Flying into Ayers Rock (airport) - views

[Robert Zweck]

The Ansett A320 VH-HYN landed at AYQ with the torch during the 2000 Olympics Torch relay.

It arrived from ( New Zealand ?) and was flown by Ansett's Chief Pilot, Mark Rindfleish.

There was a live telecast of it during Channel 9s morning programme with Steve Liebman

[Jethro H]

In the mid 90's we use to fly there often on QF and the planes would often do a circuit of Uluru before touch down. Does that still happen?

One time we were due to take off mid afternoon, it was 40 degrees and our baggage was left behind due to weight. Got the bags back in Sydney the next day!

[Kelvin R]

There was no circuits flown the time I was there but the flight attendant said that they still happen from time to time. I guess with fuel being tight these days (we were told the airport gets 2 x road trains of 4 trailers of fuel a week) I am sure the pilots are discouraged from flying a lap.

There are also two (un official?) no fly zones, the first is over Longitude 131 and the second is over the community at the east end of Uluru. This would make doing a lap a bit more difficult.

[Mal M]

Yep Longtitude 131 is a no fly zone. What do you expect when the Resort owns the airport!

[David N]

At 2500m what is the biggest aircraft you could get in and out of AYQ?

Condor 757 on a World Tour some years ago.
Unable to find any pics of it on the net, I am sure one of the Oz mags had a small write up and picture of it at the time.

David

[David N]

From the New Travel Insider link on the Qantas website.

http://travelinsider.qantas.com.au/f...twin_peaks.htm

"The best introduction to Uluru comes from the air. The horizon is dead flat for miles and miles and then this huge rock comes out of nowhere. Flying in from the east or south, the left-hand side of the plane probably gives the best view, but the rock is so imposing that you should get to see it from all vantage points on a plane. In the distance you might catch a glimpse of the Olgas (Kata Tjuta), as well." CC