Hornet a surprise sight
Anyone on our ocean beaches around noon on Thursday 7 December could not have helped but notice an RAAF F/A-18A Classic Hornet zoom north then return south about 15 minutes later. I was lucky enough to see it at Peregian Beach.
Travelling fast and low and just past the breakers it seemed to arrive at the same time I heard it, hover for a second then was gone.
A Department of Defence spokesman said the aircraft flew at altitudes of 76 metres (250ft) and at speeds of up to 926km/h (500kts), so not quite the speed of sound which is 1225km/hr.
“An F/A-18A Classic Hornet pilot conducted a training exercise off the coast of northern New South Wales, and southern Queensland. During this exercise, the pilot landed at the Sunshine Coast Airport,” the spokesman said.
“The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornets are multi-role fighter aircraft, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
“Both the single seat F/A-18A and twin seat F/A-18B can perform air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops, and interdiction of enemy supply lines including shipping.”
Santa crawl
Look out for 100 Santas roaming across Noosa Junction and Noosa Heads on 23 December.
A Santa Crawl, a first for Noosa, as far as we know, has been organised combining five bars in five hours.
It’ll be Ho Ho Ho for the silly season event which will begin at Village Bicycle about 6-7pm where, for a fee, people can collect their Santa suit and wristband and enter the draw to win $650 in cash at the end.
The event will progress to the Cornerstone Pub from 7-8pm, Nomads Noosa Backpackers Hostel from 8-9pm, The Reef Hotel from 9-10pm and finish at the Noosa Heads Surf Club from 10-11pm.
There will be games and presents along the way and each participant must collect a custom stamp at each participating venue to be in the draw.
