The mission description from Angel Flight was:
SUBSEQUENT TRIP REQUEST:Not having big enough fuel tanks to go all the way to Augathella and back, I had to stop in Roma to top up the tanks.A gentleman from Augathella has been diagnosed with Oesophagos Cancer and has already spent some time in Brisbane undergoing treatment.
The return journey home of around eight hours by road seriously undermined his health. He now needs to return to Brisbane for further tests and another eight hour road journey would leave him in too weak a condition to undertake the treatment.
Angel Flight will help to improve his condition prior to his surgery.
The weather was very stormy and gusty during the night and had not really abated by the time I headed out to the aerodrome. While it was clear, the wind was strong enough to blow a dog off its chain. So when I removed the cover from the aeroplane I had an impromptu kite-surfing lesson.
Once I regained control and composure and completed the pre-flight inspection, I set sail for Roma.
It was quite rough for the first 1000 feet or so, but once yours truly surrendered the controls to the autopilot, things smoothed out considerably. The transit through the military airspace of Amberley and Oakey at 10,000' was a breeze, albeit at a slower pace than normal. The winds were holding me back.
A little over two hours later the main wheels left a set of commemorative craters on the runway at Roma and I taxied to the fuel bowser. There to meet me was Graham McKnight whom I had flown on previous missions a few years ago. He had known the aircraft when she first arrived in Australia and was keen to take a picture in its new (original) paint scheme.
We had a pleasant chat while I pumped some 104 litres of AvGas into the thirsty lady. Graham took the photograph of yours truly, which, in typical fashion, was in my in-basket before I even got home.
Gary and his wife Jan were already waiting for me.
Having given the requisite briefing and tied them into the back seats, Jan, Gary and I headed off back whence I had come.
Again, on passing about 2,000 foot or so, the flight was nice and smooth, so much so that the sensation of movement ceased entirely.
You would have thought that, having been slowed down by the winds on the way out, we would be benefiting from a tail wind this time, but, alas, it was not to be. The winds were largely cross winds which have a habit of slowing you down in both directions.
Gary and Jan had to hold onto their hats as we had the full 3° heading change at Roma before continuing to Oakey (another 10° change).
The air force was playing with its toys today, so instead of the customary passing at 3,000' about 3nm past their runway threshold, Amberley control today gave us a little detour right over the top of their airfield as they launched their F18As. We saw a formation streak into the sky as we passed overhead.
A little over two and a half hours after take off we thumped down on the runway at Archerfield where Earth Angel Klaus Wolff was ready and waiting to take his charges to their accommodation.
While Klaus took them on the dangerous part of their journey, I packed up the aeroplane and filled her up with another 200 litres of AvGas.