This trip came about when Regional Express announced they will restart this route after Sharp Airlines ceased flying it on May 31 2017.
https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php ... r-services

Photo of last Sharp Airlines flight from Port Augusta arriving into Adelaide on May 31 2017.
SharpMetro23-VH-SWK by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Photos from my last flight to Port Augusta in 2010 can be found here.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/ryanhothersall/9565u6

Monday 11 September 2017
Adelaide (ADL) Port Augusta (PUG)
ZL4412
SAAB 340B VH-ZLC
10A

History of VH-ZLC
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-sf3-373.htm

Checked in inline 48 hours before, so I could get a good window seat towards the back. The best window seats on a SAAB 340 are rows 8-11. View is not blocked by the wing.

Since I had checked in online, it was straight to gate 10.
Security was no problem, but busy on a Monday morning.

AdelaideADLTerminal by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLR by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZXF by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Scored a REX hat since I'm on the inaugural Port Augusta flight.
Although boarding was through gate 10, we were put on a bus and taken to bay 50 where the aircraft was, the opposite end of the terminal, Qantaslink, Alliance usually operate from here.

AdelaideADLTerminal-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLTerminal-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-KDQ by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

AdelaideADLOverview-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

The aircraft to Port Augusta.

AdelaideADLOverview-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Load is about 60%

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Some aircraft seen while taxiing to runway 05.

AllianceFokker50-VH-FKW by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUR by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-VUR-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Quite a bumpy take off in runway 05. Climb was rough too.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-12 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-13 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-14 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-15 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-16 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-17 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-18 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-19 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-20 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-21 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-22 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-23 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-24 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-25 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-26 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Usual tea, coffee and water followed by sweet or savoury snacks were offered.
Cruising altitude was 16000 feet. Cruise quite smooth. Cloudy view.
First officer announced it was the first flight into Port Augusta.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-27 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-28 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-29 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-30 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-31 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Good legroom.
REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-32 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-33 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-34 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-35 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-36 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Descent and approach was bumpy. Landing was very rough, enough for me to mutter a muffled grunt.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-37 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-38 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-39 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-40 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-41 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-42 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-43 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-44 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-45 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-46 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-47 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-48 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-49 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-50 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-51 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-52 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-53 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-54 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-55 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-56 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-57 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-58 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-59 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Aero Commander 500S VH-YJS.
Rockwell500S-VH-YJS by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-60 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-61 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-62 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-63 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

To be continued.

On the ground in Port Augusta.

There was a TV crew from Southern Cross News covering the arrival of the flight. Yes I did make it onto the news story (for the right reasons).
https://www.facebook.com/SCNewsSA/videos/1362367973861830/

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-64 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-65 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-66 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-67 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-68 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Approx 30 minutes later, the passengers continuing on to Coober Pedy reboared the aircraft. Regional Express have been operating Adelaide Coober Pedy for many years.
From today the Coober Pedy flights will make a stop at Port Augusta.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-69 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-70 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-71 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-72 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-73 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-74 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-75 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-76 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-77 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-78 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-79 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-80 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-81 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-82 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-83 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-84 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Photos of Port Augusta terminal. The terminal was renovated in 2014. Quite a bit different to when I saw it in 2010.

PortAugustaPUGTerminal by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGOverview by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-6 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGOverview-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGOverview-3 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGOverview-4 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-7 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGOverview-5 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-8 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-9 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

To be Continued.

Monday 11 September 2017
Port Augusta (PUG) Adelaide (ADL)
ZL4413
SAAB 340B VH-ZLC
10A

The aircraft arrived back at Port Augusta about 1:20 PM.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-85 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-86 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-87 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-88 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-89 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-10 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaPUGTerminal-11 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-90 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Boarding commenced about 10 mins later. About 8 passengers boarded in Port Augusta. In total 18 passengers onboard.

Same seat as the flight this morning.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-91 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-92 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Still here.
Rockwell500S-VH-YJS-2 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-93 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-94 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-95 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Had to wait for a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane to land.

RFDSPC12-VH-FGS by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Still quite windy, but takeoff wasn't as rough as I expected. Same for the climb.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-96 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-97 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

PortAugustaRFDSHangar by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-98 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-99 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-100 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-101 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-102 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-103 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-104 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-105 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-106 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-107 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-108 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-109 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-110 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-111 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-112 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-113 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-114 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-115 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-116 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-117 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Same as before.
REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-118 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-119 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-120 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Same drinks and snacks as the way up.

A little choppy in places. Cruising altitude 15000 feet. Flying time is about 40 minutes.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-121 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-122 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-123 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-124 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-125 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-126 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-127 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Approach to runway 05 was not as bumpy as expected, but the landing was a bouncer, left undercarriage, bounced, then crew firmly planted it onto the runway.

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-128 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-129 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-130 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-131 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-132 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-133 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-134 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-135 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-136 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-137 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-138 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-139 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-140 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-141 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-142 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-143 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-144 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-145 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-146 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-147 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-148 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-149 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-150 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-151 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-151 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-153 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Some aircraft seen while taxiing in.

JetstarA320-232-VH-VFJ by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Qantas737-838-VH-VZF by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-154 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-YIA by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Virginaustralia737-8FE-VH-YFK by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-155 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-156 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-157 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-158 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-159 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-160 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-161 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

REXSAAB340B-VH-ZLC-162 by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

TigerairA320-232-VH-VNO by Ryan Hothersall, on Flickr

Bus took us to the arrivals building, which is in part of the old international terminal. I have explained the reasons for this set up in my previous Regional Express trip reports.

A good day out and no issues with flying with Regional Express. Good to be on an inaugural flight. My attempts to get on these sort of flights, usually don't work out, but this one did.

Thanks for a great report!

I like that they are maintaining some kind of snack and beverage service and the water cups with REX branding are nice.

I love reading about these regional flights in Australia. I had some fond memory flying REX. It is always great seeing their Saab340s in Sydney airport.

Thanks for sharing!
Carfield

Thanks for the report, I hadn't realized that Sharp Airlines had stopped flying.

Maybe one suggestion, a few too many photos, I should write a few trip reports, although I do know that they are hard to write and I used to use photobucket but they have now gone and increased their chargers.

I really enjoyed this trip report. Thanks also for the video link! I don't think there are too many photos, but definitely enough. What type of camera do you use? The photography is outstanding.

Don't really have any reason to fly REX now but I too have fond memories of when I did. However, really want to do King Island so that is when I will likely do a flight with REX again. Any plans to upgrade their fleet?

Sharp Airlines I thought flew to DPO could have sworn I've seen them there.. they fly to King Island but I'd have be desperate to fly in the pax cabin of a Metroliner.

Look forward to your next trip report!

Cheers. =

VapourTrails wrote:

I really enjoyed this trip report. Thanks also for the video link! I don't think there are too many photos, but definitely enough. What type of camera do you use? The photography is outstanding.

Don't really have any reason to fly REX now but I too have fond memories of when I did. However, really want to do King Island so that is when I will likely do a flight with REX again. Any plans to upgrade their fleet?

Sharp Airlines I thought flew to DPO could have sworn I've seen them there.. they fly to King Island but I'd have be desperate to fly in the pax cabin of a Metroliner.

Look forward to your next trip report!

Cheers. =

I use a Canon 6D with a 24-105 mm lens.

Sharp Airlines are still flying airline routes interstate, but stopped the Port Augusta route to concentrate on charter flying in SA.

Lovely report - seems like you had a fun time for sure!

Thanks for sharing this one