Oh the life of a lowly turboprop pilot

[Ericg]

So there I was doing the walkaround on my Dash 8 -200 and was admiring the Airbus pushing back. Certainly suits the new livery very well. It got me thinking though, and reminded me of why I love my job. Whilst this guy might be on a lot more money, I got to model most of the day (quite a bit of it spent admiring the new Red Baron P-51 )before signing on late in the afternoon. I then got to Takeoff after sunset, do a black hole approach into Biloela (a very small town in QLD) via a non runway aligned Approach without visual approach slope guidance, sorting out our own traffic into the CTAF as we went. A pleasant flight back to Brisbane over dinner and we nailed the ILS with a hat tip from a pax for a great landing after we shut down. After recording 2.3 night flight hours in my diary, it was off home to say goodnight to the young fella before he went to sleep and then watched a bit of telly. The Airbus was probably still airborne over the vast emptyness of Middle Australia, the magenta line ever so long.

Oh the life of a turbo prop driver!

[Nillus]

Great shot Eric.
Good story too.

The line is green.

Shirt box Boeing's line is magenta.

[Capt NG]

Yeah.. I've done the turboprop thing.. For many many years..done more black hole approaches, circling approaches, NDB approaches etc etc than I probably care to remember.... I enjoy following the magenta line though now..sitting at FL410 ain't bad Eric... You should try it one day.

[Adam the Akrodude]

I salute you Capt Eric! Great story and pic. Glad you like the RB - knew you would of course!

Adam

Once the "Illegal Air Pirate!"

[Knotty]

Good on ya Eric , that's what it's all about .......enjoying life !! And time for that magnificent Red Baron Mustang kit too sounds like a pretty good day

[tor lives]

Good stuff and great photo Capt Eric,
It's great when the 1:1s in your life compliment the 1:32s.
As Knotty said....that's what it is all about.
Ray
PS: Time that TQX got the new-style roo I think

[Ericg]

Capt NG,

Would love to try it one day mate but what options are there in Australia? I am 10 years older than I should be in the position I am now, and aviation in Australia is now pretty well in a spiral dive to the bottom terms and conditions wise. This gig gives me a reasonable income, great flying but most importantly plenty of time to put models (and trophies) in the display case and time to explore my creative side. Shiny jet syndrome is very quickly losing its sheen in my opinion mate!

Eric

[tor lives]

Besides.....technically speaking Dash 8s, ATRs, SAAB 340s etc are jets aren't they
Ray

[Capt NG]

I would hate to be trying to get into it now, the boom time has probably gone for some time.. I have friends in the ME that are busting to get out and come home to Aus to take FO slots.. And these guys are all heavy jet captains.

We average 12 days off per month.. I assume you guys 8?... Perhaps if the circumstances were different you wouldn't look at it like just another shiny jet syndrome..that's good your happy with your lot.. I enjoyed my turboprop years and look back on them fondly. The airline I flew for was a big family airline and Ansetts main regional... Don was a great man and Australian aviation pioneer..we weren't just a number in his airline, we were part of the family.

I love models.. Always have, they are a great source of relaxation for me.. But they don't pay the bills or provide me with the professional development that I require..

Are they Ray?... Try flying a jet inside 20 miles with a screaming tailwind on base and a slippery wing that won't allow you to slow down... Then fly a turboprop in same said conditions..

[tor lives]

IAre they Ray?... Try flying a jet inside 20 miles with a screaming tailwind on base and a slippery wing that won't allow you to slow down... Then fly a turboprop in same said conditions..

You think that's tough.....you try securing a galley and prepping the cabin for landing in the same conditions
Ray