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Plane Paper June 2023
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The Club BBQ at Murray Bridge Airport on May 20th produced a $211 donation to the RFDS thanks to the generosity of those attending.
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Some 20 people were there with several arriving by air. David & Sherry Pocock flew down from Loxton in their RV12, John Siebert from Goolwa in his RV4 and Rod Lovell also from Goolwa with his 3 guests in his Beechcraft Musketeer.
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Although it was raining in Adelaide it always amazes me how different the weather can be over the ranges in Murray Bridge. Mostly fine with just a light shower or two.
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Being a DHC-1 Chipmunk owner, I was recently approached to ferry another owner’s Chipmunk which had been sold and needed to be flown to Newcastle, NSW. A 7 hour 30 minute flight in an unfamiliar aircraft required some careful planning. Although the aircraft had larger fuel tanks than mine I erred on the side of caution with maximum sector lengths of 2 hours.
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The route was planned Aldinga- Wentworth- Griffith, night stop then, Griffith- Parkes- Maitland on the second day.
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I waited for a weather window that gave three days of fine conditions and then set off on May 22nd. Conditions proved ideal with a light tailwind and overcast giving way to full sunshine by lunchtime. Refuelling at Wentworth was no problem with the fuel app on my phone working perfectly. The second leg directly to Griffith I had not done before and was expecting mostly scrubby country and not much else. It turned out that every homestead I passed along the way had its own airstrip even though it was not marked on OzRunways. It seems these sheep stations have good facilities these days!
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Arrival in Griffith followed by refuelling was when the problems started! Upon engine starting to move the aircraft to the tiedown area the starter motor would not turn over, just a clicking noise from the solenoid. Fortunately Griffith has a maintenance facility so I headed down there for help. Robert, the engineer, came to the Chipmunk whereby he said “I’ve never seen one of these before”. With a voltmeter and putting our heads together we were able to discover the Starter Solenoid had failed. An interesting placement of the said item, bolted to the bulkhead behind the rear seat and under the battery. The rear seat had to be removed for access! A check around the airfield revealed no spares of a 24 volt solenoid so a new one had to be ordered from Sydney.
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Too late in the day to get one overnight so the next day I became a tourist on foot around Griffith until the part arrived the day after. We were able to get the part fitted quickly and I was on my way at lunchtime on May 24th.
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The aircraft started perfectly and I entered the runway to backtrack to the far end for take off. As I straightened up to commence the take off roll the left side brake failed completely! No flying today! With just the right brake available I commenced a very cautious return to the maintenance facility I had just left. It took nearly 20 minutes taxying on the grass to control the speed and involved several 270 degree right turns to get where I wanted as a left turn was impossible. After shutdown I was expecting a broken brake line or O ring. It turned out that the hub had cracked and the complete brake disk had pulled out of its mounting! Again Robert said “I’ve never seen that before!”.
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Clearly I wasn’t going anywhere without replacement parts and trying to find Goodyear brake parts for a 73 year old Chipmunk was proving impossible. After many phone calls around the country to the new owner and other LAMEs I was able to establish that the only fix was to retrofit modern Cleveland brakes to the aircraft, which is what I have on my Chipmunk. I was able to find an STC and installation instructions from Wangaratta, VIC and Caboolture, QLD, and left it to the new owner to source the replacement brakes.
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That was where I took my leave as no one knew how long it would take to get parts and fit them as no one in Australia has done the conversion on a Canadian Chipmunk before. The joys of old aircraft! Fortunately I was able to catch a Rex flight directly from Griffith back to Sydney and the Kero Burner to Adelaide, getting home just a day late. So ends my saga, disappointing, but was a nice aircraft to fly and it was interesting dusting off my problem solving skills rarely used since my retirement from airline flying.
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Be advised that the ADSB subsidy program has been extended another year until the end of June 2024. The CASA website has details of how you can receive up to $5000 refund on the fitment of an approved system to your aircraft.
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The guest speaker for June is Mr Bob Humphries. Bob was a career air traffic controller but spent a few years early in his career working as a pilot for a long forgotten airline called PAGAS, or Pt Augusta Air Services in the early 1970s. Come and hear his account of what it was like to do bush flying over 50 years ago without the aid of GPS.
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‘A good pilot may be disappointed by his aeroplane, but it will never surprise him.’- Len Morgan, Rules to Fly By, Flying Magazine March 1983
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Latest Photos
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SAC RFDS Fundraiser BBQ, May 2023
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Click here to see the latest photos from the Safari as they come in
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Next Meeting
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14 June 2023
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Time - 20:00 to 21:30
Location - Hisense Stadium Westies Bar and Bistro, 57 Milner Road, Richmond
Speaker – Bob Humphries “Flying with Port Augusta Air Services”
Please note that it is essential to book your attendance at the dinner and/or meeting as seating capacity is strictly limited. Booking numbers also assist the venue with arranging tables and chairs and catering requirements.
- Dinner/Meeting (Menu on the Calendar page, order and pay at Bar - you will need a table number first)
- Meeting only.
Bookings close at 12:00 on Wednesday14 June as we have to advise the venue of numbers to assist with catering.
If you are joining us for the meal before the meeting, please arrive by 18:30 and order your meal at the Bar. Remember to find a table number before ordering your meal.
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You have to login to book for the meeting.
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Coming Activities and Events
Please check the Calendar for all events
Please confirm details with organisers for any event listed below.
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Humour
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SACSA Scholarship Scheme
- All applicants must commit to 2 years full membership of the club.
- Applicants must apply to the Club council in writing outlining reasons for the application.
- Up to $2000 annually available to be used for up to 2 successful applicants. $1000 each.
- Successful applicants must remain an SACSA member while the scholarship is used.
- Intended to help cover costs in renewing or obtaining a GA RPL or RAAUS RPC.
- Available for flying training costs only.
- Scholarship will be paid out upon presentation of invoices for training until funds are exhausted.
- One scholarship only per member.
- Council decision as to who is successful remains final but does not preclude a reapplication.
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Geoff's Unofficial List
A list of Regular Events and SA Club and Flying School Contacts
Please send any updates, errors or new submissions to
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Regular Events
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- Adelaide Recreational Aviation Group meets first Tuesday of the month Alan ODonnell 0419 286 905
- Aeroscene Our monthly dinner is now every 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm at Grand North Hotel 737 Grand Junction Rd. Northfield SA. The plan is to meet for an informal get together for a dinner and general hangar chat.Email Gary Williams Chief Executive Officer P: (08) 83 600 200 F: (08) 8367 9777 M: 0413 744 200 http://www.assuredhomeloans.com.au.
- Clare Valley Flying Club Fly-in & BBQ second Sunday of the month. All Welcome. Contact Dave Wilson via our website (Info courtesy of ABC 891 Ashley Walsh) or Tony Smith 0407 718 045 Click here to Send Email
- Come to Carrieton. Good Strip Mown Grass 2 North of Town on east side of sealed Hawker Road. 34/16 1200 x 90m. Elev 1500ft. No Fuel. Closed when wet (X). Accommodation (08) 8658 9090. Cords. 32.24.33S 138.31.17E Contact Ian 0435 511 790 Free trans to town usually avail. Flinders Ranges Annual Fly-in Held Oct.
- Maitland Aero Club BBQ first Sunday of every month. All Welcome. Facebook, Email
- Murray Bridge Airfield: 1st Saturday of the Month. Monthly BBQ.
- Murray Bridge Light Aircraft, Hangar 2, hold a BBQ lunch (Informal) at 12 noon. (Weather permitting). Contribution $5 ea. inc can of soft drink, tea or coffee. All are welcome to come and join in.
- Naracoorte Aero Club has a BBQ each Saturday. All Welcome.
- Pt Augusta: Flying Club at Stirling North. BBQ Lunch every Saturday. Club has 3 Savanahs, 2 Jabirus, Chinook, Thruster, Lightwing, VP1, FP303 and C180 Everyone Welcome Anytime.
- Renmark Airfield RIVERLAND SPORT AVIATION Third Sunday of the month - BBQ Breakfast 8.00am for 8.30am start at the Clubrooms. $5.00 will get you sausages, bacon, eggs, coffee etc.ON AIRPORT AIRCONDITIONED ACCOMMODATION for up to 4 people. (includes modern kitchen and courtesy car). Fly in and stay with us while you explore the Riverland in our Club car. Click to go to our Website Contacts: Peter on 0428 828 235 and Scott on 0417 890 215
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SA Club and Flying School Contacts
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- Adelaide Airsports - Website
- Adelaide Biplanes Aldinga Website - 0410 890 595, 8556 5404
- Adelaide Recreational Aviation Group - Allan 0419 286 905
- Adelaide Soaring Club – Website Peter - 8522 1877, Karl – 8248 1147, 0414 701 019
- AeroScene Flying Group. Gary Williams P: (08) 83 600 200 F: (08) 8367 9777 M: 0413 744 200 .Email Gary Williams
- Aldinga Aero Club - Website Contact Evan 8326 0609 or 0408 804 289. Website
- Antique Aeroplane Assoc. Australia - Website
- Barossa Birdmen – Jeff 0418 809 840 Email Roy
- Blue Shed Aviation Flying Club/School Jamestown, Contact Guy 0408 859697
- Broken Hill Rec Aircraft Club Stevens Creek - James on 0418858189
- Brooklands Air Park Wellington – Meets 2nd Sundays Bi-monthly. Contact - Helmut Frensch 0428 525404
- Clare Valley Flying Group - Website, Tony Smith Treasurer 0407 718 045 Email Tony Smith
- Fleurieu Gyroplanes & UBCO Bikes – Davd Owen 0488 884 976 – Website
- Goolwa Aero Club - Contact Doug 85 553526
- Gawler Microlights - Website, 0428 527 200
- Kingston Flying Club - Website, John – 8767 2907
- Loxton Aero Club – Website
- Maitland Aero Club Inc. Facebook, PO Box 241, Maitland SA 5573 Contact: President Peter Reppin 0428 890 055, Richard Hasting 0418 859 049, Email
- Mildura Sport Aviation Club. The Club operates out of the MSA Hangar at Mildura Airport (Just off Alpha) and is available to assist aviators stopping over or passing through the Mildura CTAF, especially at weekends. Contact Pete Greed (President) 0418528861 or Garry Keller (Secretary) 0408255567. MSA works closely with Sunraysia Sport Aircraft Club (SSAC) based at Wentworth, the Mildura Aero Club (MAC) based at Mildura Airport and the Sunraysia Gliding Club.
- Mount Gambier Recreational Flying Club and School – Kevin - 0417 877 529
- Murray Bridge Light Aircraft School – Mike 8531 0988, 0412 744 611
- Port Pirie Spencer Gulf Flight Training - CFI Earl Longstaff - 0419620070
- Port Lincoln Flying Club – Kevin - Mobile 0428 842 092 Home 8684 2093.
- Port Lincoln SAAA Chapter 25 Kym Roach - President, Mobile 0427 427 736 Karen Tagg, Sec.
- Pro Sky Pt Augusta Contact John Marsh 0429 673 641 Website
- Recreational Aviation Australia SA Rep. Email Barry Windle
- Renmark Gliding Club All aircraft types welcome. 0417 890 215
- Renmark Flying Club Website David 0417 890 215. Email.
- SA Rotor Club – Shaun – 0409 675 875
- Southern Districts Flying Club Mark, Club Captain 0403 285 478 or Larry, Adelaide Airsports – 0408 815 094
- Spencer Gulf Aviation 0407 619 703
- Sport Aircraft Club of SA – Chris 0411196232 Hm:0883447896 Email Chris Moore, Website, Calendar
- Sport Aircraft Association of Australia Chapter 39 (Adelaide) Patrick Pulis Secretary (08) 8236 6808 Mob: 0418 850 156 We stage regular workshop visits throughout the year and encourage building of experimental aircraft in a safe and technically supervised manner.
- Waikerie Gliding Club Website
- West Coast Flying School - 0438 401 363, 8389 9503
You are responsible for confirming your own dates, navigation and weather details before departing on any flight as errors/alterations may occur.
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Originally Compiled by Geoff Hennig to promote flying fun in South Australia. Now Updated and Maintained by the Sport Aircraft Club of South Australia
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