For the first time in more than 3 years the South Australian Aviation Museum held an Open Cockpit and Engine Run day last Sunday.

As a volunteer there I was tasked with providing tours through the cockpit of the DHC-4 Caribou aircraft. As some of you would know the ”Bou Bou” was my first operational aircraft tour in the RAAF following graduation way back in 1976.

The particular aircraft on display at Port Adelaide, A4-225, has special significance to me as it was the first Caribou that I logged command time in, having just turned 20 years old! The sights and smells of being back in the cockpit again had me feeling quite nostalgic. The visitors certainly enjoyed it as there was a steady stream queuing up all day long.

Other cockpits opened for viewing on the day included the C-47 Dakota, F-27 Friendship, P3C Orion, FA-18 Hornet and the F111. Engine runs were made with the Armstrong Siddley Cheetah, Rolls Royce Kestrel and the ubiquitous Rolls Royce Merlin.

More than a thousand people passed through during the day and it was great to see families enjoying a day out with aircraft and nice weather.

We were fortunate to have Sqn Ldr Josh Brown speak to us last month. He gave us a great insight into the introduction and operation of the P8 Poseidon aircraft into the RAAF.

This month we will have another interesting speaker with an entirely different subject. Peter Richings, formerly a Royal Navy Helicopter pilot, will give us a talk on his naval experiences going right back to the 1982 Falklands war. His talk is entitled “From Helicopters to Submarines”.

On the 18th March the club hosts a Bunnings BBQ fundraiser at Bunnings Windsor Gardens. Fundraising is an essential function of keeping our club running and being able to offer scholarships. We are still looking for 2 more volunteers to do a 4 hour shift each (morning or afternoon) , to make up the full complement. Please contact our treasurer, Greg Tabe if you can help.

For RV aircraft enthusiasts there will be the National RVAA flyin at Goolwa on 24th- 26th March. Nearly 50 aircraft have registered, including several all the way from WA and Queensland, so it should be a great turnout. Come along and check it out. If you are able to help with the organisation, even better. Contact me for more information.

A departure date for the annual club safari has been set, leaving Adelaide on Saturday 27th May for about 15 days. The route will include stops at White Cliffs, Birdsville, Mt Isa, Karumba, Horn Is, Cooktown, Undara, Shute Harbour, Bundaberg, Kempsey, and Griffith. If you are interested contact Greg Tabe for more information. Accommodation will need to be booked quickly as it often sells out in the more remote regions.

Next month is the club AGM. It is a vital function of the club where the council reports the year’s activities and financial position of the club. It is also where all the office bearers stand down until they are re-elected

Under our Constitution, all Councillors are required to retire from office at each AGM, but are eligible for re-election. Note that no person is eligible for election to Council unless a member has nominated them for election and given written notice of their intention to propose such person for election to the secretary, at least 14 clear days prior to the AGM. The only exception to this is where the places of any retiring Councillors are not filled, in which case nominations can be accepted from the floor at the AGM, in respect of members who have been financial members of the Club for at least 12 months.  

Currently we have 7 councillors; our Constitution allows a maximum of 9. For any new Councillors to be appointed, it is important that any nominations are properly made 14 clear days prior to the AGM, otherwise additional members will not be able to be appointed, unless fulfilling places of retiring Councillors.

Nomination forms will be sent to members shortly, along with the financial report. I would like you to seriously consider nominating for the council to provide fresh ideas and input to the running of the club. Several of our councillors have served for 10 years or more and I will like to have new council members trained up before others step aside. This will provide continuity and ensure smooth running of the club activities. It is not that difficult and only requires one extra evening a month for 10 months of the year for committee meetings. If travelling distance is an issue we are even looking at providing a zoom link to meetings to allow remote participation. Give it some thought.

Blue skies,

Steve

First law of Aviation: Take Offs are optional, Landings are Mandatory.