october 2011 official publication of the ... · 4/4/2012 · official publication of the royal aero...

www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au October 2011 1

Official Publication of the Royal Aero Club of Western

Australia (Inc.)

October 2011

Australia $4.00 (Inc. GST)

9 7 7 1 8 3 3 6 1 1 6 0 2

ISSN 1833-6116

http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au

October 2011 Tarmac Topics2

Cover Photo: Mooney Formation practicing for the Battle of Britain Dawn Patrol. Photographer: David Eyre

The views expressed in TARMAC TOPICS are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Racwa, nor does it automatically endorse products advertised. Racwa retains the right to reject or edit submissions for publication to conform with Racwa policies or due to space constraints. Aviation regulatory matters are mentioned as general information only - readers should obtain the current status immediately before flight operations. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage suffered by any person or entity attributed to the content of any article or advertisement published in this magazine. Reproduction of material published in this magazine is permitted after approval has been obtained from the Publisher of Tarmac Topics, and on the condition the article/photo source is acknowledged.

Main Office & Operations:41 Eagle Drive, Jandakot Airport, JANDAKOT, W.A. 6164Phones: 08 9417 0000Fax: 08 9417 0040Email: [email protected]: www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au

Flickr: Royal Aero Club WATwitter: www.twitter.com/royalaeroclubwaFacebook: www.facebook.com/royalaeroclubwa

Murrayfield Operations: Lakes Road,NAMBEELUP, W.A., 6210Phone: 08 9581 6222Fax: 08 9583 3922Email: [email protected]

Racwa Team Members: General Manager: David CurreyClub Secretary: Patrick Ng CFI / Chief Pilot: Trent Robinson CFI (IT) / Murrayfield: John Douglas Chief Engineer: Glen Caple Finance & Admin.: Patrick NgClient Services: Carrie MunroMarketing Manager / Quality & Safety Manager Josh SeniorOIC Murrayfield: Amy Richards

Tarmac Topics: Publisher: The Royal Aero Club of

Western Australia (Inc.) ABN 19 537 624 305

Editor: [email protected] / Advertising Manager:

Shelley Cruden Ph. 0423 892 084 [email protected]

Printer: Mike Severn (Success Print) Ph. 9279 3214 [email protected]

Features Annual Wings Dinner 2011 8-9 Visiting USA Sites 10 A Navex Around Australia, by a Pom 11 Warbirds Over Wanaka 14

Regular ItemsFrom the GMs Desk 3 Around The Club 5 Club Captain's Corner 6 Altitude Rewards 6 Preferred Suppliers Directory 7 From The Instructor Room 10 Achievers 12 From the Instructor Room 13 On A Lighter Note 15 Flying Fun 16

Contact Us 2Club Diary 4

Andrew Eldridge President: 0438 220 703 or 08 9221 4336 [email protected]

Jim Jenkins Vice President: 0414 345 196 [email protected]

Vacant Treasurer:

Craig Hensley Club Captain: 0439 528 733 [email protected]

Linda Maule Junior Hawks/Communication: 0411 480 909 [email protected]

John Cleland Director 0419 912 720 [email protected]

Martin Jones Director: 0417 181 773 [email protected]

David Kleemann Director: 0408 942 963 [email protected]

Mitchell Wells: Director: 0400 700 824 [email protected]

Cont

act U

sContacts Committee

To AdvertiseIn This Issue

DeadlinesThe deadline for receiving articles and photos for the following month's edition is the 17th of each month.

Advertise in Tarmac Topics now. For details, check http://www.royalaeroclubwa.com.au or contact Shelley Cruden on 0423 892 084 or [email protected], or our Marketing Team..

Disclaimer


David Currey, General Manager

CHOGM – OPPORTUNITY FOR A CLUBHOUSE BUSY BEE

New

s

need addressing, such as painting, tiling the area in front of the tea/coffee machine, painting the outside railings and pruning the roses. A recent Sunday saw true Club spirit as members spruced up Murrayfield Airport. I hope that during the CHOGM weekend, we can call upon our members to help improve our Jandakot clubhouse.We are calling on members to come and lend a hand to fix up those niggling issues that have been put off for too long. Whilst members with trade skills will be gainfully utilised, we need as many members as possible to complete the multitude of tasks that have been identified. Where possible, please could you contact me by email ([email protected]), detailing your preferred day(s) that you could help. You will be contacted once we have a plan of action of what can be undertaken on which day.The Club will ensure that the barbie is full of gas, and that we have sufficient rolls and snaggers for members who support the busy bee. I hope that we will be able to experience true club camaraderie during the busy bee.

From the GM's Desk

The impact of CHOGM will result in flying operations at Jandakot and Murrayfield being curtailed from Wednesday 26th to Monday 31st October. Flying can

take place on these dates, but all flights will be subject “to an increased likelihood that diversions could occur”. No aircraft will be permitted to approach the CBD during these 6 days. During these restrictions, only aircraft with transponders will be permitted to operate from Jandakot – even for circuits. Jandakot flying operations will not be permitted on Saturday 29th from 0930 to 1730, and on Sunday 30th from 0915 to 1145 (these times are subject to change). For this, the Club will be closed on Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October. It is simply not viable for the Club to remain open on these days.The Club will conduct as many flights as possible on the 26th, 27th and 31st. However, we are limited in the number of C152s that have transponders. When making a booking for these days, our operations team will confirm whether your flight can go ahead or not. Full details of the airspace procedures can be found in AIP (SUP) H50/11 dated 26 October 2011. Although this will impact on our flying hours, it does give the Club an excellent opportunity to conduct a long overdue busy bee. There are a multitude of maintenance issues that

Celebrate the end of the CHOGM flying restrictions with a weekend away!!This year we are combining a Fly-in to Busselton with the Annual Leeuwin Estate Luncheon. You don’t need to do both.

Arrive YBLN in time for a BBQ lunch with the members of the Busselton Aero Club –about 12noon. A coach will uplift us and take us to a Boutique Brewery and also to a Winery in case Beer is not your scene. We might even take in the Underwater Observatory. Accommodation will be at the Gale Street Motel and villas – BOOK YOUR OWN, but be sure to tell that you are with Royal Aero Club flyin for the special deal.A Dinner will be organised for the Saturday night.Sunday Morning the coach will be organised to get you to the Airport in time to fly in to Leeuwin Estate for the Annual Luncheon (or to fly back home)Costs will depend very much on attendance. But a ball park figure of around $90/hd should cover: Lunch at B A C, Coach fares; winery etc visits; Evening meal.Email [email protected] or [email protected] The Leeuwin Estate Luncheon menu is not yet finalised but will not be more than last year - $40/ hd.

After CHOGM

The Racwa Clubhouse will be closed Friday 28th, Saturday 29th, and Sunday 30th October due to

CHOGM. But Busy Bee volunteers are needed then, please email

[email protected] if you can help

Your Club Needs YOU!


For more information on any event - contact Racwa on 08 9417 0000

November5-6 Busselton Fly-in & Leeuwin Lunch 8 Learn to Fly Seminars13 WALAC Practice15 Night Currency 20 Working bee at Murayfield21 PPL Course starts25-26 WALACs

Later 3 Dec Catalina Commemorative Flight11 Dec HMAS Murrayfield17 Dec Jandakot Two for One Competition9 Jan Certificate IV of Aviation course starts9 Jan Advanced Diploma of Aviation course

starts9 Jan JAA Commercial Pilot course starts9 Jan BAK (full time) course starts30 Jan Block A ATPL course starts30 Jan Block B ATPL course starts

Regular EventsNight Currency

3rd Tuesday of the monthJandakot Challenge

Last Saturday of the month, Racwa Jandakot

October30 Sep - 2Oct Mooney Pilot Safety Program 8 Learn to Fly Seminars 9 Northam Dawn Raid10 CPL Block A starts10 IREX course starts16 Manjimup Fly-in18 Night Currency 22 YPJT Challenge - Glide approach & BBQ25 WALAC Preparations28 Working bee at Jandakot

Wha

t's O

n?Club Diary Coming Events


Around The ClubVale

Tim Simmonds

One thing about voice messages is that when you get a few and they’ve banked up, it takes for ever to listen to them all. Worse still, you have

to go through them in the order they were received. Having missed a call from Big Kev, the message said it was number 12 in the list. It had to wait…It was now Saturday morning and I had built-up the courage to tackle the now 15 voice messages. Finally at number 12, Big Kev’s message ”5 Mooneys, formation practice, wheels up at 4 Saturday arvo, front seat for

Formation Flight

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Tim Simmonds. Tim was CFI at the Royal Aero Club between 1965 and 1970. He joined

the staff as an instructor at Perth Airport in 1964 and took over as CFI after the resignation of Kingsley Hughes.Tim had extensive experience as an instructor in single and multi-engine aircraft, including the four-engine Avro Shackletons used by Coastal Command in England. In his role as CFI he introduced a number of changes based on his experience in the RAF. He was popular with staff and members and a “guiding light” for many students. He had the rare and invaluable quality for a flying instructor of being able to recognise and subtly deal with both under and over confidence in a pilot.

you”. Now feeling slightly bad that my procrastination to check the messages meant I had not returned this or a number of calls already. I was straight onto the phone to Big Kev, the seat was confirmed, although I’d heard the message wrong and it was instead Sunday arvo. Sweet!Having flown my Non-Circuit practice flight earlier on the Sunday morning, I’d arrived at Jandakot a little early. The goal was to get some good photos today, so I dusted off my Canon 70-200m IS-F 2.8 lens and the 40D. Standing outside I worked at getting a few practice shots in. Big Kev brought along his sweet 7D with a wide lens.By the time we had been briefed, we were down to 4 planes. It was Big Kev, Rohan, Andrew and Jake as the four pilots. The plan was to depart via Freo Golf Course, up the coast to City Beach, then out over the ocean for some 15 to 30 degree turns. Big Kev was formation leader, the others in a diamond behind. We went through a number of turns before changing positions and leads. On the way in, we held back and snapped a few shots.All round, great fun and once again thanks Big Kev!

Time Trial

Co m p e t i t o r s at the recent S e p t e m b e r

competition at Murrayfield had their work cut out for them with a Time Trial set for this competition.


Craig Hensley, Club Captain

G’day Members, the months seem to be disappearing and I’m

wondering where the year has gone. Time is a valuable commodity and I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time and came to Murrayfield for the recent

Working Bee. It was organised at short notice so I appreciate everyone coming on board. The support was fantastic all round and we achieved some great results. The Club needs us all to help out wherever we can so try and make yourself available when the Working Bees are held. At this stage there are two more planned, at Jandakot on the CHOGM weekend, starting October 28-30 and Murrayfield on November 20.The Battle of Britain Dawn Patrol went off quite well with conditions turning favourable just in time. Just as well it isn’t held on a Sunday with the front that came through early Sunday morning. I would like to thank Trevor Jones and Mick Harcourt who did most of the work and preparation for the day and to Clark Rees and guys from MG TC Owners Club who kindly displayed their magnificent vehicles for the Wings and Wheels. I was fortunate enough to spend some time talking to our Guest Speaker Colin Morton. Colin’s speech was not only entertaining and informative but his informal manner and light hearted way with words kept us all amused. Also many thanks to Michelle Toye and her staff at the Runway Café for a

CompetitionsOctober CompetitionsThe Murrayfield monthly comp on the 9th has been transferred to Northam and we will be conducting a Dawn Raid departing from Jandakot at 6:30am. After breakfast we will participate in their monthly competition.At Jandakot on the 22nd, a week early due to the CHOGM, we will be conducting a Glide Approach competition in preparation for WALAC. As usual the starting time is 13:45 for registration followed by a briefing at 14:00. Afterwards we will be having a BBQ dinner and refreshments. You don’t have to compete, you are welcome to come along and enjoy a casual, social evening.

WALACThis year WALAC will be held on November 25th & 26th. The Formation event will be held at Jandakot on Friday and the Aerobatics and circuit events will be held at Murrayfield on Saturday. There will be a practice day at Murrayfield on November 13th.

Fly-InsManjimup Fly-InOn Sunday the 16th of October members are invited to make a day trip to Manjimup. Sign-up sheet with details will be on the Notice Board this month.

Busselton Fly-in & Leeuwin LunchThis popular event is to be held on the 5th & 6th of November this year. Mark it down and keep an eye out on the Notice Board.

Working BeesThere are two Working Bees scheduled, one at Jandakot starting Friday October 28 and another at Murrayfield on November 20th to make the Airport ready for the WALAC’s. All assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Club

Cap

tain

's Co

rner

Mark Your Calendars

From the Club Captain

WinnersJandakot Precision Circuit Competition

1st Michael Stenson2nd Jim Di Menna3rd Mike Burns / Rod GarnautMonthly Prize Winner: Jim Di Menna

Murrayfield Time Trial Competition1st John Look2nd Craig Hensley3rd John Ridgeway / Dave Rose

fantastic breakfast, it really hit the spot after such an early start.The Competitions last month were close contests with dead heats in the placings at both events. Check out the winners on our Results List. The Northam Aero Club have invited us to conduct the Annual Dawn Raid to their Club in place of our regular Murrayfield Comp on the 9th of October. Departure will be at your own discretion but try to arrive at Northam between 7 and 8am to make sure you can partake of their hospitality and enjoy a hearty country breakfast.WALAC is just around the corner and I’m hoping to have competitors coming from other clubs around the State to make it a true statewide event and improve competition. Volunteers will be needed and another Working Bee will be held on the November 20 so if you missed the first one you will have a chance to roll up your sleeves and pitch in to help make the event a success.Cheers

Rottnest Island

Avoid flying over the Settlement and continuous repetitive circuits

Use East/West approaches in most recent (3/6/10) NDB flight paths

Maintain heightReduce engine revs ASAPFollow designated flight paths

NO TRAINING FLIGHTS between 6pm-8am

Fly neighbourly


The Club helping You

We are happy to welcome some new partners on board this month, to provide Royal Aero Club members with exclusive discounts

across an even larger range of products and services.If you would like to make your business a partner of Altitude, send an email to [email protected] AviationConcept Aviation is proud to present Royal Aero Club Members with a 3% discount on all purchases made on their website: www.conceptaviation.com.au. Simply join the Concept Club and you will automatically receive 3% off. If you want to see the products before you buy them, visit us at 14A Eagle Drive, Jandakot Airport.Swan PoolsRoyal Aero Club members can purchase 500ml of LoChlor Winteriser for $20 or 1 Litre for $40 over the winter period. One 500ml dose treats 50,000 Litres for three months. Members also receive a 10% discount for all other purchases. Simply mention you are a Royal Aero Club member to be eligible.Rottnest LodgeRottnest Lodge is proud to offer Royal Aero Club Members 10% off the lowest rate for any accommodation all year round and a free porter service from the Airport to the Lodge. Going across just for the day? No worries! Rottnest Lodge

is also offering Members a 10% discount on all dining in their restaurant. Contact Royal Aero Club Operations to find out more!Aviator MagazineAviator Magazine is happy to offer Royal Aero Club members a three year subscription for the price of two! That is a saving of around $90! Simply place Racwa next to your name on the order form in the magazine or online to enjoy this exclusive discount!Mosmans RestaurantMosmans Restaurant is proud to offer Royal Aero Club members one free main course when you quote ‘Royal Aero Club’ on booking. Located on the Swan River in Mosman Park, Mosmans is the ideal dining location for any lunch or dinner event. Bookings on 9383 3388.Rockin’ PizzaRockin’ Pizza are proud to announce a 25% discount for Royal Aero Club Members (not available with any other offer). Located on Rockingham Road in Hamilton Hill, Rockin’ Pizza has established itself as a truly unique culinary experience with hand stretched pizzas. Check out the menu at www.rockinpizza.com.au or call 9335 1333.

Altitude Rewards

Preferred Suppliers DirectoryAir BPMarket and supply aviation fuels, lubricants & specialist services worldwide for over 80 years. We manufacture and supply Avgas, Jet A1 and JetPlus (with FSII) into plane and in bulk to a large network of airports.Contact: Web - http://www.bp.com

Phone - 03-9268 4111David Rose & Assoc.An Electrical and Lighting design Consultancy providing a personalised service to the building industry for both large and small projects.Contact: Email - [email protected]

Phone - 08-9574 5176.Jandakot Airport HoldingsManager of Jandakot Airport, and committed to ensuring that Jandakot Airport is a sustainable, strategic aviation hub.Contact: Web - http://www.jandakotairport.com.au

Email - [email protected] Phone - 08-9417 0900

Jetset Travel NorthlandsOffering clients a one stop travel shop, providing complete travel solutions, travel money services, expert advice and the best possible value for money..Contact: Web - http://www.jetset.com.au/northlands/


Keith Lindbeck & Assoc.Working in all aspects of the environmental consulting industry from impact & site assessment, to management, compliance/reporting, training, flora & fauna surveys and rehabilitation. We specialise in mineral mining and exploration throughout the world.Contact: Email - [email protected]

Phone - 08-9332 0671 or 0412 419 467

Marsh Pty LtdThe world's leading insurance broker and risk advisor with offices in over 100 countries. With a specialised Aviation team based in Perth, Marsh has access to all key insurers to provide aviators with world class insurance protection.Contact: Web - http://www.marsh.com.au


Moonlight ExpressPerth's premier charter service cruising the Swan River specialising in corporate, special occasions or wedding celebrations. Our beautiful craft can comfortably cater for up to 100 guests cocktail style or 30 guests seated.Contact: http://www.moonlightexpress.com.au

Email - [email protected] Phone - 0418 916 236

QBE InsurancePart of the largest international insurance and reinsurance group, we operate in all key insurance markets with offices in 49 countries around the world.Contact: Web - http://www.qbe.com.au

Phone - 132 723Success PrintSpecialises in all types of general printing, we also aid customers to self publish and print their book. Our sister company PhotobooksWA is the leading producer of personalised photobooks, for all details please refer to our websites..Contact: Web - http://www.successprint.com.au

http://www.photobookswa.com.au Email - [email protected] Phone - 08-9279 3214


Feat

ure

Annual WingsOn Saturday, 27th August, we

celebrated the Club’s Annual Wings Presentation Dinner with 209 friends

and family at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Perth. This year saw a welcome change of venue from the Grand Ballroom to the more relaxed and inviting Terrace Ballroom. Feedback received has indicated a strong preference for this room with the more intimate feel clearly appreciated by guests. The MC duties on the night were adeptly handled by Trevor Jones who kept the evening’s formalities moving along at a rapid pace,

leaving plenty of time afterwards for dancing and socialising. Coril Bere once again did an impeccable job coordinating the whole event down to the smallest detail. The theme for the evening was based on 80 years of the Tiger Moth. A static model dominated the room and an audio visual prepared by Rick Ennis added nostalgia throughout the night.


Feature

Dinner - 2011Everybody was greeted with a refreshing beverage upon arrival. As always, the women looked absolutely gorgeous and the men extremely handsome dressed in their finest. President Andrew Eldridge in his inaugural welcome address, set the scene for a truly enjoyable evening. Andrew has just completed his CPL and was able to share some stories many of the guests could relate to.The Award winners are listed on page 12:Jan Ende had an important message for us all about the importance of flying safe.We were extremely grateful once again for the generous support from our major sponsors, AirBP, Marsh & QBE Insurance. Also, a big thank you to club member, Peta Poliwka and Moonlight Express.PhotoCoffee were there for formal photos and our special thanks to Mick Harcourt, who took loads of ‘happy snaps’ (a small sample above). Your photos can be ordered through http://www.photocoffee.com.au

Linda Maule


September’s Tarmac Topics excellent Feature was Brian

Hernan’s story of his visit to AirVenture 2011. I am delighted to say that I was one of the Aussies who made it to Oshkosh

too, and I endorse all that Brian said.I joined the Torii Tour Group that set off earlier to visit as many aviation sites in the USA as is possible in three weeks, as well as Oshkosh, of course.Where else to start but Seattle? This is the Home of Boeing. The tour of their 13.4 million cubic metre assembly building, where the familiar passenger and freighters are built, was tempered by the fact that you cannot get up close to the action or take photos, but view from six floors up! Can you imagine six B747s side by side?Nearby is Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection. When unlimited funds are applied to restoration of significant aircraft, anything is possible. Here is Lt.Colonel Jimmy Doolittle’s B25 Mitchell bomber. We all had a chance to fly in turbine Otters over Seattle’s magnificent harbour, including Microsoft’s headquarters. I think I saw Bill Gates' home, but I could be mistaken!The Museum of Flight is here too and for me, the Air Force One aircraft as used by Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon was interesting to enter and see where these men worked. We flew into New York on the hottest day in many years, but that didn’t matter. Here is the 'USS Intrepid', the iconic aircraft carrier destined for the scrapheap but rescued by the patriotic Fisher family. Now this proud ship is the “Sea, Air and Space Museum complex” and hosts a large number of aircraft. School groups visit to see not just a WWII ship but also one that played a part in space orbiter recovery. Here will rest the Space Shuttle “Enterprise”.Few people know that near New York is found the Old Rhinebeck Airfield. Col Palin put his savings into rescuing WW1 aircraft and creating an airfield and hangars to restore and show them. More than that, he wanted to fly them. Sixty years on and this living museum is thriving. Many of these irreplaceable fragile craft will just hop off the runway.We went by bus south through Philadelphia to Washington DC. All buses we travelled on had Internet access, so we could email and even forward photos as we went. Washington is somewhere I have to return to. So much to see. Most within walking distance: White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian Museums of course. I concentrated on Sputnik, early US space efforts such as Mercury, Gemini and Apollo leading up to the Moon landing.

Feat

ure

I learnt of early attempts to deal with “bathroom issues!” not so much a problem when flights were of an hour’s duration, but something else when flights became much longer! The Smithsonian’s other facility is located at nearby Dulles Airport and is known as The Steven F.Udvar-Hazy Centre. The Enola Gay Superfortress and Space Shuttle Discovery sit massively here. We were learning to pace ourselves around these extensive collections of aircraft. You can get too much of a good thing!We flew to Chicago and had a three-hour bus trip through rich farmlands to arrive at Oshkosh. In the summer break, Wisconsin University welcomes visitors to its dormitories. 7,000 will stay during this week in basic, yet adequate accommodation. Nearby is the Dining Room, which seats 2,000 and provides a variety of meals at $8 to $12! The bus stop is here and a day’s pass is $3. Wittman Airport is 10km away. Aim to be there by 9am for you have a full day with the airshow starting at 3pm. Hats, sunscreen, water and good shoes a must. A camera too! There will be 100,000 there but spread over a huge area. Obliging volunteers ensure you get help and directions. Brian covered the amazing things to see. For me, the large nearby Lake Winnebago, with its seaplane base, provided a shady scenic site with a grassy bank and a picnic.We spent four days here before departing south to the cradle of aviation: Dayton. Brian spoke of Huffman Prairie Flying Field. The Wright brothers perfected control of an aircraft here and, in secrecy, demonstrated repeatable performance. Prior to this, each flight was a risky test. After patenting their inventions, they returned a year later and became the world’s first flying instructors.Nearby is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, home to the National Museum of the USAF. The military might of the USA is here for all to see with collections devoted to various theatres of war. We departed via Dallas to Tuscon in Arizona to see the “Boneyard” at the Davis-Monthan Airbase. On hard desert sand sit 4,000 aircraft, most will not be scrapped but sold. Security is tight. By numbers, this is the second largest airforce in the world! The sheer number of types is staggering. You see a stealth fighter here too… or rather just three wheels of it!Tuscon was once surrounded by Titan-2 missile silos. All but one was blown up. You get to go down and sense the insanity that once prevailed. After each side blew the other up, then what?The Pima Air and Space Museum somewhat saddened me. Some 300 once proud aircraft slowly deteriorate in the harsh sun. We concluded our tour with a flight from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon in a turbine Cessna Grand Caravan. The pilot circumvented towers of rain with embedded lightning on the way back. I was in the co-pilot’s seat with my eyes alternating between the storm-scope and the view! Westwind also conducts training from magnificent facilities. Here the climate is a lot like ours, maximizing hours in the air.All too soon, we were headed home after a great aviation tour. Links to many of these sites are in "Worth Visiting" on p15.

Steve Rogers

Visiting USA Aviation Sites


FeatureA Navex Around Australia, by a Pom

Continued from last month...

The day after the check flight we arrived again at Jandakot (this time with our maximum airline baggage allowance). While I completed the paperwork and collected tie-

downs, spare oil, tow bar, etc, Sue filled up the emergency water container. Our aircraft was VH-KTV, a C-172 Super-Hawk (180 hp engine) with 258 litres of fuel capacity, giving a maximum endurance of over six hours. We went out to the aircraft and found that it had been fully refuelled for us - my fault I had not asked anyone to leave it at the previous day’s fuel level. So the emergency drinking ballast went down the drain and a re-check of the calculations confirmed that we were at around maximum weight. (This is also when I re-attached the flexible hose to the fuel vent – it was dripping fuel and I would remove it before flight; pity I didn’t notice that it was beautifully hidden from cockpit view by the wing strut.)We departed Jandakot on an easterly heading towards Kalgoorlie-Boulder. As we settled in the cruise, with 2,400 rpm set, I checked the Air Speed Indicator (ASI) and was dismayed to see a reading of 95 knots. The aircraft manual indicated that I should be getting 115 kts. Then I remembered that, though not really hot, it was considerably warmer than when flying in the UK, so the prop would be less efficient in the less dense air. In addition, the prop was well past its first flush of youth, with evidence of rough strip operations, which won’t have helped. The ASI would also under-read due to the temperature. To compensate for the lack of prop efficiency, I increased the engine speed to 2,550 which gave an indicate airspeed of 105 kts. I leaned the engine carefully and made a mental note to check my fuel burn very carefully after the first leg. A subsequent calculation confirmed that the 105 kts indicated air speed was approximately correct for a true air speed of 115 kts.There is a sizeable danger area around the town of Merredin, about mid-way along the route from Perth to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. I had asked about the danger areas in the briefing - in Australia they are there as a warning to keep a better lookout, rather than as in the UK, where you are not expected to enter them unless you and the controlling authority have been properly introduced. When I checked the relevant documentation, it turned out that the danger was – well people like me – it was a pilot training area!The first two hours of the flight were largely over flat, well irrigated, agricultural land. As we neared Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the green gave way to the more barren land of dry grass and low, sparse trees that covers so much of Australia.There were a couple of other aircraft in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area, but both had gone by the time we arrived over the town. From the air, the town is completely dominated by its reason for existence - the “Super-Pit”. This open cast gold mine is 1½ miles long, ¾ miles wide and 1,000 feet deep. The mining process includes periodic blasting, so flying over the pit is a bad idea. We made the mandatory calls, landed and refuelled. I filled up completely again (and left the emergency water off for now), so that I could get an accurate measure of fuel burn - I definitely did not want any fuel related surprises when over the many remote areas.Worryingly, after refuelling, I really struggled to restart the engine to taxi to the parking area. Once parked, we did the usual - found a local pilot for advice and got a taxi to our hotel.It was mid afternoon and we decided to stretch our legs by walking from Boulder, where we were staying, to Kalgoorlie.

The dusty walk took over an hour and we finished it with a stroll around the main street in Kalgoorlie and a very welcome beer in the York Hotel. The town was founded following the discovery of a large gold nugget by some Irish drifters in 1893. As with many Australian towns founded around a gold mine, it had many phases of being very wealthy interspersed with leaner times. The periods of wealth have left the main street with some characterful? and elegant buildings from the 19th century. By the time we finished our beer it was getting dark and close to dinner time, so we took a taxi back to the hotel; had a shower and some excellent Australian steak (and another beer or two).There was no internet available in the hotel or elsewhere in Boulder (I even wandered around with my PC to see if I could pick up someone’s WiFi, but to no avail), so the next morning we took ourselves off to the Kalgoorlie public library to check the weather, NOTAMS for the next two days and to submit the flight notes and SAR (Search and Rescue) times for that day and the next.We then went to look at Kalgoorlie’s unmissable attraction - the Super-Pit. The scale is hard to comprehend, even when standing on the edge, looking down. There is a steady stream of ore-laden trucks crawling up the roads that spiral up the pit wall. Sue’s comment of “Why are they moving so slowly?” helped to put what we were looking at into perspective - the trucks, on the other side of the pit looked small because they were ¾ of a mile away. They were moving slowly because the trucks weighed 165 tonnes each and were carrying a payload of over 200 tonnes - a total weight of nearly 400 tonnes - similar to a complete high speed train or a fully laden Jumbo Jet.We left Kalgoorlie in the early afternoon for a short flight to our next destination - Leonora. There are two open cast pits at Leonora, one of them on the undershoot of runway 22 - definitely not a place where you would want to land short.We landed and found a very tidy airfield, but without a single person to talk to. The field did not even have the usual notices giving telephone numbers for local cabs. Fortunately a public flight arrived not too long after us. Sue got talking to one of the locals and we found out the reason for no taxi numbers - there were no taxis. The normal process in Leonora is to rely on the good nature of the locals - and it worked. Various people had come to meet the arriving flight; one of them, a local miner, gave a lift to his friend and then came back for us.He took us to our accommodation at the Gwalia museum, a couple of miles out of Leonora. The museum recalls the fortunes of the Gwalia mine from its opening in 1896 until today. The industrial archaeology is complimented by the museum centrepiece - the mine manager’s house. This house was built by the American mine manager - a certain Herbert Hoover, who eventually returned to the USA and went on to even greater things. The Hoover house was spacious, elegant and truly luxurious by the standards of its time, especially when compared with the tin shacks most of the miners lived in. It was the centrepiece of local high society. After deteriorating for many years, it has been beautifully restored by a group of locals (and not so locals) who felt the site was worth preserving. Best of all, the three period bedrooms are available as Bed & Breakfast accommodation. The other couple booked to stay had arrived and left a day early - so for the first time in our lives - we had a museum to ourselves for the night.

Mike Konrád


Achi

ever

sNew Members

Philip Thomas, Vaughan Blumears, Steven Matelzan, Brian Milton, Andrew Harvey, Alana Souvertjis, Adam Hunder, Joshua Marland, Nikolas Thodey, Seif El-Wardani, Timothy Dunnell, Joshua Spano, Anthony Green, William Love, Kovieva Fremy, Rudolf Abad, Thomas Delourmel, Caryl Salvador, Suresh Katwal, Kiam Padamsey, Jay Swope, Jordan Roddy, John McGlue, Natasha Politakis, John Telfer, Hanniel Ng, Brett Byworth, Luke Teong, Leandro Ziese De Oliveira, Richard Clark, Paul Cleal, Jake Hendry, Bob Stenson, Chris Hudson

First SolosAnton Leptich, Jake Hendry, Luke Teong, Jason Chong

This Month's AchieversGFPT

Phillip Mummert, Brett Dann

PPLAnthony Michelsen, John Crisp, Brett Alexander, Rachel George, Ned Shields

CPLHyun Sik (David) Lee, Trent Poletti, Carrie Munro, Mohin Bhonsaria

Low Level EndorsementLachlan Enright

A Warm Welcome to our New Members, and Congratulations Everyone

Award Selection Criteria 2011 WinnerSir Norman Brearley Award Awarded to any pilot (or pilots) from Western Australia who

demonstrates “above average” ability at any stage of his/her flying career, eg PPL, CPL, any Rating/Endorsement etc

Christian De Luca

Christopher Little Memorial Award

Awarded to a Commercial Pilot who has done all his/her training at Racwa and has been selected on the basis of outstanding effort and achievement

David Maltas

Eclectic Trophy Awarded to the Pilot who has participated successfully in the open section of the Flying Competitions over the past twelve months

Jim Di Menna

Adkins Trophy Winner is selected from amongst the top competitors in the Club’s flying competitions over a 12 months period

Filip Mihailidi

Neil Baird Clubman Award Outstanding service to the Club in an honorary capacity• Participationinevents• Willingnesstohelp• Socialinteractionwithnewmembers

John Ridgway

John Douglas Instructor Training Graduates Award

To a candidate who has demonstrated exceptional ability in their :• WorkethicduringITcourse• Professionalism• FlyingStandard• BriefingStandard• FlightTestStandard

Aaron Bushe-Jones

Instructor of the Year Awarded to the most outstanding Instructor • StudentManagement• PositiveAttitude• Productivity• Professionalism

Robin McIver

Air BP Tom Millar Scholarship 3 Scholarships awarded in the following categories:-• GFPT$4,000• PPL$3,000• CPL$3,000Scholarships are based on each candidate’s performance during their Flight Test

Asha MickelbergJordan IslesChristian De Luca and Luke Evans

25 Year Certificate & Badge Racwa member for 25 years Russell Philip50 Year Certificate & Badge Racwa member for 50 years Jan Ende

2011 Wings Dinner Awards


From the Instructor Room

It would be little surprise to you to learn that for us to successfully fly there are a few fundamental

things we need in order for this wonder we undertake to ocurr. I'm not going to go into all of them, however one of these, of course, is

fuel. Now that hopefully won't come as any surprise to you, yet you would be amazed how little attention some pilots give it. CASA have produced several safety campaigns in the past including "Time in Your Tanks", highlighting the importance of checking your fuel levels before, during and post flight. I am sure many of you monitor your gauges and indeed complete a fuel log as you go, but how many of you actually dip the tanks on return to check your figures and indeed compare against the gauges? I have seen some pilots shocked to find how little they actually had. On the VDO cards it mentions

fuel out and fuel in. How often do you actually put an accurate figure there for the next pilot. There was a recent case where a student refueled the aircraft based on these figures only to find he was nearly 100 Litres out. How many of you re-dip the tanks after refueling to confirm your actual contents are as you expected? How many of you check the dipstick you are using is actually for your specific aircraft? I have seen many pilots both students and members mix dipsticks from the 172 fleet for instance. We operate several models of 172's now, some with 200 litres and some with 235 litres. You may be in for a shock if you grab a dipstick from the wrong aircraft.Always be vigilant when calculating your fuel figures and always cross check your fuel log against your gauges and logic. If something seems wrong err on the side of caution and look into it.Safe flying.

Trent Robinson, CFI/Chief Pilot

Fuel Management

Some AccoladesSo how is Racwa seen by others, especially those having joy flights or TIFs??

4 Excellent reception, conduct and helpfulness of staff. Thank you for a very enjoyable experience.

4 An awesome experience. Everything was well organised and presented, with safety being of upmost importance. All instructions given were clear & easily understood. My thanks to Amy for being my flight instructor. She made the experience an excellent one to remember.

4 It was an awesome experience - having the opportunity to fly the plane. Everything was extremely well organised and presented, safety being the operative word. My pre-flight

and inflight instructions were very clear and easy to follow. My sincere thanks to Amy, my pilot, who was brilliant.

4 The Royal Aero Club were very efficient and had everything organized upon my arrival. My flight in the Cessna 152 was capped off with some good weather, a great Instructor and the landing was one where the aircraft could be used again. Thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

4 A fantastic, fun experience. Racwa was very professional to deal with and everything went smoothly. I would definitely recommend this experience.

4 Incredible experience. will certainly considering giving to others as a gift


Beginning in 1988, Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow is held every two years over Easter with more than 80,000 people expected to make the pilgrimage to

the New Zealand South Island township of Wanaka. In 2012 over 60 aircraft will be on display at the show. The flimsy biplanes of World War I, the heroes of World War II, the fighters of Korea and the awesome jets of Vietnam are all flown in exciting scenarios that recreate history right before your eyes. Participation by aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force completes the scene. Feel the heat from huge fireballs and the concussion of explosions as a pyrotechnics display to rival the best action movie combines with military vehicles and an array of actors. Lake Wanaka is located right in the heart of the Southern Lakes and is the gateway to the Mt. Aspiring National Park. Internationally renowned for its glaciers it is nestled on the shores of an azure blue lake amongst the mighty peaks of the Southern Alps. The natural amphitheatre created by these mountains provides a backdrop of stunning scenery for the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. Grand Pacific Tours are again offering two tour options to attend the show - an 8 Day South Island Escape departing on the 4th April 2012 and a more comprehensive 13 Day South Island Getaway departing on the 30th March 2012. Both departures feature a 3 Day Warbirds over Wanaka

Feat

ure,

Cla

ssifi

eds,

Noti

ces

Warbirds Over Wanaka

GRAND PACIFIC TOURS LUXURY COACH HOLIDAY SPECIALISTS

New Zealand Aviation Spectacular

*Conditions apply. Price valid for travel ex PER and includes pre-paid taxes, correct at time of print but subject to change. **$100 discount is per person. Eyewitness Travel Guide Book is one per household. No other special offers or discounts apply. Applies to new bookings only until 31 Oct 2011. Lic No. 32046.

13 DAY SOUTH ISLAND GETAWAY

Special Departure: 30 March 2012. 8 Day tour option also available.Tour includes airfares, taxes, most meals, sightseeing and attractions including a 3 Day Warbirds Over Wanaka Gold Pass.

$4264*PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE

LUXURY TOURING FROM

Book by 31 Oct 2011 & receive $100 Discount per person**plus a 400 page New Zealand Eyewitness Travel Guide Book.

BONUSSPECIALOFFER! Featuring the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow

Warbirds Over Wanaka is established as a must see biennial event on the

Australasian aviation calendar. Witness biplanes of World War I, heroes of

World War II, fighters of Korea and awesome jets of Vietnam recreate history

right before your eyes. Combined with a 13 day tour of New Zealand’s South

Island, this holiday will certainly keep your head in the clouds.

Gold Pass which includes: Grandstand Seating; Exclusive access to a Marquee; Complimentary glass of wine or beer; Souvenir Gold Cap and Badge and a Collector’s Airshow Programme. Extensive sightseeing and pre-paid attractions also feature on both tours, as well as return airfares, airport transfers, most meals, accommodation and much more.Grand Pacific Tours enable you to combine the scenic beauty of New Zealand together with one of the most exciting air-shows on the calendar with all the details taken care of.

For more information on this event not to be missed and a full colour brochure contact RAC Travel Centre on 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel.

Cessna 182 Share - For Sale

1/4 share in 2001 model C-182. Pristine condition,

$70,000Includes share, funds and

ancillary equipmentContact Mike Chester

0412 295 857

Flying to RTI??Rottnest Island landing fees have increased to $45 per

landing, or $45 per hour for circuits


Swamp Cartoons used with permission 2004 http://www.swamp.com.auThe Swamp

Flying Heritage Collection http://www.flyingheritage.com/TemplateHome.aspx?contentId=1

Museum of Flight http://www.museumofflight.org/

Intrepid Museum http://www.intrepidmuseum.org

Old Rhinebeck Museum http://www.oldrhinebeck.org

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum http://www.nasm.si.edu

National Museum of the Air Force http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

PIMA Air & Space Museum http://www.pimaair.org/

Westwind Air Service http://westwindairservice.com/

On a Lighter N

ote

Instrument flying is when your mind gets a grip on the fact there is vision beyond sight.

Basic Flying RulesWorth Visiting?

How did we get the History of the Bell?

Lots of fun to read about our colleague members, and the latest Who Am I

quiz was correctly guessed by Craig Hensley as Rod Garnaut.Enjoy your flying prize Craig.

Who Am I - Answer

How did we find out about the "Racwa Bar Bell" (August 2011 issue of Tarmac Topics)?This fascinating bit of Club History was discovered by

a chance meeting of perfect strangers at a social gathering, that was relayed down the line to the point where the original 'Custodian' of The Bell was reunited with it some 55 years later.I produced that article (and took the photo many years ago), after talking Ian Hill-Smith into revealing the history of the Bell.Bob Giles' book "Wings in the West", Page 161 (printed in 1985), made reference to the mysterious appearance of the Bell at Maylands, after WWII.Many years later, Shirley Adkins' good friend and Mooney aircraft crew-mate, Helen Henderson was at a social gathering and happened to talk to an unknown guest and the subject turned to flying. Helen mentioned the Royal Aero Club of WA, and the gentleman (who turned out to be Ian Hill-smith) began to regale her with stories of his time with the Club in the late 1940s, (being a fortunate survivor of Bomber Command in England), and something about having installed the Bell in the Aero Club Bar.Helen mentioned the subject to Shirley who then tracked him down to have a yarn about the subject. He remembered Shirley as the young Office girl at the time & told her the whole story.

It was a bit garbled by the time it got to me, so I couldn't wait to contact Ian and managed to talk him into relating the facts for posterity, which he did in June 2002. So, from a casual remark at a party between two strangers, the History of the Bell was finally revealed!We eventually asked him to visit the Club where we reunited him with 'his' Bell, in the now sadly redundant Pilot's Bar. That photo was taken in July 2002.Ian later took off for the Big Hangar in the Sky in March 2009. Whilst the Bell is still used to celebrate First Solos, back then it was obligatory for the new fledged pupil to ring it himself and 'buy for the Bar'!

Reg Adkins


Flyi

ng F

un Saturday 16th September 2011 marked the 71st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Traditionally the Club commemorates the

anniversary with a “Dawn Patrol”. Coffee etc is served in the hangar at 0500hrs followed by a Briefing/Roll Call at 0530. The weather on the Friday night was foul, to put it mildly, so it was a big surprise to find the moon shining brightly in an almost cloud-free sky at 04.30am on the day.Aircraft are divided into “flights” according to performance with the Mooneys, ‘Harvard’ Formation, set to depart at first light. I was rear-seat pax in the lead aircraft in ‘Hendon’ formation (172s) with Rod Garnaut PIC. Duty runway was 24 so we headed for the coast via Lake Thompson and Boatyard, thence North to FRE to obtain Clearance Bravo. The sunlight was filtered gold through some cloud and mist in the East but otherwise visibility was excellent, which I hope you can see from the accompanying photos.Up the river at 1500’ we banked in salute over the War Memorial in Kings Park, then headed for OBS and back down the Lane of Entry to Boatyard and back to JT.Traditional "Aircrew only" Bacon & Egg breakfast was a welcome sight and much appreciated by the ravenous horde of participants.

After breakfast, Colin Morton reminisced humorously about aircrew training in the RAF and RAAF in wartime.Unfortunately there was a much reduced contingent of aircraft participating this year – about 50% of what we'd come to consider as the “norm”. On a personal note, having lived through those desperate days in 1941, I hope that it is not a sign of diminished regard for the contributions of “THE FEW”. http://w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m /user/BattleOfBritainTV provides a great tribute,

Jim CampbellPhotos courtesy Jim

Campbell & Trent Robinson

Battle of Britain Dawn Patrol

october 2011 official publication of the ... · 4/4/2012 · official publication of the royal aero...

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