This year's Caper is a tour North, along the East Coast of Australia. Some of the 9 planned legs are greater than 200nm, interim airfields are shown for those needing legs of Maximum 200nm. Maximum distance about 1,800nm.

You must land at each of the 9 planned airfields. Interim 'interest' airfields are at your discretion - probably dependant on aircraft used and time available..

The event will start from YBHB Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania and end at YBTL Townsville. The event can be flown from 06/12/2023 to 31/12/1023. Reduced time unavoidable.

Your route between each planned airfield is at your discretion; You can have a look at nearby strips; Navigate around busy airports, as you wish. Please use CIX logger, if available.

You may use any aircraft (including helicopters) classified as GA (within the EASA "light" category), see club rules for details. But bear in mind you need to average about 80nm per(working) day [550nm per 6day week]. Recommend around 180kts

Before starting, check the weather. I recommend that all pilots set 'No Weather' so that it is easier to see other traffic and the scenery. [CAVOK / Night VFR] that should enable us to fly on UNICOM.

Remember to ANC (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.) This event should be fun for all, both pilots and controllers. Bear in mind that other (non CIX VFR CLUB) traffic may also use the same airspace/airfields but everyone has equal priority (VFR). Should your enjoyment become impaired due to "unsportsmanlike" ATC, let someone know so that senior club members can pass on your concerns. Similarly, If you get something wrong, such as entering controlled airspace without authority, learn from the experience and follow instructions - even if requested to 'Disconnect'. However, if you have a problem, ask ATC for help, a lot easier that flying on regardless causing "confusion and mayhem"! And don't forget your first call for help is other club members, that is how we all learnt to do it. VFR general Squawk is 1200.

You may encounter ATC, especially around the major airports. Procedure may vary to what you are used to, listen and ask for help if you are not sure.

Take care not to let our Teamspeak chat cut across ATC. Stop any conversation immediately the R/T comes alive, then continue if "he wasn't talking to us". This is difficult because when transmitting on Teamspeak you can't hear the R/T. So be brief on Teamspeak, and be aware that ATC might be trying to get through. If anyone hears an R/T message which seems to be being ignored, just say "ATC is calling G-CIXN" if you have identified the callsign, or "ATC is calling us" which is a cue for everyone to be quiet on Teamspeak until ATC call again (which they will). Remember too that if asked to "Stand By" by ATC, you do not reply - not even "Roger", but simply wait until you are called again.

Before the event begins the Events Manager will select 2 of the planned airfields for a 1/2 star each.

Link to Daan's planning; PDF of event route planning ; PlanG4 'total route' and any other useful data will be found in the Event/Christmas Caper 23 post on the forum

Event Idea: D deHaan.
Event planning: D deHaan / N Munro and others.
Briefing: N Munro