Cross the Ditch 8: Autumn 2013
The temperatures are dropping south of the equator and as thousands of Aussies and Kiwis look to escape the autumnal weather, it's time once again to Cross the Ditch!
Featured for Cross the Ditch 8
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Fiji
By popular request we're returning to Nadi, Fiji (NFFN) as part of this season's event. The South Pacific's largest island airport, Nadi features the added challenge of opposite direction operations.
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Brisbane
Cross the Ditch is making Brisbane (YBBN) our Australian airport for the first time since CTD1! Serving the largest population centre in Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland, Brisbane Interational Airport is a major regional air hub. In the time since we were last in Brisbane, ORBX has released their stunning Brisbane scenery which adds a whole new level of realism to the airport and surrounding area in FSX.
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Auckland
Our New Zealand airport for this cycle is perennial favourite Auckland (NZAA). No stranger to the Cross the Ditch schedule in the past, we've updated the Auckland Guide with more detailed information on ground movements to help simplify taxiing between the terminals and the runway.
What's it all about?
For twenty hours this May, the skies over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand will be filled with aircraft all on a mission to Cross the Ditch.
An example of that typical down-under understatement, this "ditch" is over 1100nm wide. The flight routes all range from two and a half to four hours flight time.
Throughout the event, the Oceania region's two divisions will be providing full gate-to-gate ATC coverage, in the Southern Hemisphere's premiere oceanic event.
This is a great opportunity to experience Oceanic flying without the need to commit to an eight-hour flight!
If you're new to Oceanic Flying, our reporting tool makes taking part a breeze.
Event Times
This twenty hour event is timed to allow pilots from all over the world join the fun:
- UTC: Saturday 18th May 2013 18:00 - Sunday 19th May 2013 14:00
- AEST: Sunday 19th May 2013 04:00 - Monday 20th May 2013 00:00
- NZST: Sunday 19th May 2013 06:00 - Monday 20th May 2013 02:00
Routes
This season's event is following a three-airport structure, with an airport in Australia, one in New Zealand, and one in the Pacific Islands - in this case, Fiji.
Each flight should take roughly three to four hours to complete, allowing pilots time to easily complete multiple sectors.
NOTE: despite the early start time, Brisbane will be available for arrivals and departures from 21:00 UTC/07:00 AEST. Nadi and Auckland will be available from the start of the event.
Similarly, at the end of the event, Nadi and Auckland will remain open for arrivals and departures until 12:00 UTC/00:00 NZST. Brisbane will be available until the end of the event.
The Arrival and Departure Slots available on the Flight Booking page will ensure that there is ATC coverage throughout your flight.
The Routes for Cross the Ditch 8 - Autumn 2013 are:
- Nadi (NFFN) to Auckland (NZAA)
- Auckland (NZAA) to Brisbane (YBBN)
- Brisbane (YBBN) to Auckland (NZAA)
- Auckland (NZAA) to Nadi (NFFN)
Calling all Pilots and Controllers
Flight plans are available from the Flight Plans section.
Book your flights now from the Flight Bookings page. Bookings made on this site help us plan for the event, and will also show up in vroute.
Controllers wanting to get in on the action can also apply now at the event's ATC Applications page.
