Last week many of our club members attended the Adelaide premier of the documentary film, “Voyage of the Southern Sun”, at the Capri Cinema, Goodwood.

Indeed more than 200 aviation minded people turned up to see a film of exquisite scenery and an open and frank commentary by Michael Smith of the challenges and dangers involved in a global circumnavigation flight.

After the film Michael was on hand to personally answer any questions from the audience on the flight. He did admit that if he ever did the flight again it would be in something faster and with an autopilot. I would have agree that after 480 hours of hand flying I would be wanting an autopilot too!

At our July club meeting next week we are privileged to have as our guest speaker, Squadron Leader Mark Biele, an RAAF F18 fighter pilot and instructor. He is also the son or our council member Steve Biele. Mark is one of only two Australians to have served an exchange tour on the USAF F22 Raptor.  Come and hear about his experiences and assessment of this unique aircraft.

Please be advised that the cost of meals at our monthly meetings has risen to $25 per person if you are a non member or visitor. However, if you are a fully paid up member of the club you can continue to enjoy a lovely 2 course meal for just $20 per person.

Coming up on August 29th there will be a club visit to the new RFDS facility at Adelaide airport. This is fantastic new building, purpose built to facilitate much easier patient transfer from aircraft to ambulance. It also houses all the training, office and admin facilities as well as the spacious hangar for aircraft maintenance on their PC12 fleet. There will be a clipboard circulating at the meeting that you can add your name to, should you wish to attend. Details are on the club website.

On 13 August Chris Moore is having a workshop visit to see the progress on his Lancair 0200. You also get to see his new workshop. Please email him if you are coming to help with the catering.

I will be heading off to Europe on Saturday for a trip that was planned and paid for long before I took on the President’s duties. In UK there will be an aviation element as I plan to visit the famous Brooklands museum and I also have tickets for the Royal International Air Tatoo at RAF Fairford.

In my absence, Chris Moore will be stepping back into the President’s role.

See you all in late August.

Blue skies,

Steve

I am not what happened to me.

I am what I choose to become.