The idea for this trip came about when Qantaslink started operating the 300 series Dash8 out of Adelaide, downgrading from the larger Dash8-400 and the start of a new route to Whyalla back in April 2015.

The Dash8-200 and-300 are still missing from my list of aircraft types flown on.

It was only when Qantaslink had a sale, I decided it was time to get off my backside and book a flight on the dash8-300.

Fares are usually around the AU$130 mark, but the sale fares were AU$85.

Date: Tuesday December 6 2016
Route: Adelaide-Whyalla
Flight No: QF2069
Aircraft: Dash8-315 VH-SBB
Seat: 12D

Got dad to drop me off early as there was a Bombardier Global Express I wanted to get a photo of.
Once that was done, headed over to the terminal.

GlobalExpressN801KF by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Adelaide Airport used to be a very easy airport to get around as passengers used to be dropped off out the front of the terminal, also great for passengers with mobility issues, as they did not have to walk far, but with all the bullshit surrounding security etc that has now been moved away from the terminal.

Yhe bit that irks me is why couldn't the bridge that now connects the carpark/drop off area with the terminal be straight and the underneath of the bridge have a travelator for those who may find the extra walking difficult?.

AdelaideADLTerminal by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Security was no issue, didn't set anything off.

Made my way to gate 50 where regional airlines like Alliance, Qantaslink and Sharp operate from.

Parked on the tarmac were two Dash8-300s operated by Qantaslink and a Fokker 50 operated by Alliance.

AdelaideADLTerminal-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SCE by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SCE by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AllianceFokker50-VH-FKW by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Boarding was called about 4 PM and gate 50 is a gate where you have to walk on the tarmac.
Since I had checked in online the day before, I used the Qantas app on the phone, where the boarding pass is displayed on the screen and that is scanned at the gate and a docket is printed out to show the crew once on board.

AdelaideADLTerminal-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

The jail like tunnel.
AdelaideADLTerminal-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

No one said anything about a few quick photos while boarding the aircraft.

No not that one. Keep walking.
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SCE-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Must be this one.
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Boarding.
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Load is about 20 people, while boarding was quickly done, but there was a delay due to paperwork. That was about 10 mins. Since I've been on other regional flights that have broken down or been cancelled or delayed, I was starting to think I had jinxed it.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Good legroom.
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Plenty of room back here today.
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

But we soon got going.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Due to the light load, take off was quite short and we did not start right at the end of Runway 23 either.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-12 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-13 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-14 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-15 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-16 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-17 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-18 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-19 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Had the two last rows to myself and the leg room was good. Flight time to Whyalla was 35 minutes.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-20 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-21 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-22 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-23 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Light snacks, water and alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks were offered.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-24 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-25 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-26 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-27 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-28 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-29 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-30 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

A couple of ships.
Ship by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Ship-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Our shadow on the water.
PlaneShadow by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-31 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

While flying over land it was smooth, but surprisingly over water it started to get a bit bumpy.

Approach into Whyalla was a bit rough and I was bracing myself for a firm landing, but wasn't as hard as I was expecting.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-32 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-33 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-34 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-35 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-36 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-37 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-38 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-39 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-40 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-41 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-42 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-43 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-44 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-45 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-46 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-47 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-48 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-49 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-50 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-51 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-52 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-53 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Tarmac by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-54 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-55 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-56 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-57 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Cessna510-VH-PWX by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Since the load was light, everyone was off quite quickly.

I was expecting the terminal to be quite old but it has been renovate in the last few years and is quite modern.

WhyallaWHA-Terminal by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Rockwell500S-VH-UJL by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-58 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

WhyallaWHA-Terminal-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

To Be Continued.

I was surprised the waiting area for the return flight to be quite full, meaning the flight will be just about full.

Date: Tuesday December 6 2016
Route: Whyalla-Adelaide
Flight No: QF2070
Aircraft: Dash8-315 VH-SBB
Seat: 8A

Due to the delay leaving Adelaide, we were late leaving Whyalla.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-59 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-60 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-61 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Boarding was called and another quick walk across the tarmac and load this time was about 45 people, as I could only see a couple of spare seats.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-62 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Sat in row 8 meant my view straight out of the window was blocked by the engine, but downward view was good.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-63 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-64 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-65 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Take off was longer with a full load. and there was a bit more turbulence on the return flight.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-66 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-67 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-68 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-69 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-70 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-71 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-72 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-73 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-74 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-75 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Same snacks and drinks as on the flight over and flying time on the return flight was 30 minutes.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-76 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-77 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-78 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-79 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-80 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-81 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-82 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-83 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-84 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-85 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-86 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

A smooth landing back on Runway 23 in Adelaide.

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-87 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-88 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-89 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-90 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-91 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-92 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-93 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-94 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-95 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-96 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-97 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-98 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-99 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-100 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-101 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-102 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Once at our parking position, the crew asked everyone to stay seated while six passengers with tight connecting flights got off first, but many seemed to ignore that and got up and did the usual I want to be the first off stunt.

Sat back and let the impatient crowd go and had a quick look at the flight deck and chat to the crew.

You know when you are back in the big smoke...
QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-103 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-104 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-105 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

QantaslinkDash8-315-VH-SBB-106 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Then it was time to face the tunnel that leads regional passengers out to the front of the terminal. A often complained about thing at Adelaide airport.
Walking through it wasn't too bad today, but would be downright unpleasant on a stinking hot day or the middle of winter.

AdelaideADLTerminal-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Good service from Qantaslink and a good flight on the Dash8-300.

Hi Ryan,

I do enjoy reading your reports on regional flights in Australia. As always, plenty of detail and some good shots. Having different seats for the outbound and inbound legs offered a good contrast and I do like the photos where you managed to capture the plane's shadow on departure from Whyalla.

Ryan h wrote:

why couldn't the bridge that now connects the carpark/drop off area with the terminal be straight and the underneath of the bridge have a travelator for those who may find the extra walking difficult?

Accessibility wasn't in the design brief? The emphasis was on aesthetics: a curve offers more "wow" than a boring straight line. Lol. But it is good to see that for anybody who does have difficulties or is wheelchair-bound, in Whyalla a ramp was used rather than using the aircraft steps.

Ryan h wrote:

Sat back and let the impatient crowd go and had a quick look at the flight deck and chat to the crew.

Always a good idea.