December 2007
Welcome to the Christmas edition of CRAC newsletter 2007. Firstly an apology for not getting a newsletter out last month. I haven’t been at the airfield this last month so haven’t caught up with much of the hot gossip.
Most people seem to know that I now have glider time. The engine on my Subaru stopped after the frost plug blew out. The oil and water mix didn’t do a very good job of lubricating and cooling. Never mind, we managed to get down safely. The engine is at the doctors and we should be up punching holes in the sky in the new year. I would like to give a big thanks to Paul Woodley, Mike and Peter Small who did a great job transporting KTP back to Rangiora. I must say that Paul had a huge grin on his face as he drove down the middle of the road, pointing his finger at the traffic to get them to park up on the side of the road. He saved his biggest grin for when we came across a traffic cop and he pointed his finger and made him park up on the side of the road. (Just getting your own back weren’t you Paul)
JOL has been working hard over the last couple of months and will be due for a new engine shortly. After the landing incident in JOR the committee has decided to rebuild it into the trike configuration. The committee is considering how to give appropriate taildragger training for those needing it.
We have the annual Christmas Party coming up on Sat 15th Dec. This is a must not miss as there will be a “Wings” presentation for all those that have soloed this year. More details later in this newsletter.
Make sure you check out the new look Internet site. James has done a fantastic job of upgrading our web page. It can be found at www.recwings.com . If you want to book the aircraft, or check the availability you can now do so from the comfort of your own home, providing you have the Internet of course.
We also have a good number of new members that have joined over the last couple of months.
Welcome to Ray Corbett, Thomas Buchan, Philip Richards, Brian Hall, Francis Huchette, Andrew Small, Kade Wallis, Gary Boulton and David Tillman.
There have also been some first solos. Congratulations to Nigel Forrester, Jerry Savage, and Russel Byfield. Also congratulations to Caroline Trevella on getting the landings nailed in the Thruster. Well done.
I have a request from those that are responsible for maintaining the club aircraft. Please make sure that the planes are kept clean. With all the use they get they soon get dirty. One of the reasons that we can keep the price of flying so cheap, is because many people volunteer their time and energy to do all the jobs that need doing to keep the club rooms and aircraft up to scratch. Students and people who fly the aircraft can do their bit by cleaning the aircraft. If you don’t know where everything is just ask an instructor.
I am starting to work on the advertising for the Easter Rally at Oxford. For those of you who have never been to an Easter Rally either at Waitohi or Woodbury, this is a rally that was started back in the 80’s (last century). It was known as the Richard Pierce memorial rally and was organised by the South Canterbury microlight club. In those early days it was dominated by Pterodactyls, Quicksilver’s, Scouts, Trikes and later on by the Thrusters. It was back to basics flying and back to basics living with camping on a farm paddock near where Richard Pierce first took flight.
It was a fantastic weekend with lots of flying and even more socialising in the evening. Our club is hoping to recreate some of that magic, and will be holding a similar type rally Easter 2008. As the biggest club in the country we should be able to put on the best event.
We have started work on organising the event but will need some help.
As some of you know we have been working on the venue since last winter. It was a rough piece of old riverbed, but is now starting to look like an airstrip now. The grass has been sown but is struggling due to lack of moister and due to the fact it has not been in pasture before and is lacking in humus and fertility. This will take some time to come right, but it will get better over time. However even in it’s current state it looks like being a great place for the Rally. There is a line of willow trees to camp under and we are working on the area for a bonfire and socialising.
If you are interested in helping or being on an organising committee please let Mike Small or myself know. We already have some people who are helping out with the different tasks but we will always accept more help.
The CAA rule amendments for 406 ELT requirements have been published today; here is the pertinent section of 91. Long and short of it is, come July next year for flights >10 nm from RT, the pilot is going to need a PLB if we don't install an ELT.
A 406Mhz PLB costs about $550 including GST for a basic model, $750 for one with GPS built into it - I don't know if it's ok for the club to just buy a couple of PLBs next year and stow them in the planes.
[Rule 91.529, paragraph e - these do not require to have an ELT installed (an "ELT(S)" below is a "Survival ELT" - basically a portable one that is manually activated - I think the only difference between ELT(S) and PLB is that an ELT(S) is stowed in the plane and a PLB is usually carried (worn) by a person??]
(1) An aircraft that is equipped with no more than 1 seat if the pilot is equipped with an ELT(S) or PLB:
(2) A glider or microlight aircraft if at least 1 person carried in the glider or microlight aircraft is equipped with an ELT(S) or PLB:
(3) A glider, or powered aircraft, including a microlight aircraft, that is equipped with no more than 2 seats, if the glider or powered aircraft is operated not more than 10 nm from the aerodrome from which the glider or powered aircraft took off:
(4) A manned free balloon.
Wayne Wilson and Mike Kindon’s Skyranger Swifts arrived mid September. The Swift is identical to the original Skyranger but has a shorter wing at 8.5 metres. As at 1 October, Wayne had finished the fuselage/tail feather bits except for the instrument panel and it is up on its wheels. His Swift has the folding wing option.
Mike was going to wait to start on his until the hangar he and Maurice Paton are having built (to be finished in Feb but roof and doors still to go, (perhaps October?) was done so he could finish off the Luton Minor and have the room to work on the Swift. Luckily, the Luton sold as is and Mike has started on the Swift in Wayne’s hangar.
Mike is powering his with the Simonini V2 92hp and 3 blade Ivo. It is a proven
combination giving exceptional performance and is identical to the first Skyranger ZK-SKV.
Wayne, as usual looked beyond the box, and is powering his with an AeroVee 80hp 2180 VW and one of Brent’s props. The VW decision was made when Wayne found out that Rex Kenny of CAA fame has one. If it was good enough for Rex, Wayne figured it was good enough for him. Only one other VW powered Skyranger is known to be flying and that is in the Ukraine. Wayne has been in constant contact with the owner builder and so far so good on the engine. The engine complete ready to start was only 6500 USD (about 8500 NZD), less than half a Jabiru and way less than a 912 80hp.Anyone interested can go to www.aeroconversions.com
Both are taking it slowly and are only hoping that they will be finished by Easter ready for the annual fly-in.
Wayne will part with his Storch if you twist his arm. Three airplanes and a
motor home don’t fit very well in a 12x12 hangar.
Wayne Wilson
Events this month
Sat 15th Xmas Party
4.00pm start. There will be a BBQ followed by a “Wings” presentation. This is a family fun day. I have heard a rumour that the man in the red suit may even turn up.
Sun 16th Flyaway
A flyaway to Kaikoura is planned. See the notice board or talk to Jeff Bannister
Safe Flying and Merry Xmas
Dave McPherson