Chartered Flights

Charter a light plane
How about flying into a remote area and then chartering a boat or a 4WD when you get there? Don't dream about exploring these magnificent areas, get in a light plane and go to see them!

Talk with Vern Benjamin of Vern Benjamin Air Tours, a pilot with many years experience, about a flight in a reliable, well-maintained light aircraft!

You can go to (or be picked up at) hundreds of places around WA, including: Margaret River, Ningaloo, Shark Bay, Kalgoorlie, the Pinnacles, Wave Rock, Denmark, Esperance, or take the very popular flight over the Perth beaches and Rottnest Island.
 

The beauty of making up your own itinerary with a light plane is you can make up your own combination of some, or all, of:  

1.  The wineries and beaches of Margaret River

2.  Wave rock at Hyden

3.  The Pinnacles of Cervantes

4.  The many colours of the reef at Ningaloo. The fish and whalesharks at Coral Bay,

5.  The majestic rugged beauty of the outback and the goldfields of Kalgoorlie 

6.  The beaches of Esperance

 

Flights can operate at times and places that suit you (within reason). The team at DriveWA recommend travelling during the day. It is much safer and far more convenient. Think of the view you'll have during the day, as opposed to at night.

 

Conditions:
 - Fares are for air transport only and are subject to change at any time. They are generally based on three adult passengers per trip.
- For fewer adults, an extra charge applies. Two children under 13 years may share a seat   and travel at half fare.
- Infants under the age of 3 held in parent's arms (with the correct safety precautions), travel free.
- Adult fares apply to children occupying a single seat.
- Many of the better destinations involve overnight flights. We can also book accommodation for you via DriveWA.com.

- Flights normally operate from Jandakot Airport, and transfers are generally available when required. For more information email: skypeople@iinet.net.au.

 

This is a great option for people who hold an appropriate pilot's license themself, or have a friend who possesses such a license. The cost is somewhat lessened when it is shared out between a number of people and if you can get a group together this can become a reasonably priced alternative. It allows you a great deal of flexibility in your DriveWA travels.

 

Anyone planning to fly in Australia will need more information regarding hire conditions, licensing requirements, and current local conditions and regulations.

 

Many of the Australian regulations are different to the international. It is important you make the relevant enquiries to attain information.

 

Australia has a fairly low level of air traffic, and flying conditions are relatively good when compared to many places in the world. However, because some areas of WA are quite remote, navigational facilities are sparse. You may also have to rely upon the ASF, unless the aircraft is equipped with GPS facilities.

 

Some outback areas are regarded as designated remote areas. Flight plans to these areas will require a higher level of on-board equipment, such as HF radio or an ELB.

 

Please note that Australia generally uses metric measurements; but some imperial units are used in aviation for consistency with other countries. This can be quite confusing!

 

Charts and other planning documents can be obtained from the Air Services Australia (ASA) Publications Centre: 1300 306 630 or www.airservices.gov.au

 

Most large country towns have local airports, with sufficient facilities for regional commuter airlines. Many smaller towns offer a licensed aerodrome which may have a gravel strip, a windsock, and (with luck) a public phone that works.

 

ASA’s En Route Supplement Australia (commonly known as ERSA) has details of all licensed aerodromes including runway diagrams, navigational aids, and fuel availability information.

 

There are also a number of private and unlicensed aerodromes (some are mentioned in ERSA) and numerous private strips, and landing areas on stations. You will need permission to land in such areas from both the owner of the plane and the landowner (if it is private property).

 

Avgas is reasonably available; however, prior notice may be required in some places.

 

The price varies widely and increases with distance to almost double the Perth price, in remote outback towns. Please check the current Perth price in the planning stage. You should expect to pay a call-out fee (usually at least $20) to refuel outside normal hours. Small suppliers (such as roadhouses), may expect you to purchase a full 200Litre drum; regardless of how much you really need.

 

All of these matters are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA); which has a regional Office at the Perth Airport. Query other WA regional airports. Contact Head Office on 13 17 57 or publicrelations@casa.gov.au

 

If you have a current foreign licence, CASA will issue a Certificate of Validation that allows you to fly in WA for up to three months. It costs approx $55, and is usually available over the counter from any regional office.

 

Whilst no medical or flying tests are required for visual flying, you must undertake a flight review with a qualified instructor. You must also be able to speak English adequately.

 

A Special Pilots license (about $50} is available for private operations, over a longer period of time. Again, there is no theory exam or flight test for VFR operations. However, you do need a current overseas medical certificate and must have a flight check.

 

Please inquire at any CASA regional office for further updated information. After applying, they may mail your license to you.

 

With either method, if you have an instrument rating, you will generally need to pass a written exam and flight test before flying IFR in Australia.

 

In addition to CASA's legal requirements, any company hiring you an aircraft will probably require a check flight with an instructor. This is to ensure that you are sufficiently familiar with local conditions.

 

Instructor rates are usually around $60 an hour, on top of the normal hire cost.

 

This information should be used as a guide only. You will need to confirm the regulations and price changes from time to time yourself. If you need some assistance please email us and we will attempt to assist where we can.