December 2008
Happenings on the field
Roy Waddington has sold his share of the Bantam and has bought Graeme Mains X-Air. It will be great to see that up and flying. There is still quite a lot of work to finished it off and get it flying.
Meanwhile Chris Pennall and Graeme Mains Jodel D18's engine is nearly back together. Hopefully it will be all go in the New Year.
Mike Sheffield's Pixie Pathfinder is looking more and more like an aircraft. The engine is mounted and Mike is now working on the cowling. Hopefully it will be up and flying soon and will be able to go to the RAANZ flyin in March.
Bruce Norrie has bought a Rans S6 (see later story). This came from the North Island and has a Rotax 912 powering it. Dave Mitchell is doing some work on it to bring it up to speed.
Speaking of Dave Mitchell, Kermit is now up and flying. According to Dave it meets all expectations. I haven't seen it flying out over Oxford yet. In fact I haven't seen it flying at all but I did see it parked at Forest Field and the only way it would of got there was through the air so it must fly.
I saw a Zenair 701 slowing flying over Oxford battling the easterly. I wondered where Stuart Buffton had been, but it wasn't Stuart it was Alastair Millar's new aircraft being delivered from the West Coast.
Paul Woodley and Mike Small had a trip to the Coast recently. They had a few "permits to fly" to do, so they took the Karatoo, as you do. I think that this will become a regular accurance, as they don't have people like Paul to do there maintenance and inspections. We are so lucky over this side of the hill with Paul, so make sure that you don't abuse it.
The new trike, JOZ, is in the hanger waiting for people to go for a fly. See Doug Anderson.
Peter Parkinson, is flat out honing his skills to get an instructors rating.
Doug Anderson has got his hanger up. The site has been prepared for the club hanger so it will be all hands on deck soon to complete the club hanger.
The Oxford field has been sown down in turnips for the autumn but will be sown in grass before the winter. There has been a lot of work done on the strip and it will be a greatly improved surface by the time we can use it.
A little story
There once was a plane that started life not being loved
Paul Havill was the person that adopted this plane and he and it became as one, spending much time together which was reflected in a flight to the Chatham Islands return. Paul was one that was passionate about flying and enjoyed leaving the ground to enter that space that true flyers understand.
When I started looking for a plane that I could say was mine, I decided to make a list of "wants" or should I say, "needs". Tail Dragger, STOL, four stroke, high wing, enclosed cockpit, good endurance and built based on a proven design such as Maule, Cub etc but most of all have a soul or positive feel about it. After much looking I found on the web a plane located at Kaitaia that seemed to be worth looking at even though the advertisement was not very detailed.
MMMMmmmm so JHW was the registration, so my fingers started walking on the Internet finding that this plane had a soul and passion to be flying as did Paul Havill.
After a few calls, it was not long before I was on a plane to Auckland, then bus to Kaitaia.
The boys and girls at the club made me very welcome and even though JHW was sitting outside the clubrooms looking ready to fly, I was disappointed to find that the exhaust had problems so we spent time getting some welding done.
(Picture of the team removing exhaust)
Phil Lightband "who wrote Earlybird" took me for a flight and within a few minutes I was flying JHW to find that, unlike the planes I had flown before, I needed to be on top of things and "what I call" fly the plane from outside the cockpit. After about 10 minutes we returned to the strip and Phil told me that I would be able to fly JHW as I have the right touch and JHW and I are a good match. Being sceptical I thought, good sales pitch, but as I learnt more about Phil I found he would not say something about flying lightly as his life "IS" flying and several of his friends had lost their lives being aviators, therefore Phil is one of those special people that I have much respect for. His book is a must read about his rich life flying places and planes that most only could only dream of.
After a BBQ with the club that night and making good friends that I still keep in contact with, I returned to CHCH to work out how I could buy what at this point was a dream for me.
It didn't take long before I raised the money and was on the way back with a friend, Harry Devonish, to pick JHW up. (To this point everything seemed that it should happen) even the negotiation on purchase price worked out I push my budget to its limit. "Thanks Kaitaia Club for being so flexible". It was not long before Harry and I arrived at Kaitaia to pickup JHW. Harry soon had his rating and we stayed the night at a club member's motel before going back down to the field early the following morning.
As we looked over JHW my new "first" plane, an air ambulance plane arrived that had just come up from Christchurch in which they told us the weather was OK all the way down.
Harry and I looked at each other and we decided to go. (Again it was a meant to be thing)
Here we were, new to the plane and the plane new to us, heading off on what would be one of JHW's longest flights in one day, It was a big ask but we decided to take it step by step.
In went our bags and some food and drinks (more room than it looks) and we took off to see how far we could get, JHW just buzzed along smooth and comfortably as we headed South.
Heading South
Volcano on each side
West Coast great weather
Almost at mainland
First stop was Te Kuiti where we watched a top dresser doing its thing.
After a short stop and some additional fuel, away we went on down the West coast, across the strait which was very rough, but I had faith in JHW, then passed Blenheim to stop again at Kaikoura for a cuppa and rest, then onto Wigram and yes, we did it just as if it was meant to be, JHW landed us safely at Wigram
Kaikoura was HOT!
We rang the guys at Kaitaia to say we had made it home. which they found hard to believe "under 7 hours flying" almost possible at a pinch none stop with full tanks!
JHW then needed to leave Wigram within a few weeks so that's when Rangiora became its new home.
As most will know I have been plugging away learning to fly JHW as much as I can and now feel that I can say I'm starting to understand the plane as did Paul Havill. Around the club I keep saying I want to go up the Rakaia and Mesopotamia because as a child I lived at Manuka Point at the headwaters of the Rakaia and find this area special to me.
Well JHW and I are now starting a new relationship that I hope Paul Havill would be proud off and I feel Phil Lightband, knew would develop. Apart from bringing JHW down from the North Island, the following trip was a new beginning in my relationship with JHW. The Rangitata fly in for Rans owners was a good chance to get more experience as an Intermediate pilot. Saturday was not suitable with bad weather so Dave Mitchell with Kermit "DYM" made the call to wait for Sunday to allow the front to come through. Sunday morning I was the first at RT checking JHW over, packing some food, drink and just in case of a possible overnight stay a tent, sleeping bag etc. After a few hours communicating with Rangitata we get confirmation that its clear enough to fly but still not at RT based on what we could see from the warmth of the club rooms. 10.30 came and after a walk to the runway to look south we decided to scramble!
Dave Mitchell, Mike Small and I take little time to be lined up on runway 22. Takeoff was short with a bumpy climb, which I hoped was not going to be long term. Within 5 minutes it got smoothish but a strong head wind slowed our ground speed. Kermit "DYM" in front with KTO, and I buzzed along with my Avid in the rear maintaining a comfortable distance to follow the leader's. My GPS showed the line to Ashburton but since I have flown south a few times I didn't actually need to check it often apart from double checking ground to airspeed difference etc, and after a few little detours around rain clouds we had a great run.
My radio calls were ditto to the others as and when I reached the position they called, Ashburton came into sight I changed my GPS to Rangitata Island and continued following the others who prepared for a formation approach and fly over. Kermit was being introduced to his relatives!
After landing at the field we did the normal tyre kicking and chatting and most others there looked over Dave's Kermit with many loving comments! Stewart Bufton turned up in "LSB" and since Michael Small "KTO" and I now had a new flying buddy we decided to go up the Rangitata and land at Lorry Proutings and on to Mesopotamia with the Rans club. Mike was quick to grin, as he knew how much I wanted to go into that area. The weather was great and YES I was fulfilling a dream that started about a year earlier.
W
e left Mesopotamia after Malcolm Prouting checked out JHW, and flew to the Rakaia via Lake Stream. This was great
(At Manuka Point with correspondence teacher a few years ago)
with JHW in the lead and KTO and LSB playing behind, I continued through to Manuka point where I orbited my old home and buzzed the strip," No longer a dream".
After the boys caught up, KTO flying low along the river and LSB not far behind we crossed over Mt Algidus again a place of memories for me as I worked there as maintenance engineer for a few years when I was in my 20s. On we went to Lake Coleridge to land at the strip my Grandad built when he ran the Hydro inlet before his death that was the result of a boat accident on that lake. This was a harder than my normal landings but all was good! Off we went after a quick stop and headed via Porters Pass back to the Canterbury planes. KTO was playing, as was LSB, but we all kept communicating on the chat channel before LSB headed directly to his home and KTO and I in command of JHW headed to RT via Oxford.
GRANT PORTER
Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.
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A Jaunt up North
Well it's Sunday night a couple of beers, relaxing and then phoning to see what Mike's up to. I should have known better because by Monday morning 0530 here was Peter
Parkinson, Dave Mitchell, Nigel Forrester, Bruce Norrie and yes, bloody Mike Small
gassing up planes, hovering over maps and thinking "did he say the North Island?" Hell not only did he say that, but he also said past Auckland. Alright, not a prob, let's do it anyway. He said we would be back by Wednesday, cool, what an adventure!
Lining up at about 0630 KTO (Karatoo) with Mike and Bruce, JLG (Lightwing) Nigel and Dave and LIF (Tigermoth) with Pete. First stop, Kaikoura in smooth clear conditions. Refuel and away we go. Cape Campbell - same conditions. A bite to eat, clear cattle off the strip, life jackets on and across the ditch we go. Well out of nowhere a 30 knot head wind slows progress. Worst thing, lots of time to reflect on how cold the water would be. At one stage, I'm sure the ferry was going faster then me. But finally land, and Paraparaumu in the distance. No such thing as a re-join here, line up and straight in. I guess the first time over the ditch is exciting, yes nervous, bloody hell yeah.
Same routine re fuel and off to Wanganui then to Hawera. Fuel pump was out of action, ok, good time for some controlled airspace training to New Plymouth to refuel. Mike makes the phone call, all good so up an away. Calls are made, brains are fully engaged to try not to get too tongue-tied. And here we are at another air field to mark in our log books. A very helpful controller makes it so easy. When you let the tower know you're coming he appreciates it I'm sure. Fuelled up and taxiing to holding point, hello did the tower ask if we need emergency services? All eyes scan the sky. Nope not us. But someone can't get their undercarriage down, so here we are in
waiting mode while the tower clears his traffic. Finally we get clearance and off we go.
Up the coast we head over Raglan, overfly the air strip at Iron Sands and point the nose east towards Te Kowhai. Getting late in the day now so our map reading was needing to be pretty well bang on. Finally there it is, home to the Bantams. In we go to land on a lovely strip. A cab in to Hamilton and a feed at the motel and bed's the place on a day where there's a lot of firsts for everyone.
After a peaceful sleep (FOR SOME) the morning's not great, low cloud light rain, but we'll have a look. So, fuelled and loaded we point the nose north to Parakai. After 20 minutes of looking for a way through the murk Dave and I decide, nope, terra firma is a good option, so back to Te Kowhai. Well, the Karatoo and Tiger head inland to see if it's any better. They manage to get to Huntly and call to say it's not much better. They decide to reassemble back with us.
In the meantime Te Kowhai is coming alive, we get a tour of the Bantam factory and meet Mr Bantam, Max Clear, himself. He very kindly offers us the use of a vehicle and their nice new lounge. So here we are settled in, trying to decide what is our best option. The decision was made to drive to Parakai, with Bruce and Dave flying back to Te Kowhai in Bruce's new RANS. We pile in to the Ford and now we are on a road trip to Auckland, the designated driver taking all the abuse. Well this is where the map reading gets tough, five different instructions, cars every-where. Now everyone is hungry, so stop for an awesome roast meal, pile back into the Ford and away we go finally arriving at Parakai. Paperwork out of the way, five sets of eyes doing the pre-flight and Bruce all excited about his new toy. Not sure about the return with a strong cross wind take off and a head wind to the coast with a tail wind back to Te Kowhai. We were only 60 minutes down the road when Bruce and Dave were already on finals at Te Kowhai. Yes, we got the 5 o'clock Auckland traffic. Much later we drove into Te Kowhai airfield.
So to the next decision! Mike is talking of Waiheiki Island?? Dave saying he forgot to get a leave pass and going to be grounded if he doesn't get home before his wife!!! And me, well I've only got my son's big day coming up on Saturday, his 21st. Geez Mike, you're overruled, home, here we come. Pete and Bruce are not too concerned I guess, they're just following the leader. Well another night at Te Kowhai. This time we decide to sleep at the airfield so I did a big cook up, roast chicken and vegies, yum. Funny how one decides to find sleeping under his plane so comfortable when there's a snorer amongst you eh Pete. Bruce reckons he's never seen someone who can be in the middle of a conversation then fall asleep mid sentence, snoring.
Next day, Thursday, Mike in the Karatoo, Pete in the Tiger, Bruce and Dave in the
RANS and Nigel in the Lightwing, loaded up, fuelled up we head to Raglan then on to
Iron Sands to refuel. However very strong cross wind so the Karatoo, Tiger and the Rans land but decide not a good option for me so I get the call to head for Te Kuiti. All good, and we meet up there. We make the decision to go down through the centre with the weather ok but changeable.
Arriving in Taumaranui we decide that Fielding will be the next stop. With deteriorating weather we decide to make tracks into some tiger country with the crosswind building, lots of bumps. I decide to follow the easier country while the others take the more direct route. I'm sure there was a wee bit of "I'll be pleased to get my feet on the ground" from all of us. I follow the transmission lines. They look good on a map, funny how they can just disappear. Thank God for Highway 1. By now the weather is getting worse Mike and Pete are on the ground at Fielding with the Bruce and Dave landing in torrential rain and wind with poor visibility. I'm still 10 minutes away and luckily the weather improves. A nice wide airstrip to point my nose at and I'm pleased that's over. I'm certain the others were thinking the same.
We ain't going any further today, so again the clubhouse is open to us and hospitality is superb with another car available to take us to Palmerston North. With the planes tied down off we go to find a bed. Chinese for tea, no Mike, you can't take her home! Don't know how it happened but I got a room to myself. At least I won't have to put up with the snoring - or is it the other way round?
Next morning dawns much better and away we go again, very conscious of Dave's predicament with the lawn not mowed, plants not watered and the cat starving, and being grounded, not to mention my son's 21st to organise. So the decision to overfly the racecourse, turn left and head for the coast on Pete's compass bearing should place us in the transit lane. We arrive at Paraparaumu with no drama and nice comfortable flying conditions.
Another refuel, life jackets on, and over the ditch. destination Kaikoura. Well, here we go again, 30 knot head wind north of Kaikoura, southerly squalls and unpleasant conditions with another crosswind landing. Wow you soon learn fuel management in these conditions. If you do it right and allow for these changes you will always get there. And yes Mike, I need to practice my crosswind landings. We head for the club rooms to enjoy some hospitality while we wait for the weather to clear.
One hour later with, the weather remarkably improved we were heading for home with our noses pointed to Rangiora. Back home it was time to reflect on my first real cross country. All credit must go to the training we receive from our instructors, not only in the air, but also in the class room with the exams and tuition. You may think that you won't use it, but once you're in the air and things aren't as comfortable as you would like, that training comes flooding back in to the old brain. So here we are back in Rangiora with lots of firsts and new experiences, another RANS to add to the hangars.
So take my advice if you are going to ring Mike Small on a Sunday night, make sure you're fuelled up, with life jacket ready and a late pass from you wife or partner because who knows where you're going to be the next day. But to his credit he did get Dave home, and only grounded for a couple of weeks, and I got to attend my boy's 21st.
Nigel Forrester
Well, that's it for this year. Have a great Xmas and be safe, both in the air and on the ground.
Cheers, Dave McPherson