Flying to the World's SHORTEST MOUNTAIN

A challenging landing on a TINY dirt strip at a deserted Australian airport to climb the World's SHORTEST Mountain. Departing through Melbourne's Class C controlled airspace, hear ATC calls, watch a low-pass inspection of the narrowest gravel strip I've tried landing on, and see how I fly to rural Australia in my Cirrus SR22 to visit this record breaking mountain.
Aircraft is a Cirrus SR22 G3 from Moorabbin Airport flying to Wycheproof in Victoria, Australia.
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VERY IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video, like all videos on this channel, has been significantly edited from the original source footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only. Many radio calls and procedures have been omitted. If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please speak to a Certified Flying Instructor first.

[@eddyjay83]

I like these nice silly adventures. Milkshake is so lucky!

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks for flying along with us Eddy

[@milk-it]

Me, too! This is classic Australian bush flying. Good to see Stef did a strip inspection on this dodgy airstrip! 😝

[@AeroSafe]

The obstacles you had to overcome to complete your lifelong goal... it is remarkable and inspiring.

[@mickr6493]

Edmund Hillary, Stef Drury. Same same! Great video!

[@Garythefireman66]

This deserves knighthood

[@StefanDrury]

Please send this comment to King Charles, maybe he can fit me in next time I'm in the UK.

[@rossball7623]

Hello Stef, I have been flying for about 15 years now. I have seen most of your videos over the years. This is your best yet. It has everything. Thanks for your efforts!

[@Blue-6]

Well doggie, Stef becomes a mountaineer and a perfectly ripe one in the comments too. *laugh track*

[@magicalq9036]

Hope you’ll have a speedy recovery & getting back to these adventures soon

[@michaelfink64]

I, too, have ascended this record-breaking monster. I often stop at Whychie to charge my EV on the way to Mildura (it is the halfway point). The bakery there is excellent. The other fun fact about Whychie is that it has a railway line running down the middle of the main street.

[@mineralsalts]

My school often stopped at Whycheproof en-route to Broken Hill from Melbourne. Easy town to remember: cars and trains share the Main Street (the Calder Highway). I had often thought of returning for the annual hill race when competitors run up the mountain carrying a bag of wheat. Town stopped running the race in 1988, apparently, when yobbos drinking alcohol to excess were reportedly ruining the event for others. The local Netball/football club re-established the race last year, August 2023. Perhaps a fly-in next August, plus some weights and running training starting from now? 60 kg of wheat to be carried!

[@ajplaysagame]

"Ever since that trip that shall not be mentioned..." ...proceeds to mention the full trip and the causes of it being cancelled. That trip is one mountain I really hope you climb in the future though, and I'll be watching when you do. Love your work Sir Stefmund Hillury

[@StefanDrury]

Ah that's clever, I should have used your mountain analogy talking about the RTW! I'll save that for next tine! Thank you, Stefmund 🫡

[@PlaneGeek007]

Fantastic video!!!! While you always have amazing aviation content, your videos are also full of life's nuggets and wisdom. Really enjoy watching you...thanks for the great content, and as always, safe skies for you and all who travel with you or onboard EYZ. Cheers!!!!

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you, I'm grateful you and others choose to come along with me on these adventures. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@morre6748]

Awesome! Living on a hill next to a lake, I know that great feeling of once again reaching the summit. You made me laugh today, as you have in the past. Thank you ❤

[@planeadventure]

Great Video, great achievement 😃 For real, such short adventures are the reason I love general aviation. You always have a great time :)

[@kurt3463]

I enjoy hearing your perspectives and philosophical interpretations

[@Cr480mx]

I will throw a vote into doing a mini series into abandon/deserted airports. Would be really cool to see. There's tons of old abandon (and converted) WWII airfields in my neck of the woods. One has a bunch of old planes withering away in the desert sun.

[@owenwitteveen]

Not sure where you are but there is a few good ones around Vic to do.

[@prussiaaero1802]

The greatest thing about wycheproof is that you can hop in the car and within a few hours be somewhere interesting.

[@Blxz]

Just a fantastic video all round. The dramatic music with xuts to you pushing your bike up really made it for me.

[@glennwatson]

Great video. I think the fact we get so much class G IFR is the biggest difference between flying here and the states given their echo starts universally much lower. My instrument flight test in a couple weeks.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Glenn, the very best of luck with your Instrument Test. It's a great rating to have.

[@Aviation_Xplained]

Hey Stefan! I absolutely love your videos! As a young Aussie living near Sydney International Airport who love watching the aircraft land, watching something like this seeing another Aussie mate flying his cirrus all over Australia, is a dream for me! Keep it up mate and maybe I might see you in the skies!

[@JoshGoesSlow]

Great video! I love these sorts of things. A simple idea makes you go somewhere you have never been before, and that's not always exciting on paper, but exploring somewhere new is my favourite thing, no matter how small or boring, it makes me feel like I'm moving forward and not sitting still.

[@waynelaw8999]

As a mountaineer, ever thought of flying to Mount Hotham airport? Horsehair hut is not far away and might be interesting to your viewers.

[@niceguyali]

I really enjoyed that. Partly the crazy idea, partly the silliness of it all. Definitely in the way you told the story.

[@daddybearlv]

For those of us in the United States, where IFR flight is virtually, always conducted in controlled airspace, please explain what it’s like for VF our pallets and IFR pallets

[@shelleyclow]

Excellent video. Yes, you can now call yourself a mountaineering pilot. Well done and thanks for sharing the adventure with us.😊

[@boogerwood]

Loved this! Got into GA for these little adventures.

[@johnclauder615]

You deserve to be congratulated on your achievements !

[@StefanDrury]

I keep checking the mailbox for my Australian of the Year award, must be delayed...

[@Ryzi03]

Exactly the video I need after coming home from my trip up to the top of Mt Bogong! Both of us visiting the extremes of Victorian mountain climbing!

[@aviatorjoe4153]

Great closing philosophy!

[@CHARLESCRANFORD]

Steph, Set aside 1 hour and 43 minutes and watch VALLEY UPRISING. It is a 2014 documentary about mountain climbing in Yosemite. I heard about it and originally thought it was going to be focused on the plane full of Columbian drugs that crashed in 1977. It was in the documentary but only a tiny percent. Now that you are an official record breaking mountaineer, I think it is required viewing.

[@StefanDrury]

I love a good mountaineering documentary recommendation. Thanks Charles, I'll look it up later tonight.

[@barrydraper]

Very cool "day trip" adventure. Keep this, and all sorts of content coming...

[@nicholascostondvm165]

Great video! It would be SO boring to fly around the world in a small plane. Just enjoy these trips.

[@pilotpeego1820]

I like your crazy videos. Well done!👏

[@tomdchi12]

Today I learned... that it is possible to make a runway so narrow that it is less useful than no runway. (The one you landed on is close, but not quite there.) If one is going to get technical and picky about summiting... you needed to "conquer the last bit of technical terrain to reach the highest point" which is to say, stand on top of those boulders. Still, it does look like you had fun, so thanks for taking us along!

[@caseylwr]

Love this video, its fun !

[@flysport_tedder]

10:00 first time I've understood what you were saying. Thought it was "winterproof". Glad to see it on a sign! Any excuse for an adventure is totally worth it.

[@shoalhavenandbeyond6589]

Congratulations on your wonderful achievement

[@JustSomeAussieGamer]

My Girlfriend was just telling me about this. She grew up in Wycheproof. So Cool, gonna send it to her.

[@nathanwildthorn6919]

A very smile-worthy video, Stefan, The Mountaineeeer! 😊

[@paulwoolveridge5527]

good one..... they say tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life so live it .....

[@emmaisapilot]

Keep up the smaller adventures, and your sense of humour. You have inspired me to start flying more... and maybe... just maybe... start a KZbin channel of my own. Thanks Stef, from Emma

[@DavidBromage]

I have personally climbed this mountain too. Welcome to the club!

[@StefanDrury]

Mountaineer high five ✋

[@joelrichters]

Great video! I flew into the Gold Coast today in a 172. I got to follow a 737 on final which was pretty cool.

[@chrispayne8289]

Great video Stefan keep up the great work really enjoy your videos

[@user-nh7ek7bh7x]

We will be calling you major Mitchell next

[@biteme0973]

i like these new fun format videos. nothing wrong with experimenting . good to see milkshake again. i am also a mountaineer, having walked up, down and across mt macedon a number of times over the years. welcome to the club of maountaineers hehehehe

[@christophererwin7605]

Meru. Another good mountain conquest documentary.

[@CrayonboxAviationAdventures]

Agreed, my small nonmountaineer aviating adventures make my flying my passion. Fun video, at least you got to fly.

[@kevindunleavy4532]

Love this vid Stefan....actually love them all. Maybe plan a "little" adventure to an airport near me in the north west of Ireland....Donegal Airport....voted several times as the most scenic airport in the world to land at. I'll show you around.

[@mwilliams2101]

Grape Gatorade- top choice 🏆

[@blakebrothers]

Great video, thanks!

[@reb1175]

Love your videos, maybe come out to Corunna downs, the abandoned strip near Marble Bar. I landed a Cherokee out there in 2004, lime stone strip and some cool stuff still there. I know it’s a big trip, could do a series on abandoned airfields

[@-paulmp]

If you ever fly over towards Western Australia, let me know... I have a literal runway as my drive way at our new place. It is regularly used by a Cessna 180.

[@TonyHarr737]

Great video - thanks for sharing Stef. Strange how Melbourne and Sydney share the same basin 'issue' - main reason for getting my IFR was so I can get out of the Sydney basin and then enjoy a cloudless rest-of-the-state! Keep them coming Stef

[@StefanDrury]

I'd say more than 50% of my IFR flying has been to get in and out of the Melbourne area on low cloud days! With a big land mass like Australia all the moisture is around the coast, so if you're inland it's not as important I guess. But yes, very useful for Syd/Mel pilots.

[@TonyHarr737]

Thanks@@StefanDrury - appreciate the reply. Struggling with motivation to fly at the moment, work is crazy busy (stress!) and I have access to a brilliant aircraft (RV10) but literally haven't flown for ages. Just need that push or drive to go and fly, so I like your idea of unqiue places to visit. Must find something to get the mojo back after loving aviation since I was 12 and in the Air Cadets. Appreciate your work Stef

[@QNH1013-Aviation]

Stef, congratulations on your latest achievement! You even managed it with almost flat tires on your bicycle. Good job. 🙂

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you! Yes they were so squidgy, I need to add a checklist item for "tyre pressure - bike" to my preflight.

[@tonyg7113]

Mate i really enjoy the variety in your content. And don't forget you basically scaled that mountain twice to get the footage 😂

[@s_al7771]

Best one for 2024!

[@Combatants1]

I know it was a bit silly, but what’s wrong with doing the silly things in life. Any reason to fly, is a good reason. Great video Stef.

[@StefanDrury]

Hear hear. More silly in 2024.

[@leeCann]

very enjoyable Stefan; thanks

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Lee, glad you enjoyed coming along on that one with me

[@ericsd55]

Love it!

[@colinpotter7764]

Summit to do I suppose, it left me with a big smile. Keep them coming.

[@StefanDrury]

Haha, 10/10 for the pun.

[@FatPa]

Always a great watch. Can your glass panel read in litres instead of USG. Cheers

[@FranksMSFlightSimulator]

That’s the practice out of the way - next, the real thing, Everest! Cheers.

[@StefanDrury]

Landing EYZ at Lukla would be fun

[@benmcgeehan]

Nice content! It must be a mountain - you had to walk the bike.

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

Nice of them to put a picnic table at Base Camp so you can rest before you attempt the summit.

[@StefanDrury]

I hear Everest learned a lot from Mt Wycheproof - Lukla has some nice picnic tables as well now.

[@MarkNewtonFlies]

@@StefanDrury It doesn't have tumbleweed obstacles on its runway threshold either. Much more forgiving airport!

[@chriswoods2263]

Great video Stef, What are your thoughts on the release of the Cirrus G7, I do love they have gone to the touch screen from the Vision Jet and the auto fuel tank switching

[@Peter_Carroll]

Great video, really enjoyed. 👍🇦🇺🐄

[@Chris_NGC6188Ara]

Your lucky the base camp wasn't over crowded. It gets busy this time of year with Qantas & Jetstar pilots fullfilling their dreams of summiting Mt Wycheproof. lol

[@impulseaviation253]

Worlds smallest mountain ✅ Next stop -EYZ lands in Lukla and Stef makes it to base camp of Everest 😊

[@vaanathil]

I hope you followed an ODP carefully to keep you a safe distance from that towering mountain ;)

[@NoName-ds5uq]

I don’t think you should be taking risks like that Stef, that looked pretty dangerous! There are old mountaineers, and bold mountaineers, but no old bold mountaineers… 😉🤣

[@amcconnell6730]

Never been to Wycheproof, but I was aware of it (and its mountain) because I went to the RAAF Academy with a guy who was from there. He went on the command the Roulettes for a while, but passed from cancer a few years ago. Memories, eh?

[@StefanDrury]

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing, I hope this video helped bring back some good memories of them. All the best.

[@martinbraatz]

I have always had a view that people like yourself fly in squares where my I tend to fly in circles like the birds do. This thought comes from my years of hangliding and in the past 20 years microlighting or triking as some call it. What does that mean. It means I'm more interested in the wonders of flight not all the aeroplane jargon and sometimes confusing rules and man made regulations which I know for a lot of people is an aeronautical turn off. From this last video of yours I think your square might have a slight bump in it. You can call that a compliment if you want. Cheers

[@EuroAviators]

Weren't you already a mountaineer by landing in Sogndal or St. Johann? 😉 Anyways, great Video, showing deserted places like this! 👍🏼 Well said life lessons in the end. 💯 Cheers from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@phillipmckenzie6095]

G'day Steph. I saw your departure from YMMB while on my flight sim, so I tracked you on Flight Radar 24 and wondered what you were doing flying to Wycheproof. Noiw I see the video it all comes together. Hope you took your mountain climbing gear...lol

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Phillip, thanks for following my flight. I forgot my climbing poles and emergency bag, amateur!

[@brentonw84]

I’ve summited that mountain too. I don’t know how you managed it without supplementary oxygen though

[@aircon2000]

Funny bugger. Had me laughing.

[@Atthwtop]

Could you fly to shepparton airport and apporach runway 18 fly over my school

[@stormchaseradv6030]

Wow. Didn’t even set base camp or use oxygen for the summit climb 😂

[@rustyknight6190]

What a great excuse to just go flying!

[@theworldssexiestman]

Remember to take oxygen the next time that you climb a big mountain....you do not want to get AMS ! Jerry

[@LukeWarminger]

G'day Stef, just a quick question, why are the units in US not Metric, and the time zone UTC? Doesn't that bug you doing the conversion on the fly? Just curious 😂

[@jrexw]

Hi Stefan, I was looking at another aviation video and they mentioned PAPI lights. Do you use them and are they used for your type of plane in Australia? Thanks for your silliness, it puts a smile on the dial. Regards Jordie

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Jordi, yes at airports that have PAPI lights (Essendon on the ILS runway for example) I definitely use them. We don't have them at my home airport (Moorabbin) so that's probably why you don't see them on my channel much.

[@tortillus9029]

Such a delightful video! Another notch to your belt 😂

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you 🏔

[@KerinCrowe]

I just noticed that you indicate the year of manufacture as 2007 but ATSB recorded a Cessna with your rego having a prang at Mataranka Station in 1998 - I hope that this means that the Rego was recycled . You wouldn't want to be doing death defying Mountaineering if your means of transport has wobbly knees

[@KerinCrowe]

Sorry for annoying you - just spotted a Photo of a Transavia Airtruk with the same rego from 1973

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

Do one contrasting how Aus, US and UK airspace and ATC works...

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

The dunny looks a shocker mate....

[@StefanDrury]

Still recovering from that one...

[@prussiaaero1802]

Was icing a problem during the summit climb?

[@tonycook202]

Hello Stef, Great video. Keep them coming. Was that a Flying Saucer at 7:50 ?? If so, please add Ufologist to your titles

[@StefanDrury]

Haha, I thought I edited that out. Homeland Security are going to be very upset with me now.

[@milk-it]

Is this the first time I've seen you wear prescription glasses while flying? I'm 47 and have not yet been asked to get an eye test for prescription glasses to pass a Class 1 medical. When did you get these?

[@mjotd8670]

maybe a dumb question, but who actually names the way points?? great vid Stef btw

[@Jaikav]

Hello Stefan!

[@StefanDrury]

Hello 👋

[@redhead3199]

Should of gone into town to see the possibility of a train going down the main street.

[@AndySpicer]

What did you mean when you said “IFR in uncontrolled space?” In the US we are never IFR without being in touch with at least a Center. You were still being managed for spacing purposes by someone correct?

[@StefanDrury]

It's IFR (so we do have 2-way comms with ATC and I am following Instrument Rules re flight levels, etc) but separation is not ATCs responsibility. They do however give information on known IFR and some VFR flights. Yes in the US you don't really have that, but as Australia is SO large ATC can't cover the entire country. Same thing happens in parts of the UK.

[@downunderdave5417]

You Wally. But I love it. D.

[@ahooogerhuis]

So…. Solitude, it wasn’t the previous video, but this one?

[@givemespace2742]

Hate to break this but compared to Mount Atom in Perth, Mount Wycheproof is a whopper. Mount Atom is official and on Google Maps. I think it is 12 metres. I suppose it doesn't count because it's not in Victoria 😂

[@FranksMSFlightSimulator]

Thanks for your response to my previous comment. I noted your response to another earlier comment about ATC not providing separation in uncontrolled airspace. This is a very dangerous situation in Oz especially because ADS-B is still not compulsory for VFR flights, & if flying IFR in uncontrolled airspace pilots can too easily rely on ATC - but ATC does not provide separation there, & separation is the pilot’s responsibility, ie “see and avoid” which is so unreliable. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqqYfpaehbRlgNUsi=sQ2PuSSSzEfyg5Ds Stef, would do you do to avoid collisions in uncontrolled airspace? Cheers & stay safe. PS where did you get your bike & how much do they cost?

[@darkage101]

Q: why did you climb ? A: Because it was there :)

[@PetraKann]

Australia still using feet and gallons?

[@StefanDrury]

We use feet like most other countries for aviation distance measurements, Gallons are used in my case as it's an American aircraft and I'm used to using G when referencing the avionics and handbook.

[@craigpitts2209]

Need some screen cleaners Mate. 🤣

[@schnelll1748]

Untill you are stuck in Whychy for a few extra minutes - because the train has parked in the middle of the street to go get take-away...THEN come talk to me... go street view it ppl...!

[@adrianodagenova6935]

Not too crazy please...