[DEC 1 17:00Z - DEC 2 13:00Z] Cross the Ditch 15

[Nick Johnston]

 

 

Cross the Ditch 15: Summer 2018

Breakfast in Tahiti, Supper in Australia, and all the South Pacific in between... VATNZ and VATPAC are proud to present the 15th Cross the Ditch!

 

• Check out the details at the official Cross the Ditch website
  
• Apply to provide ATC
  
• Book your Flights now!
  
• View the Full Event Schedule
  
• Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
  
• Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
  
• Get the official promotional material and promote Cross the Ditch within your community/organisation/contact list!

 

 

 

 

What's it all about?

For twenty hours this December, the skies of the South Pacific will be filled with aircraft all on a mission to Cross the Ditch.

To celebrate the 15th running of the event, this year's Cross the Ditch will stretch from one side of the South Pacific to the other, involving seven different airports in six different countries. The flight routes all range from two-and-a-half up to five hours flight time, so there is something for everyone.

Throughout the event, the Oceania region's two divisions - VATNZ and VATPAC - will be providing full 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 1st December 2018 17:00 - Sunday 2nd December 2018 13:00
  
• AEDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 04:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 00:00
  
• NZDT: Sunday 2nd December 2018 06:00 - Monday 3rd December 2018 02:00

 

 

Waves

This season's event is organised in waves. Each airport will typically have a three-to-five hour departure window, during which time flights will be able to leave for the next destination. As the window closes, the departure window will open at the next destination.

Given each of the flights is 2.5 - 5hrs in length, the previous wave's flights will be arriving at the same airport as the next wave departs, maximising the amount of traffic at each airport.

 

NOTE: in order to ensure that you have ATC coverage throughout your flight, you MUST fly the wave route that is active at the time of your departure.

 

The individual routes are designed to ensure as much opposing traffic enroute as possible.

Most flights p[Mod - Happy Thoughts] from one Oceania division to the other, and the result is six mini-flyins over the course of twenty hours!

 

The Wave Route and Departure Windows for Cross the Ditch 15 - Summer 2018 are:

 

• Wave 1A : 1700-1800z : Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to Nadi, Fiji (NFFN) - (Longer distance sector: ~5h)
  
• Wave 1B : 1700-1900z : Tahiti, French Polynesia (NTAA) to Apia, Samoa (NSFA) - (Shorter alternate sector: ~3.5h)
  
• Wave 2A : 2030-2300z : Nadi, Fiji (NFFN) to Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) - (Shorter alternate sector: ~3.75h)
  
• Wave 2B : 1900-2230z : Apia, Samoa (NSFA) to Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) - (Longer distance sector: ~4.75h)
  
• Wave 3 : 2300-0330z : Wellington, New Zealand (NZWN) to Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW)
  
• Wave 4 : 0300-0700z : Noumea, New Caledonia (NWWW) to Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA)
  
• Wave 5 : 0530-0930z : Auckland, New Zealand (NZAA) to Brisbane (YBBN)

 

 

 

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.

 

Cross the Ditch is brought to you by VATNZ and VATPAC.

Edited November 15, 2018 at 10:49 PM by Guest

[Aharon Dayan]

NOTE: in order to ensure that you have ATC coverage throughout your flight, you MUST fly the wave route that is active at the time of your departure.

 

Does it mean I cannot fly into Wellington from anywhere in New Zealand? I never miss exciting bi- annual 24 hour non stop New Zealand event but always fly between 90 minutes and 2 hour for flight and cannot do 3.5 hour flight in that specific wave route.

 

Regards,

 

Aharon

[Andre Almeida]

Hello Nick,

 

Event has been added to VATSIM event calendar: https://www.vatsim.net/events/cross-ditch-15 .

[Nick Johnston]

NOTE: in order to ensure that you have ATC coverage throughout your flight, you MUST fly the wave route that is active at the time of your departure.

 

Does it mean I cannot fly into Wellington from anywhere in New Zealand? I never miss exciting bi- annual 24 hour non stop New Zealand event but always fly between 90 minutes and 2 hour for flight and cannot do 3.5 hour flight in that specific wave route.

 

Hi Aharon,

 

So here's the "official" response:

 

The official routes are the ones on the schedule - flying those routes at the specified times will ensure that you get ATC coverage. I'd strongly encourage folks to select their flights from the Wave schedule if at all possible.

 

 

 

Now, that being said:

 

There's nothing to stop a pilot from filing a different flight plan in or out of one of the airports that is part of a wave. Those pilots will still get service from ATC as would any other pilot on VATSIM. The one caveat I'd add though is that the CTD pilots may get priority handling as they have a schedule to keep to.

 

The grey boxes in the schedule above show when you can be [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ured of finding ATC coverage at each location. For example, NZWN ATC will be scheduled from 22:30-04:00z. There may be coverage outside of those hours, but it won't be part of the ATC roster. Based on previous events, I'd expect you'll find coverage throughout mainland NZ for example from 22:30z through to at least 10:00z, however before 22:30z the event's focus is more up in the islands and so your chances of finding unscheduled ATC in mainland NZ before that may be a bit hit-and-miss.

 

If you're wanting to find a shorter flight to do during Wave 1, one possibility would be to fly NTAA -> NIUE (Niue) which is the same flight route as Wave 1A but only ~2h long. Another even shorter alternative would be NTAA -> NCRG (Rarotonga) which is a bit south of the main Wave 1A route, but only ~1h15m. Both airports are inside the NZZO_FSS airspace and so you'd be getting ATC for the departure at Tahiti and at least as far as your descent.

 

The final alternative, if you're really wanting to fly in mainland NZ with ATC coverage, would be to do a flight during Wave 5 (I'm guessing from your signature that you're probably UTC+2, so this would be Sunday morning your time).

 

 

Hope that helps. Let me know if you've got any further questions.

Nick

[Aharon Dayan]

Nick,

 

Thank you for VERY AMAZING explanations supported by VERY IMPRESSIVE graphical charts. Much appreciated for amazing kind explanations.

 

Since I am in northeast America, I will fly nice 90 minute flight into NZWN to enjoy NZWN ATC coverage that is rare opportunity for all pilots living in America and Canada. And yes I have no problem with priority being giving to any pilot who flies in the third wave.

 

Once again thanks for kind explanations and I always enjoy rare 24 hour New Zealand events that I have been participating for many years.

 

Regards,

 

Aharon

[Nick Johnston]

Thanks, Aharon,

 

One unfortunate consequence of being located in the Southwest Pacific is that when our divisions' regular evening events are on, most of the rest of the world is either asleep or at work. The main reason we run the event for twenty hours is to make sure that anyone anywhere in the world has the opportunity to take part if they want to, regardless of their timezone.

 

This is the ninth year we've run Cross the Ditch events, and it's always especially pleasing to recognise familiar names among the flight bookings. I look forward to seeing you in Wellington!

 

 

Nick

[Aharon Dayan]

One unfortunate consequence of being located in the Southwest Pacific is that when our divisions' regular evening events are on, most of the rest of the world is either asleep or at work. The main reason we run the event for twenty hours is to make sure that anyone anywhere in the world has the opportunity to take part if they want to, regardless of their timezone.

 

I absolutely absolutely agree and that is why I am so GLAD and so GRATEFUL that any Vatsim FIR in different parts of the world offers exciting events at scheduled times convenient to pilots living in America and Canada.

 

That is why I am so glad that VATPAC is offering Sydney YSSY event from 2300z - 0600z on 17th - 18th of November which I will participate tonight

 

Regards,

 

Aharon

[Nick Johnston]

 

Cross the Ditch 15 is now just two weeks away!

 

 

Latest Update:

 

Controllers: The initial ATC roster will be published later this week, so if you want to be part of the controller team for the event, please make sure to sign up at the ATC page as soon as possible.

 

Pilots: Slots are filling fast on a number of the routes, so make sure you Book your Flights to claim your spot.

 

The first long range weather update will be issued later this week.

 

 

 

 

Cross the Ditch 15 Links:

 

• Check out the details at the official Cross the Ditch website
  
• Apply to provide ATC
  
• Book your Flights now!
  
• View the Full Event Schedule
  
• Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
  
• Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
  
• Get the official promotional material and promote Cross the Ditch within your community/organisation/contact list!

[Nick Johnston]

 

Cross the Ditch 15 is now less than one week away!

 

 

Latest Update: 25 Nov 2018 1100z

 

Controllers: The initial ATC roster will be published later today. If you haven't received a copy within 24 hours, please contact Eric or Sam via the website. There are only a couple of slots that have yet to be filled, so if you want to be part of the controller team for the event, please make sure to sign up at the ATC page as soon as possible.

 

Pilots: Flight bookings have doubled in the last week, and are likely to double again as everyone's schedules for next weekend firm up. There are still a number of good flights available, so make sure you Book your Flights to claim your spot before they're gone.

 

Long Range Weather Forecast

The seven day forecast (see chart below) shows a clear and calm day in Brisbane and Noumea, while Tahiti, Nadi, and Apia are in line for p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing showers and relatively light winds. As has so often been the case in Cross the Ditches past, the New Zealand airports - Wellington and Auckland - are currently set for a spring storm with cold gusting southerlies and possible thunderstorms. No matter which airports you're visiting, the forecast is for fun flying conditions!

 

The caveat here of course is that this is the seven day forecast and, especially at this time of year, the weather systems are moving quickly and unpredictably, so the exact timing and location of the storm's arrival may well change over the next few days.

 

 

Flight Briefings

Another reason to book your flights ahead of time is that as always we will be mailing out Flight Briefings to all pilots with bookings approximately 24 hours before the event. These will include an updated and more specific weather forecast for each airport along with a run-down of likely active runways and event procedures.

 

 

Nick

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross the Ditch 15 Links:

 

• Check out the details at the official Cross the Ditch website
  
• Apply to provide ATC
  
• Book your Flights now!
  
• View the Full Event Schedule
  
• Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
  
• Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
  
• Get the official promotional material and promote Cross the Ditch within your community/organisation/contact list!

[Nick Johnston]

 

Cross the Ditch 15 is this weekend!

 

 

Latest Update: 30 Nov 2018 0330z

 

Controllers: The ATC roster has been published and you should all know what shifts you have been [Mod - Happy Thoughts]igned. There has been an excellent turn out this year! If you haven't received your [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignments, please contact Eric or Sam via the website.

 

Pilots: Flight bookings are still pouring in. Flight Briefings will be mailed out in approximately 24 hours, so if you haven't already, make sure you Book your Flights before then to receive the mail. (Note: bookings will remain open until the event, however briefings will only be mailed out to those pilots who have booked flights by this time tomorrow.)

 

 

 

Updated Weather Forecast

The three day forecast (see chart below) continues to show a clear and calm day in Brisbane and Noumea Tahiti, Nadi, and Apia are still expecting p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing showers and relatively light winds.

 

The system that was due to cross New Zealand during the course of the event looks to be slowing, held in place by a large anticyclone southeast of the country. The local forecasts for Wellington and Auckland suggest the dominant feature will be brisk to strong northeasterly breezes accompanied by occasional showers.

 

Finally, the deepening low in the Coral Sea northwest of Noumea is unlikely to affect the event.

 

 

Nick

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cross the Ditch 15 Links:

 

• Check out the details at the official Cross the Ditch website
  
• Apply to provide ATC
  
• Book your Flights now!
  
• View the Full Event Schedule
  
• Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
  
• Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
  
• Get the official promotional material and promote Cross the Ditch within your community/organisation/contact list!

[Aharon Dayan]

Nick,

 

Going to fly from NZNV to NZWN departing around 6:30 to 7 pm EST.

 

Will NZ CTR cover NZNV departures or am I on my own for NZNV departure? Do not want to bother center controllers by contacting wrong ones.

 

Regards,

 

Aharon

[Nick Johnston]

Hi Aharon,

 

There's a map showing the airspace responsibilities of each of the NZZC CTR positions. Invercargill is at the bottom of the South Island so it's very much under NZCH-S_CTR, however NZCH-S_CTR and NZCH-K_CTR are not part of tomorrow's event so they may well not be online. If that's the case, I'd clear yourself and contact the southernmost CTR position 10min prior to either top of descent or reaching their airspace (whichever is earlier). Travelling into Wellington from the south you switch very quickly from NZCH-T_CTR to NZWN_APP so it is a good idea to give the CTR controller a heads-up that you're coming.

 

Edit: this time I'll include the map! VATNZ Sector Map

Nick

[Nick Johnston]

 

Cross the Ditch 15 is in twelve hours!

 

 

Final Update: 01 Dec 2018 0500z

 

Flight Briefings have now been mailed out: if you had a flight booked as of half an hour ago you should have a briefing mail waiting for you in your mailbox.

 

For those who haven't flown in a Cross the Ditch event before, the Flight Briefings contain a summary of the final weather forecast for each airport and a prediction on the likely runways in use and their [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ociated SIDs and STARs.

 

If you haven't booked your flights yet, there is still time to Book your Flights; bookings will remain open up until each Wave completes. Once you have completed your booking you can access you flight briefing by clicking on your flight in the Flight Bookings page.

 

 

Nick

 

 

 

 

Cross the Ditch 15 Links:

 

• Check out the details at the official Cross the Ditch website
  
• Apply to provide ATC
  
• Book your Flights now!
  
• View the Full Event Schedule
  
• Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
  
• Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
  
• Get the official promotional material and promote Cross the Ditch within your community/organisation/contact list!

[Aharon Dayan]

If that's the case, I'd clear yourself and contact the southernmost CTR position 10min prior to either top of descent or reaching their airspace (whichever is earlier). Travelling into Wellington from the south you switch very quickly from NZCH-T_CTR to NZWN_APP so it is a good idea to give the CTR controller a heads-up that you're coming.

 

Edit: this time I'll include the map! VATNZ Sector Map

 

Thanks for cool answer and great atc sector map!

 

Regards,

 

Aharon