Following a brief spell in hospital (nothing major) and the necessity to be in Perth, as well as having two of our Committee in Canberra on ballooning business, I decided to hold the March Committee Meeting a week later than usual. Because of this, our Flyabout is also late. Six 'new member nominations' were put to the March meeting and passed, and I'd like to welcome all of them to our Club. A further reason for delaying Flyabout.
Long grass has been hiding our strip lights, except when directly overhead (or just about). However, with our House and Grounds man in Canberra, I managed to get VP Denis onto the mower and ninety percent of the job has been completed. Due to a breakdown, a bearing gone or something, the remaining ten percent will have to wait until running repairs have been done on the mower.
This month the Club cross-hired a C152 Aerobat from RACWA for around five days for aerobatic training with Colin. Congratulations to Roger Watson and Jarrad Hollins on their aerobatic endorsement. I believe Denis also flew the Aerobat to brush up his aeros.
In April, Colin has organised a few days for those interested in doing their Formation Flying endorsement, and along with an increasing number of students, Colin has been kept extremely busy.
We have had a few responses to the 'Rotto' article Denis put in the February issue of Flyabout which is great, and Dave Rose has an article in this issue to encourage pilots to get out there and fly. Think seriously about it you guys, as there's a lot of fun to be had, and besides, you might learn something. What about a trip to Bunbury to visit Joe and Sue? I'm sure they'd love to see you and it would be a great trip. Well worth considering.
Speaking of Joe, I had a phone call from him the other day with some wonderful news….also the following email on the 22nd March….

"Hi Friends! You'll be pleased to know I'm sure, that Joe's op was a ROARING SUCCESS! He now has NO tremor. Thanks everyone for your never ending support and good wishes. Love, happiness and a healthy long life to you all.
Sue and Joe"

Joe was telling me that the gadget implanted beneath his collarbone and wired to a probe in his head has been programmed and turned on, and 'bingo', no more tremors. Joe is ecstatic. So is Sue. Who wouldn't be? As mentioned in the email, the operation has been a huge success. Joe even has a 'remote', so that he can turn the thing on and off at will!!…..and set off the alarm in Coles!!!
……and Happy Birthday Sue. I believe it was a big one!!
As the April Club Competition would have fallen on Easter Sunday, Ray has changed the date of the competition to the 4th April, and it follows that the next Committee Meeting will be held in the Clubrooms on the 5th April.
Jeff and I, and Daisey, are heading up to Broome for Easter, flying Qantas, to visit our son and his family. I can't wait to see them all. Just hope any cyclones that might be lurking about stay away!

Until my next report, to everyone, have a very happy and safe Easter break.

Robyn Stewart



February 2004 Competition
The competition for March was "Around The Pylons", which is based on the 1930s races around the pylons to see which pilot could do the course in the fastest possible time.
Our race around the pylons was also to be done in the fastest possible time, with the added demand on the pilot to land in a specified spot to obtain additional points.
The race began with the time being taken from the moment that the pilot pressed in the throttle for full power, until he had landed and come to a full stop on the runway without any heavy braking. The route of the course was from the Northam Airstrip to the wheat bins on the northern side of the town, then on to the army camp mast to the west of town, and then back to the Airstrip.
The winner on the day was Errol Croft, with your Club Captain coming in second, and Ian Berry in third place.

The next competition will be on APRIL 4TH, as the usual club weekend date competes with Easter. It will be an instrument-less circuit.

RAY HOWELL
Club Captain




NEWS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

Happenings:

Aerobatics - With thanks to RACWA and the use of their Cessna 152 Aerobat VH-JBX, five days of aerobatics were flown from Saturday March 13th. Congratulations to Roger Watson and Jarrad Hollins for completing their aerobatic training. Our Vice President Denis Beresford also did some aerobatics. It is possible that an Aerobat will be at Northam on the Friday and Saturday after Easter.
Log Books - I have a couple of Pilot Log Books if you need a new or replacement Log Book. Price is $13 each. Current selling price for these are $18.40 or $15 for the CASA Log Book. Contact me if you are interested.
By now, everyone should be familiar with current NAS procedures. In that regard you will be familiar with changes in respect to Class E Airspace, use of radio, transponder, and aircraft lighting, aircraft separation, multicom, and changes to aviation charts. If you have to think about it, I suggest you check a previous Flyabout, CASA publications or CASA website.
The slow wheels of paper work. The new ERSA is now out and the remarks still do not include right hand circuits for runway 32 and lighting not previously incorporated. I will follow this up with CASA.
TIPS:
On the subject of circuits it is timely to remind pilots of a few departure and entry requirements for airstrips. When departing from an airstrip in the opposite direction to the active circuit, you are required to either climb to 1,500 ft. above aerodrome elevation, or be 3 nm from the aerodrome before turning; VFG Section 3 Non-Controlled aerodromes; AIP ENR 1.1-57 refer eg. For a left turn off 32 (right hand circuits), and a right turn off 14 (left hand circuits). Alternatively you can climb overhead.
When arriving within 3 nm of an airfield ALL turns must be to the left for LEFT hand circuits except when entering the upwind, crosswind, or downwind leg. Arriving aircraft if overhead, should be 1,500 above aerodrome elevation (and 500 ft. above circuit height ) ie. 2,000 ft. on the alt. at Northam. Descend on the "dead" side of the runway, not inside the live circuit pattern. Remember that entry is only permitted on upwind, crosswind, or downwind legs for the Northam CTAF.
Straight in approaches at uncontrolled aerodromes are only approved for MBZ's. (in accordance with required procedures).
NOTE: Further changes to NAS procedures are expected later in the year and MAY relate to entry and departure from non-controlled aerodromes.

Colin Ekert
Instructor in Charge



Committee Positions
Your President has previously asked all Members to consider whether they can contribute to the leadership of the Club. The AGM to elect the new Committee is to be held in early July.
Robyn is unable to stand again for President due to commitments in Perth, Gren will not be standing again for Secretary, and I will not be filling the non-committee position of Flyabout Editor. Therefore, you need to consider who is going to fill these, and other, positions.
Please do not assume that, as in the past, the incumbents will continue to fill the positions if no one else puts their hands up - because in this instance, we will not be doing so! Some of the Committee positions are vital to the continued running of the Club.
So everyone, PLEASE, if you think that you have something to contribute - your ideas, your time, anything at all - contact us and, as Robyn said, let us know who you are.

Margaret Putland (Editor)




THE NORTHAM SUNDAY FLYERS

We all know about Sunday drivers - those of us that on Sunday jump into the car and drive off to visit places of interest, enjoy the countryside or just pop into friends for afternoon tea.
Well now is the time to brush the dust of your flight bag, get out the charts and navigational computer and rush down to Northam Aero Club to join the aviation equivalent the 'Northam Sunday Flyers".
The idea for the Northam Sunday Flyers (not necessarily just Sundays) is to give Club pilots the opportunity for cross country flying as a group, bringing themselves up to date with the latest procedures and sharing the enjoyment, experience and costs with fellow Club pilots.
Each trip would where possible consist of four legs enabling participating pilots the opportunity to fly at least one leg each, assuming four pilots per aircraft. The flights could be from say 1.5 hours to 4.5 hours duration depending on routes taken.
For those of us who are not quite up to speed on all the latest navigational or radio procedures, our Club instructor Colin Ekert has generously offered to conduct pre-flight briefings on flight planning and navigation etc. and also accompany group pilots on cross country exercises at shared dual rates to sharpen their skills.
Suggested Trips
YNTM - YNRG - YBLN - YNRG - YNTM + 4 Hours
YNTM - YKEB - KOORDA - YWOH - YNTM + 2 Hours
YNTM - YNRG - YBLN - YMUL - YNTM + 3 Hours
YNTM - YPJT - YNTM + 1.5 Hours
YNTM - YRTI - YNTM + 1.5 Hours
YNTM - YBEV - YQDG - YCUN - YNTM + 1.25 Hours
YNTM - YWGN - YABA - YNTM + 4.5 Hours

If you are interested in the formation of this group please phone me between 6.00 pm. and 9.00 pm. weekdays, or weekends on 9574 2019.

Dave Rose