Landing at an RAAF Base at the Worst Possible Time

[@StefanDrury]

There is mention of the Spitfire in this video which was recorded prior to the tragic event in the UK a few days ago that took the life of Squadron Leader Mark Long in a Spitfire that he was flying. As such, I'd like to pass on my sincere condolences to Mark's family and loved ones, a member of our aviation family gone too soon.

[@danpaddy]

Well said Stefan. Such a tragedy, of course for the loss of the pilot, but also for the loss of one of so few WWII planes still flying.

[@tonymax6632]

RIP S/Ldr Mark Long.

[@novemberromeo2500]

Sorry Stef, I've been following you for quite sometime. I heard you mention "Bucket List" and straight away got me thinking that you've got health news that we don't know about?

[@G0RXA]

Well done Stefan and well said. A sad day indeed.

[@Andreassyrimi-si2nt]

how are you allowed to land and film a RAAF base

[@Lewis_Bree]

Being born in the UK, I may be slightly biased, but the Spitfire is the superior looking, manoeuvring, and of course, sounding plane

[@StefanDrury]

+1 for the spitty, I agree!

[@generickiwi]

"It's not going to be one of those nice landings" *butters it*

[@Eschelonistic]

Subbed purely for that comment as he just landed like it was floating haha

[@huskkyy]

Hey Stefan, hope you are doing well! I just want to say thank you for all the work you've done to reignite that spark I have for aviation. Got my PPL during the Part 61 transition but a couple years back you gave me the kick in the ass to push for my CPL and MECIR, so thank you for that ❤

[@StefanDrury]

Hey, that's good to hear, and congrats on your PPL. I wish you all the best with your CPL/Multi, thanks for leaving this comment.

[@sarasuiter4219]

I'm studying at aviation RMIT and am about to start my pilot training in july at Point Cook. Your videos were what made me realise I wanted to become a pilot, I'm super excited to start!

[@yellow6ird]

Team Mustang 🐎 The Hawker Hurricane was the real hero in the Battle of Britain.

[@stuw4055]

Agree. Hawker Hurricane totally under appreciated.

[@emlynjay8633]

The Hurricane considered by many the finer Aircraft but the real 'Heroes' were the guys who flew them.

[@thelowedown2571]

I came here for this comment.

[@jonathanbair523]

I think the late war Mustang is the best... Once they replaced the engine she had the speed and the distance to fly to Berlin and hang out looking for target of opportunity and fly back.... Otherwise P-38 Lighting I think was the best 2 fighters.

[@Guvna947]

Point Cook is sacred ground. The birth place of RAAF in 1921.The 2nd oldest airforce in the world. I'm exairforce 21 years

[@PL4GU3d]

You’re forgetting the part where it was actually bought and built into its original airfield in 1912 encompassing the land from Point Cook to Laverton hence why both share the name RAAF Williams. It is the oldest continuously operational military airfield in the world and while yes there was a partial official break between the disband of the army aviation into the RAAF, the undoubted history is that the airfield is the birthplace of virtually all aviation in this country. Thank you for your service.

[@Guvna947]

@@PL4GU3d raaf Williams was a later thing, I was posted at laverton 85 to 89. Williams was about 1988. 😊

[@PL4GU3d]

@@Guvna947 fair I do remember learning that it was named after a legend in the earth RAAF history, but from everything I ever learned everytime I’ve been to Point Cook it was that originally all the land of that area was RAAF owned from 1912 and gradually they sold off parts of it as the city grew and the bases were made more dormant, as Laverton is now just a base with no runways rather depressingly with new housing estates built over the area it used to be. Much the same way Fisherman’s bend was slowly demolished and aircraft development moved to other areas.

[@Guvna947]

@@PL4GU3d was sad to see.

[@DebMoon17]

My dad trained at Point Cook. He was a Lancaster bomber pilot in WW2 based at 186 squadron Stradishall, UK. He gave me my interest in flying from a young age. My first flight was on a DC6 Melb to Hobart in about 1960 when I was 4 - on my own!! Great to see Michael’s return - a real treat 😊.

[@gregrtodd]

Wonderful to see PCK again after so long. I went through pilots course there in 81, and glad to see the wx hasn't change at all... All that's missing is the smell from the Werribee Sewage Farm.

[@themightyangustma2753]

I was there! I saw EYZ taxi past and I was a very happy man haha. Thanks Stef!

[@StefanDrury]

Hope you had a great day as well, thanks for commenting.

[@WIngsWithoutBarriers]

Ran into Micheal while he was in Esperance and I feel so lucky meeting him and seeing his seabear. On him for getting home safe!

[@pilot_man]

This is cool see Moorabbin is just a good airport I love the runway view from the road and the spitfire is number 1

[@StefanDrury]

Yes, +1 for the Spitfire

[@melissanoonan3301]

You're an awesome mate Stephen - recovery is all about friends and friendships. Rock solid.

[@vk2uvp]

Got my PPL at Point Cook exactly 30 years ago. Great airfield and nice to see it again. Thanks for the vid

[@EurofoxFlying]

I have to go with the Spitfire as I have the remains of one buried on my farm in Kent where it crashed during the Battle of Britain, and regularly fly out of nearby WW2 Lashenden/Headcorn aerodrome where Spitfires and Hurricanes are also based.

[@SnowmanTF2]

Brings back memories of my first flight in a GA aircraft. A friend of mine was working on night flights in a Cessna, ended alternating doing several touch and goes with a C5 Galaxy at an ex air force base. But due to proximity of multiple other active US Air Force bases that do mostly training and being absurdly long/wide for such a small airport, still gets used by them in it's civilian life for training heavy aircraft, seems like most of the regions flight schools training jet qualifications uses them a lot too.

[@peterjoyce7198]

Hey Stefan, it's great to see you in the air again. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you Peter, great to be up there again.

[@peterjoyce7198]

@@StefanDrury ps... the Spitfire wins hands down! 😉

[@hkjon888]

Hi Stef. Good to meet you and Steven at Point Cook. Enjoy your vids and go well with your recovery. 🙏🏻

[@danpaddy]

Tragically ironic timing with your Spitfire comments. Not sure if the news reached you in Aus, but one of the Battle of Britain memorial flight spitfires crashed over the weekend. Sadly the RAF pilot was killed in the accident. Spitfires are definitely the superior plane, thought. They are truly stunning to watch fly.

[@emlynjay8633]

and the sound of their RR engines pluck the Heartstrings like no other.

[@sopwithpup01]

Hi Stephan, I’m on team Mustang! (and I’m glad you didn’t post my landing). Another enjoyable video. Cheers

[@Ro77cky]

Did my CPL training at YMPC, Point Cook. This was in 2007. The museum had a mustang that would perform every Tuesday for the audience. In 2008, Sadly it had a landing gear malfunction and did a belly landing. Also there was a Ww2 bomb that was found near 35 threshold. Fun place!!

[@operationscomputer1478]

that will teach anyone to not land short ;)

[@johnmarley6695]

@@operationscomputer1478Well, it would have also helped if the RAAF Museum cowboys didn’t replenish hydraulic oil with engine oil. 😳

[@geoffmatthews6283]

Neither of the Mustangs that had landing incidents in recent years was the one belonging to the RAAF (A68-170 wearing '750s paint scheme).

[@richardsuttill54]

Always a real pleasure to watch your adventures. I hope the Spitfire is on your bucket list :-) A very sad event with the BBMF Spitfire and its pilot RIP..

[@ftxaviation]

Another amazing video. Keep up the good work!

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks fftx, I appreciate you watching.

[@nobbymorph]

Awesome Stefan, served at Point Cook mid to late 70's... had a great time as a young buck.

[@StefanDrury]

Fantastic, it's a great resource, hopefully it can open up to the public a bit more as everyone who was there seemed to have a really great day.

[@EtiRats]

Well done chaps, heavy workload on such a short sector IFR. Good to see Moorabbin ATC applying common sense and giving your departure clearance in two separate transmissions - so much easier for the writing down and reading back! 👍

[@stevelelievre5486]

Stef, ‘good to see you back in the air - keep up the great work 👍🛫

[@stevelelievre5486]

Michael Smith - what a great bloke ! Last Avalon Airshow he let me land at his farm & use his hangar as the Seabear was parked over at Avalon for the week. I think I may have scared a koala or two in the trees on take off !!

[@rogerclarke3291]

Hi Stefan. I had the pleasure of flying the Grace Spitfire two years ago. It was beautiful and my favourite plane. I have to try the mustang at some point. Thanks for sharing. .

[@glenstod]

Great vid Stefan. I spent 4 yrs at 1FTS working on CT4's before heading off for 2 splendid yrs on P3's. I live in Qld now and would happily complete my nav, jump in my Foxbat and head back to YMPC should they open a weekend cafe. Hope you are doing well mate. Kind regards

[@andyman444]

I think the Mustang vs Spitfire debate needs to be settled on DCS World. Dog fight between you two!

[@julienpalamara9108]

I agree with Stefan. Point Cook is a fantastic aviation facility. There used to be a flying club there that unfortunately had to leave. It would be awesome if it were open to the GA community on the weekends.

[@MikeKobb]

Amazing circumnavigation that Michael performed, and to land to the minute is pretty great. The whole notion of IFR in uncontrolled airspace definitely seems alien to me as a US pilot. I’d love to learn more about how that works. Great video as always.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Mike, yes when I was studying for the FAA Instrument Written I noted that most of the time it was assumed you fly IFR in controlled airspace, hence mentioning it on the taxi out. But it's really simple and very versatile in a low population density country like Australia. Thanks for watching.

[@newmandon2525]

Been following you for almost 4 years now. And love your videos.

[@AndrewMorison_morrie]

Loved when the power came up on take-off, your face lit up... Point Cook is where I live and was disappointed, I didn't catch the event. It would be a great idea if Point Cook was a little more open than it is.

[@GolfonFlying]

that is a great idea of having open days at Point Cook on the weekend... I'd fly in for sure! :) 😀

[@dinoman-space]

Interestingly one of my dad's friends own VH-BOB (the Ca-18 Mustang)!

[@tomg6214]

F4U Corsair - Go Navy, Go Marines!

[@glennwatson]

For extra context, SAMIG the waypoint they were cleared to is basically point cook. Also a lot of RNAV/RNP charts here will name IAF after the direction you are coming to S for south, N for north etc then other letters. Usually fairly consistent.

[@adamcrofts2717]

Hey Stef. Hope you’re recovering well mate. Great vid as always bud

[@StefanDrury]

Always happy when I'm up in the air, thanks for asking Adam.

[@HossainSiddiqui]

Love this episode!

[@shelleysflyingdreams]

Great video. Gotta love Melbourne weather, unpredictable one day, yup, still unpredictable the next. Apologies for this but…. If it don’t fall……..

[@D989501L]

The Mustang was a very capable aircraft, even better when the fitted the underpowered original ones with the Merlin Engine, then it became even better. The Spitfire was an out and out fighter Interceptor, the Mustang found its place as a brilliant fighter escort especially when fitted with extra drop fuel tanks and could accompany the bombers from the UK to Germany and back. Chalk and Cheese both extreamly good at what they did. Regards Richard 🇬🇧

[@jtmcnsltng]

I choose Spitfire over Mustang. However my favorite warbirds are the F4U Corsair and the Mosquito.

[@SWR112]

Landing at a RAF base, Air Museum, classic aircraft taking off, regardless of weather that’s a win 👍 We are all saddened by the loss of one of our Battle of Britain memorial flight pilots over here, but your defending the Spitfire and I think that would appreciated by the pilot lost who would most certainly agree it’s the best fighter of its era.

[@TomTalley]

Glad to see you back in the air...

[@dazbarnfield6937]

Awesome video Stefan. I got to do the Certificate of Airworthiness and 100hrly inspection on the Seabear with Michael and then got to fly the Seabear in Russia with the designer (In better world times) before Michael flew it back to England then Australia. Michael certainly has an incredible vibe and knows how to just make things happen and get things done. Also, the CAC Mustang and P51 do rule as warbirds- sorry.

[@G0RXA]

Really entertaining video! The two of you are a real double act!!

[@ericpi194]

so surreal seeing you at point cook, given that's where we flight train out of!

[@ericpi194]

also as much as I'd love to catch you here someday, we already fight enough for airspace on weekends between us (rmit), cadets, and the RAAF museum flights, I don't know we'd be able to handle other visitors without a tower haha

[@brucehewson5773]

memories, I did some flight training out of Point Cook in early 70's.

[@cillian6715]

Flew a DA Diamond from Point Cook to Avalon as part of AAFC. Pretty fun landing and taking off at Avalon because Point Cook has no Jet-A fuel.

[@AUserLivingSomewhere]

I agree 100%, always rate a landing😌 It actually tells about the current state of the pilot. For my last flight, my landing was okay but not as good as usual, because I am a little tired.

[@AllThingsOutdoors]

Your thumbnail got me in seeing ex-36/37 Squadron C-130 A97-011. The first ever C-130 I worked and flew on. I hope they don't let it rot there like they did with the A model. P.S. Team Mustang!

[@renejaraobregon]

I’m glad for your new video and your work ….

[@daleboulton1169]

5-6 minutes flight time! I had no idea it was that quick! Granted I’m not in the flying community, nor am I normally interested, but that would be a way better commute for me given I work in Altona. LOL. Hoping your doing well, last video of yours that I saw you mentioned you’ve got a battle on your hands. Best of luck with it. Enjoy the bucket list adventures.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Dale, definitely a good way to avoid the traffic on the Westgate Bridge!

[@IvanProsper]

So pleased to see Echo-KZbin-Zulu on the move. I did spy this flight on flight radar. :) What great mates you have too. Love it when Steven sticks a buttery landing and it grinds your gears!! :) FYI the Mosquito was a far superior plane to the Mustang and the Spitfire :D

[@StefanDrury]

Ooh ok, we have a new contender for the title. Adding Mosquito to the argument/discussion list. Thanks Ivan, and yes always annoying when he nails the landing like that.

[@stephenfraser2521]

@@StefanDruryMosquito was like two spitfires glued together 👍😁

[@stevo728822]

Regularly get two seat Spitfires flying over during the Summer. People book a flight in them but they are very expensive.

[@jubronaljoan]

The Hawker Hurricane was the main plane that saved Britain in the Battle of Britain, but it's not as Glam as the Spitfire so gets overlooked. I think there were twice as many Hurricanes operating than Spitfires IIRC.

[@graemeellis8537]

Great video m8 and Iam with you a cafe would be brilliant , I used to work on the grounds at Pt cook also Maintained the airfield . Took me a whole week to mow the airfield . Was also a member of a flying club there ( not sure if it still exists tho)

[@MrDantheman478]

Definitely the spitfire for the win But the cac boomerang has a soft spot as well

[@sammiriston]

Point Cook is an aware base meaning it is barely an air base and only a p-51 mustang is kept there by the 100th squadron [and 4 AAFC planes] :)

[@Balthazar744]

I saw Chuck Yeager speak in Sydney many years ago (Thanks Dick Smith for organising) and he said that the spitfire was a great aeroplane. Then he said, the Mustang was as good, but could do it for 7 hours. He flew all over europe shooting up trains after escorting the bombers.the Spitfires had to go home.

[@richardgreen6857]

Nice to see you out and about! ...sorry though - as a Commonwealth Brother, I do love the Spit, but the Mustang, is superior in service ceiling, speed, load up, weaponry and by far range....now, if you start talking about twin engine fighter/bomber aircraft, there's only one...deHavilland Mosquito a true wooden wonder. I see they've got one flying in New Zealand....

[@lucaseric8679]

It’s such a strange situation. So many countries around the world would do anything for such a well maintained and accessible airport, and point cook is hardly ever open.

[@AvationA380__Qantas]

Good video mate keep it up

[@StefanDrury]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@Larunda]

Oh what - I didn’t know you were there as well! I was with CFA in one of the trucks 😮

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks for all your work with the CFA. Hope you had a fun day there as well, nice water cannon salute.

[@coyless]

Great video cheers mate

[@Wally_Wombat689]

sooo at the f1 grandpix i spoke to a few people that worked with the mustang and spit and they said the spit was out of action cause they didnt have an engine for it so theres is that

[@philipdenner8504]

The Spitfire is not just a better fighter and all round aircraft in its time it was streets ahead of anything else and the mustang never became anything till it got the Spitfire engine fitted to it.

[@stephenfraser2521]

PS really enjoyed this one👍

[@goproadventures2410]

Nice to see a Zero Halliburton case! And Spitfire for the win.

[@almadden]

Yeah trust you two to be the only 2 guys crazy enough to be out in that bad weather . I was thinking that day who would be mad enough to be flying in this weather now i see who..lol

[@aurangzebahsan1]

HI stefan, can I know what application you are using making Notes while listening ATIS at 1min and 4seconds of the video. Please tell me if you can

[@chrishossack445]

Definitely deserves a sack tap,come on mate yes vampire jets are wooden. Very much enjoyed the vid keep it up, cheers mate

[@jovceata]

fun video and thank you

[@crawf1993ify]

As someone from melton I forgive you! lol, have to someday though I’ll even buy the coffee lol

[@aussiemozzie107]

I was at Werribee zoo when I saw Michael fly over

[@deuce-_-]

For anyone wondering, Point Cook is probably the MOST important base in RAAF history. It was the first ever RAAF base and features both the RAAF Museum and 100 SQN (Historical Squadron) as seen in the video. It should be noted however that it rarely hosts actual serving RAAF aircraft outside of special events.

[@TheHsan22]

Point Cook was the site for the Central Flying School and first base for the Australian Flying Corps, the predecessor of the RAAF. The RAAF Museum at Point Cook does not get the publicity that it deserves. It is a fantastic facility with many significant aircraft, and with the surrounding buildings, shows a lot of the history of the AFC and RAAF.

[@deuce-_-]

@@TheHsan22 Definitely agree on the museum. Absolutely awesome collection and the guys that ran it even gave me and my mates a free pin!

[@Chris_the_Muso]

Agree 200% the Spitfire is *the* aeroplane of 1940. Never has so much been owed to so few. Don't forget the Hurricane though. More than half the luftewaffe planes shot down in the battle of Britain were as a result of the Hawker Hurricane. Both were important, but I think we all have a soft spot for the spit. The Mustang didn't go into production until 1941, and the Alison engine lacked a supercharger so it was only good for low altitude operations at that time. There were WWI pilots who did operations at higher altitudes than that, but that's another story...

[@airmitch1]

Spitfire #1!!! If not, why did the Mustang have to use the Spit's engine to even compete? LOL!!

[@andrewmilford6352]

The Spitfire was superior for air defense and dogfighting at low to medium altitudes, while the P-51 had the advantage in long-range escort duties and high-altitude combat. Both aircraft have their place in aviation history, and their performance, design, and impact on World War II make them legendary

[@putto123]

I'm firmly of the opinion a decision to not go to Melton is a good decision any day of the week, regardless of weather. Great to see you and EYZ up and about!

[@StefanDrury]

Strong disagree! They have very good coffee and airport goats, what more do you want? 😂

[@putto123]

@@StefanDrury I'm more of an airport cow man myself. Devonport airport is good for that!

[@RH-og2qy]

Hast to be the Mustang! I built and RC version years ago.

[@downunderdave5417]

Thanks Guys

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

The Spitfire is awesome, all marks, but, because the Mustang was designed later it incorporated a lot of lessons learned so, on some respects, is better than the Spit. I am currently a wheelchair user, and I'm planning on walking to EBC once I'm fixed.

[@StefanDrury]

Hey Simon, yes good point that the Mustang benefitted from the Spitfire in many ways and subsequently could be the better plane in terms of performance. Note I said 'could be' though, because it isn't 😂 I wish you all the very best with your journey to EBC. I can only imagine what it would be like to see the Khumbu Glacier and that magnificent mountain with your own eyes.

[@Terraboat]

Oh wow I am supposed to fly to Point Cook later this month from Moorabin Also if you see KKE that's my plane!

[@IrisSimulations]

As a proud ex-pat, I agree with Stef, the Spitfire is a far superior aircraft. :D Mustangs all look the same lol.

[@denisoreilly3210]

Hello Stefan. Have you considered getting an RaAus flying certificate whilst recuperating? The medical requirement is less onerous.

[@stephenfraser2521]

No doubt the Spitfire is one of the most iconic aircraft ever but you must remember the Mustang only became amazing when it received the Spitfire engine?? Envy your having a friend to fly with mine ex 747 captain few yrs back unexpected heart attack and I am solo now. 😢

[@renejaraobregon]

Smooth landing …

[@ianmontgomery7534]

not only is the Mustang at least equal it was the Hurricane that saved the Battle of Britain as much as the Spitifire did. Sad to hear the news of the death of the RAF pilot -may he RIP.

[@MATTDUNKLEY]

I'll pull the scorecard out for when you guys land at Avalon next year and park with us 😂 Both score the landing and following Marshaller instructions 😂

[@jfwfreo]

I say the Mustang over the Spitfire (especially once the Rolls-Royce guys looked at it and said "lets put the Merlin engine in this thing")

[@travissanchez4305]

Wow posted less than 3 minutes ago. I’m supposed to be studying for my CPL meteorology test tomorrow😂😂😂

[@StefanDrury]

WATCH THIS VIDEO TOMORROW! KZbin can wait, go smash CPL MET and come back and watch it later!

[@jimmer6134]

My uncle has a supercharge in his car and the spitfire has a supercharger, I like my uncle’s car and thus I love the spitfire. Also it just looks cool.

[@StefanDrury]

That's another point for the Spitfire

[@jimmer6134]

@@StefanDrurywhat’s the score? Also what footy team do you go for?

[@Milliekeep]

That's a nice looking Auster, although I may be a bit biased considering its ours 😂

[@Atthwtop]

Try flying to Mt hotham airport in victoria it is the highest airport in Australia

[@StefanDrury]

I have been there a long time ago but would be good to get back there again one day. I'll add it to the list.

[@Seymp]

In the age old argument about P-51 or Spitfire I vote P-38.

[@goldcoastemergency]

Oh wow cool 😊

[@PavlosPapageorgiou]

How do you get in and out of these non-passenger airports? Assuming you don't just fly in and out to visit the base itself.

[@derrick021]

ah your beautiful choice of music