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Blue Skies The official newsletter of the Mildura Aero Club
November 2017
A big month for the Mildura Aero Club October and November should have reminded us why we are members of the Mildura Aero Club. We have:-
• advocated for, and achieved, consultation on the Mildura Airport Master Plan,
• undertaken a very successful Fly-away to Clare
• hosted the Australian Piper Aircraft Association
• hosted AOPA; and
• undertaken our first “Fun Flight” charity day Well done to all involved. Next up – we require volunteers to man the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle – Saturday 25 November 2017 – names to Geoff Steedman ASAP please. (Geoff’s contact details are set out in the contact section on the last page of the newsletter). Donate two hours and help us continue to promote Aviation in our community!
Fun Flight “Fun Flight” is a volunteer organisation which carries the motto “Every Child can Fly”. It aims to provide free flights to kids who have faced adversity.
Well done to Lindsay Anderson for recommending the program and Denis Moy for convening and organising it.
Lindsay, Denis, Jeremy Browne, Shane O’Halloran and Ramair donated the use of their planes. Whilst Denis did the paperwork, assisted by Rhonda Moy and Michael Holcroft in the clubrooms and Geoff Steedman on the BBQ, Jordan Mattiacca did the fun part, and flew MOY (picture below).
The day was a huge success, plenty of smiles from the kids, their families and the pilots and helpers involved. Well done to all involved.
President’s Report
With the deferment of Airport Master Plans ratification by council, the Piper Pilots Association visit to the region and the club’s participation in the Fun Flight program last weekend, it goes without saying the last month has been a busy one.
AOPA was invited by us to attend Mildura and they rolled into town the
day before the Mildura Airport Master Plan was due to be adopted by
Council.
Wth the help of Ben and Peter Morgan, combined with the efforts of
members and airport users, we were able to gain a 28 day grace period to
submit comments on the plan.
Members should have seen the coverage that AOPA achieved in the local
media. I encourage all members to take a look at the plan as it will affect
the usability of the MAC clubrooms and hangar in the future.
We also want as many constructive written submissions as possible in relation to the Master Plan.
There will be an Executive summary with airport users and tenant’s comments made available later in the week.
Anyone who can comment on the master plan can do so in writing direct to M.A.P.L. I would also encourage those
comments be forwarded to myself to be included as part of the compiled document.
If you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact me on my mobile.
AOPA – Andrew Kilroy and I have now also been appointed AOPA representatives in our region. (Editor’s note: for those who do not know Andrew, there is a profile below). It was Fantastic to see the club rooms being put to good use while the visiting Piper Association was put through their paces. I have it on good authority that the new furniture was put to good use!! The weekend was received well by the Piper Association and the efforts of both Dave Seddon and Michael Holcroft in putting Mildura on the radar should be commended. As recently as last Sunday the club participated in the nation-wide Fun Flight Initiative. Thanks to Lindsay for making the Committee aware of Fun Flight’s existence, Denis and Rhonda for their efforts in making the weekend happen and thanks to those who flew, provided aircraft or helped on the day. The Fun Flight day was well received by the participants (apart from one young fellow – who refused to fly with the President!) and we have since received a letter of thanks from the Griffiths family. Overall, the Children were a pleasure to fly with. Comments made by one Family that stuck with me after the day eluded to the fact that some of the children involved are limited in what they can do making it difficult for them to be involved in many normal family activities. Due to the ease of involvement flying can offer to the whole family the flights that the club offered impacted on a deeper level than purely putting a Smile on a child’s face. With Christmas around the corner the idea of a joint Christmas party with other Aviation groups has been knocked around and accepted as a good thing. Stay tuned for the details. Cheers Nick Mason
New Committee Member – Andrew Kilroy Andrew began flying Piper Warriors out of Lilydale airport with his first log book entry in 1991. In the mid ’90’s, Andrew served as Secretary for the Yarra Valley Aero Club which was a very active aero club with notable members such as Bert Flood and Bill Burke. Continuing his training at Moorabbin, he flew the Piper Tomahawk with Ian Harwood, an ex RAAF instructor. Andrew’s career involved a start in IT with National Australia Bank, and ended up in the food industry. The cheese and crackers that you buy on the plane are an invention of Andrew’s. After Ansett Airlines went bust, Virgin Blue advertised looking for food to sell in their aircraft, Andrew answered the call. In 2004, Andrew opened the first sushi bar in Ballarat and in 2005 expanded to another shop in Ballarat and a sushi train restaurant in Melbourne.
In 2011, Andrew sold his businesses and had a change of career, joining Victoria Police. In 2013, Andrew moved to Mildura where he got back in to flying. He owned Peter Harrison’s Morgan Cheetah for a year before selling it earlier this year. Andrew intends to obtain his RAAus Instructor Rating later this year and instruct part time. Andrew brings a passion for aviation to the club as well as vast experience in technology and marketing. Andrew has accepted the challenge of increasing the Club use of our Flight simulator.
Clare Valley Fly Away An excellent joint Flyaway was held by Mildura Aero Club and Mildura Sports Aviation 6-8 October 2017.
Dave Seddon, (landing LYA above) and I, in LRT, had to ferry a couple of extra passengers, after Garry Keller’s MOgas Munching Jabiru returned to YMIA with carbie Icing. Garry promises to leave the carbie heat on a bit longer for his
next fly away 😊 All arrived safely and the traditional custom of “Beer on Tie-down” was honoured.
Whilst Dave Seddon was the committee member responsible for the Fly-Away, I suspect that MAC member Richard Oliver, who is a part time Clare Resident, put together most of the fantastic program. Anyway, well done to all involved!
The Clare Valley Airport has only been open since November 2014. The airport was established on 29ha of land donated by one of its members. Construction commenced in 2010. It main strip of 1,200m runs 17-35.
The club house is modern, practical and athletically pleasing. Mildura Aero Club Members Richard Oliver and Rex Waite are both members who have hangars at YCVA.
The President of the Clare Valley Aero Club is Dave Willson (two “L”s). Dave also runs Clare Valley Tours and proved a very informative and humorous tour host. I think he may have been a little surprised by the level of banter and witty retorts experienced on the tour though. After delivery to our accommodation, some walked the Riesling Trail (below), and others made a bee line to the nearest hotel. For those who missed the Riesling Trail, see photo below.
An entertaining evening at the Clare Hotel, during which time Peter Guest lobbed in as a last-minute replacement for Nick & Emma, who had been delayed. Garry lost his hat, and a one-armed pool player was cross examined regarding his missing limb. How he managed to turn his collar and the mulesing of sheep – both of which seemed incredibly crucial questions to the MSA Inquisitors…at some late hour of the evening.
Saturday morning, Mr Willson collected us in the bus and we journeyed back to the airport to drop Guesty off and collect Nick and Emma.
Dave Willson then took us to the Mt Dangar Hotel for morning tea (a little early for a beer…for some). Host; Kymm (two “M”s) gave us the history of the area, of South Australia and of Sir Hubert Wilkins, who was born…just down the road. We travelled to the restored cottage of Wilkin’s birth.
Then off to Burra for lunch…
…. before heading to Pike’s Creek for a sample of the locale produce.
Mr Willson then took us to Seven Hills vineyard, established by the Jesuits around 150 years ago.
A couple of the tourists managed a quick confessional, thankfully they didn’t repent all their sins, or we might still have been there!
A little more wine tasting, with expert comments by Garry Keller (two “R”’s and two “L”s).
Before dining at the excellent “Seeds” restaurant.
An early collection on Sunday morn, and it was back to the Airport for Bacon and Eggs before departure. A strong North Westerly saw me with a ground speed of 200 knots plus on route to Horsham – Essendon, whilst those travelling back to Mildura happily reported “30 knots on the tail”.
Piper Association Visit
Due to space limitations, the report on the Piper Association Visit has been held over to the December newsletter.
Weather Forecasts For those who have flown since 9 November 2017, you would have noticed a change to the Area Forecasts on NAIPs. You can access the new forecasts if you put a plan into Oz-runways, go to Flight Plan and hit the “storm cloud” icon. We will try to have an information session on the new weather information in the next month or so.
Contacts
Mildura Aero Club Inc. PO Box 10144, Mildura, Vic 3502
Website: www.milduraaeroclub.com.au Mobile Email
President; Nick Mason 0448 832 260 [email protected] Vice President; Denis Moy 0417 306 192 [email protected] Secretary; Lindsay Anderson 0419 870 998 [email protected] Treasurer; Geoff Steedman 0428 250 856 [email protected] General Committee Jeremy Browne 0448 511 771 [email protected] Michael Holcroft 0419 891 129 [email protected] Simon Heuzenroeder 0418 310 624 [email protected] Andrew Kilroy [email protected] Rhonda Moy 0428 267 698 [email protected] Shane O’Halloran 0418 176 160 [email protected] Dave Seddon 0418 314 499 [email protected]