Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club

Rangiora, New Zealand

PRESIDENTS REPORT 2004/2005

Microlights, Ultralights , Recreational Aircraft -all the same to us ?

When these terms were first used they did mean all the same. A light aircraft built of rag and tube, barely able to fly at 50 mph. How times have changed. The public perception of a Microlight or recreational aircraft is still that of a light flimsy rag and tube machine out of ‘Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines’.

Our task over the next few years is to change that perception which will encourage flyers who would have previously not taken up recreation aircraft to do so .The new generation of aircraft are more aligned to conventional GA aircraft and in some instances out class the GA .We must retain our identity in these times of change but also change with the times.

As the category changes so the rules by which they operate will change .We must be constructive and pro-active in making these changes or they will be done for us .

Over the last 12 months RAANS has been proactive in addressing the ever changing face of microlighting by introducing new ratings and enhancing the procedures and rules that we all fly by. We must support our organisation through use of new rules and being pro-active within in our club to help them implement the changes in our sport. Our club has been active in addressing these changes by holding the FRTO course and instigation a new flight test for Advanced Local and National rations.

There is no doubt it requires a little more skill and training to fly a new generation Titan Mustang with a 912S than it does to fly a Dak! So don’t shy away from the changes embrace them and we all will benefit.

This year has been a year of consolidation .The new RANS took to the air in July and since then has logged nearly 250hrs. It flies very well and is a credit to Paul and his team and all who fly it that it is still in excellent shape . A new engine has been purchased to replace the existing one at 300hrs. We will recycle the old one and when the new has done 300hrs the reconditioned one will go back in. If we look after these engines we should have reliable operation for many years to come.

The clubhouse continues to be well utilised by members and visitors. We have recently enhanced the facility by installing two bunk beds in the back room. These are for all to use if you tired ones need a nap after a fly. They are also intended for visitors who are flying through . A small charge of $20 per person /night for visitors and $10 per person/night for members except for sanctioned club events such as sleep overs .

Please look after these facilities as we are very luck to have such a high quality facility.

Club events have not been well patronised this year, but the same people that do come along generally have a good time. Flying events are rare and it’s hard to understand why as we are a flying club. Weather is always a factor and the runway upgrade has put a hold on larger events. The committee has been slow in coming up with good interesting events but I hope this will be rectified with the new committee. It needs the enthusiasm of the whole club not just the committee to hold interesting and varied flying events.

Our club library is well utilised with books continuing to be donated . I encourage members to continue to donate please.

We have recently had a DVD installed in the clubhouse to keep up with technology .If you would like to donate DVD’s they will be well received.

I thank the committee for the work they have done this year . I encourage members to have a go on the committee as new blood is the life blood of the club.

So ,what is happening out there ?

The club supa sluth has been active again and has encountered the following snippets;

Brian Munns is back in town to stay and will be re-joining the club and getting airborne again soon . Welcome back Brian and keep up the good work in keeping the clubhouse looking good.

Brent Thompson has landed himself a mini cub previously owned by Mick Holland . Mick has swapped it for the KOLB . Hope to see you up in the Kolb soon Mick.

Bevan and Barrie have had the VW engine on the Pitts running and are finishing the rigging and cowling before the 1st flight.

Dave McPherson is a very patient man . The EA81 is plying up ,as they seem to do, must be an allergy to Karatoos, but things are progressing and the rest of the plane is well advanced.

Karl Hamer has been working on his Micro Helicopter and has added a power exhaust to boost his HP to give him a better safety margin in rpm. He has completed the canopy and enhanced the overall look of it. We look forward to the day when it flies like a heli should.

Roger Ward has run the New York Marathon and although he did not do as well as he would have liked it is a great achievement Roger ,well done . A little bird says he has been pretty busy with the Titan Tornado and that it may be looking for a hangar soon!.

Congratulations to Colin Marshall who has just gained his PPL. Well done Colin you have put in the effort and made it. Next sell that property and get airborne.

We have had two accidents of late at the same strip! The strip didn’t cause the problems but it was just a coincidence both planes ended up at the same place. Things turned out OK for the occupants on both occasions but the planes are a bit worse for wear.

A new plane has arrived at Peter Dyer’s hangar. A Rand KR2 owned by a new club member John Ainsworth. John has had a PPL and is now getting up to date before taking the Rand airborne.

Les Eade now has his Volksplane VP1 at Rangiora and is making a few adjustments to the carb heat and tail wheel before it’s next flight. A short flight last month saw a hasty return to the airfield after carb icing gave Evan Bellworthy an early morning fright.

Dave Mitchell has flown a large portion of the hours that JOL has done so we told him to go out and buy his own! So he has. A new RANS S6 tail dragger with all the extras. A new 582 will be on order and a hangar modification at home to house it in . Dave along with the guys at Kiwi Karatoo will construct it and we should see it airborne by Christmas.

JOL now has around 250 hrs on it and in line with the recommendations of Rotax we will replace the engine at 300hrs. A brand new 582 bluetop is on order and as stated earlier the old on will be recycled after the new one has done 300hrs. A new radio has also been fitted and is much improved over the hand held one. A new tacho is also on order to replace the original cheap and nasty one. We are also looking at getting a voice activated intercom to make conversation easier without interruptions from 119.2 users.

Mike and Nick are progressing well with the Pixie. One wing is ready to cover ,brake master cylinders and tail wheel arrive soon and the turtle deck has been removed and rebuilt while the fuselage is being repainted. Struts are next then we can rig. After that we will be looking for an 1835 VW engine.

A VISIT TO CAMPBELL AERO CLASSICS.

As most of you will know Ivan Campbell had a bright idea one day inspired by the accident of Sir Tim Wallis at Wanaka . He wondered why pilots fly WWII aircraft without safety helmet. Reason. They wanted to be authentic and wear the original leather flying helmet. Why had no one thought to make a safety helmet for Warbird pilots. No one had but Ivan did. He designed and built a prototype helmet and Sir Tim bought it and ordered another. Ivan was pleased he could help . Others asked him to build them one and he obliged. Now he is the world's best and most famous supplier of authentic original leather flying helmets.

He has sold them to everyone who is anyone in the world of Warbirds throughout the world. In many photos of famous warbird and pilots his helmets will be there protecting the pilot and also making him much more comfortable in the cockpit. Not only do they protect the head they offer fantastic sound proofing and therefore excellent radio reception.

With the success of the initial helmets he designed and built many variations, English, American, Russian authentic designs as well as special one offs including a white helmet worn by Air Vice Marshall Keith Park during the Battle of Britain. He makes all the helmets to order and specified head measurements. They come in a special personalised bag and have many options such as a mask with mic, goggles of various colours , pure N.Z. wool scarf and choice of authentic leather colours . He has sold the helmets to some of the most famous organisations in the world such as the Battle of Britain Memorial flight in England ,the Brietling Fighter Group ,and the Omaka WWI aircraft group who fly the replica WWI fighters .

Ivan and Sandra have travelled the world’s air shows to market their safety product and have always been received with great enthusiasm for the product . They have now increased production where others are now also involved in creating these masterpieces .

Not content with this success, and the influence of the surroundings he finds himself in, and the enthusiastic people he meets and the fact that there are three Fisher Tiger Moths being built in the hangar Ivan has now entered the ranks of aircraft manufacturer on more than a hobby scale. At Oskosh last year he was offered a dealership by Titan Aircraft to distribute their 75% scale Mustang. The first was for Ivan and soon orders poured in . With 6 on order he is the most successful distributor in the world and probably hasn’t stopped there.

These aircraft are something to behold, 2 seats ,retractable undercarriage (and tail wheel) sliding authentic canopy, realistic looks, Rotax 912S four stroke engine good for cruising at 150 mph, also a V6 150 hp option. This is a serious aircraft and is certified for the under 1200lb category and Experimental with V6 engine.

Specs are as follows

All aluminium
150mph cruise
197 VNE
Stall 39mph
720 mile range
height at spinner 7'
Span 24’
length 23.5’
Dual controls
75% scale

What about an 80% Supermarine MK26 Spitfire?

Well he can sell you one of those also. Have 2 warbirds in your hangar for less than 20% of a real one.

The Spitfire is kitted in Australia and has the approval of the original Spitfire manufacturer to produce a new Mark - the Mk 26!

Specs for this beauty are

All Aluminium
150-160 knts cruise
190knts VNE
choice of 8 or 6 cylinder engine
2 seat ,1 set of controls
23’ long
27’ span

What’s next ?

Ivan and Sandra are in a state of shock at how rapidly things are moving but they both have a big smile on their faces and are keen to share their experience with all visitors. We must remember, however that although they operate a business from Loburn Abbey it is also their home . As much as they love flying visits from all of us, just spare a thought for their business commitments and privacy and give them a courtesy call before you fly in during the working week. To manage the much increased interest on progress of the new aeroplanes and to minimise interruptions during the week, those keen for a look are welcome to visit on a Saturday morning from about 10.00 am, where the normal cup of tea will be available.

We are very privileged to have someone with the vision, and guts to pursue this dream and in our back yard. Who knows what we may see coming out of Loburn Abbey in the future. We are lucky to be able to be so close and share in Ivan and Sandra’s passion .

Also heavily involved in the activities on the airfield are Sandra’s son Logan Fort, along with Peter Parkinson and Michael Harrison. This is a serious place with serious undertakings. Let's all enjoy.

Events and Notices

AGM

Tuesday 29th March ,7.30 pm at Rangiora club rooms

This is your chance to become active in the running of the club and all offices are up for grabs.

FRTO course.

In line with the requirements of the RAANZ for Advanced National pilots the club will run a series of courses designed to enable pilots to gain an FRTO ( Flight Radiotelephony Operator )rating. This rating is part of the PPL syllabus so is a useful qualification.

Courses will be held at the club rooms on March 7th , March 14TH ,March 22nd and finally on Monday April 4th . Lectures will start at 7.0pm and finish at 9.0pm. An exam will be arranged at the conclusion of the course. The exam will be run by an approved person. The venue is to be confirmed.

Recommended reading is FLIGHT RADIO for PILOTS an Aviation theory centre manual number 4 published by Aviation Theory Centre.

The manual can be purchased from the following outlets;

• Canterbury Aero Club

• Flight Line Services

• Direct from Aviation Theory Centre 07 548 1654

Cost is around $30

Note :You must have a copy of this to do the course.

The syllabus can be downloaded from the caa web site (www.caa.govt.nz). go to advisory circulars AC61-1.3 subject No 2... Radiotelephony. http://www.caa.govt.nz/fulltext/FullText/acs/ac61-1_3.pdf

Ross Marfell is organising the course so any questions give Ross a ring 3857261.or 027 2600 290

House Keeping

JOL

Please keep JOL clean. A bucket and sponge is kept in the hanger to remove those bugs and mud marks. Use them and keep JOL looking her best.

Radio Operation.

Switch on the Main switch ,turn on engine ,then turn on RADIO switch.

Shutdown- Check mags, turn off RADIO, turn off mags, turn off main sw.

Do not use switch on radio itself.

Refuelling

Protect the screen from the hose and don’t overflow the filler.

Clubhouse.

• Please clean up after you have used the facility. Put away dishes and clean the bench. No one’s mother lives there to do them for you. The facilities are for all to use and for visitors.

• Make sure you pay for all goods used or put in an IO

• IOU’s must be fixed up within a couple of weeks or we will be putting a list in the news letter of outstanding debts.

• The club does not make a profit from this but if we start making a loss for much longer the facility may be with drawn.

• Remember if you stay the night at the club you are most welcome . A donation for members of $10 a night is encouraged by prolonged stay over is definitely discouraged.

• We are to advertise accommodation is available for flying visitors at $20 a night.

Flying

Use the Pilot’s Intention’s Board and the Booking board out of consideration for other members.

When flying to local strips don’t use them as practice touch and go strips without permission on the owners. If you are casually flying over and drop in be courteous and stop and say hello .Don’t just land ,turn around and take off again. Remember these are peoples back yards not public strips. How many of your neighbours wander through your back yard. Just be considerate.

Remember the new strip is still out of bounds but it should not be too far away. It has been top dressed and may be irrigated soon.

Club Open Weekend.

The club will hold and open weekend of the 9th and 10 th of April. The aim being to introduce the public to recreational aircraft and the variety that are available . We will have introductory flights available in 3 axis and Trikes. If you have a plane on site get it out ,polish off the dust and show it off. We will have a BBQ drinks and an on site portable catering van. This is a club event not an airport one so come along and support the club and enjoy some aviation fellowship and night BBQ and Camp fire. The clubhouse will be available and tenting is encouraged.

Richard Pearse Memorial Microlight Ralley

25-28 March

Woodbury Airstrip

GPS 171 12 E , 44 01 S

Camping available ,motels at Geraldine.

RAANZ National Flyin

March 11-13

Raglan Airfield

Details www.sparxfly.co.nz/raanz-flyin.htm

See you at the AGM

Think about your participation.

Mike

President/Editor 2004/2005