We had an early start on April 25th 2018 for the Anzac Day Dawn Patrol. The Redcliffe Aero Club has held this event for a few years. Prior to the dawn service, in the dark, I prepared VH-ROC for the flight up the coast.

The service commenced at 5:15, led by a club member who is a former RAAF airman. There was a flag raising, a short speech reminding us all of the reason for Anzac Day, recitation of the ode and a minute’s silence. Then we headed for the aircraft and taxied out to the runway.

At first light (5:45) eleven aircraft including a Cirrus, a Cessna 210, a Bonanza, two Cessna 182s, a Piper Cherokee, three Cessna 172s and a Tecnam departed at 30 second intervals. I was in ROC with Mark Cotton and Paul Leo. We climbed out over the bay and followed the coast over water at 500ft past Beachmere to the southern tip of Bribie Island, then turned northwards, passing Caloundra, where a dawn service was underway, and on past Mt. Coolum.

From there it was five minutes to Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads.

At Noosa we made a climbing turn to the left to 1000ft and headed back south over water, passing over the following aircraft as we did. We passed Maroochydore on the Maroochy River.

Further on we passed Caloundra at the northern end of Bribie Island.

As we passed along the coast of Bribie we had a great view of the Glasshouse Mountains.

At the southern end of Bribie a climb to 1500ft brought us up to a standard approach into Redcliffe.

It was perfect weather, smooth as silk. On our return the BBQ provided a leisurely breakfast for the 40 or so flyers and friends of the club. A fantastic start to a special day. Thanks to Mark for the photos.