South Australian Sports Aircraft Club Inc.

CHECK OUT OUR RECENT EVENTS. STORIES FROM MANY OF THESE EVENTS APPEAR IN ARCHIVED ISSUES OF PLANE PAPER

Our permanent meeting location is at the Lockleys Bowling Clubrooms at 46 Rutland Ave. Lockleys.

Rob Wintulich, Website Editor, can be contacted on 0408 834 246 or by email, rob@signwizard.com.au for contiributions and corrections.

Letter from Sport Aircraft Club President and RAAus Board Member

To All SA RA-Aus Members

By now most of you will have received notification that i was successful in my endeavour to become the RA-Aus Board Member Representative for South Australia. This is thanks to the Members that took the time to vote.

I am under no illusion that i will not face challenges with the role but i will be doing my very best to keep the membership informed as best i can. In the next few weeks i will be distributing a form for you all to fill out and return to me with your contact details so that communication is possible.

There are currently 1183 SA Members and 283 votes were counted so we managed to increase the members interest in voting to about 24% from 15% last time. I also thank Bas and Ian for standing and making it a contest. Meanwhile, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

With the onset of winter a strange observation has been made -- the birds are migrating South!!!

The following pics submitted by Brian D, taken Saturday 28th May, 2011 at Goolwa.

The following photos supplied by Mike Holtby (thanks Mike) with an article to follow.

Request:-- If anyone who attended SkyPark flyin 2011 got a video of Mad Mix Continental Commodore, Di and Mick would be most gratefull for a copy. mcdkhart@adam.com.au or PO Box 1037, Port Lincoln

After a perfect warm and sunny week, Saturday dawned as forecast: showery and breezy. Our flight to Skypark took us past Kadina and Cowell, then along the south side of the Eyre Peninsular. Avoiding the weather, we were able to climb to 8000ft for the water crossing, however with a 50 kt headwind, we soon went back to a lower level and rode the turbulence. Those who routed via Kangaroo Island had slightly clearer skies.
Many people were already at the airfield by the time we arrived, and we joined in the chat while having a warming coffee and a sandwich.
Over 40 aircraft flew in by 2 pm when Mick Hart gave a safety briefing, and a request that we fly 'neighbourly' in the area. With a few showers around, a mix of aircraft, fast and slow, took to the air, and numerous fly pasts ensued. We managed a formation of several marks of RVs, and later a pair of Piper Cubs displayed. While the surface wind was a constant 20 kts, it increased considerably with altitude, which enabled one Cub to hover at a few hundred feet, facing the onlookers. All good fun. The afternoon finished with Kev Warren arriving in style in his Glasair, and afterwards driving his 'Krapduster' over from his farm for the kids to enjoy a ride.

As usual, Mick had a surprise for us after all the flying. A loud roar brought everyone out of the hangar in time to see a black Commodore go past, powered by a frame mounted 0-540 over the empty engine bay. A three bladed CS prop propelled the monster at speed, and several passes were made before we could all have a closer look. The driver (guess who) wore a black all over costume and hood, all of which was painted with a skeleton outline. Not surprisingly the car had MAD MIX painted on each side - very appropriate.

In the evening, an excellent three course meal was provided by Di and her colleagues from the Port Lincoln Dragon Boat Club. As well as the eighty or so people who had flown in, some sixty more local folk also enjoyed the festivities, so it wasn't a quiet time.

A while after the meal, we were entertained by Di's grandaughter, who danced a very graceful solo excerpt from Swan Lake. This seemed slightly unusual compared to the wild 'Aboriginal' dance troupe (Mick and Co) of the previous flyin. No sooner had we sat back, than the music started again, and out came the Corps de Ballet. Five beefy ballerinas in white Tutus, tiaras and pink panties, appeared, and were even in step for a minute. I won't mention the padding in the panties, but the act was hilarious and set the mood for the rest of the evening. What a great group they are over there.

The next morning, following a hearty breakfast, we'd hoped to do some more formation flying. However it was still showery and windy, so people left without further local flying.

Rob Wintulich, my stick buddy and I decided to do likewise, and flew back via Yorke Peninsular and KI in company with Steve Nelson. En route, Rob took some superb photos of Steve, adding about four hundred to the two thousand he'd already taken at Port Lincoln. Wow.
All in all, a superb weekend. Skypark must be the best real old fashioned flyin in the country, and a credit to Mick, DI, James, Lyall and all the many volunteer workers who contribute to it's success. Thank you all, and here's to the next time !

Now flying is about numbers and I think they were all covered. RVs -- 4's, 6's & 7's, 8's, and a 9 and 10 as well. Glasairs 2's and 3's. Jabirus - well there were well more than 5 and 1 of each of Lightning, Savannah, Tecnam, Chipmunk and more.

One thing is certain, it will never be boring as long as MAD MIX (Mick's) around.

At the recent AGM, our long serving secretary, club bastion, Judith King, retired from holding office. Judith, a club Life Member has been the hub around which our club has revolved for many years. It was not without emotion, that Judith accepted flowers, an engraved glass plaque commemorating her wonderful service to the Sport Aircraft Club and an accomodation voucher to the Grampians for both Judith and Ted. The incoming 2011 Council led the club in it's very special thanks and appreciation to both Judith and Ted for their tireless and selfless efforts for making the club what it is today.

At the first council meeting following the AGM, the new full quota council (nine members) resolved the following officers:

All councillors have been assigned specific duties to undertake during the year in an effort to fill the void generated by Judith King's retirement. Council wishes to especially thank Mike Holtby for his service as President over the last two years and also to David Harris for undertaking the task of Secretary/Treasurer this year. Special thanks also go to Trevor Chapman for resuming duties as Membership Officer following his brief retirement.

The webmaster is anxious to update the members gallery. Would all members with aircraft please submit your favourite pictures of your pride and joy to Rob Wintulich or arrange with him to take fresh photos including air to air shots. If you have a favourite in hard copy only, please bring it along to the next meeting and Rob will scan it for you and get it back to you safely.

Special Congratulation go to Di Jemson for her grand effort at securing the RAAus Come and Get It Trophy. The following article is re-produced from Recreational Aviation Australia Magazine March Edition.

Location Murray Bridge, SA S35° 04.0' E139° 13.6'
Date 13-16 February 2011 Pilot Diana Jemson Aircraft Jabiru LSA-55/3J
Inbound flight: 13 Feb 2011 departed Murray Bridge, refuelled at Edenhope. Next stop Lethbridge Airpark to collect the trophy.
Outbound flight: Leg 1- 13 Feb departed Lethbridge for Asses Ears Wilderness Lodge at the Grampians (YGMP). Leg 2 -16 Feb departed YGMP for Murray Bridge.
Total distance: 605 nm, flight time 7.9 hours, fuel used 100 litres, average ground speed 90 knots.
Was I excited? Oh yes! and... apprehensive. Every flight brings new challenges and new learning curves - so here we go again.
Originally a friend and I had planned to make the flight to Tyrone, Tumbarumba, NSW to collect the trophy and then head onto Temora, but with his work commitments we had to delay the first date and before we could plan our next date, Michael from Lethbridge (YLED) had beaten me to it.
So the planning began again... and we set another date for collection. Unfortunately again my friend cancelled. Right, it was obvious I was meant to do this on my own (otherwise it would never happen)... It was time to be courageous!
To collect the trophy, the inbound leg was a total of 305nm. I had to fly this on my own via uncharted territory, contend with 2 ARFOR's and negotiate 4 runways.
I had planned a trip to the Grampians to catch up with a client for work, and since all my other plans had fallen through, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to collect the trophy (it was a small diversion after all). My new plan was to fly to the Grampians (YGMP) on Sunday to catch up with the client for 3 days of work, head to YLED on Thursday to collect the trophy then back home to Murray Bridge (YMBD). As the dates got closer and I continued to plan and weather watch, it became obvious the weather for Thursday in both SA and Victoria wasn't looking promising so I had to rethink how to do things. I decided I would still fly to the Grampians on Sunday, then early on the Monday morning I could fly out to YLED, collect the trophy and be back in YGMP before my client arrived from Melbourne.
Well as we all know, the best laid schemes of mice and men can, and often do, go awry.
So I rang Michael to let him know my change of intention. "Sorry Diana. I am away with work and was planning to be here for the Thursday for you, can't be here Mon - Wed".
Oh gosh, my plans were dashed and I wasn't going to get the trophy after all this effort and planning. Thinking quickly I said, "How about Sunday?"
"Yes, I will be around the airfield all day Sunday", he said.
"Great, I'll see you then" I replied. And so the replanning began again.

Leg 2 of the outbound journey was on Wed when I left YGMP for my return to YMBD. I had planned to leave later in the afternoon as it was only a 2 hour flight home, however the weather was coming in and I didn't really want to encounter the predicted thunderstorms so I decided to leave early instead. So by 22:16 UTC I was in the air and heading home. I encountered showers near Horsham and then again near Bordertown so I diverted around them. On approaching abeam Coonalpyn the weather had cleared somewhat and the sun was shining. It was a lovely welcome home. I finally arrived at YMBD 00:30 UTC a total of 605nm 7.9hrs flight time.

For anyone who is, or has been, thinking about claiming the CAGIT - go for it. It is another great reason to go for a fly and a fabulous piece of RA-Aus history to collect along the way!

The Sport Aircraft Club will be flying in to Port Pirie airfield for a few hours visit on Saturday, 15th August. This is a Workshop Visit.
The visitors will be taken to the school which is restoring, to display condition, an Aero 45 aircraft. This is an old and interesting aircraft which played an important role in SA when it was based at Port Lincoln. It worked in fish spotting and in servicing island lighthouses for many years. Retired in the mid 1970s, it now forms the major project of the Aviation Pathways program at the Mid North Christian College.

The College, at Port Pirie, has been running a unique program to introduce students to aviation.
The Aviation Pathways program is a SSABSA approved course which includes technical studies, science and some flying.
Each class has about 12 students, boys and girls, and runs for one week in each of the four school terms. Students come from all over South Australia, and the school runs two streams on successive weeks, each term.
The teacher in charge of the program, John Birrell is a member of the Sport Aircraft Club of SA and has built, and now flies, a Bush Caddy.
Also assisting in each course is Peter Shipp, an aircraft sheet metal expert from the SA Aviation Museum.
A further contact with our Club is that we have provided a perpetual trophy for aircraft engineering skills. Last Year’s winner was Rochelle Bowley.

Our planned fly-in visit is timed for the weekend between the two course streams, so some students from each stream plan to be there. The program is:

Arrive Port Pirie airfield at 11:00
Taken by school people to the school, which is about a 10 minute drive from the airfield.
We will be shown the aircraft they are restoring, and the facilities they have built to support the program.
Have lunch at the school (WE BRING OUR OWN LUNCH)
Return to the airfield, and fly home, around 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

If the throaty cough of an old Pratt & Whitney radial engine firing up gives you a kick, then you certainly missed a treat last Saturday. Those who flew into Jeff and Christine Morgen’s Marama airfield on August 1st enjoyed the spectacle of both the engines running on his restoration project C-47 (Call it a Dakota, DC-3, Gooney bird or whatwillyou. C47 was the military designation.)

Some twenty two aircraft, and about seventy enthusiasts arrived for the demo. Three Yaks, several Jabirus, an Auster, Cessna 150, Lightwing, Lancair, Meta Sokol, RV 6 and 7 plus others graced the parking area. As usual there was plenty of peering into cockpits and ensuing chat.

David Gericke flew his Chipmunk up from Keith. David Lloyde brought his seldom seen little Karatoo in from Pinnaroo, which caused plenty of interest, and as always, Roger Stokes’ Spitfire was much admired. It certainly looked great when later positioned in front of the C-47 . You don’t often see two such differing mid thirties warbird designs together these days. (Yes, the original DC-3 didn’t start out as a warbird, but it sure became famous as one!)

Shortly after the lunchtime BBQ, and the fantastic array of home made cakes which followed, the crowd gathered around the DC-3 for the main event of the day.

‘Irene’ is a 1942 ex USAAF machine, one of nearly 11,000 built during WW II, and served in New Guinea for a while. The last of her kind on the Australian register, she flew for several airline companies until 1982, then became a McDonalds restaurant. Fortunately rescued by Jeff nine years ago, she is now being painstakingly restored to her wartime appearance, and as a photo of her cockpit shows, nothing is being spared to eventually bring her back to original standard.

Once the engines had settled down to a continuous smooth rumble, the onlookers just stared in admiration. The one or two ex Dakota pilots present must have felt memories flooding back. Doubtless it was even more moving for them, than for those of us who only flew as passengers.

How quiet it seemed after shut down. Groups sauntered back to the hangar for a chat and a last cup of coffee, shortly before thanking our hosts, and one by one departing for home. A well worth while visit, so maybe we can persuade Jeff to have an open day another year. Will she fly again? Who knows – anyone got a spare million to help out?

Safari 2009 Report by C. Malone
Participants
Andre and Harrison Mielke, David Hansen, Andrea and Chris Malone

Departure on Sat 4/7
We all met on the ground at Griffith and contemplated weather conditions. As it turned out by heading NW and following the Lachlan River valley we had no difficulty tracking to Narromine for the first overnight.
5/7
Uneventful to Roma via Coonamble and St George. Roma is noted for Oil and Gas exploration and has considerable history.
6/7
Short 45 min flight to Carnarvon Gorge to an exciting landing in long tussocky grass and fresh cow pats. Carnarvon Gorge is spectacular. Our first walk before lunch took in rock paintings and was enhanced by the appearance of Fred one the local indigenous guides. Fred had great rapport with young people and showed Harrison many things that normally would not be seen. After lunch we had a stroll up the Gorge. Ended up being about 10 km up hill, down ravines and many creek crossings
7/7
Retuned to strip find that the aircraft had had some attention from Brahman cattle (bulls?). We are wondering what David’s plane will produce in ten months time!!!
After much checking aircraft declared airworthy. Departed for Emerald and Shute Harbour. Arrival into Shute Harbour is interesting as you have to maintain 2500ft over Airlie Beach and then descend fairly quickly. Shute Harbour Airport is not visible until you turn final. Airport is very nicely laid out and ground service is superb.
8/7 and 9/7
Sailing, snorkeling and rest day.
10/7
Departed Shute Harbour for Innisfail via Townville. ATC at Townsville were very cooperative and allowed David to accompany Andre through their airspace at 6500ft directly over Townsville. From Townsville the coast was spectacular as we tracked overhead the Hornibrook Channel and Dunk Island among others. On arrival at Innisfail discovered the town was closed for the local show, an attraction for Harrison. Innisfail has many art deco buildings.
11/7
Departed for Cooktown .Andre and David up the coast overhead Cairns and then coastal to Cooktown via Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Refrained from pointing out to David the strip at Cow Bay!!. Andrea and I tracked inland over the Atherton Tableland . Just after take off we had Mt Bartle Freer ( 5300 Ft) a few miles to our right. We then tracked coastal from north of Port Douglas.
11/7 and 12/7
At Cooktown
13/7
Departed Cooktown for Undara Lava Tubes via Chillagoe and Sheba’s Breasts. Took the afternoon tour of a lava tube under the expert guidance of Bram Collins ( 5th generation settler) who grew up on the property.
14/7
After a bush breakfast departed for Hughenden where Andre ,Harrison and David viewed the excellent dinosaur exhibition. Then continued onto Barcaldine to the amazing hospitality of Julie Herring’ parents ( Shirley and Les King )
14/7 and 15/7
While Andre and Harrison went to Longreach to Qantas Museum and Stockman’ Hall of Fame, the wrinklies had an easy day in Barci. Visited the small but very good museum and looked at the Tree Of Knowledge.
16/7
Departed Barcladine for Birdsville via a lunch stop at Windorah
17/7
Departed Birdsville for William Creek via Lake Eyre. Goyder’s Lagoon was an area of great contrast with the dunes of the Simpson Desert on one side and likewise those of the Strezleki Desert on the other side. From green vegetation to desert in a matter of metres!
18/7
Departed William Creek for home

Mick and Di Hart hosted yet another great weekend at their Pt Lincoln private aviator's idea of a perfect holiday airfield that has everything except maybe perfect weather every day.

Over forty aircraft from a Yak 18 and a Pawnee Brave to a Drifter and a gyrocopter arrived to enliven the day. Mick's light weight superbly rebuilt Super Cub spent more time in the air than on the ground as did an RV6 and a DR107. In between the aforementioned activity many other aircraft took to the air over the three local private airfields that adjoin Skypark.

Local clubs supplied the tea, coffee, fruit, cakes and sandwiches during the day and a roast dinner in the evening. Once again the entertainment performed by six fellows in dark disguise, was outrageously imaginative, loud and very funny. Must be something in the water.

It is a biennial event not to be missed. I took few shots of aircraft we dont see very often

Some are able to pay via the net. In that case the Club's account is: National Australia Bank,
BSB 085-005, A/c 20-509-7256

Let Trevor Chapman know that you have paid by this method and by using the space on the payment transfer page, identify who and what for, - otherwise the treasurer will have monies turning up in the a/c without knowing who has paid for what.

Please send your remittance to :-
The Membership Officer
Sport Aircraft Club of S A Inc.
16 Allen Street
Old Noarlunga SA 5168

The Club has some funds available to add to our assets which are available to club members. They include a test meter to check airframe electrical bonding, a set of calibrated weighing scales and most recently a Carbon Monoxide meter. In addition we now have a lap top and projector for club presentations. Our hangar at Murray Bridge has available space from time to time.