Hazards Galore (continued)

Squadron-Leader Ralph Barnes of D.Met.S. tells a not-so-tragic story of easygoing flying. After the fall of Singapore, there was an increasing number of American fighter pilots ferrying aircraft from Brisbane to Port Moresby. Few of these very individualistic pilots had maps, and often had only a very limited knowledge of navigation. They would ask for directions when proceeding northwards.

'We at Brisbane would always say, 'Keep Australia on your left", smiled Barnes, 'and away they'd go quite happy. Of course, on the run from Brisbane to Rockhampton at low level, they would travel many extra miles by following right around the coastline of Sandy Cape and Fraser Island, keeping Australia on the left!' [41]

However, not all pilots appreciated the friendly approach. One day at RAAF Garbutt, Townsville, a world-famous US aviator with the rank of Colonel, walked up to the duty officer and asked, 'May I have a forecast to Nadzab please?'

'Well', replied the Met. officer, being friendly, 'I think you'll have a pretty good trip up that way today—good weather all the way'.

'I didn't ask for an opinion', growled the Colonel tersely. 'I asked for a forecast!' [42]

It is impossible to record precisely how many aircraft have come to grief because of the weather. There are certainly enough known instances to establish, beyond any doubt, the importance of knowledge of meteorological conditions to aviation. Because of the relatively stable weather over Australia, this continent is more favourable for aviation than others, where conditions are more extreme. Nevertheless, wherever he is, the wise pilot will avoid 'one cloud from which the lightning flashes'.

Bureau of Meteorology