This trip came about as we had been thinking about another trip to Perth.
Since that last visit in 2005, quite a lot has changed, the airlines flying to the mines have upgraded their aircraft from the Metroliners, EMB-120 Brasilia etc they were using when I was last there.

Now they are using Fokker 70, Fokker 100, Dash-8-300 etc.

Also for me will be a first flight on a Boeing 717-200. Plus the 717 flight is not a direct flight back to Adelaide, it goes via kalgoorlie in the gold fields area of Western Australia. That means an extra takeoff and landing.

With the opening of a new viewing area in Perth, I had been wanting to see what it was like, back in 2005 there was a small deck in the international terminal and being there for an extended period of time would be expensive and that deck is on the eastern side of the airport, so only good for the morning.

The new deck is on the western side so is good for the late morning onwards.

Wednesday 12 June 2013
Adelaide (ADL) – Perth (PER)
QF593
Boeing 737-838 VH-VXO
Seat 27E

An early start for this flight which is scheduled to leave Adelaide at 6:45 AM.
Got to the airport about 5 AM.

Dad and I checked in via the self check in kiosk. As usual were worried about camera bags being overweight, but no one checked that.

However, more worrying was there are no window seats left. Only hope is that someone misses the flight.

The security checkpoint was no hassle. Did not make anything beep.

Boarding was orderly and onetime, but there were no window seats. Apologies for the lack of photos during the flight.

We left on time and after a heavy takeoff, climbed into a cloudy sky and light turbulence.

Did doze off for about 10 minutes.

Breakfast was a choice of museli or eggs and bacon. Dad had the eggs, I went the museli as it was easier to eat in a confined space.

An uneventful flight, turbulence got a bit rougher on descent.

Smooth landing and the usual scrum to get off. Sat back and let the crowd go.

Although I missed out on the window seat, but got to sit in the captains seat for a couple of minutes.

Next get the bag, the hire car and go to the viewing area.

Perth 12 June 2013.

Perth 13 June 2013.

Perth 14 June 2013.

Jandakot 15 June 2013.

Perth 15 June 2013.

Sunday 16 June 2013
Perth (PER) – Kalgoorlie (KGI)
QF1886
Boeing 717-23S VH-NXE
Seat 16A

An early start for my first flight on a 717. After getting jammed into the middle seat of a Qantas 737-800 on the way over, I was worried the same would happen on the 717, but thankfully got a window seat for both the flights.

Getting through security was not a problem on a Sunday morning as Perth airport is rather quiet.

A few aircraft seen while waiting.

Boarding was orderly and in time. A short walk across the Tarmac to the aircraft. No problems taking a couple of quick photos.

Takeoff performance of the 717 is incredible. Since it sits lower than a 737, takeoff seems faster and the climb feels steeper too.

Getting the two seats in the left was great and a great view out the window, which I think is a bit bigger than a 737 window.

Meal served was a ham roll and a cake. Since this sector was only 1 hour, the meal was served as quickly as possible then cleared away as soon as possible.

Landing was hard and fast with the runway at Kalgoorlie being fairly short max thrust reverser and hard braking used to stop. Even then all the runway was needed and meant a long taxi back up the runway to the small terminal.

A quick look at the flight deck and than another short walk to the terminal.

For the time we were there no other flights arrived or departed. Our aircraft was the only one there.

Sunday 16 June 2013
Kalgoorlie (KGI) – Adelaide (ADL)
QF1878
Boeing 717-23S VH-NXE
Seat 12A

After a stopover of about 1 1/2 hours in the small but nice terminal, it was back out to the plane. We were probably the only ones going all the way through to Adelaide on the flight. There is no transit area, so went in through arrivals and then back into departures through the security checkpoint with everyone else. Again passed through with no issues.

Departure was a little late as someone was late so had to wait.

Again takeoff was powerful followed by a steep climb. The way we took off gave good views of the gold mines that Kalgoorlie is famous for.

Again takeoff was powerful followed by a steep climb. The way we took off gave good views of the gold mines that Kalgoorlie is famous for.

Meal this time was pizza and a cake. Since this flight was about two hours, it seemed the crew were not rushing about as much.

The view outside soon changed to desert and then the great Australian bight was generally clear with some cloudy patches.

This flight was not full, plenty of seats down the back. Visit to toilet showed down the back of a 717 to be quite noisy. And the engines obscure the windows of the last two rows. Glad I was not sitting there.

There was hardly any turbulence, so flight was very smooth.

The approach seemed to be quite steep. Since we were sat in the left side of the aircraft, good views of Adelaide and the work being done to Adelaide oval. landing was smooth and not as dramatic as the landing in Kalgoorlie.

My overall impression if Qantas and Qantaslunk to be friendly and professional.