Melbourne's Gooney Bird
  • Home
  • History
  • Flight Experience
    • The DC-3 Fowles Winery Flight
    • The Silver Clipper Cocktail Flight
    • The Brown Brothers Gourmet Flight
    • The DC-3 Joy Flight
    • The DC-3 King Island Flight
  • Contact
Free Info Pack

The Brown Brothers Gourmet Flight

(This is only available to groups chartering the whole aircraft)

On your way to this wonderful wine and food experience you will experience air travel as it was in the Golden Age of aviation, before the days of crowded terminals and aircraft with limited legroom.

(you will be delighted at the Gooney Bird’s interior space) Before uncomfortable waiting areas and endless procedures.

Your magic carpet for the day is Melbourne’s ‘Gooney Bird’, our beautifully restored DC-3 28 passenger airliner, operated by three highly qualified flight crew.

After check-in at our VIP Private Jet Lounge at Essendon Airport, we will fly north to central Victoria. Our flight time will a little more than an hour over some of Victoria’s most beautiful landscapes.

We are flying to the award-winning Brown Brothers Winery at Milawa, near Wangaratta in Northeastern Victoria, where their experts will guide you through a specially curated selection of wines accompanying three courses of memorable gourmet food.

You will also be able to sample their range of superlative wines and make purchases if desired. (you can bring up to six bottles per couple back with you on the aircraft, or have them delivered)

The Cockpit Jump Seat Experience

Experience the view from the cockpit of this classic airliner! 

Our DC-3 flights give you the opportunity to ride in the Jump Seat with the pilots for either take-off or landing. 

The Flight Crew experience

See what goes on back-stage! 

Arrive one hour before normal check in time to accompany the Captain and First Officer during their pre-flight activities, then join them on board for taxi and take-off. 

You will be part of the flight crew pre-flight briefing. This includes reviewing forecast weather and operational discussions, take-off, and emergency procedures, required documentation and the before flight final inspection of the aircraft.

How your day will unfold
(specific times may vary as required by the group)

– 9:30 AM. Our luxurious VIP Private Jet Lounge opens for your check-in. Tea and coffee are on hand, and champagne is served in the hangar prior to boarding. You will have viewing access to historic Hangar 5, where there are interesting aircraft on display.

– 9:45 AM. Your Captain will conduct a short talk about the Gooney Bird as compared to current airliners. He will also outline the flight routing and expected weather.

– 10:15 AM. You will be boarding the Gooney Bird for departure.

– 10:30 AM. Take-off! Our flight route is to the North, past Melbourne Airport, Benalla, and Glenrowan. (This is subject to Air Traffic Control and may vary.)

–  11:45 AM. Arrival at Wangaratta Airport and your coach transfer to Brown Brothers Winery at Milawa.

–   12:15 PM-2:45 PM The wonderful Brown Brothers gourmet experience

–  2:45 PM Depart Brown Brothers for Coach transfer to Wangaratta Airport.

– 3:15 PM Depart Wangaratta Airport for Essendon Fields

– 4:30 PM Arrive Essendon Fields with wonderful memories.

We are standing by to receive your booking!

Download Melbournes Gooney Bird
Flight Information Pack

It will be emailed to you after a few quick questions

  • What a fantastic day trip to King Island. Julie, Mike and Craig made us feel so welcome and safe. The Gooney Bird was a brilliant ride. 👏 100% recommmend

    Juille Holland Avatar Juille Holland
    July 19, 2023

    Great experience with a great crew on the DC3 to King island. 10/10

    Daniel Seaman Avatar Daniel Seaman
    July 19, 2023

    Great day out

    Kerry Eldred Avatar Kerry Eldred
    July 19, 2021
  • Excellent flight super friendly staff loved the experience

    Tracey Williams Avatar Tracey Williams
    July 19, 2021

    Had a wonderful flight to King Island. Excellent service and your safety is taken seriously. The flight back to Essendon was even better as now we had some King Island… read more cheese!

    Debbie Campbell Avatar Debbie Campbell
    July 19, 2020

    Very friendly staff and the Gooney Bird experience is awesom

    Jayden Boyde Avatar Jayden Boyde
    July 19, 2020
  • We have done 2 flights in the magnificent DC3 , one around Melbourne of an evening & also did the King island trip with Mike Falls & his newly in… read more command Lady captain . First class operation with very experienced crew & staff . The food at the King island restaurant was fabulous . Congratulations to all the staff ! .

    Brian Simpson Avatar Brian Simpson
    July 19, 2020

    We did the king island trip on the DC3 yesterday. It was great. Really good experience, and the lunch and King Island dairy was great too. A really professional operation,… read more and the plane is an aviation enthusiast’s dream. Definitely recommended for people who like old planes. The view you get flying around Melbourne is also awesome. It’s quite a slow plane by today’s standards, and flew at quite low altitude, so the scenery was really accessible. A+

    Scott Wallace Avatar Scott Wallace
    July 19, 2019

    Absolutely loved our trip to King Island on their DC3. The service and communication provided from the time of booking through to the end of the trip was… read more second to none. We had to reschedule our initial date due to bad weather which can’t be helped but I always had all the information I needed.

    Meg B Avatar Meg B
    July 19, 2019
  • We’ve had the pleasure of working with Short Stop Jet Charter on a number of occasions, utilising their space and their amazing DC3 Gooneybird for both corporate and wedding shoots.… read more The results have been nothing short of spectacular (see attached photos by Euro Photography and Art By I). Short Stop are pleasant, accommodating and easy to work with, and we highly recommend using them for your next photo shoot or charter alike!

    Mustangs in Black Avatar Mustangs in Black
    July 19, 2019

    Went on a charter with these guys to Sydney. Awesome service, great employees and a high standard. Recommend!

    ENVIRO mag Avatar ENVIRO mag
    July 19, 2018

    Just photographed the C-47 Dakota (Gooney Bird) here. It’s in wonderful condition.

    Mark Greenmantle Avatar Mark Greenmantle
    July 19, 2017
  • Evening flight over Melbourne in December. Nostalgic Casablanca style. Great experience.

    Ash Plummer Avatar Ash Plummer
    July 19, 2014

News & Articles

  • The Next Generation of Pilots

Links

  • Home
  • History
  • Flight Experience

Experiences

  • The DC-3 Fowles Winery Flight
  • The Silver Clipper Cocktail Flight
  • The Brown Brothers Gourmet Flight
  • The DC-3 Joy Flight
  • The DC-3 King Island Flight

© Copyright Shortstop Jet Charter | All Rights Reserved 2024 | Shortstop Jet Charter Hangar 5, 228 Wirraway Road,
Essendon Airport VIC, Australia 3041, Phone (+61) 3 9379 9299