Well Spring is here and with it the weeds and tall grass and on behalf of Northam Aero Club I would like to thank Matt Bignall and Graeme King for the hard work that has been put into spraying and organising the mowing and the hundred and one other things required at this time of year to maintain the airstrip, also Matt Bignall, Brian Whittington and David Bell for relocating the old N.A.C. hut, well done.
A working group has been put into place to review the present and future needs of Northam Airfield with particular emphasis on power supplies, runway maintenance and resealing and future Taxi ways and sheds to name but a few with a report and recommendations to be presented on completion of the review.
With Regard to aircraft operation I have been requested to remind members to please ensure that the maintenance releases are correctly completed and if additional pages are required please advise Matt Bignall who will arrange for this to be done, also if the Aircraft does require maintenance would the pilot please also notify Matt to enable the necessary work to be carried out prior to the next flight. This will avoid the inconvenience of a member booking an Aircraft only to find on the day that the maintenance release highlights a snag.
Whilst on the subject of flying the Sunday Flyers 24th. October Fly In to Wongan Hills is still underway with both Club Aircraft and Private owners planning to attend, if you are unable to fly to Wongan Hills why not take the family by road for a pleasant drive and B.B.Q. (B.Y.O. if driving) and join in the fun, plan to arrive at Lunch time.
A competition seminar is to be held on the 7th. November and is proposed to be the first of several seminars I hope to organise so put this date In your diary.
Last month the club offered special block booking to assist members reduce their flying costs, these are still available for a short time only. For details of this and the competition seminar see details later in magazine.
On the Flying Instructor front we are still interviewing applicants for this position and hope to have some one on board in the near future, I will keep you informed. In the mean time Kevin Lathbury is holding the fort by himself and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of N.A.C. to thank Kevin for his valued assistance.
Well that's about it for this month and remember the Northam Aero Club needs the support of it's members to develop so I ask you all to participate in as many Club activities as possible and should you have any ideas or suggestions to improve your Club please contact me at any time.

DAVE ROSE





COMPETITION WINNER'S SAY...

Well it's like this…….. I won!!! Again.



CLUB CAPTAIN REPORT

The October competition was the ever popular Round the Pylons where the pilot is required to fly from the Northam airfield to the wheat silos north to Northam then onto the army camp to fly around the aerial across to some water tanks south of Northam then back to the strip.
Correct height must be maintained and all check and radio procedures carried out.
Two passengers where taken on some of the flights and the rather bumpy flying conditions causing one of them to feel a little effected and wishing she was on the ground rather than in the air.
On return to the airfield the pilots were required to on one of the three marked spots on the ground.
The eventual winner was Errol Croft with David Rose second and Ian Berry in third place.
The next competition will be a precision circuit on November 14th

Ray Howell.




WESTONIA FLY IN
Jabiru 19-3253 With Dave Bell and Brian Whittington on board made the trip to Westonia for the Great Yabby run and the Westonia festival.
The day was the 25 September and the weather was perfect for flying.
Fourteen planes arrived for the weekend and the yabby run and a great time was had by all.
The day started with the grand final on the big screen.
The display of local hot cars and motor bikes along with the freestyle motor bike riding on the oval was a part of displays on offer. I must admit the display of freestyle motor bike riding was not for me especially after one rider landed to far out on the jump and doubled the size of the family jewels.
Along the main street with facades made to resemble the eighteen hundreds era Were a number of venues with displays of local memorabilia.
Most of the aircraft flew off in the early afternoon to catch Yabbies while the rest watched the battle for the Edna may cup with combatants fighting out a game of Irish Football.
The evening started off with the band of Paddy and Mick, dinner was served and afterwards the Fab Four got the evening really rocking. Later that night in Tent City the symphony orchestra got into full swing until dawn.
A breakfast of cereals, bacon and eggs with coffee got us all fired up again and ready for the trip home.
A great time was had by all and the intrepid Flyers present thanked the locals and vowed to return next year.





The New (old) Briefing Hut Museum

The old hut now lies in a position of repose to the south of the clubrooms.
The 27 of Sept dawned as another beautiful day in paradise as Matt and Dick laid the foundations for the final resting-place for the old briefing hut.
The anticipation grew as noon approached and the Brothers Bell appeared with the good friend Mosta (short for Mostaketti) with the chariot that was to be used for the transfer. Robin had been rung to bring the camera to record the momentous occasion and all was ready. But wait the six ton crane would not lift the hut!!! Lots of suggestions and hot air ensued what's this hot air has done the trick up she comes and onto the truck. The transfer to her resting-place took place with great ease and the hut was laid to rest. Robin appeared without Batman just in the nick of time and the momentous occasion was recorded for posterity.
As the sun set in the west a small band of professional mourners drank to the health of the old briefing hut and wished her well in her new role as the club museum.
RIP.

ooOoo

7TH. NOVEMBER 2004
FLYING SEMINAR

COMPETITION PRECISION CIRCUIT

If you have not flown for some time and look longingly every time a light aircraft flies overhead or wonder what competition flying is all about or just simply wish to improve your circuit procedures this is the seminar for you.
The seminar will be conducted by our Instructor Kevin Lathbury and will consist of a full briefing followed by circuit airwork with Kevin in the right hand seat to advise and monitor procedures.
The seminar will be followed by a B.B.Q. and chat session.
The cost would be approximately $60.00 each depending on total flying time and will include a B.B.Q pack.
To attend the seminar please phone either myself or our Club captain Ray Howell to register.
Looking forward to your support on this the first of many future activities.

Dave Rose




FLYING ACTIVITY PROGRAMME FOR 2004 -05

June 12th. Monthly Competition. 25th. Annual Dinner November
7th.. Competition seminar.
14th. Monthly Competition.
26th-27th. W.A.L.A.C. at Murrey Field.

December
12th. Monthly Competition and Christmas lunch.

January
9th. Monthly Competition.

February
13th. Monthly Competition.
27th. Sunday Flyers (Rottnest run).

March
13th. Monthly Competition
26th-27th. Cunderdin Air Show

April
10th. Monthly Competition.
24th. Sunday Flyers.

May
8th. Monthly Competition.

June
12th. Monthly Competition.
25th. Annual Dinner




Congratulations to our new members,
R Emery
M Brady
S Vette
G Maddigan

We wish you well as members of this club and look forward to many hours of enjoyment with you.