31 July 2015

Fly Pelican enters Canberra aviation market

| Masquara
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After so many airlines flying Canberra as part of a regional network have gone under (Rex, Brindabella), I was surprised to discover that there’s a brand new player doing the Canberra-Newcastle corridor.

Fly Pelican flies small 19-seater planes with propellers (to my airline-phobic concern) but while I would normally drive the six hours rather than fly, I had to get to north of Newcastle urgently at short notice.

Anyway, a great experience and a little airline that could do with Canberrans’ support. It has been running out of Canberra for only six weeks. Highlights of the flight (besides destination convenience) include: you can watch the pilots flying the plane as there’s a clear view through to the controls; and the plane flies below the clouds, so you get treated to a fantastic low-ish flying view of the landscape, all along the coast on the way south to past Sydney, and turning inland just past the Royal National Park.

I am not connected with FlyPelican in any way – just pleased to share that they are there for the Hunter/Canberra corridor and let’s keep them in business!

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bigred said :

Masquara said :

bigred said :

Going to Newcastle I cannot see the value proposition or the time saving.

It’s a one and a bit hour flight plus 20 minutes up the highway – versus six hours by road from Canberra to Port Stephens…

Nope, I do the trip quite a bit. Flew with Brindabella when it was afloat as well. Takes 4.5 hours on cruise to the Newcastle airport environs. Assume another 20 minutes to the bay. Compare that with time to Canberra airport, the obligatory pre check in time and stuffing around at car rental desks and car parks. Add in the cost comparison and the road trip wins. Going to Hunter St or Charlestown I regularly do it in around 4 hours.

Cab to airport: 10 minutes. Checkin: 30 mins. Flight: Bit over an hour. Get rental car: ten minutes. Plus 20 mins: just over two hours – much more convenient than a 4.5 (plus Sydney traffic oftentimes)… very much worth it for me.

Masquara said :

bigred said :

Going to Newcastle I cannot see the value proposition or the time saving.

It’s a one and a bit hour flight plus 20 minutes up the highway – versus six hours by road from Canberra to Port Stephens…

Nope, I do the trip quite a bit. Flew with Brindabella when it was afloat as well. Takes 4.5 hours on cruise to the Newcastle airport environs. Assume another 20 minutes to the bay. Compare that with time to Canberra airport, the obligatory pre check in time and stuffing around at car rental desks and car parks. Add in the cost comparison and the road trip wins. Going to Hunter St or Charlestown I regularly do it in around 4 hours.

bigred said :

Going to Newcastle I cannot see the value proposition or the time saving.

It’s a one and a bit hour flight plus 20 minutes up the highway – versus six hours by road from Canberra to Port Stephens…

vintage123 said :

dungfungus said :

vintage123 said :

Alot of university and defence workers link between Newcastle and canberra. With the JSF inbound the 3000 LMAero staff will patronise the linkage as will DMO support staff. Throw in those who relocate to williamtown and travel to and from for family reasons. Yeah should do ok. I for one will use it.

I thought the DMO had been scrapped.

Ha ha, yeah do you think? They are just adjusting the prescribed agency status and changing the name. Still 7000 employees strong mate and not changing anytime soon.

The ones I know still there have been told to find another job.
Then again, if they have changed their name that is a sign of progress in the public sector so they may be there for the long haul.

watto23 said :

I used to fly Brindabella a bit for work to Newcastle and to Albury. Small aircraft as well so its not like they need many to make it a viable service.

Although I did think once my life was going to end in a 7 seater Brindabella airlines flight from Albury, we hit a storm, a lot of turbulence and a few used sick bags. Pilot said it was the worst weather he’d flown in….. otherwise i like small aircraft you tend to see a lot more out the windows and fly lower to the ground.

“Small aircraft as well so its not like they need many to make it a viable service………..”
Obviously, you have never risked a dollar in a business venture.
The private sector has to be viable to survive – it’s not like ACTION and most other public transport operations who are underwritten by the taxpayer..
No matter what size the aircraft is to be “viable” they must have as many bums in seats as they can.
You are aware that Brindabella Airlines went out of business aren’t you?

I reckon a good weekend flight schedule would be Wagga to Coffs Harbour in summer. Make a nice Friday night out, Sunday night return beach weekend for those inland people.

dungfungus said :

vintage123 said :

Alot of university and defence workers link between Newcastle and canberra. With the JSF inbound the 3000 LMAero staff will patronise the linkage as will DMO support staff. Throw in those who relocate to williamtown and travel to and from for family reasons. Yeah should do ok. I for one will use it.

I thought the DMO had been scrapped.

Ha ha, yeah do you think? They are just adjusting the prescribed agency status and changing the name. Still 7000 employees strong mate and not changing anytime soon.

I used to fly Brindabella a bit for work to Newcastle and to Albury. Small aircraft as well so its not like they need many to make it a viable service.

Although I did think once my life was going to end in a 7 seater Brindabella airlines flight from Albury, we hit a storm, a lot of turbulence and a few used sick bags. Pilot said it was the worst weather he’d flown in….. otherwise i like small aircraft you tend to see a lot more out the windows and fly lower to the ground.

farnarkler said :

… I’m unaware of who would use it on a regular basis.

People who need to travel between Newcastle and Canberra perhaps?

vintage123 said :

Alot of university and defence workers link between Newcastle and canberra. With the JSF inbound the 3000 LMAero staff will patronise the linkage as will DMO support staff. Throw in those who relocate to williamtown and travel to and from for family reasons. Yeah should do ok. I for one will use it.

I thought the DMO had been scrapped.

Going to Newcastle I cannot see the value proposition or the time saving.

Alot of university and defence workers link between Newcastle and canberra. With the JSF inbound the 3000 LMAero staff will patronise the linkage as will DMO support staff. Throw in those who relocate to williamtown and travel to and from for family reasons. Yeah should do ok. I for one will use it.

farnarkler said :

Great for the Northstars and Brave, however, I’m unaware of who would use it on a regular basis.

Business people and lobbyists maybe? Website indicates that seats are selling. Fingers crossed as I’d like to use them about five times a year …

Great for the Northstars and Brave, however, I’m unaware of who would use it on a regular basis.

Ha ha note I didn’t choose the illustration!

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