turboplanner Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I wouldn't blame CASA for this, their requirements are the same for everyone, and this airfield is an opportunity for a satellite operation. I did some work on the situation back in 2009, which related to the dismantling of Drage's museum and the terminal (which, the last time I was there was a haven for cottage craft and tea cosies, with valuable items like refrigerators, kitchen areas ripped out). The Council was hell bent on helping a developer turn the place into an industrial subdvision, and no one really was interested in fighting for its survival. It should have been the jewel in the crown of the North East which has some of the most magnificent flying scenery in Australia. The competition however is intense, with excellent training facilities nearby, and those who regularly travel more than two hours for training will wonder what the crying is all about. Nearby fields from Wangaratta and times to get there by car are: Benalla 36 min Corowa 37 min Yarrawonga 50 min Albury 52 min Porepunkah 61 min Euroa 64 min Shepparton 80 min Mangalore 95 min Tocumwal 97 min Mount Beauty 102 min Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Wood Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I have recently moved from WA and I am a Wangaratta resident and shortly after I flew into Melbourne I was nearly in tears after seeing in Secure Air's website that Wangaratta has gone from the top right corner from the school lists. I really want to fly again but I want to do it at Wangaratta Airport. Can anyone give an explanation on why it's closed? Flying training is available at Wangaratta airport again. At present only RAA but by new year also G.A. Bi Enniels e.t.c. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Wood Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Fly into Wangaratta Aero Club. Day after Gathering of the moths at Mt Beauty. Make a week end of the best flying country . Nov. 27th. There will be rides available in either Nanchang or Wingeel. Check out the flying school & organize your BFR .Training in a Eurofox. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Methusala Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Jim Cuthill, CFI of "Falcon Hawk" near Benalla is said to be a wizard. Never met him but have spoken to him on the electric telephone...seems a very nice bloke. FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Wood Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Jim Cuthill, CFI of "Falcon Hawk" near Benalla is said to be a wizard. Never met him but have spoken to him on the electric telephone...seems a very nice bloke. FYI Yes Jim is at Goorambat.Jim & I go back to 1989 when I was CFI of Geelong Ultralights (now Geelong Sports Aviators) We had 10 thrusters on my airfield at Lovely Banks. Jim has to be a great Bloke as he still has a Thruster .I am now CFI at Wangaratta using a eurofox. Just waiting for his strip to dry so I can fly in for a coffee again. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yenn Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Is Lovely Banks still active? I got endorsed on the Chipmunk there in 1969. Allan Baskett was the instructor and if i remember correctly he had an engine failure at take off somewhere in Vic and landed on a house. Survived it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Wood Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Lovely Banks is all houses. Closed some 20 yrs ago. I operated on our small farm 8klm NNW of lovely banks airstrip.Flew with Jack Ellis at main airfield .took his 210 to Alice Springs . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Wood Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Jim Cuthill, CFI of "Falcon Hawk" near Benalla is said to be a wizard. Never met him but have spoken to him on the electric telephone...seems a very nice bloke. FYI Hope you still have the t300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djpacro Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Is Lovely Banks still active? I got endorsed on the Chipmunk there in 1969. Allan Baskett was the instructor and if i remember correctly he had an engine failure at take off somewhere in Vic and landed on a house. Survived it too. I did some flying at Lovely Banks back then. Last saw Alan about a year ago.The Age - Google News Archive Search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Methusala Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 G'day Geoff Ward. Yes I do and today I replaced the windscreen. I love the Thruster. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Perry Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Is Lovely Banks still active? I got endorsed on the Chipmunk there in 1969. Allan Baskett was the instructor and if i remember correctly he had an engine failure at take off somewhere in Vic and landed on a house. Survived it too. Partenavia P68, runaway forward trim on takeoff at night from Essendon where he was instructing night circuits. Hit a house roof on the opposite side of the South Eastern Freeway, family incinerated. Alan Survived this but I never got to fly with him after that. ( Was my instructor at Berwick ) Great instructor and a true Gentleman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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