CANTERBURY RECREATIONAL AIRCRAFT CLUB
December 2009 Newsletter
Welcome to the Christmas '09 newsletter. On behalf of the committee may you all have a very enjoyable Christmas Day, and every best wish for 2010 . Its 10 years since Y2K – wonder if this time in ten years we will all be saying to ourselves “its ten years since global warming”, but I digress..
Your editor has not been committing aviation as much as he should have been lately. Echo Echo Zulu has had a valve problem, which has required heads being whipped off, valves being reseated, and it all became very tedious. Joy was restored late this week however, and perhaps even Tony Hanson from CAA would have understood the reasons for my missed approach on that first flight following the maintenance. The Corby remains a joy! And Mr Hanson was good about it.
Before the valve issue became apparent, I had a wonderful flight in Mid October over the hill to the coast, landing on the lake Haupiri strip, as well as Hokitika International. I accompanied Mike Small and Peter Parkinson in stunning weather. There had been quite a big dump of snow in the hills a day or two before, so we had stunning views all the way over to Lake Haupiri. Pete reckoned that there might be free lunch available at the “Cooperites” airstrip, and thus intrigued, Mike and I thought “why not”.
Airborne from Hokitika, looking south.
Alack and alas, there was no free lunch (there never is), although the Haupiri strip is a great place to arrive at. Its both up hill and sealed, with excellent loo's (it was jolly cold flying over).
It seemed that on this particular day, all possible lunch providing inhabitants were involved in a meeting,, and with well hidden disappointment, we allowed ourselves to be shown about the airfield - in particular at a hanger full of aeroplanes. Lots of Cessna's and a large twin engined Piper. Mind you, everything looks large compared to the Corby.
From the right, Pete, Mike and Terry at Haupiri, with Pete's Tiger in the background
Tiger, Karratoo and Corby at Haupiri
Tummies rumbling, we set forth for Hokitika and an airline terminal lunch, which fully lived up to expectations. Yesterdays muffins and fairly indifferent coffee. Must remember to take a packed lunch next time.
For the more adventurous (pick your day), Hokitika is a great cross-country. Awesome scenery and its not actually that far. Make sure you land on the sealed bits however – the grass tends to be somewhat boggy. Have a good look at the AIP., check your weather, discuss with an instructor, and have a great day. The locals don't seem to mind having visitors, and the 'Coast is a great place to fly about.
Pete said he knew of another strip local to Hokitika, and he and Mike sallied forth. Having been told that the strip wasn't the largest, and wasn't all that smooth, I flew home to Rangiora. Cracker day out though and it summed up all joy of belonging to both this club, and to the movement.
Other recent events in the club have included a working bee at McPherson International way out west in Oxford. Dave tells me that the strip is now operational most of the time – Dave occasionally will have stock on it, so if you intend to land there, it could be an idea to give Dave a yell first on (03 3124194)
The rumour is that it could be the place to be on New Years Eve. The editor understands that plans are afoot, places for tents being organised and that Mike Small will be doing poetry readings. Could be the place to be and all are welcome. Meg included. Bring your guitars.
In any event, the working bee was well supported, and a nice healthy lunch was enjoyed by all.
Instructors
corner with Dave Mitchell
MBZ's - A very topical issue at present and one that every member of our Club should have a considered opinion on. You will all have learn t how MBZ's operate when you did your FRTO exam.
OK, that might have been a while ago and if you have forgotten, ask an instructor. The question is - "does RT need to become an MBZ" and YOU need to have an opinion on this one.
Now, I'm going to talk about the most important action you are required to carry out from when you do your seat belt up, until the time you release it - the action of LOOKOUT.
This is important in all phases of flight, but it is especially important in and around the circuit. One can safely say that 90% of the trouble in the circuit area at RT is caused by poor LOOKOUT. I want now to concentrate on one part of the circuit where a good LOOKOUT is REALLY, REALLY important - that of the Base Leg. Let me take you through it.
You have completed the Downwind leg and have just turned on to Base and have quickly established a descent profile and aim point for turning Finals. From then on you need to have your head out of the cockpit on LOOKOUT 75% of the time. Yes ,that's 3/4 of the time - and what you are searching for - downwind - is the aircraft you haven't found yet.
That search too, remember is not only horizontally, but vertically as well. That's where the helicopters are. This vertical search is one we have not concentrated on so much in the past, but with the increasing use of RT by helicopters, it is now VITAL that it is carried out as a normal part of LOOKOUT.
If you do discover another aircraft out there - WELL DONE. You have probably prevented a 'near miss' - or at worst - 'a mid-air'. However there is absolutely NO doubt about it - the aircraft on finals has the right of way. You must turn into wind and 'go around' climbing to 700ft AMSL to rejoin the circuit BEYOND the upwind threshold. Why? Because other traffic that has been descending in the non-traffic side will be passing over the upwind threshold at 1200ft AMSL to join the circuit and we want adequate separation (500ft)
So, a REALLY,REALLY good LOOKOUT is a skill that every Club member must strive to develop. If you have a passenger, don't forget to use their eyes too. And remember, this ability, well developed, may one day - save your life!
Dave
Flying
Day at Oxford
A special day was held today (December 7th) for the year 1 to year 6 pupils of the Oxford Area School at the Oxford airstrip. The day got off to a great start with five aircraft turning up in a loose five-ship formation. All eyes turned skyward as Mike Small in the Karatoo flanked by, Dave Mitchell in JOR, Troy Glover and Ross Marfell in JOL, Peter Parkinson in the Tiger and Brent Thompson in the Kolb flew over the field. It was an impressive way to start the day.
A couple of months ago I was approached by the Deputy principal of Oxford Area School, asking if they could use the airstrip for a picnic, and as they had done a whole year on “Flight” could you possibly have your plane there for the kids to look at. Sure I said, that would be no problem. I thought perhaps we could have a club plane there as well. I mentioned it at a club committee meeting and as so often happens, a small idea grows into quite an impressive event.
What
I thought would be about 110 kids morphed into 250 children along
with at least 50 parents plus the teachers and also a vanload of
residents from Karadean Court retirement home. It turned out to be a
special day for everyone especially for 24 pupils who managed to get
a flight.
Even Father Xmas turned up in a Karatoo (KTP) to check it all out. The pupils had been asked to do a project on aviation and those that completed the task went into a draw to get a flight. Mike Small (who is the king of joyrides) and Dave Mitchell organised it so these kids could get a ride. Thanks to Mike, Dave, Ross and Brent for doing the flying and to Troy, Jess, and Peter for being the ground crew.
We also had Graham Hodge (Tecnam), Caroline Trevalla (Thruster) and Bruce Naish (gyrocopter) arrive during the day which gave everyone a good range of aircraft to look at. It was a great day, even the weather behaved itself. Thank you to everyone involved. It was great publicity for our club.
Dave McPherson
Presidents
Report - December 2009
Well another year is over and the club is in good heart. Another year of variable weather and limited flying. We have struggled with increased cost to maintain our aircraft on a reduced income due to average use of the planes. We have struggled with a reduced number of instructors but with a valiant input from those we have we have continued to provide a high level of training.
Membership hovers around 150 and this seems like a natural level to maintain with voluntary staff and administration.
As stated in other reports over the years the microlight scene is changing due to technology. Planes are more complex and have greater performance and will be governed by more rules. We have seen the introduction of a new CFZ at 120.2MHz and this is a direct result of more traffic in the area. We are now seeing the Council pushing for an MBZ which they say will improve safety. The club has written to CAA to voice its opposition to the change and to ask, as major stakeholders in the airfield, to be consulted when discussions on the proposal are made.
We have two aircraft nearing a time when an engine change is due and a New Trike that is under utilized. Our goal for next year should be to get more people to train in the trike, If it is not used it will have to be sold. So have a go at an alternative way to get off the ground and fly the Trike. Contact Ray Corbett for an appointment to fly!
We have had an interesting year sharing our facilities with the NZ Flying School. I commend all of our members for this sharing which turned out to be a much shorter period that we had imagined.
Our new hangar is almost a year old now and still has no doors. This has been due to the to funding on one hand and the ‘over the top’ design that set the price of them at around $65,000 . We have finally got to a position of having a modification to the design approved and we can now buy materials and get going. Phil Richards has kindly volunteered to build them but at time we will need some help to install them.
We have not actively been marketing our clubhouse but it is still for sale at the right price. If sold we will see build a new one in our Western development.
It is good to see the first two hangars go up in our new area and two more are in the design stage. As the area develops we will spend more time making the area look good and it will eventually be our home.
Christmas is a time to reflect on the year, its successes and its not too successful times. It is also a time when we time out to be with family and slow down a bit. So take the time to slow down, have some fun, go flying, have a holiday and relax.
It is with much sadness I note the passing of Norma Marshall on Monday, and on behalf of the club I extend our deepest sympathies to Colin and his family. Norma had always been ready to pitch in at a moments notice to help both our club and the Canterbury Aero Club, and she will be sorely missed by all.
Finally, I send our club's best wishes to Doug and Robin Anderson, our thoughts are with you during this particularly difficult time. We hope our club and the sport can be of help to you.
Have a safe and Happy holiday.
Mike Sheffield
Thanks Mike,
Don't forget, the club is holding its Christmas Party this Saturday (12/12/09), commencing 4pm. Santa is likely to make his usual appearance, flown in for the occasion by Wing Commander Wayoffcourse.
And your editor (and Meg) is looking forward to a night of social intercourse at the inaugural News Years Eve cultural event at McPherson International. See you there. Have a safe, joyful and restful Xmas and new year.
Terry
