It's hard to believe we are half way through June and that this will be my last report in Flyabout as your President.
Firstly, on behalf of all the members I would like to pass on our condolences to Claude and his sister Marie-Claude, on the loss of their mother. This is always a sad and difficult time.
On a happier note I would like to congratulate Roger Watson and his wife Dona on the arrival of their first baby, a beautiful little girl, Renée. Congratulations too, to Colin and Margaret Ekert on becoming proud grandparents after their daughter had a gorgeous baby son, Lachlan. You never know, both babies may be prospective student pilots a little way down the track!!
New member Greg Broux is to be congratulated on going solo on the 5th June, and I'm hoping we get to hear all about his 'solo experience' further into this issue of Flyabout. Congratulations must also be extended to Len Hanson who solo'd on the 17th June. Unfortunately Len is off overseas and will be away for our Presentation Dinner. Congratulations Greg and Len.
More congratulations go to Errol Croft who has finally managed to finish off his Night Licence after many problems matching 'good weather' nights with the availability of a 'testing' instructor, and even the availability of an aircraft! We're all thrilled for you Errol.
Poppy (PGL) is out of action at the moment while she's in NAS (Maintenance Hangar) having a major. However, with a new lease on life, she should be back on line in two or three weeks, and the Club will virtually have a brand new aircraft.
It was great to get the chance to catch up with Lila Bristow-Stagg a couple of weeks ago, even if it was ever so briefly. She got caught out after slipping into town for her mother's birthday.

With our Presentation Dinner only a couple of weeks away, I have to admit I'm a little disappointed at the response so far. Please contact Joy or myself to book in. Friends and family are most welcome, so make up a table if you wish. I'm hoping you'll all be there to support fellow students and members celebrate there achievements, and to have a very enjoyable evening. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

Robyn Stewart



FROM THE CLUB CAPTAIN

June 2004 Competition
The competition held on 6th June was based on a wartime navigational flight by Vultee Vengeance aircraft of 25 Squadron based at Pearce. The flight went from Pearce to Corrigin and Burekin, and then back to Pearce.
Our flight was from the Northam Airfield to Dempsters Airstrip near Grass Valley townsite, then on to Claude's Airstrip, and back to Northam Airfield. The winner being the Pilot to complete the flight in the fastest time, whilst carrying out all the radio checks, and keeping to the correct heights.
The weather was kind to us, with some wispy low cloud, which we were able to fly around, and none of the predicted rain in sight.
The winner of all this, with an additional spot landing, was David Rose. The Club Captain came second, and Errol Croft third.

My thanks Colin Ekert, who flew as Air Judge with his wife and daughter.

The competition for the start of the 2004/2005 season will be HMAS Northam to be held on Sunday 11th July. It will be a two circuit competition.

RAY HOWELL Club Captain




NEWS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

Happenings:
Well, the wet weather has definitely arrived and made our farmer club members happy. There is a general tendency for some fliers to stop flying as soon as the first rain arrives, yet there is still a lot of good flying weather during the winter period. You may think of the June long weekend just gone as a wet weekend, yet at Northam the mornings for the three days had quite reasonable flying conditions. We had the Club Competition on Sunday, and Saturday was good enough for solo flying.
Congratulations to Greg Broux for achieving first solo on Saturday 5th June. Great to see and well done. This goes to show that an instructor is superfluous in terms of basic requirements for an aeroplane to fly. Aircraft don't get off the ground however, unless essential items such as pen writing is on person, and payment mode is operational! You know the story. There's some that say an airplane flies because of thrust, drag, lift, and weight, and others say that an airplane flies because of money. I think it is both.

Congratulations also to Errol Croft who obtained his night VFR rating after some date changes due to unsuitable night flying weather. I went up with Errol and Shane after this for a night flight (in magnificent conditions) and the landscape was dotted as far as we could see with lights in every direction. Farmers were in the field that night ploughing and seeding in readiness for the approaching rains.

The club's old C150 WXR is back at Northam for some maintenance work. It is normally based at Kalgoorlie.
"Poppy" (PGL) is minus its engine. According to the NAS boys everything is looking OK for reassembly. A new prop. is required and will have to come from America. This could be the delaying factor in getting it back in the air, depending on how many weeks to achieve delivery.

TIPS:
Are you putting landing/taxi lights on when approaching and departing airfields in accordance with N.A.S. Just a reminder.
Currently we have one headset available in each aircraft. Another one is being held in the office and is available on request. One of these headsets has been swapped and a private set is being held. So, if you check your personal headset bag and find you have the wrong one, then we have yours. In the absence of any advice the status quo will remain.

Lost Property:
Miscellaneous items found in aircraft - one pair sunglasses (minus side lens). Glasses case (different size), Sunscreen, and a plastic ruler. Also, a toy man about 10cm. high. I'm not sure whether he is Marvel man, Spider man, a Startrek character, or some other muscle wonder (I stopped at the Phantom many years ago). Bring back Air Hawk I say. Any claimants?

Colin Ekert
Instructor In Charge



COMPETITION WINNER SAYS ..

. 25th SQUADRON FLIGHT
Sunday 6th June 2004
Undeterred by the weather forecast of high winds gusting 40knots, rain, and thunderstorms; the Northam throttle benders met on the morning of 6th.June to compete in the Annual 25th. Squadron time trial race from Northam to Dempsters strip, Claude's strip, and back to Northam for a spot landing.
We were briefed to take off and follow normal departure procedures, climb to 2000 feet and track to the first turning point.
Mist in the valley, and patches of low cloud en route, made the flight enjoyable and challenging for contestants; who were timed from beginning of take off roll, to crossing the runway centre line at 2000 feet on return to Northam - with additional points being scored for a spot landing.
Fortunately the forecast bad weather held off for the duration of the competition.
Colins' wife Margaret and their daughter Linley also came along to participate as passenger/observer in the competition, and Linley also helped collect the spot landing markers after we had finished flying. It was great to have them along.

Thanks again to our Club Captain Ray Howell for organizing a very enjoyable competition, and to our Club Instructor Colin Ekert, for being the air judge

DAVID ROSE