Howdy guys,

For the past week or so I have had the pleasure of doing my work experience placement with Australia's biggest regional carrier Rex. Now as part of this program they have generously taken me on a quick round trip flight up the coast and back to experience the happenings of the routine trip. So without further adieu, I present you:

Four-and-a-half hours in a Saab

The morning started with a quick train ride to Domestic on Sydney's AirportLink, which offers frequent, if a bit expensive, trips to the airport just 10 minutes away from the city.

After arriving at Terminal 2, there is a small security station just underneath of Gate 45/47 on the arrivals concourse which is a lot less busier than the large security screening point on the main departures concourse. After clearing security from this mini-screening point, taking no longer than 20 seconds, Rex's Gate 47 is straight up the escalator. Train station to gate in no longer than 3 minutes.

After saying hello to the folks at Rex and getting my boarding pass it was soon time to board. This was done from a remote stand of course so we were bussed off to a remote-ish area east of 16R/34L and north of 07/25 where no less than nine Rex Saabs were sitting on the tarmac. 8am is peak for Rex with plenty of departures.

As we got off the bus we were greeted with the first officer standing by the prop. As I was the last to board he disconnected the airstairs to the prop and I took my seat.

Regional Express Airlines
ZL 216/RXA 216
Sydney SYD/YSSY - Ballina BNK/YBNA
STD 0810 STA 0950
VH-REX

The aircraft for this flight is VH-REX, the second newest arrival of the Saabs in the fleet. The aircraft was former American Eagle's N384AE and was originally to be registered VH-LKH but was registered REX instead. The lone flight attendant on board was quite friendly, and a bit behind schedule the door was closed and the prop started up, for our long taxi to Runway 34R.

The first thing I noticed was how low the roof was and how small the bins were. Load factor was 16 out of 34 and legroom was suprisingly ample in Row 10 though and the under-seats were well large enough to fit my backpack. We were second for takeoff after a Virgin E170 with a QLink Q400 immediately following.

The takeoff was brisk and soon we were climbing with good views of the southwest and Botany Bay. We made a slight right hand turn and kept flying north along the North Shore and to Palm Beach/Avalon before we ran into some clouds. It turns out there would be clouds covering basically the rest of the flight. Not many good views here.

The service is simple, with water, tea, coffee and a sweet or savoury snack. Not too much here but at least will keep you somewhat full or at least entertained.

Around halfway through the flight I approached the F/A and told her I was on work experience and asked her if I could visit the cockpit after the flight. She seemed excited and phoned the cockpit, who said yes. I also explained to her that I would be returning back to Sydney on the same aircraft and crew so they boarded me for the return leg too.

We approached off the coast of the Pacific Ocean east of the airport before doing a sharp left-hander for a Runway 24 approach. We finally broke out of the clouds into a rainy and wet coastline. After passing some farms and rivers we finally touched down, relatively smoothly on Runway 24 before applying some heavy brakes and turning off left into the terminal.

We pulled into a stand and the door was opened onto the rainy tarmac. The passengers just walked off the plane into the terminal, and I finally got to see the flight deck.

Walking into the Saab cockpit the first thing I noticed was how cramped… or cozy it was. The F/O had gone out to do the external duties while the captain was completing the paperwork for the previous leg. It turns out the crew were Sydney based and I had a look at the instruments and approach charts lying around the cockpit.

So after having a chat with the captain, the F/A called me back as boarding was about to commence. I took my seat again as the passengers and the rain both started to trickle in. They just walked out of the terminal building and onto the tarmac and soon everyone was on board, 32 out of 34 seats for the return flight.

Regional Express Airlines
ZL 219/RXA 219
Ballina BNK/YBNA - Sydney SYD/YSSY
STD 1010 STA 1155
VH-REX

Soon the loud turboprops were started, one after the other. We taxied past the GA section of Ballina and did a right turn and backtracked along 06 to the end. We then did a 180 along some marked lines along the runway and turned around the a Runway 24 departure. On departure those on the left hand side of the aircraft got a decent view of the town of Ballina before we were again soon in the clouds and heading back to Sydney.

Service was the same as outbound with drinks and snacks. Now Rex has many different configurations for its Saabs, some with the toilets at the front and some at the back. The problem with front-toileted aircraft like these former Eagle ones is the that it is directly blocked by the galley. Normally this isn't a problem but passengers generally have to let the flight attendant out of the way first before entering. And the bathrooms are hilariously cramped. Barely enough space to turn around and not nearly enough to lift your back.

VH-REX continued its cruise towards Sydney, and there was no view whatsoever. Other than the wing and engine it was just white cloud all around us. Soon enough, and slightly behind schedule was broke out of the clouds near Wondabyne on the Central Coast and the plane banked left again giving the A side a good view of the Hawkesbury River bridge and train station and the Broken Bay area.

Again we descended along the Northern beaches past the easily recognisable Narrabeen and Dee Why Lagoon and the famous Watson Bay, which looks all too different from the sky. I thought we might turn right for a Runway 25 approach but no, instead we continued and did a sharp right hand bend back towards the north. After a good view of the Kurnell desalination plant and an approach over Botany Bay we were scheduled for a 34R landing. As we got went over the piano keys the pilots slightly floated the aircraft a couple of feet above the ground for a few seconds before planting it relatively firmly on the tarmac, parallel to a departing China Eastern A333 in the Expo colours on 34L. Not nearly as much braking power was used here, then we taxied back to the remote stand and were bussed back to the terminal, arriving 35 minutes behind schedule at 12:30pm.

I hoped you've enjoyed this trip report as much as I enjoyed the flight. It was four and a half hours in a small turboprop but the experience was more memorable than anything. Thanks to all the folks at Rex who made this possible. ^