PRESIDENTS JOTTINGS JUNE 2005

The other day I was surprised and shocked by a long standing member of Northam Aero Club who expressed to me his concern that he had heard that the Northam Aero Club's fleet of Cessna 172's was to be down sized to help pay off the Northam Aero Club's debts and that the Northam Aero Club was operating PGL with a new engine that had not yet been paid for!!

This is just the latest of several rumours that have been circulated regarding the financial position of the Northam Aero Club and I find that this scurrilous rumour not only to be a complete fabrication but also an insult to those few hard working members who dedicate a great deal of their own time and resources to ensure the security of the Northam Aero Club in particular our treasurer Joy who's controlling of the Club finances has put our Club into a strong position. One can only postulate what peccable person would produce these totally absurd rumours and why.

I wish to put this matter straight for once and for all and now address all concerned parties to put an end to these rumours.

• BOTH CMP and PGL are fully paid for and are owned lock stock and propeller by Northam Aero Club.
• The Northam Aero Club has no outstanding debts other than the day to day running expenses.
• Northam Aero Club's financial position is very strong with a substantial cash reserve in the bank.
• The Northam Aero Club owns all the building and chattels that it occupies.
• For a non profit organisation the Northam Aero Club is in a very strong financial position largely due to good management and hard work. The treasurer's report to be tabled at the forthcoming A.G.M. will be testimony to this.

Whilst on the subject of the A.G.M. please take this opportunity as a member to voice your opinion and vote for whom you would like to take office in the vacated positions on the committee. I urge all members to take this very seriously and to inform themselves as to the suitability of each prospective candidate for these important positions prior to voting.

Well we have concluded our flying programme for competitions and Sunday Flyers for this Club year and it now only leaves me to say thank you to all the members that have supported me during my term of office and a full report of the Club year will be tabled at the forthcoming A.G.M. for your information.

DAVE ROSE

CLUB CAPTAIN'S REPORT

What was supposed to be a twenty minute flight to various points around Northam and Grass Valley was instead turned into a low level circuit and spot landing because of the inclement weather which looked threatening for most of the day.

As it was the weather was ideal for flying and the competitors managed to get their flying completed before the weather broke. The winner on the day was David Rose with Ian Berry and Ray Howell in equal second place and Robyn Stewart third.

My thanks to Robyn who also air judged.

The next competition will be the 20 min flight we were to have in June. This will be held on the 10th July starting at 0900Hrs for briefing at the Briefing hut.

Ray Howell
Club Captain.


COMPETITION WINNER SAYS…..

Our illustrious Club Captain Ray Howell had planned a testing long distance average time trial for this competition, however due to weather a last minute change of plan was organised, a low level circuit with a spot landing. Low cloud and rain threatened on the horizon and with the accompaniments of a few heavy spots of rain on the windscreen of the Aircraft and a Westerly cross wind we all got underway.

Surprisingly the air was relatively calm and all circuits were completed without a problem and all pilots but one scored ground points. Two things that we all forgot during our checks were proceeding Aircraft and turning onto finals at 500 feet A.G.L. but I put that down to concentrating on the 500 foot A.G.L circuit and bad weather.

I was lucky enough to win this hotly challenged competition and would like to thank Ray for organising the competition and Robyn Stewart for being our Air Judge.

Dave Rose


SUNDAY FLYERS - NARROGIN RUN
29th. MAY 2005

Both Club Cessna's CMP and PGL departed Northam to track direct to Narrogin for the last of the Sunday Flyers outings for this Club year.
Our track took us to the West of Skydive Express operation at Brooklands and we were treated to a display of skydiving over Brooklands Airfield with the Caravan drop aircraft in rapid descent after unloading the parachutists.
Although I enjoy navigation by the normal dead reckoning method two alternative methods of navigation were also employed on this trip, the tried and true I.F.R. system ( I follow Roads, Rivers and Railways) and the more modern GPS system.
The air was so still for the flight to Narrogin and back that my small hand held GPS balanced on the instrument panel remained in place without falling off.
On arrival at Narrogin we were warmly welcomed by the members of the Narrogin Gliding Club who put all their facilities at our disposal.
Whilst we prepared our lunch Sion Millar decided to try his hand at gliding and disappeared into the wild blue yonder in the Narrogin Gliding Club's Puchet behind their Pawnee tug aircraft registered can you believe TUG to experience some flying and aerobatics without an engine. You will note on the accompanying photographs that the only one not wearing a parachute in the glider was Sion!
After lunch and the normal yarn session, a look around the Airfield and a promise to accept Narrogin Gliding Clubs invitation to return in the New Club Year and stay overnight for some gliding, socializing and a B.B.Q. we departed for our return flight in visibility so great we could almost see Northam as we took off.
The trip was a very pleasant finale to the years Club Fly Ins and I would like to thank all the participating pilots for supporting this and previous Sunday Fly ins and a special thanks to the members of the Narrogin Gliding Club for their hospitality - we will return.

DAVE ROSE


Why I would like to join the Committee
By Tony Rees

I have been a member of the Northam Aero Club, on and off, for nearly 15 years and have always enjoyed the friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. In the past it has not been possible for me to become involved in Club activities because I have had other commitments. However, I now have more time to devote to non-professional matters and, knowing how much effort the management team devote to keeping the Club and Airfield operating smoothly, I reckon it's about time to volunteer. My nomination is proposed by Dr Frank Kotai, a Hills GP who is also a CASA medical examiner, and seconded by Robyn Stewart.
I have been a pilot for 35 years and currently hold a PPL with PIFR and Night VFR ratings. My total flying time is 1050 hours. While I have enjoyed flying the Club's Cessnas, I am hoping to purchase an aircraft - possibly a Mooney - in the foreseeable future to base at Northam. I would like to build a hangar and have applied for a site, though I understand that any approvals may be subject to a Northam Town Council review of future airfield operations. I believe that if you have a plane on the field you should be prepared to put some time into the running of the organisation.
In the late 80s and early 90s I owned an Auster which was based at Serpentine. During this time I gained valuable experience in the problems faced by operators of small airfields while a member of the Sport Aircraft Builders' Club Committee and, for a couple of years, its Secretary. Some of the issues we faced included dealing with local government leases, mining company exploration, government development grants and negotiations with the relevant government aviation authorities. I believe some of this experience may be helpful as Northam Aero Club faces a future ever more demanding of resources and personnel.
I think Northam Airport is a wonderful place and would like to work with others on the Committee to ensure that its unique atmosphere is preserved for future flying generations. I don't have a high profile at the Club, but if anyone would like to contact me my numbers are 9299 6342 and 0412 645508, or you can email me at tonyrees@iprimus.com.au



FLYING & CLUB ACTIVITY PROGRAMME FOR 2005.

June
25th. Annual Dinner

July
22th. Annual General meeting


NORTHAM AERO CLUB
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


BAR ROSTER
June 18th & 19th Brian Whittington
June 25th & 26th Dave Rose
July 2nd & 3rd Dave Bell
July 10th & 11th Joy Flegetaub
July 18th & 19th Mike Bairstow
July 26th & 27th Matt Bignell
August 6th & 7th Dennis Beresford
August 13th & 14th Les Balantyne
August 21st &22nd Brian Whittington