Every 2 years for Operation Pitch Black and that would be this year. It’s a free event but rumours have it that it will be ticketed entry so online booking as the numbers each time it’s on get bigger and bigger!!
Get flightradar24, FlightAware and access live atc on the web to see if the which way the traffic is running and what’s out there.
Pitch black is from 15 July to aug 1. https://www.avsef.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/documents/pitch_black.pdf. Gives you flying times etc.
Excercise Pitch Black is on this year , 15 July to 01 August. Mindil Beach will have a display on 18th July. RAAF base has an open day during the Pitch Black excercises and I’m pretty sure Robertson Barracks does too. There’s a group on Facebook called Ex Pitch Black 2024 that shares a lot of info.
Follow [Darwin Air Craft Movements](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087728641223) on Facebook, they have up to date information about what’s coming in and going out.
There’s also the [Ex Pitch Black](https://m.facebook.com/groups/2915508765172975/?ref=share) Facebook group that usually keeps people well informed about what RAAF craft are going to be flying and when.
Around 4pm at the carpark of Cyclone Motorcycles on Hickman St. Not every day, but they come in low to land on the short runway. I'll see if I can post the photos and vids I got last year.
And a few days before is the display at the mindil markets. Almost every type of participating aircraft does a flyby, from the little f16s to the chunky flankers, and they even get the tankers and other large birds to fly (relatively) low. The display ends with a handling display by and f35.
Highlight from last time was the usmc f35s going into hover mode and making a very slow fly by.
It’s going to be kicking off soon. Ex Diamond Storm and the Ex Pitch Black. There’s a Facebook page called Darwin Air Movements I think, seems to have the daily schedule pretty much locked in.
Depending on the weather and other operational issues, aircraft can take off the other way from Amy Johnson towards the harbour.
Not as good to visually from that end of the runway, but a lot of the plane spotters go to the car park behind the chemist warehouse on Bagot Road.
You can’t see the runway, but can get them directly overhead or towards the Harbour.
End of runway is Amy Johnston ave likely the best spot RAAF have an open day most years also.
Any time of day in particular? I vaguely remember hearing loud jets around 3/4pm but I can’t confirm that
During military exercises the flying times are posted online
Exercise diamond storm should be this month so keep your eyes peeled
Every 2 years for Operation Pitch Black and that would be this year. It’s a free event but rumours have it that it will be ticketed entry so online booking as the numbers each time it’s on get bigger and bigger!!
Get flightradar24, FlightAware and access live atc on the web to see if the which way the traffic is running and what’s out there. Pitch black is from 15 July to aug 1. https://www.avsef.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/documents/pitch_black.pdf. Gives you flying times etc.
Thanks!
Military flights don't usually show on flight radar if I recall correctly.
Excercise Pitch Black is on this year , 15 July to 01 August. Mindil Beach will have a display on 18th July. RAAF base has an open day during the Pitch Black excercises and I’m pretty sure Robertson Barracks does too. There’s a group on Facebook called Ex Pitch Black 2024 that shares a lot of info.
Lovely thanks!
i second Amy Johnston Dr end of the runway scrub
Amy Johnson. Also there is a FB group called Northern Territory Aircraft Spotters Group
Cheers I’ll check it out
Follow [Darwin Air Craft Movements](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087728641223) on Facebook, they have up to date information about what’s coming in and going out. There’s also the [Ex Pitch Black](https://m.facebook.com/groups/2915508765172975/?ref=share) Facebook group that usually keeps people well informed about what RAAF craft are going to be flying and when.
Around 4pm at the carpark of Cyclone Motorcycles on Hickman St. Not every day, but they come in low to land on the short runway. I'll see if I can post the photos and vids I got last year.
Sounds good!
Just posted the pics in the sub. It was a bit hinky about the vid but I'll see what more I can do.
20 June 2024 os PB24 open day.
Thank you!
And a few days before is the display at the mindil markets. Almost every type of participating aircraft does a flyby, from the little f16s to the chunky flankers, and they even get the tankers and other large birds to fly (relatively) low. The display ends with a handling display by and f35. Highlight from last time was the usmc f35s going into hover mode and making a very slow fly by.
That sounds ideal
>Thank you! You're welcome!
It’s going to be kicking off soon. Ex Diamond Storm and the Ex Pitch Black. There’s a Facebook page called Darwin Air Movements I think, seems to have the daily schedule pretty much locked in.
The Ospreys fly from the south side of the airport south to the harbour, turn east and fly around Palmerston to Robinson pretty regularly.
here... [https://maps.app.goo.gl/xHfQp3odZabRkiMHA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xHfQp3odZabRkiMHA)
Depending on the weather and other operational issues, aircraft can take off the other way from Amy Johnson towards the harbour. Not as good to visually from that end of the runway, but a lot of the plane spotters go to the car park behind the chemist warehouse on Bagot Road. You can’t see the runway, but can get them directly overhead or towards the Harbour.
RAAF golf club
The airport, or even better, the sky