The last weekend in March saw the RV Association of Australia have its annual flyin and AGM at Goolwa SA.
In attendance were some 60+ Vans RV aircraft of all models. There was even a rare single seat RV3. The most numerous model was the RV7.
I was very busy on the Friday with marshalling and parking duties. Who knew you could accumulate 15,000 steps just wandering around an airfield! Some people labelled me the Field Marshall for a day!
On Friday evening a BBQ on the airfield was followed by some liquid refreshment as the sun went down. Lyndon Trethewey put on an excellent aerobatic display in his CAP 232. This was followed by the Silver Sharks Aerobatic team with their three RVs looking very tidy in the fading light.
Saturday morning was the AGM with all office bearers being re-elected for another 12 months. An extra committee member from Western Australia was co-opted on to help manage the 2024 flyin to be held at Serpentine airfield, WA.You can read the newsletter on the RVAA website.
A surprise announcement at the meeting was an 8 cents per litre discount on fuel if bought from an IOR (Fuel Charge) bowser, just for being a member of RVAA. Whilst SA does not have any IOR fuel bowsers yet the list is growing all the time, with 28 currently online. The majority are in Victoria and Queensland.
Additionally, RVAA members can get a significant discount on their RV aircraft with Agile insurance if they insure directly. I personally saved over $1,000 on my last premium. If you own an RV aircraft I can recommend this association to you.
Saturday night saw a dinner at the Goolwa hotel were many friendships were struck up and acquaintances renewed. Given an adverse weather forecast for Sunday morning, many were up at daybreak to depart before the weather closed in. All in all, an excellent weekend.
On the 18th March the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle fund raiser went ahead, led by Greg Tabe. He reported a net profit of $1260, and excellent result. My thanks to all involved.
Coming up on April 16th is the Barossa Airshow at Rowland Flat airfield. If you are planning to drive, get there early as the road access gets very busy. If you are flying in you will need to register with the organisers and be on the ground by 1030 am. Make sure you check the pilot briefing as the runway is short, downhill, with high terrain to the east.
Our April meeting includes the AGM where members will receive a report from the President and Treasurer on the wellbeing of the club. I would encourage as many members as possible to attend. Our guest speaker for April is WOFF (Retd) David Coles. David is a 37 year veteran of the RAAF, who trained as an aircraft avionics technician. He has worked on the Lockheed P3 Orion and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet as well as being trained as an accident investigator. He also spent 3 years as an instructor, teaching Air Power Doctrine and history at the RAAF Air Power Development Centre. He is also a published author of the book, “Australian Military Aircraft”, a guide to the aircraft that have served in the Australian military forces since 1914.His talk will be about the “Rise of Air Power in Australia”. You will also be able to buy copies of his book on the night.
Blue Skies,
Steve
For most people the sky is the limit. For those who love aviation the sky is home.
