Aussie Group Flights Team - Around the World in 80 Flights: Mackay to Cairns (NH)

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:airplane: LEG 10 — MACKAY TO CAIRNS

TBM Tropical Reef Run — Whitsundays to Rainforest Coast

We leave the sugar coast behind and climb into the tropics. This leg is a high‑altitude coastal expedition — turquoise reefs, rainforest valleys, and mountain approaches. The TBM 850/930 delivers the perfect mix of speed, range, and precision for this 346 nm journey north to Cairns.

:small_airplane: Featured Aircraft

Daher TBM 850 or 930

Fast, pressurised, and built for long coastal climbs.

(C172, DA40, Bonanza not recommended for distance.)

:world_map: Route Summary

YBMK → YSHR → YBWN → YAYR → YBTL → YIGM → YIFL → YBCS

  • Depart Mackay (YBMK)
  • Pass Shute Harbour (YSHR) — Whitsunday Islands
  • Coastal climb to Bowen (YBWN)
  • Cross the Burdekin River delta (YAYR)
  • Touch and go at Townsville (YBTL)
  • Track north via Ingham (YIGM) and Innisfail (YIFL)
  • Arrive Cairns (YBCS) — gateway to the tropics

:sunrise_over_mountains: Scenic Highlights

  • Whitsunday Islands & Bowen headlands
  • Burdekin River delta & Magnetic Island
  • Hinchinbrook Channel & rainforest valleys
  • Tully & Innisfail rainforest coast
  • Cairns mountain approach and reef waters

:compass: Flight Notes

  • Cruise altitude: 11,000–17,000 ft
  • Expect tropical convection and sea‑breeze turbulence
  • VFR or IFR both viable — TBM handles either beautifully
  • Estimated flight time: 1.5–1.8 hours

:camera_with_flash: Screenshot Moments

  • TBM over Whitsunday Islands
  • Magnetic Island coastal pass
  • Hinchinbrook Channel ridge crossing
  • Final into Cairns at sunset

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Details to follow. Hope you can join us.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION USE ONLY.

Regards, Paul

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Event: World in 80 Flights:  Mackay to Cairns
Sim: MSFS2024
Aircraft: TBM 850 or 930
Speed: 300 knots
Server: South East Asia
Sim Time: 8:00am
Route: See below
Alt: 10,500' 
When:  Friday 10th April
Start: 19:00z
Duration: 1hr 10mins
Distance: 346nm

Take Off from Mackay(YBMK)
Track 328 deg to Shute Harbour(YSHR) 35nm
Touch and Go at Shute Harbour(YSHR)
Track 289 deg to Bowen(YBWN) 34nm
Touch and Go at Bowen(YBWN)
Track 289 deg to Ayr(YAYR) 56nm
Touch and Go at Ayr(YAYR) 
Track 295 deg to Townsville(YBTL) 38nm
Full Stop Landing at Townsville(YBTL) +++ 15min Break +++
Take off from Townsville(YBTL)
Track 309 deg to Ingham(YIGM) 50nm
Touch and Go at Ingham(YIGM)
Track 346 deg to Innisfail(YIFL) 67nm
Touch and Go at Innisfail(YIFL)
Track 334 deg to Cairns(YBCS) 43nm
Full Stop Landing at Cairns(YBCS) 

Airport Details:
 
Mackay(YBMK)
Elev: 15'
RW 14/32 Asphalt 6,512'

Shute Harbour(YSHR)
Elev: 55'
RW 14/32 Bituminous 3,991'

Bowen(YBWN)
Elev: 17'
RW 04/22 Concrete 4,068'
RW 12/30 Dirt 3,080'

Ayr(YAYR)
Elev: 39'
RW 01/19 Asphalt 4,761'
RW 11/29 Dirt 4,088'

Townsville(YBTL)
Elev: 13'
RW 01/19 Asphalt 7,980'

Ingham(YIGM)
Elev: 43'
RW 05/23 Asphalt 5,015'

Innisfail(YIFL)
Elev: 40'
RW 14/32 Asphalt 4,450'
RW 03/21 Grass 4,466'

Cairns(YBCS) 
Elev: 4'
RW 15/33 Asphalt 10,369'
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Flight plans to support the event …

Little NavMap:
IFR Mackay (YBMK) to Cairns Intl (YBCS).lnmpln (2.4 KB)

MSFS2024:
IFR Mackay (YBMK) to Cairns Intl (YBCS).pln (2.2 KB)

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Event reminder …