President's Report

Recreational Aircraft Centre

A Special General Meeting at 7.30 on 2 November, will be held in the C.R.A.C clubrooms to discuss and vote on the proposed sale of club assets, namely, #1 Hangar & The Clubrooms, and/or #2 Hangar, the proceeds from any such sale to be used for the development of a new clubrooms hangar at the western end of the airfield.

Taking the proposed action will enable the club to actually move on the discussions that have been taking place for the last four years about our developing a recreational Aircraft centre to the West of the field, with the intention of creating the best recreational aircraft facility in the country. We have come a long way towards this with all hangar lots now spoken for by members, and being developed, all of them due for completion by early next year, to contain recreational aircraft or be used for their construction or maintenance. Some owners rent out space for GA aircraft and that's great. The developers need to make their investment viable and the variety is good to see.

So we enter the next stage of the development as more and more club members have migrated to the West End. It is now time to consider the building of a new and larger club house.

The plan is to sell either No 1 or No 2 hangars, with preference being No 1 and the existing clubhouse. While some members may not be keen on selling club assets remember we are selling an asset for another better asset. We have a 12 X 15 m lot to develop as a clubhouse or clubhouse/hangar. I am keen to see ideas from members on how we can best use that area to replace what we have now. Over the next couple of months I will be putting together a design proposal for the club to consider. The forthcoming special general meeting is for members to air their views and vote on the proposal. This is a new and exciting step for the club's future that will see us continue to be a major player on the airfield.

As part of the development a new car park and picnic area will be laid out. Council have approved this work. The car park will be next to Stu Bufton's hangar and the picnic/ BBQ area will be in the Pine trees next Buzz's hangar. We will be installing wooden posts outlining the carpark the same as on the road, with chain gates in strategic places. We will then excavate and put a hard fill topping. We will install some wind break posts and cloth around the pine trees. This should make a peaceful area for the odd Sunday lunchtime BBQ. Two Picnic Tables have now been purchased as part of this exercise and you can expect to see other developments in the coming months.

Aircraft

It is good to see a couple of new aircraft in the club that represent 3^rd generation microlights. Roy and Dean's Tecnam and Peter's Ibis GS700 Magic. Both owners are very happy with their new birds and that's not the last of it. Two more Ibis's (or is it Ibi ?) are due to arrive from Columbia later this year for local owners.

Brent Thompson has designed and built a new propeller for Graeme Main's new Jodel D18, which has finally brought to an excellent conclusion the extensive work that Graeme had been having to do, in coupling his Rotax 912ULS to the thin air that we all use in supporting and propelling our aircraft.

Chris has finally fitted hydraulic brakes on to his Jodel and from all accounts they are proving very effective.

Another Jodel D18 is due on the field soon. This one has been build by Russell Woods and Bruce Fraser and is Continental powered. It is in the final stage of certification and we should see it soon.

Away Trips

Not content with the Southern Safari, Mike Small and Ester, Pete Parkinson, Bruce Norrie and Roy and Dean took off last week for a Northern Safari. I caught up with Roy and he said it was a great trip but came home early. Mike was away for almost a full week. I will get him to put a report together for the next news letter.

Robyn Anderson

We were all saddened to hear that Robyn passed away last week after a long illness. Robyn was well known to most of us as a great lady, one who supported Doug and her children, Rachel and Jason, in everything they did. She was always there when the club needed help in preparing a party and was always bubbly and happy. In the last few months she spent a lot of time at the airfield and many of us were lucky enough to have spent some quality hours with her. We will always remember her positive uncomplaining outlook. She will be missed by us all who knew her. Our thoughts will continue to be with Doug, Rachel and Jason over the next few months. We hope we can help you Doug, Rachel and Jason in your grieving period.

The family was presented with a flowering Cherry tree from the club, in memory of Robyn. Every year from now, as it flowers in Spring, we will think of her smiling face. It is on the West corner of No 3 hangar.

Aircraft Inspection Seminar

RAANZ Executive organized an 'inspection seminar' for our club and I.A.s on Sunday 16 October. It was presented by Colin Alexander from Tauranga, who along with Grant Porter is a Rotax agent. Tony Hanson attended from CAA and provided photographs showing significant flaws discovered during his inspections - many of which could not be seen until some dismantling had been done.

After the presentation, Graeme Main drove the BBQ and served a hot sausage lunch for the thirty people who attended.

Mike

Safety

The CFI's column describes a recent occurence of our ongoing problem with wind shadows behind the buildings on 07. Even normally safe pilots can be affected by this. It's with us for ever. Don't let it catch you out!

Fire Danger

There have been several instances in the past few months of cigarettes being smoked on the airfield. Please don't! Remember:

• No smoking - and never-ever in or anywhere near hangars, aircraft or the pumps. Even on the taxi-ways a tank leak could spill fuel on the ground, indeed anywhere in the field. Unlikely perhaps, but not impossible.
• No refuelling in hangars. Only open your fuel containers and aircraft tanks well outside. Do earth your container to the aircraft - even plastic containers can build up a charge and generate a spark!

As ever: fly legally - fly sensibly - fly safely.

Doug Anderson

CFI's CORNER with Dave Mitchell

Vortex Warning, Vector 07

We've probably all heard about the dangers of Wake Vortex which can drive light aircraft down destructively hard into the runway, even in the hands of very experienced pilots. Standing waves in the lee of ground features can have the same effects which we need to recognise and take steps to avoid, when we are planning our landings. As our hours increase we become more practiced at this, and many of us fly our finals accordingly, perhaps no longer even needing to consciously think about it.

For newer pilots, or perhaps for all of us, in case we are distracted by a passenger, or change of type, or any other disruption of our routine, we need to make a review of the airfield conditions an essential element to be considered before every landing.

At Rangiora Airfield, for instance, in a gusty Nor' Easter there is significant vortex generation caused by the buildings adjacent to the threshold of runway 07, which at some wind strengths has the effect of causing intermittent downdrafts over the runway for planes on a glidepath aimed at the displaced threshold. The new clubrooms, when we build them, are likely to extend this effect, and if so we may then suggest that we make our landings further in on 07, which we are already recommending for student pilots.

This phenomenon was much in evidence about midday on Sunday 9 October, and was the probable cause of a number of quite heavy landings, including some minor damage to the U/C attachment points of one aircraft. A well executed approach, taken with sufficient airspeed, is likely to be less affected than one flown too close to the limits for the aircraft. If you come in too slow, or flare too high, for example, unexpected turbulence can turn a merely heavy landing into one that causes some damage.

As ever - expect the unexpected!

FRTO

Please remember that we are required to keep radio calls succinct. Verbosity must be avoided in the use of radio; it's for essential communication only, and the time must be shared between all the users - including those who might need to declare an emergency. Do trim your radio calls right down to the 'merely' necessary; to avoid congestion.

Threat and Error Management

Recently I attended a CAA seminar on Theat and Error Management which was a timely reminder of ways in which we can all potentially improve our safety factors. I hope to have at least the key points written up for a later issue of the newsletter.

First Solos

Congratulations to:
• Steve Duncan, First Solo in Bantam VMW, on 9/10/11
• Perry Shepard, First Microlight Solo in RANS S6 JOL, on 20/10/11

Safe Flying to All,

Dave Mitchell

Committee Minutes:

Items of interest from Committee Meeting at Kaiapoi Working Mens Club, Wednesday 5th of October 2011

GPS

The 'teaching' GPS is mounted in JOL and procedures are to be developed for introducing students to appropriate methods for its use.

JOR

JOR repairs have been delayed by the time required to ship the necessary parts from the US, after which progress is expected to resume.

Membership

The following new members were accepted by the committee:

• Michael Spruce
• Jeffrey Bryant
• Steven Duncan
• Simon Bagnall
• Perry Shepard
• Brian Mitchell
• Victoria Mitchell
• Colin Titcomb

The treasurer reported the following resignations:

• Hugh McLachlan.

Airfield

Note that Waimakariri Council have determined that the taxiway between the Doug Anderson and Stu Bufton hangars is now closed. This has been done because the ground profile between the hangars apparently does not permit a sufficient level width for taxying, given the necessary size of the aprons. Various alternatives were considered, but all of them had associated problems, and finally "the lesser weevil" was selected.

RAANZ

• The RAANZ AGM flyin to be held on the 19th and 20th of November, arrangements are in hand.
• Nomination for RAANZ executive. The committee resolved to nominate Peter Collins for a position on the executive; Peter accepted the nomination.
• RAANZ rules: these currently require microlight students to have an FRTO before going solo, but CAA do not require that level of qualification for GA first solo. A change to bring us into line with GA practice may be submitted as a remit to the RAANZ AGM.

3rd generation aircraft

Colin Marshall discussed his desire to see more group activity from users of 3rd generation aircraft. Colin will discuss plans with Dave Mitchell and place a notice in the newsletter.

Coming Events:

• Weekly Socials - every Friday lunchtime, C.R.A.C. Clubhouse.
• "Friday Frequent Fliers": Fridays, 10:00; meet at CRAC clubrooms; aimed at "3rd Generation" aircraft.
  Programs:
  • Regional WX permitting, a "Fly Away" preceded by a joint flight-planning session, (bring a lunch) otherwise -
  • Local WX permitting, a C"Flight Consolidation" session doing specific technique exercises in circuit followed by Friday clubroom lunch,
  • otherwise a clubroom discussion seminar aimed at increasing safety, followed by Friday clubroom lunch.

  Some passenger seats for away flights may be available depending on pilot decisions.

  Sponsor: CFI David Mitchell

  Convenor: Colin Marshall, 03 312 5402, 027 412 5402, colin-m@xtra.co.nz

• RAANZ AGM Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th November at the clubrooms, C.R.A.C. 10 a.m. Weather permitting we expect quite a number of visiting aircraft. Barbeque lunch will be provided by the club. A dinner or evening celebration is to be arranged. Some aircraft and crews are expected to overnight and there will probably be some regional flying before our visitors all depart later on Sunday. A futher notice of arrangement details will be sent out nearer the time.
• Remembrance Day Airshow, 12 November 2011, The Vintage Aviator Ltd, Masterton Aerodrome.

Club Captain's Notes:

Is there someone out there who would be able to take over the role of Club Captain? Although it takes but little effort, I can no longer give it the attention it deserves, because the workload involved in running "The Landing Spot" continues to increase, helping aviators maintain or enhance their aircraft, and looking after their engines, particularly Rotax.

Please let us know if you would be willing to take this on.

Grant Porter

Statistician's Corner:

"Staying Alive, Staying Alive" - it's a percentage game

Last month I posed a riddle, about the safety of small planes compared with road traffic. No answers were received, so the prize will jackpot for the next competition.

The correct answer is: "passengers in very small aeroplanes (below 2,721 kg) are 20 times as likely to be fatally injured whilst flying as they are when travelling in a private motor car or taxi for the same period of time."

Unfortunately, when a passenger is fatally injured, so too would be the pilot. But flying without a passenger is unlikely to improve your odds. Of all incidents in these planes, it is estimated that 19 out of 20 are due to so-called pilot error - if you call it error to deliberately fly too low, drink alcohol just before take-off, push on instead of turning back, not top up the tanks, allow ourselves to get rusty with lack of practice, switch to empty before landing, and so on.

If we fly with simple common sense, and maintain our currency, our planes therefore ought to be at least as safe as our cars - that's what these numbers tell us.

"Population Explosion"

One of the concerns that some raised about RT 'Designation' was that as population increases, so too will the airfield use. While this may be true, we should be aware that world-wide fertility has been falling for years, not only here, but throughout the globe. In many countries the birth rates are now less than replacement. Even where birth rates are above replacement they are typically falling, year by year.

In the longer term, the global population will for a while continue to rise, though ever more slowly. Within some decades the total world population will be falling, progressively more steeply. This already happens in some countries unless immigration temporarily hides that trend. Even without earthquakes Canterbury families no longer replace their numbers. The peak of birth rates is far behind us and indeed all the world.

Population decline summarises the issue and tabulates the changes and trends by country. Demographers have clearly seen this coming for many years. Population implosion shows how back in 1998 the Population Research Institute briefed the US Congress on what to expect.

In the meantime, even normally conservative publications, whom one would expect to check their articles, continue to get it wrong. On October 8, just a week or so back, The New Zealand Listener published in "Crunching Numbers" a population graph that clearly (and wrongly) implied ongoing population increase for ever.

What has all this got to do with aviation? Well you may ask.

In "African Pilot Newsletter 42 2011, Monday 17 October 2011" appeared the quote that "In the June 2011 National Geographic it was reported that 140 Million people are born each year and only 57 million die. Is this sustainable?"

Of course, it isn't sustainable, but it isn't going to be sustained, as the demographic links above tell us. Beat-ups like this don't help, because they can trigger such political decisions as a 'one-child' policy, which perhaps might have achieved a short-term aim, but in the long-term will prove to have been unnecessary.

What is the effect of this 'common error' on aviation planning? The editor of African Pilot advised me that "Yesterday [17 October] I attended an Airbus briefing on the future of airline travel and what the requirements for new airliners would be in Africa and indeed the world. It was interesting to note that South African passenger loads have doubled since 2000 and are likely to double again by 2020. This fact is also mirrored by the rest of the world. Boeing happens to agree with the Airbus figures and the largest market naturally is China." We should expect such massive increases in air travel - beyond mere population trends, because family sizes are falling with consequent increases in standard of living, technological involvement, and discretionary income; all associated with increased mobility. Don't blame me - I'm only the reporter here.

My prediction would be that the next few decades will be very interesting. Increasing numbers of wide-body aircraft can be expected, the fleet peaking in carrying capacity probably just after the world passenger population starts to fall. The combination of more seats and less people will cut hard into the load ratios and be very painful for the airlines - unless in the meantime they can change their planning basis and look further into the future than is currently the case.

For more on the counter-cyclic effects of population behaviour (why the numbers of Arctic Hares and Lynx are never in step), see predator/prey cycles - of course, aeroplanes don't eat people (not literally) but the counter-cyclic principle still holds, because the industry clearly will try to build sufficient capacity to service all the potential passengers - but as in all such cases, it is almost certain to do so quite out of phase.

Any comments?

Peter Collins

Story Corner

The Voucher

Well, I finally got to make use of "The Voucher" that My Darling Husband bought me for Christmas.

Calm down! It wasn't for a full body massage by a cute European man called Sven. No, but it was almost as thrilling though! (I never have met a cute European man called Sven - darn it.)

Anyhow, back to the voucher thing. I usually cringe when I get vouchers, although they are typically for something nice. One that I received actually was for a massage. But the masseuse was a lady and I didn't really care what her name was. However, My Darling Husband will tell you that I am into instant gratification, but there are not many vouchers that you can use instantly - except those coffee vouchers you get a Pak n Slave and even for them you have to spend a fortune before you get one. They are hardly worth it.

Mind you, with seven mouths to feed we spend a fortune on groceries anyway, and it is quite nice to have a lovely hot drink while you pack the groceries - as long as you don't pack the blasted drink thing by mistake and before you find it, it bursts and makes all your bread go soggy!!! Gosh, I am easily distracted ... what were we talking about again? Oh, the voucher thing - that's right.

Well usually vouchers are an "OK" gift, because, you know, of the instant gratification factor!

But the one my Hubby got me for Christmas wasn't just OK - it was awesome!

He presented me with a specially made, one-of-a-kind voucher to go for a flight in the Harvard!! Woo Hoo! Yes!

I remember about seven years ago, when Metty was a baby, watching it soar over our heads at Russell Brodie's place and wishing it could be my turn next. And here I was finally being able to do it at Rangitata. It had done a few aerobatic manoeuvres so I knew it could fly upside down (sorry … sorry … inverted) and that was something I had always wanted to do!

Unfortunately, due to illness (and yes, the dreaded earthquakes) I was not able to use my custom made voucher till last week, which was the beginning of August! So much for instant gratification!

The anticipation of doing something exciting is half the fun, but I had already had more than enough of the anticipation, thank you very much. It was time to go and do it!

So we piled four of the five boys into the van (Juan Luc did not want to come despite being keen on planes, his rationale being that he had already seen the Harvard several times and since he wasn't the one actually flying what was the point, and besides it was cold outside and he would much rather stay by the fire - fair enough I guess) and drove to the field hoping that the weather would hold as the "Big Snow" was on the way and there were some big black clouds gathering in the South.

We stopped at the end of the strip on our way in, to see the Harvard land as it was heading in after another flight, and felt the prop wash as it parking on the edge of the field while we clambered out of our little van.

Two of our boys are overseas students. One from Japan and one from China. According to them they don't have planes like the Harvard in their countries. I suspect it is just that they have not had the chance to see any because I am sure there must be some planes of the same vintage in both their countries. But at least that meant it was a new experience for them and a good reason for their cameras (actually they used their iphones but it's the same idea) to come out of their pockets to take some snaps for their family to see. I asked them both if they would go up in a plane like that one. Ken (Japan) shook his head quietly with a shy grin on his face like he always does, and Calvin (China) looked a bit scared as if I was expecting him to climb aboard and said "What?" so I asked him again and he took a step back and put his hand up. "No, no I don't want."

Man, I would have jumped at the chance to go up even at that age (16, 17) and can't understand why so many people seem to be scared of trying something a little daring. It must be the "Y" generation I guess.

My boys are well aware that I do crazy things from time to time, like when I dressed up as the Queen complete with cream handbag and tiara, and went into work on my day off to deliver cookies.
"Are you going to work dressed like that??!!"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because of the Royal Wedding."
"But you look silly"
"Yes, I do! Isn't it great!"
"We don't have to come too do we? I don't want to go to your work with you looking like that!"
"No you can stay home with Dad"
"Phew! Thank goodness!"

Or years ago when Brian and I did a parachute jump at Pudding Hill. And years later they all watched as I flew down that huge inflatable slide at QE2 before the big shake up in Feburary.

So they were not the least bit surprised that I would be going flying in the Harvard. I think they were a bit concerned though, when I said I wanted to fly upside down (oops, sorry again … inverted!).

So the time had come, and I went to meet the pilot. He introduced himself as Nathan (darn it! Would have been even more exciting if his name was Sven and he had a dreamy accent, but nothing is ever perfect I guess) and he seemed really relaxed and confident - which is a good pilot trait, especially pre-flight. I guess after a dodgy landing there are not many relaxed looking pilots eh?

He asked what I wanted. Um, Nathan, it's My Husband right there so be careful what you say! Thankfully, I knew he referred to the flight, so I mentioned aerobatics and inverted flight (Yayee! Got it right!) I told him I had done wing-overs in a trike before, which seemed to impress him, and I mentioned my crazy flight in a Jaberoo when Brian and I were in Tasmania. So he was aware that so far, at least, I had coped well with some interesting flying. I have heard that some people, usually big burly macho guys who think they are invincible from what I have been told (Tee Hee), faint or freak out once they actually get in the air. But I wanted Nathan to know that it was very unlikely that the aerobatics were going to worry me. I had wanted to do it for so long, and had built up to it so he could do his worst … well, hopefully not his worst flying but - Oh God, English is such a stupid language; I bet Sven could say it much more eloquently!

With the help of Nathan's friend Laurie, I (almost) graciously climbed into the passenger seat and was set up with all the usual harnesses, headgear and safety instructions while Nathan (in front and out of sight) prepared for takeoff.

This beastie evidently has 600 horsepower (Hubby said I had to put that in somewhere) and even though I don't REALLY know what that means I do know it is a heck of a lot of lawnmowers! Also I know how much strength my one horse had when I was growing up; so 600 of those? Jeepers!

Apart from loud static through my headphones from time to time, and having to keep a close eye on my harness straps, and to make sure I had the little lever at the left in the locked position so I didn't fly out of my seat, all I really had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.

The climb is amazing, I could tell it was fast because my ears popped continually and we were soon above the clouds, which from below looked ominous but now looked gorgeous! Nathan told me what we were about to do before we did it, so I was prepared. When he mentioned a wingover I was like "Good as gold". I had done this manoeuver before, but it is a whole new experience being in this lovely machine! "Woo Hoo!" Thankfully Hubby had warned Nathan that he might be deaf before we finished!

Next we did Barrel Rolls, Aileron Rolls and a few other things that I can't remember the names of. Awesome! Simply Awesome! I was so glad I had thought to go to the loo before take-off though, because the pressure on your body when you are flying about in the sky, like one of the Red Checkers, is amazing. Not sure of the 'G's we pulled but it felt like a few!

Nathan mentioned sustained inverted and of course I was all for that! So upside down we went and all the dirt from the floor of the cockpit landed on the canopy! Might want to clean your cockpit Nathan! Oh dear, that does sound rude doesn't it? Thankfully the nasty alarm that goes off when you are upside down (crap, thought I'd nailed that one!) didn't worry me this time. When we first went inverted (Phew!) this horrible sustained Beeeeeep! sounded and I thought I had knocked something important, but it was an expected thing. Nathan tried to explain it to me but I only caught half of what he said. However, as long as it wasn't a warning that the plane was about to crash I really didn't care, and just enjoyed doing some true aerobatic flying.

The last and most thrilling thing we did was a loop at the end of the routine. I have always wanted to do a loop in a plane ever since seeing planes do them at airshows we have been to, so it was really great to cross that one off my bucket list! Superb!

While we were on our way back I mentioned to Nathan that I thought he had done a fantastic job and thanked him VERY much for such an awesome experience (as you would) but I also had to mention the lovely smell that vintage aircraft have. It is similar when you are in a vintage car, they all have a special smell and I love it! Pity you can't bottle it really, could be a popular man's aftershave eh?

So, once on the ground and safely but not gracefully disembarking (how the hell are you supposed to get out of that cockpit easily anyway??) I was photographed relentlessly by my middle son and for some reason had a huge grin on my face! It was such an amazing experience!

To finish off, I posed in front of the beautiful machine with my pilot hero Nathan, before taking my frozen family, who had been standing outside in the cold while I was having fun in the sky, home for a nice hot drink.

Since my flight I have teased My Darling Hubby relentlessly that I have flown inverted before he has. I just hope he doesn't try it in his Microlight! And I have told the team I work with what I have done. They just think I am even more crazy than ever!

Also, I have decided what my next adrenaline rush will be. I have decided to go and try a tandem sky dive. Let's hope I get strapped to a lovely European man called Sven for that one!

I'll keep you posted!

Anita Van de Velden

Almost a Trip To Motueka.

14th March 2009. Any Ordinary Saturday.

After one day of expectation, only for the weather to cancel it, the trip to Motueka(RAANZ) Fly-In was on. So up before dawn and out to the airfield.

Plane was already loaded and fuelled the previous day. Pre-flight check was needed and then up and away, heading for Hanmer Springs for the first fuel refill. Cloud base about 3000 feet so cruising 65 kts. at 2000ft.

Landed at Hanmer, weather looking good, everything o.k. Refuelled from the can, paid the landing fee, so looked up the valley at where the GPS said I should go. There was cloud above the ridge I needed to fly over, but off I went to have a look. As we got a bit nearer the ridge, we were still below the cloud and so over we went.

The next ridge seemed a bit higher but with still just enough room to fly over it below the cloud. Just approaching the ridge, I could see the valley through the gap, and we went over that one too. But then - Oh where the **** did the ground go?

I was totally in cloud, and now had no option but to just carry on. The ASI was o.k., altimeter was reading the same height, the revs unchanged. Just wait, just wait ... These were the longest and scariest 20 seconds I have ever experienced, totally white!!

Then at last I could see through to the valley ahead - Rainbow Valley. Ah good, I could see the river and pylons which I planned to follow. Descended to about 800 feet, below the cloud with good visibility ahead. Good. Continued for a few more miles along the valley and then at the end of the valley I could see the cloud hovering at the pylon height, still dense above me, and the exit to the valley obscured.

Time to alter my plans. I couldn't go back to Hanmer due to the cloud I had just flown through still being there. I needed somewhere to land to wait for the cloud to lift, I discovered, later, that the end of the valley was called Hells Gate! Interesting description! A road to the left but running between two rows of pylons.

The best option seemed to be the relatively flat valley below, so I over-fly. It looks o.k. Round again and full flaps to land, pretty short but I've landed on shorter. Touch down, seems a bit rougher than I expected. Oh **** - that bang and sudden nose drop told me my front wheel had collapsed. Very shortly after that I stopped. O.k. now what? Got out, everything off - switches, radio, gps, etc.

Checked the damage. It's a trailer job out of here for sure. But who, where and how? I must have been there an hour or so deciding what to do when I heard a voice from the road direction. "Are you o.k.?" A microlight pilot called Tim Bygate happened to be passing on his way to Hanmer escorting two mountain bikers. Found out later that it was his Dad who is one of the organisers of the Motueka Fly-In!

Well that was my lift to civilisation sorted. Thanks Tim. Got to Hanmer about 1.00 pm and after a few texts and phone messages from Duncan Fraser. He had contacted me on his way to Motueka earlier, asking "Where are you? Why haven't you got here yet?" Aren't cell phones great - when you're in range?

Eventually I decided to go to Hot Tracks on the High Street; they are the outfit that has the Haglund vehicle. Talked to Nick there, told him where I was, and he said "No problem", provided I could wait until 5.00 when they finished for the day. They went out to recover my plane; three of them including Nick , Paddy and Simon and me, all went out and loaded my plane onto a car transporter/trailer. We had to leave the wings there overnight but went back the next day to get them.

Finally at 12.30 Sunday all the bits of my plane were in Hanmer and all it needed was to tow the wings and fuselage, on the same trailer by now, back to Rangiora with my car, which a friend brought up for me from the hangar where the plane lives.

I really learned a lot about people that weekend. After getting back to Hanmer I was invited to Simon's for a great meal including lemon meringue for sweet, all four of us, plus two wives and four children. What a really full on day!!

One thing that kept me confident that I would not be stranded was the PLB which if all else failed then at least I would get a ride in a helicopter. These PLBs were not considered by many to be necessary when they were made mandatory, but believe me, it made a huge difference to my confidence and decision making after putting down where I did.

I intend to go back to Rainbow Valley when the Shadow is repaired to make use of the area knowledge I gained by travelling the valley road repeatedly. I even know where a crop dusting strip is, a few miles from where I put down. Isn't hindsight a great thing!

Jeff Bannister (Shadow FMY)

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October 2011 version "India"