February 2004

I have just been looking at the last issue of the news letter and it has been a while since I sat down and thought of things to tell you about. Looking back to the last issue quite a lot has happened . Some things you already know ,some you may not.

The holiday season is over and for the most part the weather was great ,although not always the best for flying . So now we are back into our routines of work and flying and soon the weather will moderate a little and we should look forward to cooler calmer days. We still have a few months left for evening flying so make the most of it . It is quite relaxing having a fly in the evening as the sun goes down ,a very peaceful way of ending a busy day.

Last December saw the 100 year anniversary of flight and to celebrate we had an impromptu evening flight attended by 10 aircraft and the local newspaper. We all met at the clubhouse and had a small briefing before we had some pre-take off photos . As we had a good assortment of planes ranging from Mike Dak to Ross' Alpi we staggered our take off and did a low pass down the runway before doing a circuit of Rangiora. Some how Mike Small in the DAK went first and was not seen again until over head at 2000ft ,gliding! A conversation was struck up between him and people on the ground . It was great to see, all was quiet and calm and you could plainly hear what was being said. 15 minutes later he joined us on the ground. I was passed by Ross in the Alpi over the new lake subdivision and it looked a great picture seeing him with the lake background and the huge palm trees. Pity I didn't have a digital camera. After we all landed Ross presented all flyers and others who contributed with a beautifully made certificate. It was great to see the we had twice as many spectators as flyers and we had 10 flyers!!. A good short event enjoyed by all.

When the last newsletter was produced the Skyrangers were being constructed ,well now they have both flown and perform extremely well. Some minor running in problems were experienced and in one case a minor running away problem were all overcome and the proud owners have a lot of good things to say about them. Plenty of power with the 90hp Siminini up front . If you like to climb where your feet are in your field of vision then get one of these beasts !!

For those who are wondering where the hell our Rans is ,good question. I have been informed this week that it is due here on the 28 or 29th of February. I am now starting to get a team together to construct it . Please call me to discuss what you can do . We are able to use Pat Scotter's hangar to put it together so we have some comfit in the winter months.

Our hobby /sport can be a bit dangerous at times if we are not vigilant all the time and use some of our common sense. Experience mixed with common sense can avoid a lot of situations which are potentially dangerous. So take a bit of time every time you are around aircraft to say to yourself "is this OK what I am doing ,what are the things that can go wrong, am I doing all I can do to avoid a situation I can no longer control? Is the plane telling me something- was it flying hot last time you flew it?, did it need trimming then- probably still needs triming!

Do you know something about the plane that you think "I will fix it next time" FIX IT NOW- AND GET IT CHECKED!!!!.

Did you hear about the guy that changed his cabin heat takeoff position and had a leak ,you can't live on carbon monoxide. Check and recheck, get Paul ,Kim or Tony to check the smallest thing if you are in doubt.

Take your time with your pre-flights don't become complacent . IT KILLS.

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Don't think that because you have gotten away with it before that you always will. Common sense is a gift and we all have it .SO USE IT!!!.

It pays to have a wine while you are writing a news letter - make the words flow a little better!

Next ,We are building a new BBQ area at the back of our club house and we need a little help. It has been suggested ,and I think it's a great idea, that we sell paving slabs for our new area. We need 78 coloured tiles at a cost of $12 each. If you would like to buy one or two it would be great . Just put a cheque into the safe in the hangar with details of who, how many and how much and you will be remembered. Or send a cheque to the secretary . All donations accepted. This area will be for general gatherings and will eventually have a canvas or clear roof , plants and seats . For those that came to the stay over in early December you will know what the comradeship that the area can give the club. Let's all get behind this project and see a great asset for the club created.

On the subject of the stay over on 6th December. The idea was to spend the day at the field flying and basically have a good aviation bonding session (is that politically correct statement?) and have a good time and while it started off slowly people wandered in throughout the day and it was great. It was great to see families come and go ,share a bit ,give a bit and go. Some stayed to the wee small hours ,some stayed and talked around the campfire, some stayed and listened around the campfire, some entertained around the campfire ,but all had a great time around the campfire and Brian's boys who kept us entertained. Everyone had a good time .That is why we are building the BBQ area ,so get behind the spirit and buy a tile.



WORKING BEE
21st February
10am Clubhouse
Jobs to be carried out
Lay paving slabs
plant Plants
Clean the oven
Painting
Digging post holes
Clubrooms cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Hangar tidy and sweep
Gardening
the more of you that turn up the less each of us has to do
BBQ lunch


New Members introduction Night
16th February
7.00 pm at the Clubhouse.
A group of potential members will be introduced to Microlighting
We will have a selection of experienced microlight pilots who will speak on related topics
Trial flights will take place in 3 axis and Trikes. Come along and offer some of your experiences to the new people.



Easter Weekend Microlight Flyin

Rangiora Airfield





CANTERBURY RECREATIONAL

AIRCRAFT CLUB INC.

Club Ph: (03) 313-3592

President Ph: (03) 327-6448



EASTER FLY-IN


APRIL 9TH - 12TH 2004


At


Rangiora Airfield,

Merton Road, Rangiora

Lat. 43 17.45 Long. 172 32.5E


  • Camping on-site

  • Competitions

  • Free flying

  • Saturday night barbecue

  • Dinner and Prizegiving



Costs

Registration fee - $20

(covers lunches)

Barbecue $10



Programme


Friday 9th April

Arrive, register and set up camp.

Free flying in the local area.

Evening meal own arrangements. Facilities available


Saturday 10th April

8.30am Briefing

9.30am Cross country

11.00am Competitions

12.30pm Lunch provided

1.30pm Competitions

4.00pm Return home to Rangiora

7.00pm Barbecue tea


Sunday 11th April

9.00am Briefing

9.30am Aerial Poker (four local strips)

12.30pm Lunch provided

1.30pm Massed flight to Waikuku, Woodend and return

3.00pm Free flying

7.00pm Dinner Kaiapoi Workingmen's Club


Monday 12th April

Return home.

This is an event that we would like to carry out yearly ,whether it be at Easter or at Labour weekend.

We are willing to do it.!!



So ,What's Happening out There -This Month.

Mike Small - has his instructor rating back after a well deserved rest. The Karatoo is going well and has done over 120 hrs on the new engine apart from a bit of radiator trouble on his North Island trip. But perseverance pays off because it flies really well.

Ross Marfell -has spent a bit of time at Omarama towing and gliding and now he has got that out of his system he is here for the year to offer his services as instructor. If you are new to the Microlight scene Ross is a very experienced pilot with many years experience in flying light aircraft with a background in avionics in the airforce he is a very knowledgeable person and all around nice guy and excellent instructor. Give him a call and have a fly with him .He makes it easy.

Mike Sheffield and Stu Harris - have achieved Advanced status after a long haul. We are both getting on and it takes us oldies a bit longer to see what it's all about - eh Stu?

Trevor Shadbolt has finally got his Quickie(now that Liz is back) flying well out of Wigram and has done a few quick trips around. Peter Dyer would be pleased to see one of these back at the air field as he built one of the first ones in the country a few years back.

Paul Woodley is now a fully sanctioned inspector and is legally and very qualified to give your aircraft an inspection . I t has taken a long time but he is there. Well done Paul.

Other inspectors are Barrie Gurdler (SAC), Kim Twentyman (Ranz),Tony Hansen(Ranz)

Mike Kindon and Graeme Main have flown the SkyRanger and according to Brent Thompson it flies very well with heaps of power and is very well mannered and stable.

Don Free has had his Zodiac flown by Brent Thompson but all did not go to plan . Brent performed professionally to get the plane to a safe landing so that repairs could be carried out . Pilot and plane came out Ok . Good experience eh Brent!!.

Experiences like Brent's makes it so important that you don't take anything for granted and be prepared for anything . The basic training functions of always looking for an out are very important .

Rangiora Airport is in a continuous metamorphosis and this year will see the addition of new hangar sites and possible realignment of the runways. I am now a member of the airport advisory committee and will keep you posted of any changes that may effect us.

If you are interested in leasing one of the new hangar sites you should contact Alan Jolliffe of the council to put a name on your site.(Alan.Jolliffe@wmk.govt.nz)

The Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club has asked that the council reserve two sites for it’s future use.

Mike Small and Brent Thomson have taken to the air to travel on a tour of the North Island air show’s . A first time crossing of the strait for Brent and Teara ,some undertaking Brent and Mike - Well done.

Trevor Shadbolt and Thomas Williams both passed their RAANZ Intermediate exams recently. Also Thomas now has a FRTO.During the Christmas gliding camp at Omarama Thomas trained with George Taylor (ATO) from Southland who eventually flight tested him and issued an Intermediate Pilot Certificate with a passenger rating.


Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club
Annual General Meeting
Wed 31st March 2004
7.30pm
Remits to the Secretary or President by 17th March 2004


Wanted
Videos and Books
for our Library.

The Library is going really well we just need some more lendables.