior plane, thought. They are truly stunning to watch fly.
@emlynjay8633
Ай бұрын
and the sound of their RR engines pluck the Heartstrings like no other.
You're an awesome mate Stephen - recovery is all about friends and friendships. Rock solid.
I have to go with the Spitfire as I have the remains of one buried on my farm in Kent where it crashed during the Battle of Britain, and regularly fly out of nearby WW2 Lashenden/Headcorn aerodrome where Spitfires and Hurricanes are also based.
For anyone wondering, Point Cook is probably the MOST important base in RAAF history. It was the first ever RAAF base and features both the RAAF Museum and 100 SQN (Historical Squadron) as seen in the video. It should be noted however that it rarely hosts actual serving RAAF aircraft outside of special events.
@TheHsan22
22 күн бұрын
Point Cook was the site for the Central Flying School and first base for the Australian Flying Corps, the predecessor of the RAAF. The RAAF Museum at Point Cook does not get the publicity that it deserves. It is a fantastic facility with many significant aircraft, and with the surrounding buildings, shows a lot of the history of the AFC and RAAF.
@deuce-_-
22 күн бұрын
@@TheHsan22 Definitely agree on the museum. Absolutely awesome collection and the guys that ran it even gave me and my mates a free pin!
Brings back memories of my first flight in a GA aircraft. A friend of mine was working on night flights in a Cessna, ended alternating doing several touch and goes with a C5 Galaxy at an ex air force base. But due to proximity of multiple other active US Air Force bases that do mostly training and being absurdly long/wide for such a small airport, still gets used by them in it's civilian life for training heavy aircraft, seems like most of the regions flight schools training jet qualifications uses them a lot too.
Got my PPL at Point Cook exactly 30 years ago. Great airfield and nice to see it again. Thanks for the vid
Well done chaps, heavy workload on such a short sector IFR. Good to see Moorabbin ATC applying common sense and giving your departure clearance in two separate transmissions - so much easier for the writing down and reading back! 👍
Hi Stef. Good to meet you and Steven at Point Cook. Enjoy your vids and go well with your recovery. 🙏🏻
Hi Stephan, I’m on team Mustang! (and I’m glad you didn’t post my landing). Another enjoyable video. Cheers
Michael Smith - what a great bloke ! Last Avalon Airshow he let me land at his farm & use his hangar as the Seabear was parked over at Avalon for the week. I think I may have scared a koala or two in the trees on take off !!
I choose Spitfire over Mustang. However my favorite warbirds are the F4U Corsair and the Mosquito.
Stef, ‘good to see you back in the air - keep up the great work 👍🛫
Did my CPL training at YMPC, Point Cook. This was in 2007. The museum had a mustang that would perform every Tuesday for the audience. In 2008, Sadly it had a landing gear malfunction and did a belly landing. Also there was a Ww2 bomb that was found near 35 threshold. Fun place!!
@operationscomputer1478
29 күн бұрын
that will teach anyone to not land short ;)
@johnmarley6695
26 күн бұрын
@@operationscomputer1478Well, it would have also helped if the RAAF Museum cowboys didn’t replenish hydraulic oil with engine oil. 😳
@geoffmatthews6283
25 күн бұрын
Neither of the Mustangs that had landing incidents in recent years was the one belonging to the RAAF (A68-170 wearing '750s paint scheme).
Always a real pleasure to watch your adventures. I hope the Spitfire is on your bucket list :-) A very sad event with the BBMF Spitfire and its pilot RIP..
Hey Stefan, it's great to see you in the air again. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thank you Peter, great to be up there again.
@peterjoyce7198
Ай бұрын
@@StefanDrury ps... the Spitfire wins hands down! 😉
Awesome Stefan, served at Point Cook mid to late 70's... had a great time as a young buck.
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Fantastic, it's a great resource, hopefully it can open up to the public a bit more as everyone who was there seemed to have a really great day.
that is a great idea of having open days at Point Cook on the weekend... I'd fly in for sure! :) 😀
Another amazing video. Keep up the good work!
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thanks fftx, I appreciate you watching.
Hi Stefan. I had the pleasure of flying the Grace Spitfire two years ago. It was beautiful and my favourite plane. I have to try the mustang at some point. Thanks for sharing. .
Interestingly one of my dad's friends own VH-BOB (the Ca-18 Mustang)!
Been following you for almost 4 years now. And love your videos.
Love this episode!
memories, I did some flight training out of Point Cook in early 70's.
I agree with Stefan. Point Cook is a fantastic aviation facility. There used to be a flying club there that unfortunately had to leave. It would be awesome if it were open to the GA community on the weekends.
Glad to see you back in the air...
Your thumbnail got me in seeing ex-36/37 Squadron C-130 A97-011. The first ever C-130 I worked and flew on. I hope they don't let it rot there like they did with the A model. P.S. Team Mustang!
It’s such a strange situation. So many countries around the world would do anything for such a well maintained and accessible airport, and point cook is hardly ever open.
Hey Stef. Hope you’re recovering well mate. Great vid as always bud
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Always happy when I'm up in the air, thanks for asking Adam.
Loved when the power came up on take-off, your face lit up... Point Cook is where I live and was disappointed, I didn't catch the event. It would be a great idea if Point Cook was a little more open than it is.
Really entertaining video! The two of you are a real double act!!
Amazing circumnavigation that Michael performed, and to land to the minute is pretty great. The whole notion of IFR in uncontrolled airspace definitely seems alien to me as a US pilot. I’d love to learn more about how that works. Great video as always.
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thanks Mike, yes when I was studying for the FAA Instrument Written I noted that most of the time it was assumed you fly IFR in controlled airspace, hence mentioning it on the taxi out. But it's really simple and very versatile in a low population density country like Australia. Thanks for watching.
The Hawker Hurricane was the main plane that saved Britain in the Battle of Britain, but it's not as Glam as the Spitfire so gets overlooked. I think there were twice as many Hurricanes operating than Spitfires IIRC.
Great video. Gotta love Melbourne weather, unpredictable one day, yup, still unpredictable the next. Apologies for this but…. If it don’t fall……..
The Spitfire was superior for air defense and dogfighting at low to medium altitudes, while the P-51 had the advantage in long-range escort duties and high-altitude combat. Both aircraft have their place in aviation history, and their performance, design, and impact on World War II make them legendary
Great video cheers mate
I’m glad for your new video and your work ….
For extra context, SAMIG the waypoint they were cleared to is basically point cook. Also a lot of RNAV/RNP charts here will name IAF after the direction you are coming to S for south, N for north etc then other letters. Usually fairly consistent.
Landing at a RAF base, Air Museum, classic aircraft taking off, regardless of weather that’s a win 👍 We are all saddened by the loss of one of our Battle of Britain memorial flight pilots over here, but your defending the Spitfire and I think that would appreciated by the pilot lost who would most certainly agree it’s the best fighter of its era.
PS really enjoyed this one👍
I agree 100%, always rate a landing😌 It actually tells about the current state of the pilot. For my last flight, my landing was okay but not as good as usual, because I am a little tired.
Agree 200% the Spitfire is *the* aeroplane of 1940. Never has so much been owed to so few. Don't forget the Hurricane though. More than half the luftewaffe planes shot down in the battle of Britain were as a result of the Hawker Hurricane. Both were important, but I think we all have a soft spot for the spit. The Mustang didn't go into production until 1941, and the Alison engine lacked a supercharger so it was only good for low altitude operations at that time. There were WWI pilots who did operations at higher altitudes than that, but that's another story...
I was at Werribee zoo when I saw Michael fly over
fun video and thank you
Awesome video Stefan. I got to do the Certificate of Airworthiness and 100hrly inspection on the Seabear with Michael and then got to fly the Seabear in Russia with the designer (In better world times) before Michael flew it back to England then Australia. Michael certainly has an incredible vibe and knows how to just make things happen and get things done. Also, the CAC Mustang and P51 do rule as warbirds- sorry.
not only is the Mustang at least equal it was the Hurricane that saved the Battle of Britain as much as the Spitifire did. Sad to hear the news of the death of the RAF pilot -may he RIP.
Good video mate keep it up
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.
Point Cook is an aware base meaning it is barely an air base and only a p-51 mustang is kept there by the 100th squadron [and 4 AAFC planes] :)
Regularly get two seat Spitfires flying over during the Summer. People book a flight in them but they are very expensive.
so surreal seeing you at point cook, given that's where we flight train out of!
@ericpi194
29 күн бұрын
also as much as I'd love to catch you here someday, we already fight enough for airspace on weekends between us (rmit), cadets, and the RAAF museum flights, I don't know we'd be able to handle other visitors without a tower haha
Great video m8 and Iam with you a cafe would be brilliant , I used to work on the grounds at Pt cook also Maintained the airfield . Took me a whole week to mow the airfield . Was also a member of a flying club there ( not sure if it still exists tho)
Smooth landing …
In the age old argument about P-51 or Spitfire I vote P-38.
Definitely the spitfire for the win But the cac boomerang has a soft spot as well
Flew a DA Diamond from Point Cook to Avalon as part of AAFC. Pretty fun landing and taking off at Avalon because Point Cook has no Jet-A fuel.
Nice to see a Zero Halliburton case! And Spitfire for the win.
Oh wow cool 😊
Thanks Guys
I saw Chuck Yeager speak in Sydney many years ago (Thanks Dick Smith for organising) and he said that the spitfire was a great aeroplane. Then he said, the Mustang was as good, but could do it for 7 hours. He flew all over europe shooting up trains after escorting the bombers.the Spitfires had to go home.
Yeah trust you two to be the only 2 guys crazy enough to be out in that bad weather . I was thinking that day who would be mad enough to be flying in this weather now i see who..lol
Definitely deserves a sack tap,come on mate yes vampire jets are wooden. Very much enjoyed the vid keep it up, cheers mate
5-6 minutes flight time! I had no idea it was that quick! Granted I’m not in the flying community, nor am I normally interested, but that would be a way better commute for me given I work in Altona. LOL. Hoping your doing well, last video of yours that I saw you mentioned you’ve got a battle on your hands. Best of luck with it. Enjoy the bucket list adventures.
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thanks Dale, definitely a good way to avoid the traffic on the Westgate Bridge!
I say the Mustang over the Spitfire (especially once the Rolls-Royce guys looked at it and said "lets put the Merlin engine in this thing")
So pleased to see Echo-KZread-Zulu on the move. I did spy this flight on flight radar. :) What great mates you have too. Love it when Steven sticks a buttery landing and it grinds your gears!! :) FYI the Mosquito was a far superior plane to the Mustang and the Spitfire :D
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Ooh ok, we have a new contender for the title. Adding Mosquito to the argument/discussion list. Thanks Ivan, and yes always annoying when he nails the landing like that.
@stephenfraser2521
Ай бұрын
@@StefanDruryMosquito was like two spitfires glued together 👍😁
Oh wow I am supposed to fly to Point Cook later this month from Moorabin Also if you see KKE that's my plane!
Oh what - I didn’t know you were there as well! I was with CFA in one of the trucks 😮
@StefanDrury
29 күн бұрын
Thanks for all your work with the CFA. Hope you had a fun day there as well, nice water cannon salute.
Hast to be the Mustang! I built and RC version years ago.
HI stefan, can I know what application you are using making Notes while listening ATIS at 1min and 4seconds of the video. Please tell me if you can
I’m gonna try my luck 7:33 and say that the mustang is better :)
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thanks for being a part of this channel Tree_132, it's been nice having you here... 😂
@Tree_132
Ай бұрын
@@StefanDrury ah well, it was fun while it lasted
I'll pull the scorecard out for when you guys land at Avalon next year and park with us 😂 Both score the landing and following Marshaller instructions 😂
Wow posted less than 3 minutes ago. I’m supposed to be studying for my CPL meteorology test tomorrow😂😂😂
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
WATCH THIS VIDEO TOMORROW! KZread can wait, go smash CPL MET and come back and watch it later!
I saw the CA-18 VH-BOB face to face.
The Spitfire is not just a better fighter and all round aircraft in its time it was streets ahead of anything else and the mustang never became anything till it got the Spitfire engine fitted to it.
That's a nice looking Auster, although I may be a bit biased considering its ours 😂
As someone from melton I forgive you! lol, have to someday though I’ll even buy the coffee lol
ah your beautiful choice of music
Follow the Mazda ute killed me
The Spitfire is awesome, all marks, but, because the Mustang was designed later it incorporated a lot of lessons learned so, on some respects, is better than the Spit. I am currently a wheelchair user, and I'm planning on walking to EBC once I'm fixed.
@StefanDrury
29 күн бұрын
Hey Simon, yes good point that the Mustang benefitted from the Spitfire in many ways and subsequently could be the better plane in terms of performance. Note I said 'could be' though, because it isn't 😂 I wish you all the very best with your journey to EBC. I can only imagine what it would be like to see the Khumbu Glacier and that magnificent mountain with your own eyes.
Well on the WW2 fight front Mosquito brilliant and my choice, Spitfire great, Mustang good but I will throw the Hurrican in to the ring as it basically won the Battle Of Britain with top cover from Spits. It is a shame we have lost a Spitfied and pilot just this weekend. The Mustang came a lot later than the Spitfire and for a very different role of escort fighter.
Am no pilot, but dam great landing.
Nice to see you out and about! ...sorry though - as a Commonwealth Brother, I do love the Spit, but the Mustang, is superior in service ceiling, speed, load up, weaponry and by far range....now, if you start talking about twin engine fighter/bomber aircraft, there's only one...deHavilland Mosquito a true wooden wonder. I see they've got one flying in New Zealand....
As a proud ex-pat, I agree with Stef, the Spitfire is a far superior aircraft. :D Mustangs all look the same lol.
Hey stefan, great video hope you’re on the mend..between 2:25 and 2:30 on take off I noticed a lot of shake in the front gear is the normal?
@StefanDrury
Ай бұрын
Thanks Kyle, every day I feel stronger, thanks for asking. And yes the SR22 has a castering nosewheel so it can shimmy a little on takeoff/touchdown. As with all tricycle gear aircraft we try and keep the load off the weaker nosewheel as much as possible. Hope that answers your query.
2:40 😮 You can see the aircraft I’m training in
Hawker Hurricane was the stalwart of the Battle of Britain ....
Spitfire #1!!! If not, why did the Mustang have to use the Spit's engine to even compete? LOL!!
If it helps, i cant turn up tomorrow and go flying either 😊