Further to my report of November 2004 when I announced the appointment of Steve Yeates as Instructor in charge assisted by Kevin Lathbury, owing to the resignation of Steve due to medical reasons and Kevin upgrading his rating to a Grade 2 Instructors rating, Kevin was offered and has accepted our invitation to take over as Instructor in charge starting from the 27th. February 2005.
As you all probably know Kevin has been holding the Fort on the instructural side for some time and has participated not only in the normal instructing role but has happily assisted in other aspects of Club flying and I am personally very grateful to Kevin for his ongoing support and his willingness to assist the Club in it's flying activity programme.
Kevin will be accompanying the Sunday Flyers on our next outing which will be the Rottnest run on Sunday the 27th. February to assist and instruct any member who would like to brush up on procedures on over water flying and controlled air space requirements. There are still two seats available so contact me if you would like to come along.
Next month will also be an important month with the Club being promoted at the Cunderdin Air Show. We will have C172 PGL on static display and also the club will have a small marque complete with table and chairs with Club members being in attendance to distribute Club information and answer any questions about Club flying, I understand that we will also be promoting Northam Olive growers as an added attraction to encourage the public to enter our marque. The Air Show will run on the 26th and 27th. March 2005 with the setting up of the Marque and Aircraft taking place on Friday the 25th, so if you wish to help please give me a call. CMP will also be available to fly to the Air Show.
Some Committee members over the past few weeks have muted a number of changes to the Club as we know it that will have the possibility of altering the direction that the Club may take in the future and could have a dramatic effect on Club operation. These proposed changes are still under going consideration by the full committee and I will keep the Club members fully informed as things progress.

Remember that is your Flying Club so use it or lose it.

DAVE ROSE





COMPETITION WINNER'S SAY...

As I said in the December report, Club Captains arenot supposed to win competitions as it makes it embarrassing at the Annual Dinner to present a mug to oneself. However luck must have been on my side on the day as I am usually a lousy poker player.

Ray Howell .



CLUB CAPTAIN REPORT

The competition for Febrary was what could be called a poker run. The pilot picking up an envelope prior to takeoff which contained a number and receiving another envelope containing two numbers after landing. A total of all the numbers helping decide the winner of that section of the flight. The pilots were also required to do the checks in the air and the correct radio calls to obtain more points. There were also points awarded for landing on the nominated spot on the runway. We were hoping to use CMP but found that it had only enough fuel for a couple of circuits. Pushing CMP over to the refueling point we found that there was no fuel left on the bowser tanks either. Luckily for us PGL had three quarters in each tank so we were able to make the flight over to Claude's place then onto Grass Valley townsite and back to the strip. The winner for the day was the Club Captain with Ian Berry in second and David Rose third.

We need more pilots to compete each monthand also making sure that the aircraft is refueled after each flight.

Club Captain
Ray Howell





Jokes Page

Blonde goes flying

A blonde went to a flight school insisting that she wanted to learn to fly. As all the planes were currently in use, the owner agreed to instruct her by radio on how to pilot the solo helicopter. He took her out, showed her how to start it and gave her the basics, and sent her on her way.
After she climbed 1000 feet, she radioed in. "I'm doing great! I love it! The view is so beautiful, and I'm starting to get the hang of this."
After 2000 feet, she radioed again, saying how easy it was to fly. The instructor watched her climb over 3000 feet, and was beginning to worry that she hadn't radioed in.
A few minutes later, he watched in horror as she crashed about half a mile away. He ran over and pulled her from the wreckage.
When he asked what happened, she said, "I don't know! Everything was going fine, but as I got higher, I was starting to get cold. I can barely remember anything after I turned off the big fan!"

VALE

VALERIE Posselt
9th March 1919 - 19th December 2004

On 19th December 2004, a very dear member of the Northam Aero Club slipped away from us, but our memories of Val will stay in our hearts forever. Before their retirement from 'Glen Ronda, our dear Life Member Ron, with his wife Val, spent many hours at the Aero Club where they both enjoyed a drink and a laugh, followed by a meal in town with their friends from the Club.

They were always present at the social functions held by the Club, and many of the long standing members will recall the bus trips to 'Springbank' for a barbecue, hosted by the Posselt family, where a fun day was had by all. 'Charlie' would fly in and the rest of us would take the trip by bus, with Ron leading the singing - his favourite, which he always dedicated to Valerie, was "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen".

In the founding days of the NAC and up to when he retired, Ron was a great worker for the Club, and Val always gave full support and encouragement to all working bees and social activities. She was a very caring and concerned friend of all members and we will miss this great fashionable and stylishly dressed lady who was a big part of our NAC life.

To Ron, Gloria and Family we say 'God only takes the best and his gain is our loss'.

VALE

KEITH NICHOLSON
FOUNDATION PRESIDENT 1968
31st August 1922 - 24th September, 2004

Keith will always be remembered for the big part he took in the forming of the Northam Aero Club.
Keith was on the original Steering Committee, together with Geoff Way, Bruce Smart, and Adrian Clements;- with the help of Brian Overton and Bruce Hamling.
Keith was also present at the Inaugural Meeting held on the 18th December 1968 in the Northam Ambulance Hall, where he was elected Foundation President, a position he held until early July 1970.
Following the Inaugural Meeting, a survey of the entire district was done to find a suitable landing ground. The land selected was on Max Smiths' property at Noggojerring and was leased for approximately twelve months.
The landing ground was graded, boundary markers and a windsock installed, and a large tree removed. A briefing room, fuel shed and toilet were built by the members, and a circuit area and flying training area were selected, and upon submission to D.C.A., were approved.
The Narrogin Flying Club was chosen as the training organisation, to operate three consecutive days a fortnight.
In addition to Keith's role in the development of Smith's Field, a survey was carried out and a recommendation was made to the Town and Shire Councils for the purchase and development of a suitable Northam District Airport. It was hoped that the Local Authorities would act quickly, as the existing Landing Ground was not available after June, 1970.
Over the years Keith visited the Northam Aero Club on Fly-ins as a member of the Pearce Flying Club, and always took a keen interest in the progress of the Club.
Interestingly, Keith returned to Northam for the Aero Club's "Back to Origins" day on the 9th March 2003 for our Fly-in to Smith's Farm,.……. the Club's first landing ground, and one that Keith, along with others, was instrumental in obtaining, developing and operating. Keith even made a brief flight from the field in CMP, the Club's C172, which he enjoyed immensely and said took him back in time, bringing back many wonderful memories.

Our special condolences to all Keith's family.

VALE

GRAHAM PETER WILLIAM BRUCE
6th August 1969 - 6th January 2005

Sadly, the following Obituary was sent to the Club by Ann Bruce when she cancelled the membership of her husband Graham, after he was tragically killed at work in Queensland, crop dusting. Although Graham had only joined the Aero Club in July 2004, and therefore had not been a member for long, those of us who had met Graham, found him to be a very happy and likeable man, dedicated to his work and love of flying. It is with Ann's permission that we print the following.

Graham was born on the 6th August 1969 at Burra in South Australia. He was the eldest of four brothers.
Graham's early years were spent working in the rural sector of South East South Australia, as Shearer and later contractor of the area. His businesses included wool classing and contract shearing covering four states of Australia from Mt Isa through to Ceduna.
Graham eventually became Australia's largest privately owned shearing contractor employing up to 300 shearers in peak times. Graham became known during this time when he appeared in court for shearing on a Sunday, lambs that would have otherwise perished, constantly fighting for the rights of the landowner and shearers, his actions culminated in changes to the wide comb dispute and weekend work when seasonal conditions required it.
Graham together with his wife Ann, also made and supplied clothing for the shearing industry, and later, local councils.
Due to wide ranging interstate contracts Graham had a need to move around more effectively and to remain in touch with his wife and very sick baby at the time.
After taking flying lessons at Naracoorte Aero Club, Graham was bitten by the bug ……..only we pilots understand.
By 1998 Graham had completed his commercial pilots license then moving on to an agricultural rating in 1999, at the same time his wife was diagnosed with Multiple Myloma, a form of blood cancer. Graham took time off work from July to December 1999 to become Ann's carer.
In December 1999, Graham was offered low level work in Renmark South Australia. A job he held for seven years where he became well known for his cheery disposition at all times and his dedication to his job.
On moving to WA in 2000 Graham sourced many jobs to enhance his flying:- such as:
o Contract mustering at Mt Magnet
o Murchison Aviation doing survey work,
o UTS Geophysical survey work in remote areas of WA and
o Agricultural Spraying with Taurus Aviation.
This year Graham reached the pinnacle of agricultural flying, achieving an Ag. 1 rating and was offered a position in New South Wales spraying cotton ……… he was delighted.
Graham was killed on the 6 January 2005 on his last run for the day in a Turbine AT802. Graham's funeral was held in South Australia on the 25 January 2005.
Graham has left behind Ann his wife and his 10 year old son Byron. He will be missed not only as a dedicated and professional pilot but also as a caring, considerate, thoughtful individual that after one conversation with him you realized he had a big heart that was always in the right place.

There are no ifs or buts, just sadness, which is felt by many people by the senseless loss of such a talented and beautiful individual.

To Ann and family go our special condolences.






HIRE RATES FOR C172 AIRCRAFT 1/1/2005
Dual Hire ---------- $190 hour
Private Hire ------- $140 hour
TIFs ----------------- $ 70 each
Block Hire for a minimum of 40 hours
To be completed within a 12 month duration from the date of purchase:
*Dual Hire ------- $180 hour
*Private Hire ---- $130 hour

Instructor only
*Pilot provides own aircraft ---- $70 hour

Landing Fees & AirServices Charges:
*Where applicable - These are to be paid by the Pilot or
Student Pilot
Hire of Life Jackets ---- $10 per jacket

We know you will understand that the above increases are due to
rising costs in fuel and the maintenance necessary to keep our
aircraft in the good standard expected of the Northam Aero Club






FLYING ACTIVITY PROGRAMME FOR 2005

February
23rd. Know your Aircraft - C172-Seminar
27th. Sunday Flyers (Rottnest run)

March
12th. Busy Bee
13th. Monthly Competition
16th. E-Airspace - Seminar
26th.- 27th. Cunderdine Air Show

April
9th. Busy Bee
10th. Monthly Competition.
24th. Forced Landing - Seminar

May
7th. Busy Bee
8th. Monthly Competition
27th. Sunday Flyers (Narrogin-Fly in)

June
11th. Busy Bee
12th. Monthly Competition
25th. Annual Dinner