On the 16th, 17th and 18th April, Claude, Denis, Graeme and myself were very fortunate to have the opportunity to do our 'Formation Flying' Endorsement, and we now all have a stamp in our Log Books to prove it.
If it hadn't been for Colin going to considerable trouble to not only obtain the endorsement himself so he could teach us, but to arrange for RACWA Instructors to help him during these three days, plus make sure everyone could agree on those dates, none of us would now have the endorsement.
It was a most enjoyable and rewarding learning experience, and I can recommend it to you all. Werner Buhlmann, from Royals, and Colin, instructed us all day Friday, and again on Saturday morning.
At this time Werner had to return to Jandakot due to other commitments, and was replaced by Trent Robinson who flew up to join us for Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
It was lovely to have a member of old, Greg Rutherford, join in with us in his Victa VH-MOC, on the Sunday. The three Victas, Graeme's MUP, Greg's MOC, and me in GBS, were able to do a sortie together. Greg already had his Formation Endorsement.
In appreciation, and on behalf of Claude, Denis Graeme and myself, I'd like to say thank you to Colin once again for his wonderful contribution over those three days, and for the very tasty Anzac biscuits which all of us were guilty of demolishing.
During our formation training we had a very nice interruption on the Saturday, when our friend Gaby Kennard drove up from Perth to have a quick lunch with Claude, Denis and I at Lucy's Tearooms, where it was great to catch up, if only ever so briefly. We have Werner to thank for loaning her his old Peugeot car to make the trip.
For those who don't know, Gaby flew around the world in her single engine Piper Saratoga, 'Gerty', VH-GKF, in 1989, a distance of 29,000nm in 99 days. Gaby's allotted time in Northam was spot on an hour, as she was a guest speaker at an event at 3pm that afternoon, so she was running a pretty tight schedule and Werner's car was flat tack at 80kph! I think he spent considerable time worrying the car would break down and she wouldn't make her appointment in time.
Gaby was a guest of RACWA's for the Women Pilot's Fly-In to Langley Park the following day, Sunday 18th, and was flying back to Mittagong in NSW Sunday at 4pm. Due to being committed to doing our Formation Flying, none of us were able to meet Gaby in Perth so it was tremendous of her to make the effort to drive up and see us.
On a sad note, Colin will be retiring as our CFI as of the middle of July, but will continue to remain a member of the Club. We will certainly miss him as not only has he been a fantastic Instructor, but he has done an excellent job since taking over the reins of our Flying School. Although Colin only ever committed himself until then (Easter just passed if the truth be known), I guess deep down we all hoped he'd put off retirement for a bit longer. Colin was actually a member long before we ever knew he was an Instructor. 'Your replacement will have a lot to live up to Colin'.
With the end of our Club Year coming up, so as to speak, Nomination Forms for Office Bearers will be included in this issue.
So to all those members who have been thinking of nominating, please submit your nomination to the Secretary by the due date, as published.

Robyn Stewart




FROM THE CLUB CAPTAIN

May 2004 Competition
In May we were supposed to have two competitions - the night flight on 1st May, and the 255 Sqn flight on 9th May.
The night flight was duly held in perfect weather with a two-circuit flight. For this competition six pilots were to fly in CMP; however one Pilot was unable to fly, because at the last flight of the night Charlie refused to start. That Pilot was the Club Captain. No matter what both myself and Air Judge Colin tried in order to start the motor, Charlie refused to go back in the air. Later we found that the cause of the problem was the magneto.
Apart from all this, the other Pilots enjoyed the competition and Colin was very pleased at the way they flew - with no heavy landings, and only one Pilot losing sight of the runway for a brief moment. The winner on the night was David Rose, with Errol Croft second, and both Frank Markham and Robin Stewart equal third. My thanks to Colin Ekert for judging the competition.
The 255 Sqn Flight Competition scheduled for 9th May had to be cancelled due to weather. This comp has been rescheduled for Sunday 6th June - which is a week earlier than the usual competition date and replaces the advertised competition.

RAY HOWELL
Club Captain




NEWS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

Happenings: The Formation Training program was completed
over three days with Werner Buhlmann and Trent Robinson from RACWA. A thank-you for their assistance. It was a full-on program and all participants noted that it improved their skill level. The Christen Eagle (David) joined us Saturday morning, and Greg Rutherford (already formation approved) joined us Saturday afternoon and Sunday. We had up to five aircraft in formation. Congratulations to Robyn Stewart, Denis Beresford, Claude Meunier, and Graeme King on successfully completing their formation approval.
Unfortunately the RACWA Dusk Raid did not occur on 17 April. The weather on the coastal plain was a bit dicey and the heavy Northam defences must have been enough to deter the raiders. Our aces however turned up under the leadership of "Squadron Leader" Howell and their fierce reputation no doubt contributed to the absence. Two RACWA Instructors had made earlier reconnaissance flights and were "captured" and held for three days. During this time they were put under heavy interrogation particularly at restaurant dinners at night, and during the day being tempted with ANZAC biscuits. This was enough to extract information on formation tactics and other aviation related matters. We had a visit by three South Australian Jabiru's on 24 April doing a tour of our South-west.
"Poppy" (PGL) will be receiving a new engine soon, and will be out of action for a few weeks. I have been seeking a substitute aircraft.

Tips - How familiar are you with our two C172's? - Where are the fire extinguishers in each aircraft? How are they released, and how are they operated? How do the two transponders differ, and how are they operated? Do they have ELT's? How are they armed? The answers are in the aircraft!
One more question -. do they have pitot covers? If you had to think for more than two seconds then you may be the person who has not been putting the cover on PGL after completion of flight!
It is good practice after start up to lean the mixture while taxiing, particularly for "Charlie" which feels the cold without its winter woollies. There is less chance of the plugs fouling at warm up.

Colin Ekert
Instructor in Charge




COMPETITION WINNER SAYS ..

NIGHT PRECISION CIRCUIT
Saturday 1st May 2004

The night of 17th April saw the pilots of the Northam Aero Club arrive at the strip in anticipation of flying 2 night circuits in the second night flying competition of the year. Unfortunately due to an adverse weather report the competition was postponed.
Not to be disappointed the pilots set course for the local Chinos restaurant to carry out a few gourmet circuits on the Lazy Susan, with Ian Berry performing some spectacular touch and go's with the garlic prawns.
The competition eventually took place on 1st May - the weather being a lot better this time, with a bright moon and the wind, albeit turbulent, straight down runway 14 for a left hand circuit.
Before the competition began Colin Ekert, our Club Instructor and the Air Judge, gave a briefing on the requirements for a night circuit - with particular emphasis on the use of instruments. Particularly immediately after take off, in the initial climb to cross wind, with the remainder of the circuit being flown using a combination of both reference to the instrument panel and visual flying.
Due to turbulence, most pilots (myself included) had to work hard during the initial climb and even more so on finals, to maintain the correct attitude for the approach and landing. According to Colin we all managed to pull off some reasonably good landings.
Once again it was a very good night of flying enjoyed by everyone, and I was lucky enough to get first place.
Thanks to Ray Howell for organizing the competition and to Colin for once again being our intrepid air judge.

DAVID ROSE




NORTHAM SUNDAY FLIERS

Since the article in the March FlyAbout five pilots have expressed interest in the formation of the group. Plans are underway for the first excursion - possibly a short trip around the Wheatbelt with a stopover to include a BBQ lunch with fellow pilots - watch this space for more details. The title 'Sunday flyers' does not mean that flying only has to take place on Sundays. Trips can be organised any day to suit aircraft bookings and participating pilot rosters.
If you are interested in joining the group please call me on 9574 2019 between 6.00 pm and 9.00 pm for information.

DAVID ROSE