February 2009
Welcome to 2009.
We have had plenty of good weather after Xmas to go flying. The bi-annual, SAA flyin at Ashburton was held on Waitangi weekend. There was a good contingent of flyers from our club that made their way down there. There were aircraft ranging from Trikes, Thrusters, a Turbulent, Karatoo, Fisher Tiger, and even JOL was there. I was invited to go with Duncan Fraser in Budgie. I met him at “Forest Field” in the morning. We waited for the southerly to drop and for Chris Penall and Jack to arrive in the Jodel, which they duly did. Unfortunately they had to go back to Rangiora as they had a small problem that they had to deal with. We managed to get down there into the head wind and after a great day, came home later in the afternoon after the nor easterly came in and got another head wind Always the way isn’t it. There was a large number of homebuilts from all over the country there, and a great day was had by all.
The next day was the open day at Wigram. There were plenty of members that I spotted there as well. It was a well-attended day with good weather and great flying. It was expected to be a really hot day but ended up quite pleasant. I left Christchurch to go home and the car temp said 26 degrees. I arrived home in Oxford at 6 o’clock and it was a sweltering 34. I am pleased it wasn’t like that at Wigram.
The Oxford airfield is looking great at the moment, not that you would want to land there as it is in a crop of turnips. It has come up well since Mike Small and I carted some more soil on to it. Once the turnips have been eaten off I will sow it into permanent pasture and we will be able to use it on a regular basis.
I have seen it with my own eyes now. Dave Mitchell and Kermit were flying around Oxford. He gave me a big wave and a toot on the horn. It looks and sounds very nice Dave. A real piece of craftsmanship.
RAANZ flyin and the AGM is coming up fast. It is at Motueka from 12th –15th of March. Please let the organisers know if you intend to go. It helps with their organisation. You can email to either Bruce Bygate brbygate@xtra.co.nz Kay Hart kayhart@xtra.co.nz or Bob Wagner wagner.trust@xtra.co.nz There is more information on the raanz website.
We have a number of people who are intending to fly up there. Get in touch with the CFI to get a briefing before you head up there. Motueka is a great place to visit and some great scenery. It should be a great event. Even if you can’t fly it is not that far to drive there. An easy five to six hours.
From the Rumour Mill. The following information is from the rumour mill. I haven’t been at the airfield much lately and I can’t verify its accuracy.
Apparently the Nth Canterbury Aero Club president’s (alias Steve Noad) Kitfox is nearly up and flying again. I hope you don’t scare yourself Steve, with all that power, after being used to flying Cherokees.
There are two new aircraft on the field. A bi-plane of unknown, (by me at least) type and an Aeronica.
There’s a rumour that Mike Sheffield has had the VW engine running in his Pixie Pathfinder. Mike has had a few issues getting this engine sorted, but hopefully the worst is behind him and maybe we will see the Pathfinder leading the way to Woodbury at Easter time. Here’s hoping.
Alistair Millar has been flying the pants off his 701.
Bevan Kendall has put a 582 on his S12. There is a story going around that he has bought a hanger as well.
Duncan Fraser and Grant Porter have joined the Kiwi Karatoo team. Duncan has been working on the wings for KTC and KTN. Grant has been helping with the engineering on the fuselages. Of course they are only honorary members of the KKK (Kiwi Karatoo Klub) until they get their own Karatoos.
You will see that the sign is up at the corner of Merton’s and Oxford/Rangiora roads. It looks really great. Thanks to everyone who helped, especially Bob Boyce and Jerry Savage for all the work they have done.
There are two new hangers up in our club area. One is Doug Anderson’s which will soon be full of Trikes and our club one. So things are progressing quite nicely.
I am sorry it is not a very long newsletter. I am suffering from writers block. If anyone has an article please drop me a line at dbmcp@xtra.co.nz. We have several new members but unfortunately I don’t have their names. Welcome anyway and enjoy all that the club has to offer. There are no pictures because it is too hard for those without broadband to get them easily. If you want to see some go to the club website. James has put on a great gallery of all sorts.
Don’t forget the RAANZ flyin. It’s not far away.
Safe Flying, Dave McPherson
EVENTS
Club AGM 15th (Wednesday the Fifteenth) of April, 7:30 pm at the Clubrooms
– If anybody has something they want on the agenda, please let James know ASAP.
RAANZ Flyin
– Motueka from 12th –15th of March