INTRODUCING MELBOURNE'S GOONEY BIRDS NEWEST EXPERIENCE
Highlights
- Experience flight as it used to be on a fully restored DC-3
- Fly to the renowned Strathbogie Wine Region in central Victoria
- Taste specially curated wines at Fowles Winery, Avenel
- Relax for a long lunch at Avenel’s historic Harvest Home
- Depart Essendon at approx. 10am and return at approximatelly 4.30pm.
Grazing Board-Olives, Dip, Cheese, Cold Meats, Pickles, Lavosh, Sourdough
Slow Cooked Beef Cheek, Celeriac Puree, Creamed Potato, Baby Carrots, Jus
House confit duck, charred orange and Fennel Salad, preserved Lemon, crispy potatoes, Jus
Baked Tasmanian Salmon,Cauliflower risotto, roasted cauliflower,asparagus, saffron Sauce GF
Vanilla Creme Brulee, rhubarb (GF)
Vanilla Panna Cotta with fresh Figs, pistachio crumb
As Mark Twain famously said; ‘Everyone talks about it, but no one does anything about it…’
It’s a big deal as far as pleasure flights in a DC-3. Not a flying safety issue, just a comfort one. Old airliners fly low, are not air-conditioned, and we go to places that have wildly varying flying conditions. (King Island is the Australian champion for unpredictable weather, closely followed by Melbourne.)
Generally speaking, temperatures much over 25C, or winds from 25klms upwards are cause for consideration of cancellation.
We ask for your understanding if this happens to your planned flight. And sometimes we’ve launched with a good forecast, and it’s turned out a lot more vibrant than we prefer for you.
We start reviewing the predicted weather several days in advance, and if it’s looking marginal, we update everyone via email, phone and/or text message. If we have to cancel the flight we will text message all passengers as soon as we know.
If you’re subject to a cancellation, we apologise in advance, and of course you’ll be refunded or re-booked as you prefer.
Mobility capability
The DC-3 is not as user-friendly as modern aircraft for passengers with mobility issues. The on-board stairs are narrow and steep when on King Island. and the cabin slopes at an angle of eleven degrees on the ground. If you or anyone in your group needs any form of mobility aids such as sticks/crutches/walking frames or wheelchairs we need to discuss this with you. If we are unaware of anyone in this position until check-in it’s possible, we may not be able to carry them.
Interstate passengers:
The DC-3 is unpressurised and has no air conditioning. For the pleasure flights we conduct we therefore only operate in good weather and comfortable temperatures. Additionally, sometimes we have crewing, maintenance issues and unable to reach minimum numbers as all aviation companies are experiencing in these difficult times. These factors mean we need to often cancel planned flights at relatively short notice (this can be as much as 40% of our schedule).
This can be very frustrating and costly for people coming from interstate to fly with us. We of course refund our fares completely but cannot assist with travel and associated expenses. Please consider this if you’re contemplating flying with us.