Hi Paul,

I saw an article in the June issue of Sport Aviation entitled "Australian

Flying

Safari".  It states there is a company by the same name of the article

that helps set

up flying safaris.  Are you set up with these folks?  The article has

aerial pictures

of the Great Barrier Reef.  Are you planning to make it up to that part of
Australia?  It looks beautiful.

Scott Speirer

The concept is flawed Scott. Check the price. It might be as much as twice
as expensive as
its worth. Rental aicraft and fuel cost are aboiut the same as they are in
the U.S.

When a company
such as this sets up reservations in hotels THEY are economically commited
to get you there despite weather conditions. This can be dangerous as they
do not usually
fly IFR. Not all in the group are IFR rated. Scud running then becomes the
norm. This can
be really dangerous as there are plenty of mountains in eastern Australia.
Flying VFR under
IFR conditions towards raising terrain is a good way to kill yourself.
Particularly if you are
not familiar with the terrain.

Do it on your own. You will be much happier. If you find a place you like
you can stay an extra
day. If the weather is marginal you can wait it out. You can also choose the
places and the price
for accomadations that is appropiate to your needs. You can leave and arrive
when you feel like it.

Paul Lamar