Hello to you all, from Broome. Jeff and I (and Daisey) flew into Broome on Monday (the 5th) to spend Easter with Jamie, Tammy and the children. It's pretty hot, around 36 - 38 , but not unbearable, and certainly not humid like it was when Claude and I passed through in the Aerostar in January.
As it hasn't been all that long since our last issue of Flyabout, I have very little, if anything, to report. The Clubrooms certainly look a lot better for having had the lawns mowed, and Matt nearly dug his way through to China repairing a leaking water pipe, successfully, I'm pleased to say.
Colin Ekert, Dave Rose, and myself attended the Fly-in at Brooklands Skydive Express. Colin and Dave flew Charlie to the gathering, but due to unforseen events, I ended up driving over. It was great catching up with Lyn and Di Forster.
I'd also like to remind members that there will be some positions vacant on the Committee at the next AGM. Please all think hard about this. I can't stress to you enough how important you all are to the on-going running of the Club.
I hope everyone had a very Happy Easter. See you on the 17th for the night circuit competition and barbeque.

Robyn Stewart



FROM THE CLUB CAPTAIN
April 2004 Competition
Six Pilots competed in the competition for April, which consisted of an instrument-less circuit. The air speed indicator and the altimeter were covered in such a way that the Pilot could not read either his airspeed or his height, whilst the Air Judge had a clear view of both instruments.
The circuit was without any adverse conditions; the only problem faced by some Pilots being a slight crosswind on landing. The Pilots were required to land on one of three designated spots on the ground - and five managed to do so. Pilots were awarded for landing on these areas.
The winner was David Rose, with Robyn Stewart and your Club Captain sharing second place, and Errol Croft in third place. My thanks to Colin Ekert for judging.
The next competition will be the rescheduling of the two-circuit night flying competition, versus Royal Aero Club, which was cancelled on April 17th due to threatening weather conditions.
At the time of writing the new date has tentatively been set for Saturday 24th April, but please check with myself, Robyn or Dave Rose. The barbecue has also been reconvened for 1800 hours followed by the night circuits. Our Instructor, Colin, will judge the Royals, and one of the Royal's Instructors will judge us. We will be defending the Presidents Trophy.
Due to circumstances over which I have no control (I have to be someplace else) the date for the May Competition has been shifted back to Mothers Day 9th May.
The competition will be a timed 25 Sqn flight from the Airfield to Dempsters Farm, across to Claudes, and then back to the Airfield. Passengers may be carried.

RAY HOWELL
Club Captain




NEWS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

The Formation Flying training program is now in place for the weekend of 16-18 April, and may well be underway by the time you are reading this FLYABOUT. If you see any aircraft formating in the Northam training area then it is most likely this group. Werner Buhlman (Fri/Sat) and Trent Robinson (Sat.arvo/Sun) from RACWA have kindly agreed to assist me with the formation training.

Time for a little humour.
The following was taken off the internet and is reputed to be from an Australian airline. The comments relate to those on the Maintenance Release. To assist those who are not pilots, the pilot writes any defects onto the Maintenance Release. The engineer fixes the problem and writes appropriate comments on the form: P = problem S = solution

P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tyre.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in the cockpit.
S: Something tightened in the cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back order.

P: Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 ft. per min descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for.

P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

The following was taken out of RAAF News from the 1960's with the source being from Wagga NSW. Political correctness was unheard of in those days, and no offence is meant.

GERMAN STRINE

Aircraft der fliegenwagon
Light aircraft der klienen fliegenwagon
Crop duster der fliegenwagon mit der holinder buttum vor puffen der poopauder auder.
Passenger jet der grosse fliegenwagon mit sckull-schplitten schreeman spittenfirenbakof
Propellor der airfloggen fan
Self starter der airfloggen flinger
Control column das puschenpullen schtik
Rudder pedals der tailschwingen werks
Pilot der tailschwingen puschenpullen werker
Student pilot der dumbkoff lernen fliegen
Instructor der dumbkoff schtul mit der dumbkoff lernen fliegen
Air Traffic Ctrllr der schwienhund ubbenzie tauer watchen aller oder dumdkoffs fliegen
Ground studies das hedschratchen bukwerken
Link trainer boks mit aller fliegenwerks innit
VFR. lookenouten seein fliegen
IFR. lissenwaitenhopen fliegen
Forced Lndg. Trienen gebackonner graund mittaut kraschen
First solo Trienen gebackonner graund mittaut kraschen
Precautnry Lndg Trienen gebackonner graund mittaut kraschen
Crosswind Lndg. Trienen gebackonner graund mittaut kraschen
Parachute jump Trienen gebackonner graund mittaut der fliegen wagon
C.F.I. der fliegen fuehrer!

Colin Ekert Kommodore Northam Jagdgesschwader No.1

PS: Our intelligence has intercepted a communication revealing a dusk raid by RACWA for the President's Cup on Saturday the 17 April with a BBQ and night circuit comp. All club members are called up for duty. Take no prisoners! (Ed's note: Rescheduled for 24 April)

Colin Ekert
Instructor in Charge




COMPETITION WINNER SAYS ..

. INSTRUMENT-LESS CIRCUIT
Sunday 4th April 2004

There is an old Air Force line shoot which begins ` There I was upside down in a cloud with nothing on the clock but the makers name and even that was peeling off `.
Well, save for the fact that we were not upside down in a cloud, the clocks referred to were the airspeed indicator and the altimeter - both instruments had been blanked off to prevent them being seen by the pilot, but could be read by the air judge sitting in the right hand seat - hence 'nothing on the clock'.
The purpose of the competition was that each pilot would be required to take off, fly a precision circuit and execute a spot landing by flying by attitude only.
The competitors were judged for accuracy of air speed in climb, cruise and descent together with the turns and straight and level flying being conducted at the correct heights.
I think that all pilots taking part in the competition enjoyed the challenge of going back to basics and I was lucky enough to land on the spot and win the competition against some very skilful flying by fellow competitors.

I would like to thank our Club Captain Ray Howell for organising the event and our Club instructor Colin Ekert for the very difficult task of air judging the event.

DAVID ROSE




FLYING THE NORTHAM AERO CLUB FLAG AT BROOKLANDS

On 31st March 2004 the Avon Valley Tourism Association held a forum at York to promote the expansion of tourism in the area.
The forum was hosted by Skydive Express at it's Brooklands (York) airstrip skydiving centre. As a member of the Avon Valley Aviation Alliance, the Northam Aero Club was invited to participate by flying in and waving the NAC flag to promote our Club in the area.
Colin Ekert and myself flying CMP departed Northam at 2.30 pm local time for Brooklands, landing there just as the forum began, with our President Robyn arriving later by road.
The forum was held in the Skydive Express large indoor facility over looking the airstrip; and covered most aspects of tourism in the Avon Valley with many useful suggestions tabled for future action by the association.
Information, in the form of Northam Aero Club leaflets, was distributed to the Forum as part of a general advertising package.
At the end of the session Colin, Robyn and I walked down the strip to Lyn and Di Forster's workshop and sheds to have a look at some very interesting aircraft. For those who are not aware (me being one of them until then) Lyn rebuilds vintage and old style aircraft at his premises on the strip, of which he is part owner with Skydive Express.
Lyn's set-up is a veritable treasure trove of aircraft and engines with two Commonwealth Winjeels presently under construction in the one shed, and a Stearman awaiting assembly in another.
I was surprised to find the remains of an old Wooden Miles Gemini, complete with engine, stored at the end of one shed, and a dark painted Aero Commander parked outside under a tree. Colin seems to think that the Aero Commander is the one he used to fly for the Department of Civil Aviation.

Generally the day was both informative and enjoyable. We said our goodbye to Brooklands with Colin giving a low level over-shoot on our departure for Northam.

DAVID ROSE