Make and Mend

March 8th, 2010

Sunday, 7th of March was a ‘Make and Mend‘ Day.

Keith Murray sent these photos and a report.

Joe, Mark, Milan, Tom, Peter Sackett and Keith attended.

New tyres and radio connection check for the Foxbat, general maintenance for the Lightwing.

The BBQ was a good idea.

Lots of grass cutting and whipper snipping. New and enlarged, improved, evolving, useful… aircraft parking area. Work has begun on creating smooth drain crossings to the new area, removing sediment, begin laying drain pipes for later burial.

Milan continued to clean up and paint seats etc.

Lightwing Checks

Lightwing Checks

More Lightwing checks

More Lightwing checks

Peter Scakett, young at heart

Peter Sackett, young at heart

New parking arrangements

New parking arrangements

Driveway alterations

Driveway alterations

New layout

New layout

Spotless, thanks to Milan

Spotless, thanks to Milan

Like others, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. We all benefit from your dogged efforts.

Ilya Repin: Volga Barge Haulers 1873

Ilya Repin: Volga Barge Haulers 1873

Wings Over Illawarra

March 1st, 2010

Sunday, 28th Feb, Wings Over Illawara

The full Roulettes team were present.

Roulette

Roulettes

Avenger

Avenger. Neptune behind.

Roulette taxing

Roulette taxing

Formation

Formation

Bomb Burst

Bomb Burst

Formation

Formation. Lead inverted.

Peel off

Peel off

Wings Over Illawarra also had vintage bikes and cars, as well as many static displays.

I was taken by this wicker seat.

Riding in Style

Riding in Style

Connie and Mustang

Connie and Mustang

The Foxbat and Lightwing left early afternoon, there was a large time period when the airfield was closed to traffic.

The forecast had a chance of isolated storms and showers and they came, between Camden and the coast.

The way to Mittagong was OK, but beyond to The Oaks was blocked. A landing at Mittagong. Note, right hand circuits 24.

What's it like your way?

What's it like your way?

Waiting for the weather

Waiting for the weather. Dave and Tom.

Others came to the same conclusion.

Curtis Pitts Mittagong

Curtis Pitts Mittagong

Curtis Harvard leaving Mittagong

Curtis Harvard leaving Mittagong

When the Harvard took off, it gave a short smoke burst in lieu of a wave.

There was a lot of water on the ground. A few low, isolated clouds.

Home again

Home again

Just photos

February 22nd, 2010

A beautiful day. Go flying, go photographing, go have fun.

Scott Maxwell's RANS

Scott Maxwell's RANS

Milan landing Foxbat

Milan landing Foxbat

Hot day, clear sky, go high. Darryl took these.

North

North

West

West

South

South

East

East

The strip, The Oaks

The strip, The Oaks

Gymkhana

Gymkhana

Spot the plane?

Spot the plane?

Warragamba catchment, 60%, mine, cloud reflection

Warragamba catchment, 60%, mine, cloud reflection

Warragamaba catchment 60%

Warragamaba catchment 60%

Arthur's Island?

Arthur's Island?

The clouds were particularly playful. Jamie took over the photography controls. Ian and Darryl went flying.

Cloud streets

Cloud streets

Clouds 1

Clouds 1

Clouds 2

Clouds 2

Clouds 3

Clouds 3

Clouds 4

Clouds 4

Clouds 5

Clouds 5

Clouds 6

Clouds 6

Damn photographer!

Damn photographer!

Gung hee fatt choi: Congratulations and be prosperous

February 15th, 2010

Chinese New Year started 14th Feb. Although the year of the tiger, some of us have an affinity with the tiger’s rival, the dragon.

Belles of the New Year, dragon lurking

Belles of the New Year, dragon lurking

Wikipedia tells us: “In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon while incapable people with no achievements are compared with other, disesteemed creatures, such as the worm.”

I’ve noticed dragons depicted with stange faces.

Whiskers of a rat

Whiskers of a rat

Wikipedia also tells us: “Folktales speak of the dragon having all the attributes of the other 11  creatures of the zodiac, this includes the whiskers of the rat, the face and horns of an ox, claws and teeth of a tiger, belly of a rabbit, body of a snake, legs of a horse, the beard of a goat, wit(or brain) of a monkey, crest of a rooster, ears of a dog, the snout of a pig.”

Excellent and outstanding, or ears of a dog, snout of a pig?

Excellent and outstanding, or ears of a dog, snout of a pig?

Perhaps some Feng Shui?

“A traditional explanation of qi as it relates to feng shui would include the orientation of a structure, its age, and its interaction with the surrounding environment including the local microclimates, the slope of the land, vegetation, and soil quality”

Orient for best ??

Orient for best ?? ?

Leave the past year behind

Leave the past year behind

In other news, Hastings Aero Club have accepted our offer for the damaged Foxbat, and we are working on getting finances to cover purchase and repairs.

“as breaking objects during the new year is considered inauspicious, one may then say ???? (suì suì píng ?n) immediately, which means everlasting peace year after year”

Indeed.

Two Expeditions

February 7th, 2010

TL;DR Going to Wings over Illawarra and Natfly Temora. It’ll be fun. Volunteer for something at Temora.

Wings Over Illawarra is a big day at Albion Park, Sunday 28th Feb. It’s a great day out, we may have  an outside stand under a gazebo.

Here are some photos from years’ past.

Pitts Special Aerobatic

Pitts Special Aerobatic

HARS Connie

HARS Connie

Yellow Plane and Figures

Yellow Plane and Figures

HARS Catalina

Catalina

YAKS?

YAKS?

Elvis

Elvis

We will also be going to NATFLY at Temora aerodrome, Thursday 1st April till Sunday 4th April.

Previous years NATFLY was held at Narromine. There are always great planes to admire.

First Public Outing, Our Foxbat

First Public Outing, Our Foxbat

Cub Variant

Cub Variant

Vareze Rear

Vareze Rear

Vareze

Vareze

Karatoo?

Anyone know this one?

Arthur Armour Stollite

Arthur Armour Stollite

There are lots of forums, workshops. Engines, fabrication, techniques. The most popular are the partners’ forums.

Hands on fabric covering

Hands on fabric covering

The weather has been mixed in the past. Last couple of years it has rained.

Joe has reserved a section of the camping site, so make contact to reserve a spot or get a lift.

The Weather Ahead

The Weather Ahead

Wet Foxbat

Wet Foxbat

Narromine was great. They have the Wright Flyer.

Narromine Museum, Wright Flyer

Narromine Museum, Wright Flyer

Temora will be good too. They recently renamed one of their streets, “Tom Moon Avenue.”

The aviation museum sent around an email:

The Museum hasn’t moved but you will need to update your address books to our new address, 1 Tom Moon Ave Temora NSW. Our street was renamed in a ceremony last Saturday with about 250 people attending. Temora Mayor Peter Speirs gave a brief history of Menzies St and informed that it was named after the former Prime Minister of Australia Sir Robert Menzies, noting that as Temora still wanted him recognised a new street in the Aerodrome subdivision will be named Menzies Place. The Mayor stated that the Moon Family’s relationship with Temora dates back to WWII when Tom’s mother Joy served on this Aerodrome at RAAF No 10 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) as a nurse.

Temora Aviation Museum President and Founder David Lowy AM gave a moving speech in which he remembered his friend Tom as his partner in establishing the Museum. David asked Roxarne Moon to come forward and unveil the new sign by removing a custom cover that had been created in aviation style with a “Remove Before Flight” tag. After unveiling the sign she stepped to the podium and spoke about how her husband’s connection with Temora developed. “Tom’s relationship with Temora started about 15-16 years ago when he landed here. He was looking for an airfield and a town that would welcome aerobatic pilots who wanted to practice aerobatics frequently, which of course means a lot of noise. He said he landed here, taxied up, opened the canopy and was welcomed by Graham Williams, who helped him re-fuel and gave him a sandwich ” Tom was sold and from that day Temora became home to Tom and David, the New South Wales Aerobatic Club and ultimately the Temora Aviation Museum.

Following Roxarne’s speech Peter Anderson asked everyone to remain for a special flyby which included the Museum’s Boomerang flown by Doug Hamilton, Wirraway flown by Scotty Taberner and David Salter in his Harvard. The aircraft flew in formation over the Museum from the west then one by one returned, with the Wirraway being the first machine to officially track down Tom Moon Ave.

Click on this link for photos and speeches from the unveiling. http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/TomMoonAvenue.cfm

The top ten highlights from the Flying Weekend were;

1. The Museum got a new address and is now located at 1 Tom Moon Ave, Temora.
2. Gordon Glynn traded in his trusty Birddog for an opportunity to fly the HARS Catalina Flying Boat.
3. Allan Arthur put his P-40 Kittyhawk through its paces and even joined up with the Hudson for a formation flyby.
4. The RAN Historic Flight Huey took part in a Vietnam themed display with Mick Haxell DFC at the controls.
5. Greg Matthews and his Team from the Temora Fire Brigade cooked up a feast over the weekend keeping all the Mess Hall customers well fed.
6. Warm sunny skies provided the perfect backdrop for the flying displays.
7. The Engineering Team corrected a last minute hydraulic leak ensuring that the RAAF Sabre was able to be displayed on time.
8. Al Harding’s Auster joined in with the Tiger Moth and Ryan to open the Flying Display.
9. Hearing the stories from several WWII Veterans including Wally Ives who flew Beaufighters operationally with 455 Squadron.
10. Our hardworking team of volunteers pulled out all the stops to look after our visitors.

One last memory from Narromine.

The Batmobile

The Batmobile

This Drifter sported decals of bats along its spats and canopy. The pilot told me his tale. It involves powerlines, football matches and public outrage.

See you there for the full story.

One twelth of 2010 has gone

February 1st, 2010

The 2nd of February, same as every first Tuesday of the month (except Jan) we have our general meeting at Gladesville RSL.

Have your say!

Have your say!

Come along and have your say. There’s a chance someone will listen to you.

On the weekend Dave Saunders gained his passenger endorsement, and Keith Murray fulfilled all the conditions for his Pilot Certificate.

Nan, Margaret, Keith, Lynne, Geoff

Nan, Marilyn, Keith, Lynne, Geoff

For his punishment, here he is in silly headgear.

Here’s a better photo.

Keith Murray

Keith Murray

Here’s my plea. If I don’t mention your endorsement or achievement, it’s because I don’t know. Let me know. It’s not only bragging rights, everyone else in the club wants to know and share your success as well.

Similarly, if I don’t take your photo, don’t take it personally. It may look as though I enjoy pestering people for their photos, but in fact I am a shy, retiring type who hates nothing more than striking up conversations and asking for photos. Help me out here.

In other news, the buyer of the second Petrel from the estate of Ken came up from Tasmania on Saturday. Carl Holden took the opportunity to bring Dave Rolfe over to talk about the completed one, featured in the previous post. Dave’s description of ‘those horrible things that are neither proper boat nor plane’ fooled no-one.

Mark flies out of Georgetown TAS. Interesting discussions of conditions and people there.

Richard and Alek (LR)

Richard and Alek (LR)

Djevdet Alek (it’s simplest to call him Alek) came for a TIF, accompanied by his friend Richard (Resad) Bukalo. Richard has an interesting aviation background in the former Yugoslavia.

Richard has also founded the first aero club in Bosnia. You can read more about the club and Richard on the http://www.aeroklubgorazde.com/index.html web page.

Goražde looks interesting.

Although distant from Goražde, the Adriatic Sea holds a fascination. The Schneider cup was associated with it. I intend to cycle along it, one day.

The animated feature film,  Porco Rosso (SLYT)  is set there, if you like stories about flying pigs. Who can resist?

Meanwhile, closer to home, various items of apparel are under discussion, soon to go on display in the Oaks Community Airport Gift Shop.

Probably to be discussed next Tuesday night. Pockets? Navy Blue? Upside down plane? You can’t please everyone.

New apparel soon to be avaliable.

New apparel soon to be available.

I think fetching berets and flying jackets are the go, but we’ll probably end up with polo shirts.

And you can never have too many pictures of planes.

Another plane

Another plane

Keith asked me how you get an avatar image in the comments. One way is to get a gravitar and it’ll show up automagically.

Update: Marilyn, not Margaret.

How could I mention the former Yugoslavia, the Adriatic and aviation, without a nod to the home of the Pipistrel?

Go where you want to go

January 22nd, 2010

Be what you want to be SLYTV

On Wed 20th, an incident occurred at the Oaks. Contrary to the channel seven news, which had a wing falling off and a plane spiralling into the ground, with passenger unharmed, the KR2 had a collapsed nosewheel with an automatic trigger of its EPIRB.

Thursday, 21st, a visit by a Super Petrel. The family (plus one) syndicate bought the amphibian recently, it was built by the  local pilot and builder who suffered a tragic motor accident.

Super Petrel

Super Petrel

Super Petrel

Super Petrel

Nosey Super Petrel

Nosey Super Petrel

The plane has a 100 HP Rotax 912.

Boaty Super Petrel

Boaty Super Petrel

Rectractable Gear

Rectractable Gear

The instruments and cockpit layout are interesting.

Instruments

Instruments

The handy little timer is a cheap food industry device. $24.75 There’s also a switch for the bilge pump.

Super Petrel

Super Petrel

I’d include a link to the importer’s website, but the one advertised in the RAA magazine, www.superpetrelaustralia.com, goes nowhere.

Inspired by thoughts of toodling up to Pittwater, staying overnight at the Towlers Bay Hostel, or perhaps lunch at the Berowra Waters Inn, Geoff and I headed up the Sydney Lane.

Near Patonga

Near Patonga

The beach in front of Patonga caravan park was below. We forgot our swimmers.

Patonga

Patonga

Hawkesbury River

Hawkesbury River

In fact, Thursday was terrible flying weather. Thermals made the flight lumpy. In addition, the Camden training area is congested, and can only get worse. Five planes in a small area around Warragamba.

Fellow Traveller

Fellow Traveller

On the way to Patonga, another plane overtook us around Hornsby. He had a transponder, so was tracked by the air services web track site.

Set the date to 21st Jan, time around 13:42

I’d like to include my own GPS googleearth log, but there’s too many questions I’ve got. A lot of things still don’t make sense.

Who wants to follow someone else’s tracks? Go where you want to go, do what you want to do.

Life’s too short to die choking on a ham sandwich (Note, Not).

TIF – ‘Triffic Introductory Flight

January 18th, 2010

Mark Dawson, our safety officer, organised an outing for the Mensa social club; a day of TIFs at Illawarra.

After worrying about the weather all week, a previous day at  Katoomba had already been scratched, the clouds lifted and the day turned out beautifully.

Everyone enjoyed themselves. Mark has the full set of photos.

Jillian Osborne

Jillian Osborne

Christine Pretty

Christine Pretty

Caroline Gatt

Caroline Gatt

Jillian Lennon

Jillian Lennon

The morning gang.

The morning gang.

Dermot Lynch

Dermot Lynch

Robert Young

Robert Young

Nigel Hope

Nigel Hope

Yveline Pillar

Yveline Pillar

From our club there were the two instructors Joe and Darryl, Mark who organised the participants, myself doing photos, Ian helping refuel (Ian lives nearby) and Mimi, taking  care that Darryl returned safely.

6 AM Camden, no wind, cloud OK

6 AM Camden, no wind, cloud OK

Cloud low over the escarpment, OK to the north

Cloud low over the escarpment, OK to the north

Mimi making sure Darryl is behaving

Mimi making sure Darryl is behaving

The yellow plane every hour.

The yellow plane every hour.

The blue plane every thirteen minutes

The blue plane every thirteen minutes

Ain't she purty?

Ain't she purty?

Back we come

Back we come

Why do you want to be a pilot?

January 11th, 2010

I have spent some time stealing other people’s souls.

Gail, all smiles

Gail, all smiles

So for better, or worse, here’s some of mine in return.

As part of the GYFT’s program, a grant scheme for budding aviators under 21, applicants must produce

An essay of 1,000 words (maximum) is required from applicants and forms an important component of this application.  It should be word processed and double-spaced.  The essay will be judged on the following elements:

Element 1:  Why do you want to become a pilot and how important is it to you to learn to fly and perhaps pursue a career in aviation?

Why do you want to become a pilot?

What a good question. The first thing to notice is that it says, why do you want to become a pilot, not; why does someone else want you to become a pilot.

Perhaps all of us should answer that question. We all have loved ones, family, friends, acquaintances. Don’t they deserve an answer to such a question?

Once people learn that you take to the skies in craft considerably smaller than what they are familiar with, the question is often asked in all kinds of roundabout ways.

“So where does this lead to? What is the point?” You can see them backing away slightly, the real question, “are you deranged?” writ on their face.

At first, it seems easy. “It’s the most fantastic feeling you will ever have,” you can honestly say. But then you think, that’s not enough, that’s not the whole story.

It’s not enough, because there are also downsides. Maybe there are some people who can jump in a plane from day one, never feel terror, never doubt their confidence, never feel the misery that comes from crushed ambition when the mind and body conspire to make you an idiot. If you are such a person, keep away from me. I don’t want to know you.

It’s not enough, because the short duration of that pure selfish feeling of joy isn’t enough to sustain. The description also, in a subtle way, demeans the listener.  “You will never know what it’s like because your life is pathetic, unlike my super-dooper fantastic existence.”

I turned to the Internet for some help.

PPrune has nice thread. Answer, “chicks dig pilots.” Yeah, right.

William Langewiesche, son of Wolfgang, has this great quote that seems to answer the question.

“How can you not fly when you live in a time in history when you can fly?”

But this presupposes you know what the feeling is like, again it is simply pilots talking to pilots, the precursor to the same old macho crap that’s almost as harmful to brain and hearing as plane engine noise.

I have heard of people who go for a Trail Instruction Flight, and realise that it is not for them. I admire such people, they are truly lucky. They have escaped the uncertainty, the fear, the doubt, the expense. Do you think your life is richer for flying?  OK, prove it. You answer me in the comment box below, “Why are you a pilot?  Why do you want to become a pilot?”

Even people have flown many hours, over many years, give it away.  Who are you to say, “they lacked this, they lacked that.”

And to those who have wasted their marriages, their careers, have lost their sons, what do you say to them. “Life dealt you a hand.” Or, “some days are diamonds, some days are stones.”

Once club president Joe Newham and I were handing over a raffle prize, a TIF gift certificate. A lady managing a nearby hotel, who was also donating a prize, said to Joe and I, “are you pilots?”

Joe looked up with a Top Gun piercing look and said, “Yes ma’am, we’re both pilots.”

I gently corrected him. “Joe is an instructor, and I am a student.”

I don’t care too much about having a pilot certification. It’s nice, simply because it’s an achievement, and it means there’s less hassle when I hire the club plane.

However, I always regard myself first and foremost as a “student of flight.” To always have curiosity, to always be in awe, always hold that feeling of delicious anxiety. To always think before I jump in the cabin, “the decision I make now cannot easily be reversed.”

But all this is too hard to explain to someone who is backing off anyway. The best I can do is, “Flying is fun. I like it.”

But, between you and me, my fellow deranged addict, I can say this. “Flying is the best fun. God I love it.”

Jamie Honan, his first lesson with Greg Davies

Jamie Honan, his first lesson with Greg Davies

The hour meter only ticks forward

January 3rd, 2010

Happy New Year. Some take the opportunity to make resolutions.

Michel Geurts

Michel Geurts

Michel has been a member for some time now, so it’s overdue that we have all met him. Best wishes in your flying, Michel.

Scott Maxwell in Rans S10

Scott Maxwell in Rans S10

Scott Maxwell came by with the news that he has purchased Frank Wetton’s S10. Scott was an active member of the club, obtained his instructor rating. Two children and a six day a week business has taken a large chunk out of his flying time.

Scott has always been interested in the Rans, and asked Frank to keep him in mind.  Scott has always been fond of tinkering mechanically.

Scott Maxwell and George

Scott Maxwell and George

Carl Holden dropped by with his friend George. Carl pointed out the Optus tower, going up almost directly opposite the club house. This means that shortly we will have good 3G coverage, with some good bargains on internet data rates.

George is very interesting character. He claims he was the only one eyed helicopter pilot in Australia. George had to relinquish his private pilot’s licence due to health, not because of his eyesight, but insulin dependant diabetes.

George lives at Razorback, where he used to keep a Robinson R22 helicopter. There was much discussion about various craft, including various historical craft, regulatory frameworks, figures and events.

Gordon and Milan

Gordon and Milan

New member Milan, and his son Gordon, came for a trial instruction flight. Milan was an officer in the former Yugolsav Air Force, where he flew fighters and then Antonov transports. He was involved with training.

Darryl was a bit daunted to be taking him for a TIF, but it had been seventeen years since he flew, and then a plane with somewhat different characteristics. A quick trip to Tahmor to photograph a friend’s property and Milan was hooked. He joined up on the spot.

Better down here, wishing you were up there?

Better down here, wishing you were up there?

Showers were forecast for the day, and they did come and go. There was meant to be a southerly change, with a chance of thunderstorms.

But the day wasn’t too bumpy, and the view superb. Another of those days to remember.

Can't have too many shots of the welcome mat.

Can't have too many shots of the welcome mat.