* Monthy Meetings – 2nd Thursday of each month – 7:30pm club room

14th Feb

14th March

11th April

Meetings are open to all interested members and friends

* AGM 2013

Saturday 16th March – 6:00pm

*Point Cook Fly-In

6-7th April- Temora

*Angel Flight Fly

20-21 April- Temora

* National Aerobatic Championships

16th November – Temora

           Col Vassarotti

Stewart May and I have enjoyed several mutual cross country flights over the past couple of years in the Temora Aero Club Tecnam Sierra 2002.  All of these were in NSW. Time, we decided, to spread our wings so to speak and fly to Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Rangers of SA.  Having settled on this, Stewart casually remarked that maybe we should extend the trip to include Lake Eyre.

Why not, we agreed.  And the trip was planned, the Tecnam booked and accommodation arranged.

It all looked fairly straightforward: on Google Earth, that is.  Of course, we confidently presumed good late autumn weather and no problems with our trusty aeroplane. In any case we set a flexible timetable and kept our options open as far as possible.

As glider pilots we were rather wary of relying on the engine, particularly because the flight involved crossing some rather inhospitable albeit beautiful terrain. And as much as we love gliding we weren’t keen to test the Tecnam’s soaring capabilities. Mal Williams had done the same flight some time ago and helped us with invaluable advice like where and how to get fuel, how to get back into Broken Hill airport through the security gate (don’t ask, it’s a

secret!), how head winds can make for nervous glances at the fuel gauge in the last 50 or so nautical miles into Broken Hill from Temora.  He also told us what to do when the engine goes bang!  Yes, it did happen to Mal near Menindee.

We drove to Temora on the evening of Wednesday May 9.  Rob Maslin, President of the Aero Club, generously interrupted his quiet evening at home to drop the Tecnam keys off to us in Stewart’s hangar.  Thursday, 0900 we fuelled up and headed for Griffith, more fuel there (thanks for the tip Mal) and set off for Broken Hill.  The plane hummed along and we sat back, gazed at the view and paid constant attention to our fuel state.  Naturally we had head winds.

Menindee Lakes were full of water and spectacular  photo 1.  Landing at Broken Hill was interesting mainly because of fairly strong thermal activity and the inevitable cross wind.  We enjoyed a great pizza and an excellent 2009 Vasse Felix shiraz that evening.  Christine, our host at the ‘Lodge Outback Motel’, cheerfully provided pick up and transport to and from the airport.

The leg to Wilpena Pound was very outback – lots of red sand dunes, dry creeks and patchy scrub. Reassuringly, airstrips appeared at regular intervals. We had spoken to Drew Irvine, senior line pilot of Central Air Services, at Rawnsley Park Station near the Pound and knew the procedures for air traffic in the Wilpena area.  Before we landed at Rawnsley Park we made a scenic clock-wise circuit of the area.  photos 2 & 3

The Tecnam securely tied down, we hitched a ride into Rawnsley Park Resort with some friendly caravan tourists.  Dinner was a very satisfactory BBQ we cooked for ourselves.  We met up with Drew and arranged fuel for the morning.  As icing on the cake, he offered us a ride to the airport.

First up we had to remove the ice from our flying machine. Cold starting the engine was also a bit of a challenge.  Our first leg was the short flight to Leigh Creek where we topped up our fuel tanks.  Then we set off for Lake Eyre.  And what a brilliant flight it was.  The southern Lake was impressive and the larger northern Lake extremely beautiful.  We stayed at 6,500ft, well above the numerous other aircraft flying tourists in the immediate area of the Lake.  Incredibly, the Lake featured large areas of pink, contrasting the white salt banks.  There was an enormous amount of water which provided a perfect mirror for the high scattered alto cumulus above. Photos 4, 5, 6 & 7

Back then to Rawnsley Park via Leigh Creek for a really tasty meal at the Woolshed Restaurant.  Stewart waxed lyrical about the sticky date pudding “second only to  Wendy’s” he wisely qualified.

So far the entire trip had gone perfectly to plan.  The Tecnam purred along contentedly, the weather was clear, head winds didn’t create any fuel or range problems and our navigation was spot on.  We found ourselves contemplating our return trip via Mildura with relaxed anticipation.  Then it got interesting.

The Area Briefing for area 51 on the Sunday morning looked good – “WEATHER: NIL SIGNIFICANT”.  This was entirely accurate until we were about 70 miles from Mildura when light cloud at about 5000ft started to become more dense.  Worse, the cloud base began to get lower.  About 38 miles from our destination, we were confronted with a cloud base at 2000ft, mist and rain.  After consulting Melbourne Central who in turn talked to a pilot flying west from Mildura, we diverted to Renmark.  We still had low cloud and rain showers to contend with but were happy to keep in sight sunshine on the big flat paddocks south of the Murray as we made our way to Renmark.  Stewart made a perfect landing on runway 18.

The airfield was entirely deserted – no power or gliding people to be seen anywhere.  We re-fuelled using the clever telephone prompt system of the local Aero Club, tied down the plane and called a taxi into town.  If you’ve never been there, we can recommend the accommodation and excellent bistro at the Renmark Hotel.

Next day, we flew an uneventful and very pleasant return to Temora.

The Sunday Morning Breakfast Fly-in, held 19th February, brought together over 20 club members and friends.

Two members  flew in from private  fields and other members at Temora set to the skies- about ten planes all up!

The Club intends to make this a monthly event and will post coming dates.

Regular Events bring club members and friends together:

* Wednesday Morning Tea – 10:00 at the club house

* Friday Evening Social Gathering – 6:00pm

* Once a Month Sunday Morning Breakfast Fly-in – 7:30-8:00am

( This is a new event starting Sunday 19th Feb with a regular Sunday to be arranged to suit

interested members and friends)

Remember that NATFLY is soon here- April 5-7th!

Hope to see you at these regular club events!

Warbirds Downunder

This event organized by the Temora Aviation Museum November 19, 2011 will be an airshow featuring a collection of warbird aircraft and current serving military aircraft. The Temora Aviation Museum, Temora Shire Council and the Temora Aeroclub are implementing arrival, departure and parking procedures for all visiting aircraft.

As a club member, if you wish to help the club in any way for this event, please email Peter Franke, our secretary at temoraaeroclub@gmail.com

Weather Station

An Automatic Weather Station at the aerodrome has begun transmitting on 134.45MHz. The broadcast range should be 30 nautical miles.

Temora Aero Club Christmas Party

The Christmas party will be held at the club rooms on Saturday 10^th December 6:00pm. A sign up sheet is on the kitchen table or email the club at temoraaeroclub@gmail.com See you there!

Update -  Temora Aero Club Events

These past few weeks have been busy ones for the Temora Aero Club. The Antique Aircraft Association of Australia and Auster Rally at the beginning of October brought a fleet of planes to the airfield and enjoyed the club activities. The weather prevented some from flying in but from all reports, members took away good memories of Temora and the club’s hospitality

On the  28^th-31^st of October the NSW Aerobatic Championships will be held on the field. This group has been coming to the Temora Aero Club for the past few years delighting members of the community with their judged displays.

At the end of November and beginning of December the NSW State Gliding Championships will be held at Temora. This event affords many club members and community people to view gliding in all aspects: preparation for the day’s flying, launching by the Pawnee and local soaring as gliders seek thermals to begin tasks set for the day.

A reminder to aero club members and friends that each Wednesday morning at 10:00am, the club rooms are open for a cuppa and weather permitting, an excuse to explore the skies!  We also have a social get together on Friday evenings around 5:30-6:00pm for a drink at the club’s bar. All are welcome!

Hi,

It has been a while since my last update, but we have been achieving great results over the past 12 months, with congratulations to the following pilots:

Scott Taubman achieved his passenger endorsement and is well on the way to his PPL with training undertaken in Moruya with Graeme White, while Jim Haines of Werribee and Shane Barker of Gerringong also achieved an RA-Aus conversion. Fergus McGee achieved his RA-Aus pilot certificate along with a GFPT from Moorabin, while Gabrielle Shardlow from Cootamundra achieved her pilot certificate. Local Temora resident Clare Flakelar, Emma Turner from Junee, Ross Howard of Cootamundra, Richard Taubman from Murringo, Adrian Lucas from Griffith and Robbie Ford from Barmedman achieved first solo. Wing Commander Jim Lewis achieved his RA-Aus conversion along with local Temora resident Clarke Flakelar who also achieved her pilot certificate, while Doug Hamilton, Spitfire and Hudson pilot for the Temora Aviation Museum also achieved his instructor rating. Local resident Clin Ashton-Martin also achieved his RA-Aus conversion recently and enjoyed flying in our latest aircraft, the mighty Eurofox!  Local airpark resident Robyn Otley also achieved her cross country endorsement and has been tearing up the skies ever since.

New students include: Barry Keir from Quandialla, Robbie Ford from Barmedman, Adrian Lucas from Griffith, Richard Taubman from Murringo, Brian Monaghan and Fergus McGee from West Wyalong, David Schwabe, Jim Burford and George Scarfe from Canberra and  Matt Warren from Young.

It was also my privilege to renew RA-Aus CEO Steve Tizzard’s instructor rating and for Mick Poole and Lee Ungermann to choose my Tecnam for Lee’s instructor renewal, along with welcoming Lutheran Pastor Mathew Ker to the area with a check ride.

All in all, a very busy year and with the arrival of the Eurofox, pilots have been coming from all over to try out the Gazelle on steroids!

Safe flying,

Jill

Hi All,

We will be offering a Human Factors training course again on Saturday May 21st at Hangar 23 Temora Flight Training. Any RA-Aus pilots who haven’t undertaken this training will need this course before their next BFR, along with any new students.  Brad Lochrin, ambo from Boorowa and Ra-Aus pilot, will once again be presenting this interesting and thought provoking course, and all are welcome to attend.

As in the past $35 covers the course coffee breaks and lunch. Bring your logbook and any note taking material you need.

Book now with Jill on 0412 409171 or training@temoraflighttraining.com

A great Christmas Party this year with club room overflowing.  Thanks to Jan Wright for taking some photos.

link to photo album http://picasaweb.google.com/temoraaeroclub

Hi all,

We are running our last Human Factors Course for the year on Saturday December 11th at the Temora Flight Training hangar. As previously run, the course will start at 9.00am with coffee and lunch break and probably finish at 2.00pm. Cost is $35 including lunch, please bring your logbook to the course, along with any note taking materials you might need.

Don’t forget, if your RA-Aus BFR is due soon, you need this Human Factors Course to achieve a BFR as the cut off date was September this year.

To book call Jill on 0412 409 171 or email training@temoraflighttraining.com