Answer For Where In The World #51

We left Sendai airport and after flying for 5221 miles on exactly 180.1 degrees, you were able to sit down on the 5016 x 98 runway at Mount Gambier, Australia - YMTG. I believe the runway is now 5,905 feet and was updated to this length in February 2012. The aircraft used was a Gulfstream G500 due to range and take off distance.

Gulfstream G500
Range: 5,800 nautical miles (10,742 km)
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
Takeoff distance: 5,150 ft (1,570 m)
Landing distance: 2,770 ft (884 m
Empty weight: 46,200 lb

I had chosen this aircraft mainly due to its low weight, due to limitations of the runways and taxiways at the airport. Many used a B737, but I thought it might be too heavy, others a C-130. I think now that the runway has been improved the limitations on aircraft might be less.

On a side note, Roger Beavans thought it was Karumba Australia, also on the heading given--very good find, but not the one due to the runway probably being too soft.

Now Reid H. Gearhart and Frank A. McFall II came up with a totally different solution so NOVEL I decided to let everyone in on it.

Beechcraft Bonanza, "Waikiki Beech" from the National Air and Space Museum, load her up with avgas and make the filght. Anyone can make the flight in various modern aircraft, so why not give it a try in a proven 63 year old long distance flyer!

Below from Wikipedia:

"In March 1949, the fourth Bonanza to come off the production line was piloted by Captain William Odom. Captain Odom flew "Waikiki Beech" a distance of 5,273 miles (8,486 km) from Honolulu to Teterboro, New Jersey, setting a nonstop record. The flight time was 36:01 hours, at an average speed of 146.3 miles per hour (235.4 km/h), consuming 272.25 US gallons (1,030.6 l; 226.70 imp gal) of fuel. After that flight, the airplane was donated to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air Museum, as the National Air and Space Museum was then called."

You all astound me with the ability to find these places--BRAVO.

Thanks to ALL who took a shot on this one:

Mount Gambier is the largest regional city in South Australia. It is known for its interesting geography, particularly its volcanic features and the Blue Lake. The urban area is located mainly along the northern slopes and plain of a maar volcano of the same name, Mount Gambier. Comprising several craters it is part of the Newer Volcanics Province complex of volcanoes. One of these contains a huge lake of high-quality artesian drinking water which changes color with the seasons. In winter, it is a steel grey and then changes to a spectacular cobalt blue in the summer, giving rise to its name, Blue Lake. This 70 meter deep lake also accommodates a range of unusual aquatic flora and fauna, in particular fields of large stromatolites. There are several other craters in the city including Valley Lake and Mount Schank and the region has many water-filled caves and sinkholes.

       

Where Next?

Now for Where in the World #52. You are now low on jet fuel, you will need a headwind for takeoff and taking it easy you should reach this major airport to the northwest in less than 45 minutes. Land and park your jet--hotel time till next month. Enjoy the vacation, you earned it. Where are we?

Good luck to all.