Christmas Day 2024 flight over Humpty Doo

It wouldn’t be Christmas in Darwin if I didn’t go for a flight and despite it being 35 degrees and with a humidity rating guaranteeing if you stand too long in one place, a puddle of sweat would form at your feet, it is the best time to fly for a couple of reasons.

The air is clear – when there are no storms. Actually after it has rained is the best time to fly. The air is not only clear, there is a green sheen caused by the water on the foliage. Many people think that the wet season is the most dangerous time to fly. No – it is the safest. Of course don’t be flying into a thunderstorm or a cyclone if they are occuring. Normally there is little wind and the sky is clear of smoke haze that occurs during the bushfire-prone dry season. The dry season has stronger gusty south easterly winds that can make flying an ultralight less fun than the normally calm skies of the wet season.

The other factor that you can see in the screenshot of the video below is that everything is green. It is the prettiest time to view the scenery from above. So this video is just a slow Christmas day half hour of me sharing the beautiful natural scenery of Christmas time in the Top End.

Clean, green and gentle air – perfect flying conditions.