16 March 2018 © David Eyre
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The author had the opportunity to fly on Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ Fokker 100 VH-FSW from Perth to Geraldton, returning to Perth the same day on VH-FNC.
Perth to Geraldton: Virgin Australia flight VA1787 on VH-FSW Fokker 100
Took off from Perth runway 21 at 7:18am, landed at Geraldton runway 03 at 7:58am.
Check-in at Terminal 1 Domestic was simple as usual, using the electronic check-in kiosks.
Flight VA1787 was leaving from Gate 43 (Bay 143).
My aircraft was Fokker 100 VH-FSW (MSN 11391), which is one of only two Fokker 100s in Virgin Australia’s 14-strong fleet which still wears the old Skywest Airlines livery. VH-FSW was first test flown by Fokker as PH-EZB, wearing US Air livery. It was delivered to US Air, later renamed US Airways, as N896US in May 1992 and served the airline until 2001 when it went into storage at Mojave, California and in 2003 to Woensdrecht, Netherlands, where it was later registered PH-CXR. In February 2004, it was sold to Germania as D-AGPR and in 2005 was leased to Deutsch BA, a German low-cost subsidiary of British Airways, which later became part of Air Berlin in 2006. In January 2008 it was again stored, but in August 2008 was flown to East Midlands Airport and repainted in Skywest Airlines livery as VH-FSW, being delivered to Perth in October 2008. Skywest was acquired by Virgin Australia in April 2013, but the aircraft has not yet been repainted in Virgin Australia livery.
Parked at bay 143 – departed at 7:04am as VA1787 to Geraldton.
I boarded the aircraft at Gate 43 at 6:45am, sitting at seat 1A, a front row window seat on the left side.
Boarding at bay 143 (Gate 43) – departed at 7:04am as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Boarding at bay 143 (Gate 43) – departed at 7:04am as VA1787 to Geraldton.
We pushed back from bay 143 at 7:04am for engine start, passing some other Virgin Australia aircraft along the way.
VH-VOM is at bay 147A and departed at 8:10am as VA1433 to Darwin. VH-FNU is at bay 146 and departed at 8:37am as VA714 to Adelaide. Taken from aboard VH-FSW at 7:06am operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Parked at Bay 147B and departed at 10:40am as VA1851 to Kalgoorlie. Taken from aboard VH-FSW at 7:06am operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
VH-VUC is at Bay 147B and departed at 10:40am as VA1851 to Kalgoorlie. VH-VOM is at bay 147A – departed at 8:10am as VA1433 to Darwin. Taken from aboard VH-FSW at 7:06am operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
We taxied along taxiway C to W, heading to runway 21. When we reached taxiway W, an AirAsia X Airbus A330-343X (9M-XXJ) was ahead of us, waiting to line-up for take-off.
Holding on Taxiway W near runway 21 at 7:15am, before taking off as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Holding on Taxiway W near runway 21 at 7:17am, before taking off as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Taxying onto runway 21 from Taxiway W at 7:17am, before taking off as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Taxying onto runway 21 from Taxiway W at 7:17am, before taking off as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Taking off from runway 21 at 7:18am as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as VA1787 to Geraldton.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:18am, on taxiway W.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:18am, on taxiway W, at the holding point east of runway 21.
The pilots reported that the delay in our departure was due to Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) being used, the reason became apparent when we reached taxiway W, as I could see the control tower cab was surrounded by a fog layer and the controllers could not see the runway. The runway lights were on, even though the early morning sun was shining under the fog layer.
Note the control tower cab is obscured by fog, so Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) were in use – the pilots confirmed this.
VH-VUU is taxying along taxiway C to taxiway W, before taking off from runway 21 as flight VA465 to Brisbane at 7:17am. Taxying out in the background is 9V-SSB, departing as flight SQ224 to Singapore. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton, on taxiway W.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:19am, on taxiway W, at the holding point east of runway 21.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:19am, as we lined up on runway 21 for take-off. Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) were in use, as the control tower cab was obscured in fog, so the runway lights are on. In the distance climbing after take-off is 9M-XXJ Airbus A330-343X (MSN 1423) of AirAsia X, named ‘Harmonious DiverXity’, as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:19am, as we lined up on runway 21 for take-off. Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) were in use, as the control tower cab was obscured in fog, so the runway lights are on. In the distance climbing after take-off is 9M-XXJ Airbus A330-343X (MSN 1423) of AirAsia X, named ‘Harmonious DiverXity’, as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur.
Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:19am, as we lined up on runway 21 for take-off. Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) were in use, as the control tower cab was obscured in fog, so the runway lights are on. In the distance climbing after take-off is 9M-XXJ Airbus A330-343X (MSN 1423) of AirAsia X, named ‘Harmonious DiverXity’, as D7 237 to Kuala Lumpur.
As the control tower cab was obscured by fog, Reduced Aerodrome Visibility Procedures (RAVP) were in use – the pilots confirmed this.
VH-VUU is operating flight VA465 to Brisbane at 7:20am, waiting at the holding point on taxiway W for our aircraft to take-off from runway 21. Taxying out on taxiway C is 9V-SSB, departing as flight SQ224 to Singapore. Taken from aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton, on runway 21.
VH-FSW took off from runway 21 at 7:18am, and as it climbed, turned right over Cannington to a WNW heading across Salter Point. There was some cloud around, but Jandakot Airport was visible, as well as the RAAF Association’s Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek, and Garden City Shopping Centre.
Jandakot Airport is at upper left. Leach Highway can be seen crossing left to right in the lower part of the photo, with the Kwinana Freeway running from bottom to top. The white buildings just left of the freeway intersection is the RAAF Association Estate in Bull Creek, which includes the Aviation Heritage Museum hangars.
Seen from 4,800 feet over Salter Point, aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:23am, a few minutes after take-off from Perth Airport.
Suburbs of Booragoon and Melville, seen from 5,400 feet over Applecross, aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 to Geraldton at 7:23am, a few minutes after take-off from Perth Airport.
We turned right again over Cottesloe and headed north along the coast, climbing to our cruise altitude of 30,000 feet, which we reached at 7:38am, approximately 182 kilometres north of Perth, 38 kilometres southeast of Jurien Bay.
The window had some distortion, and this together with some cloud cover limited the number of usable photos, but the cloud did enable me to get a photograph of the ‘glory’ formed by our aircraft.
The town of Seabird, 85 kilometres north of Perth, seen from 21,200 feet over Gabbadah, aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:33am.
The Pinnacles is a popular tourist site 164 kilometres north of Perth. Seen from 28,800 feet over Cooljarloo, aboard VH-FSW, operating as flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:39am.
A glory is an optical coloured halo phenomenon caused by sunlight interacting with tiny water droplets in mist or clouds. On flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:41am, flying at 30,000 feet.
Located 200 kilometres north of Perth. Seen from 30,000 feet, just prior to commencing descent prior to arriving in Geraldton. On flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:39am.
We stayed at cruise altitude for only two minutes and then commenced the descent, 14 km northeast of Jurien Bay and 166km SSE of Geraldton.
Located 238 kilometres north of Perth. Seen from 23,900 feet, on descent prior to arriving in Geraldton. On flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:43am.
On flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:55am, on approach to Geraldton Airport runway 03.
On flight VA1787 from Perth to Geraldton at 7:58am, on approach to Geraldton Airport runway 03. The streets below are African reef Boulevard and North island Loop.
We landed on runway 03 at Geraldton Airport, at 7:58am, after being in the air for only 40 minutes. The same trip by car takes 4.5 hours. I got off the aircraft at 8:06am.
Leaving the aircraft at 8:03am after arrival as flight VA1787 from Perth.
Leaving the aircraft at 8:03am after arrival as flight VA1787 from Perth.
Leaving the aircraft at 8:03am after arrival as flight VA1787 from Perth.
Parked at 8:06am after arrival as flight VA1787 from Perth.
The wing is actually a sundial, representing an Avro Anson. Ansons were used to train RAAF crews at Geraldton during World War Two.
Geraldton to Perth: Virgin Australia flight VA1792 on VH-FNC Fokker 100
Took off from Geraldton runway 21 at 5:58pm, landed on Perth runway 21 at 6:38pm.
After taking some photos of aircraft at Geraldton, I checked in and underwent the security checks before getting ready to board my return flight VA1792 to Perth.
My aircraft for this flight was Fokker 100 VH-FNC (MSN 11334), which was first test flown by Fokker on 2 April 1991 as PH-EZD, wearing US Air livery. Registered as N882US to US Air, later renamed US Airways, the aircraft was delivered in April 1991 and served with them until January 2002 when it was stored at Mojave, California. In August 2003 it was registered PH-CXO and delivered to Woensdrecht, Netherlands. In December 2003, it was painted in Germania livery, but was not delivered to them until June 2004, registered D-AGPO. It was later leased to Air Berlin and repainted in their livery in December 2006, and was reregistered D-AVZL in January 2008. In February 2008, it was acquired by Skywest Airlines and was repainted in their livery during March 2008, then flown to Seletar in Singapore for interior work. It was delivered to Skywest on 10 April 2008, entering service the following month. In April 2013, Skywest was acquired by Virgin Australia, and VH-FNC was later painted in their livery.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, landing on runway 21 at 5:21pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, taxying in at 5:23pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, taxying in at 5:23pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, taxying in at 5:24pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, taxying in at 5:24pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, taxying in at 5:24pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, just after it parked at 5:25pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, just after it parked at 5:25pm.
Flight VA1793 from Perth, just after it parked at 5:25pm.
I boarded the aircraft at 5:43pm, sitting at seat 1G, a front row window seat on the right side, which I had chosen specifically to take sunset photos on the return leg to Perth.
Passengers boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:40pm.
Boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:40pm.
Boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:40pm.
Boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:40pm.
Boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:41pm.
Boarding flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:41pm.
On flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:46pm.
On flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:50pm.
Parked alongside us was VH-NHQ Fokker 100 (MSN 11506) of QantasLink (Network Aviation), named ‘Karratha’, which was also flying to Perth.
VH-NHQ is operating ‘NETLINK 1621’ to Perth at 5:44pm. VH-FNC is operating VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, photo taken from seat 1G.
Engines were started at 5:52pm and we taxied out to Geraldton’s runway 21.
We took off at 5:58pm, turning left after take-off then a slight right turn to head southeast, roughly heading towards Wongan Hills.
On flight VA1792 to Perth, at 5:55pm.
My decision to sit at seat 1G was a good one, as there was a beautiful golden sunset glow on the sea.
Sunset seen from 16,500 feet, two minutes after take-off from Geraldton, on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:05pm.
Sunset over the coastal town of Leeman, seen from 27,300 feet, on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:12pm.
Visible are Jurien Bay, North Head, Sandy Cape, and CSR Jurien Gypsum mine at sunset, seen from 29,000 feet over Boothendarra, on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:15pm.
The aircraft reached its cruise altitude of 29,000 feet at 6:14pm, 16 minutes after take-off, 69 kilometres ENE of Jurien Bay, but for only 5 minutes. The descent commenced at 6:19pm, 14 kilometres east of Moora and 142 kilometres north of Perth Airport.
The sun disappeared behind clouds for a time, but then as we approached Muchea, north of Perth, there was a fantastic sunburst through the clouds.
Seen from 20,900 feet from about 18km east of New Norcia, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:23pm.
Seen from 13,500 feet from over Bindoon Training Area, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:26pm.
Chittering Lakes visible at bottom right. Seen from 10,000 feet from over Julimar State Forest, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:28pm.
Seen from 7,900 feet from just north of Moondyne Nature Reserve, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:29pm.
Seen from 7,600 feet from 16km east of Muchea, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:29pm.
Seen from 6,500 feet from 16km east of Muchea, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:29pm.
Seen from 6,400 feet from 16km east of Muchea, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:30pm.
As we turned southwest to join the approach for Perth Airport’s runway 21, we could see RAAF Base Pearce off in the distance, and a short time later The Vines and Ellenbrook.
RAAF Base Pearce is on the left and Avon River at bottom right. Seen from 3,900 feet over Walyunga National Park, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:32pm.
Seen from 2,800 feet, 1km southeast of Upper Swan, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:33pm.
We made a slight left turn onto the approach to runway 21 and had views towards Landsdale, the disused former RAAF Middle Swan (later renamed RAAF Caversham) and the historic suburb of Guildford.
Seen from 2,400 feet over Henley Brook, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:34pm.
Middle Swan Airfield, later known as Caversham, was one of a number of temporary airfields developed in World War Two, mainly for the Royal Navy and U.S. Navy. It is unknown how much it was used. By 3 April 1944, it had three 5000-foot runways in a triangle pattern, with 25 hard standings off a gravelled taxiway, built at a cost of £210,000. No accommodation or operational facilities were built.
After the war, it was briefly used by a gliding club, but it was under the flight path for Perth Airport’s runway 21, so was unsuitable for further aviation development.
The runways were converted into Perth’s first major motor race track, with the first official motor race on 7 April 1946, by the W.A. Sporting Car Club. It became Western Australia’s main motor racing track from 1956, and the aircraft parking bays were connected by sealed track to become part of the racing circuit. It hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1957 and 1962 and the Six Hour Le Mans endurance race from 1955 to 1968. The airfield was re-activated as a military communications and navigational aid facility in 1968 and motor racing moved to Wanneroo Raceway in 1969.
Seen from 1,800 feet over West Swan, on descent towards Perth on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:35pm.
Guildford was one of three towns established in 1829, when Western Australia was first settled by the British. It was named by Captain James Stirling after his father-in-law’s hometown in Surrey, England, and its layout was based on an English country town. Guildford became an inland port on the Swan River, linking Perth and the rural areas, growing into a thriving market town and commercial centre. After the railway was built in the 1880s, river transport and Guildford’s commercial importance declined rapidly. Many of the Sugar Gum trees on the streets of Guildford were planted in the late 1890s, in part as a celebration of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in 1897.
This view is facing west, with the Swan River at upper right of photo, seen from 700 feet, on approach to Perth Airport’s runway 21, on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:37pm.
We landed on runway 21 at 6:38pm – total flying time was 40 minutes.
Flight ZL2377 to Esperance, taxying along taxiway C, seen from VH-FNC on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, taxying in at 6:40pm.
Parked on Terminal 2 apron, along with Fokker 100s of Skippers Aviation and Alliance Airlines, seen from VH-FNC on flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, taxying in at 6:41pm.
VH-FNC parked at bay 146 at 6:43pm, and I left the aircraft at 6:46pm.
Seen after arrival as flight VA1792 Geraldton to Perth, at 6:43pm.
Parked at bay 146, Terminal 1 Domestic, after arrival as flight VA1792 from Geraldton, at 6:46pm.
