I was desperate for a trip and with options being limited to domestic we settled on a trip up to Karijini National Park which is in Australia’s north -west interior. I had been very briefly before but wanted to go back. Driving would have been a 2 day trip from Perth (1,400kms) and really need a 4WD anyway so id father fly and hire a car. Normally flights up to the Pilbara are very expensive but Qantas had a sale on so wasn’t too bad, around $450 return. Paraburdoo is the nearest airport to the national park, and is privately owned by Rio Tinto for their nearby mining operations. Unlike the vast majority of privately owned mining airstrips PBO is actually bookable with RPT flights with Qantas (Network Aviation) operating 4 X daily from Perth with Fokker 100s. Virgin Australia used to fly this route but pulled out and now only operate occasional FIFO charters.
Western Australia is now the home of Fokker 100s with more based in Perth than anywhere else in the world. They are particularly suited to mining operations with low utilization and having good performance out of the rugged Hot and High airports (By Australian standards) of the Pilbara.
Friday 7 May 2021
QF`1620 VH-NHQ (27 Years old, Ex AA and Avianca)
Perth - Paraburdoo
Scheduled 13:30 – 15:15 (Actual: 13:45 – 15:13)
We ubered to the airport arriving at Perth’s terminal 4 around an hour before departure. Check in and security was quick and easy as usual, dropping our tent at the outsize baggage drop. We made our way to the Qantas Business lounge as I have FF status and had a coffee and a quick bite before the flight. Sadly the offerings are still not back to pre covid standards and the lounge is nothing to get too excited about.
IMG_0496 by Jono, on FlickrQuick Bite in the Business Lounge.
IMG_0445 by Jono, on FlickrA QantasLink A320, also heading out to the Pilbara
Boarding was called 20minutes before departure and we made our way to Gate 18 located next door in Terminal 3 (although its basically the same one big terminal). Qantas operations in the west are very different to what is seen on the east coast with Fokker 100s, Airbus A320s and A330s ruling the roost. The F100s and A320s are operated by Network Aviation, a subsidiary of Qantas.
IMG_0446 by Jono, on FlickrDown the jetbridge
IMG_0447 by Jono, on FlickrView of the F100 from the jetbridge.
We boarded and took our seats in row 10 on the right hand side, just forward of the wing. This Friday afternoon flight was unsurprisingly fairly lightly loaded for the flight up, probably only around 40% full.
IMG_0448 by Jono, on FlickrView from 10F with a 738 next door.
IMG_0450 by Jono, on FlickrLeather seats and old school PSUs. Can just see into the cockpit.
IMG_0453 by Jono, on FlickrThe legroom is a fantastic with 34” pitch on the F100s – the best of any Qantas economy – in order to not exceed 100 seats.
IMG_0454 by Jono, on FlickrArty view of an A320 out the left side.
IMG_0455 by Jono, on FlickrThe fokker wing view and an A330-300 taxiing for departure to either Sydney or Melbourne.
The door was closed on time and we pushed back and taxied for departure. Runway 24 was in use which is the shorter crosswind runway and makes for great view after departure.
IMG_0456 by Jono, on FlickrAir New Zealand 787-9 just landed from Auckland.
IMG_0457 by Jono, on FlickrFokker farm.
IMG_0458 by Jono, on FlickrAn Alliance F100 and Qantas A320 waiting for departure.
Our turn for departure soon came and we made a sprightly take off, those RR Tay 650s still pack a punch. We make our way over the city and the Swan River before turning north after crossing the coast.
IMG_0498 by Jono, on FlickrView of the Qantas domestic terminal.
IMG_0499 by Jono, on FlickrSwan River
IMG_0502 by Jono, on FlickrThe Perth Stadium and new footbridge (which you can climb – would recommend)
IMG_0503 by Jono, on FlickrFlying past the CBD with the WACA in the foreground and with an event on in Langley Park – which used to be a small airstrip.
IMG_0504 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0505 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0506 by Jono, on FlickrThe dark patch is Kings Park.
IMG_0507 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0511 by Jono, on FlickrBasic service of juice, water and cheese and crackers.
IMG_0513 by Jono, on FlickrThe flight time was around 1.30 minutes and there is no IFE or streaming on these old birds, with the landscape providing the entertainment. The interior of WA is very arid and sparsely populated. The service was fairly basic for the lunch time service with cold drinks and cheese and crackers. The flight was fairly smooth with some minor niggles around half way but fantastic flying weather.
IMG_0516 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0517 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0519 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0521 by Jono, on FlickrSoon enough we commenced our decent and the views of the Hammersley ranges was great with views of the mines sites as we got lower.
IMG_0525 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0526 by Jono, on FlickrTurning onto final approach, with the runway visible in the top left of the photo and the town of Paraburdoo just below that.
IMG_0527 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0528 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0531 by Jono, on FlickrIMG_0531 by Jono, on FlickrAfter coming to a standstill at the “Terminal” stairs were pulled up and we made our way off. The terminal is essentially a collection of demountable cabins (with plenty of asbestos) and has to be one of the most basic set ups in the country. We de-planned into the pleasant 28 degrees and waited for the bags to be pulled off. There is no arrivals belt but the carts are simply pulled over to collect your bags off. The vast majority of passengers were mine workers and pilled onto buses. There were a few locals / tourists.
IMG_0534 by Jono, on FlickrThe Paraburdoo “Terminal”.
IMG_0535 by Jono, on FlickrWhile waiting for the bags.
IMG_0536 by Jono, on FlickrOne of the more unique baggage belts.
IMG_1199 by Jono, on FlickrCheck in area.
IMG_1201 by Jono, on FlickrOutdoor waiting area with small kiosk.
We had a fantastic few days around the national parks, hiking, swimming, jumping in swimming holes. Im probably biased but this is one of my favorite NPs in the country and is “real country” I would certainly recommend.
Tuesday 11 May 2021
QF1623 VH-HNZ (27 Years old, EX AA and Austrian Airlines)
Paraburdoo - Perth
Scheduled 17:00 – 18:45 (Actual17:05- 18:35)
We arrived for the return flight around 45 mins before departure – there is certainly no point in arriving early here. All check in here is manual with two desks in use for the service. Took around 5 - 10 minutes to get to the front but the guy was very friendly asking us about our trip.
IMG_1204 by Jono, on FlickrThe very basic and small check in area.
IMG_1205 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1207 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1208 by Jono, on FlickrBoarding the F100 with sun sinking lower
IMG_1210 by Jono, on FlickrThere is something so graceful about T-Tails
IMG_1211 by Jono, on FlickrThis aircraft was slightly newer than the outbound and had previously served with Austrian where I think they had upgraded the interior.
IMG_1211 by Jono, on FlickrThe old Austrian Seats.
For the return we were sat on the left just after the wing in row 16. This aircraft had a nicer interior and was more modern with newer PSUs.
IMG_1214 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1215 by Jono, on FlickrThis version is known internally as a F100 T
IMG_1217 by Jono, on FlickrNewer interior with LED sidewall lights, newer PSU and baggage lockers.
This Tuesday evening flight was nearly full with a load of 95%.
IMG_1218 by Jono, on FlickrFlaps set for take off
IMG_1219 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1220 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1221 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1222 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1223 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1224 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1225 by Jono, on FlickrThe service on the return was fantastic for such a short flight, with a small hot pie (seconds were offered). Free alcohol was also served with plenty of refills offered. The beer ran out very quickly however and only wine was left. On this short flight we ended up having 1 beer and 2 wines each.
The sunset views were fantastic as we headed south on this old bird.
IMG_1227 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1230 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1233 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1237 by Jono, on FlickrAfter a pleasant flight the lights of Perth came into view and we arrived into Perth just ahead of schedule.
IMG_1242 by Jono, on FlickrFlaps 42 for landing.
IMG_1243 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1245 by Jono, on FlickrLanding lights on the wing.
IMG_1248 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1251 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1253 by Jono, on FlickrIn conclusion, the flights were pretty good with F100s much more interesting than A320s or 737s. Im sure they will by plying the skies around Western Australia for many years to come.
Some photos of the trip if interested:
DMFG2586 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_1070 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_2111 by Jono, on Flickr
IMG_0959 by Jono, on Flickr
