HARS at Wollongong

[slartibartfast]

Just a quickie with pics.

 

I took my son on his first flight last Saturday. He's been intimating (without actually saying) that he wanted to wait until I had some hours up before he joined me airborne, completely forgetting that I was flying a decade before he was born.

 

At last the time had come. A trip to Wollongong, or wherever the low cloud would let us.

 

We couldn't get off the ground until 10am due to the all-too-frequent Goulburn fog, which worked well because I had a few bits of the 50 hourly left to do while Kris slept in the car.

 

Once aloft, we tracked parallel to the coastal range to stay clear of the cloud hugging the coast. I headed south because I had reports of clear skies down that way. Sure enough, once we reached Braidwood, nothing but blue skies do I see. Tracked Moruya and landed for a stretch. The landing was incredibly difficult due to mechanical turbulence from a stiff nor-easter. I had to convince the Cheetah that getting on the ground would be a great idea, because only then I would I let it fly again later. It's just the same as dealing with any other cat. Half coercion, half cooperation.

 

I had let the young'un do his first flying on that leg. He's a natural like his old man, and handled the very direct controls of the Cheetah with aplomb and finesse.

 

Leaving Moruya, we headed up the coast. What a magnificent day for flying! This is the stuff of which dreams are made, and hopefully this trip ignited the spark of those dreams that we all share in my son. No, we don't all share in my son, that was just a badly constructed sentence. Sure it would have been quicker to rewrite than what I just typed, but the Glenlivet has kicked in and forward is the only way to go.

 

Moving on, we monitored Nowra Clearance Delivery and CTAF freqs (see - dual channel monitoring is important) and confirmed that all of R420 was deactivated still, and called transit above the usual height. A luxury, but I'd hate to do it at the height required if activated. It's a bit tigery.

 

The switch to Wollongong CTAF brought lots of traffic. Timed my run to join crosswind for a right circuit to 36 amongst some tight company. At least the nor-easter had abated up here, and was nearly straight down 36. Got on the ground to find at least 2000 people, including at least one forum member and one Oaks flyer. IanR introduced himself (hi Ian) and he and his companions had a good look at the Cheetah.

 

Found the marshalls and got our "Access all areas" wrist bands. This was cool. We were able to wander around airside and take photos from anywhere, while the multitudes were coralled behind surly bonds. There's a metaphor for flying there somewhere. I wore my ASIC for added authority (and compliance).

 

Then I took a few photos (a smattering below) and we went landside to get some food and check out their excellent static displays. It's a really good setup there and the public were out in force to support them.

 

There were some amazing aircraft on display and flying.

 

When it was time to leave (I had an ABBA tribute band concert to get back to Canberra for - or my wife would not have been happy) we taxied to the end of 36 and waited. On the taxi the radio-controlled model brigade were all over the taxiway, but got out of the way for us. Then a Caribou called an emergency and we waited for him. He got down OK, but the Constellation was already on base. I called Connie and they were happy for me to enter and roll immediately, so we did. Apparently (I was busy) we were watched by at least 2000 enthralled spectators. The Caribou emergency had been announced, and Connie was next, so they were all intent and avid. I've never taken off under intent and avid attention before. I'm glad it was uneventful.

 

On departure, I heard the radio-controlled crowd announce they were taking their ball and going home. They'd had enough of the large aeroplanes taxiing through their airfield.

 

We were able track direct to Goulburn going home, so it was a quickie.

 

All in all, one of my dreams came true, and my son had a brilliant introduction to the amazing and inspiring freedom we enjoy in the skies of this incredible country.

 

Kris was stoked, as they say.

 

Next.

 

Bugger - this was going to be short. DaveC, scotch is never your friend.

 

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[Guest brentc]

By the way, think yourself lucky that you are RA registered, I just got a bill from Eurobodalla Shire Counil (Moruya) for 2 nights aircraft accommodation on the grass at $14.73 !

 

 

[Guest Flyer40]

I was hoping to see you there slarti. We must have missed you by seconds. I remember sitting opposite the Express eating my stake sanga, and there it is in the photo with you parked beside it. My kids were keen to check out your paw print scheme, they like that sort of thing.

 

 

[IanR]

It was good to meet you there - I must say the Cheetah looks even better in the flesh than in photos !!

 

 

[Guest David C]

We must all have had on our "invisible " suits . I was there , saw only one member who I recognised , Bruce Robbins . I know Just Fred was there too , alas operating in stealth mode . Not a bad effort from HARS I thought , and a great improvement on previous events at YWOL . Here too I have posted a few snaps ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ultralights]

unfortunatly i missed it! working sadly. though a couple of unusual visitors to albatross flew in from the gong that day!

 

 

[Deskpilot]

Great to see a Cambera still flying. First clambered into one of those as an 18 yo trainee.

 

Nice photos guys.

 

 

[antzx6r]

Me too.

 

We should have started a post on the event beforehand! I was there also. Sad I missed the Slarti Cheetar too. It's been wooing me into the idea of homebuilt since its birth. No doubt if I'd seen it, I'd be sold, hook line and sinker. (From what i've heard) I think I might have seen you tho. When the catalina was wheeled out a guy with wristband, ASIC and a nice SLR was being hassled by the commoners behind the fence. I had to laugh. People are funny. Great day tho. Good size turn out.

 

 

[Thruster87]

Approx 27000 people came to see this event.So a good day for HARS and Shellharbour Council which looked after the traffic, security etc.Next year it should be bigger then ever Cheers T87 [got to fly in the Drover for the first time and a lovely craft it is]]

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

We should have started a post on the event beforehand! I was there also. Sad I missed the Slarti Cheetar too. It's been wooing me into the idea of homebuilt since its birth. No doubt if I'd seen it, I'd be sold, hook line and sinker. (From what i've heard) I think I might have seen you tho. When the catalina was wheeled out a guy with wristband, ASIC and a nice SLR was being hassled by the commoners behind the fence. I had to laugh. People are funny. Great day tho. Good size turn out.

There was a thread which I started here: http://www.recreationalflying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7623

 

Perhaps I should have titled it better? Anyway, great report Ross and excellent pics to yourself and Dave. Thanks for sharing. I did not make it due terrible flu (worst I have had in a while) but now it's over so set for ye old Narromine ;)

 

 

[Mazda]

It sounds great! Unfortunately I wasn't there, but there's a trip report on where I was on the GA site.

 

 

[Yenn]

A great way for the young fellow to start an aviation career. That is an area I would like to fly in, having lived and worked there years ago. The coastal scenery must be fantastic from the air. I worked on the 700' chimney at Port Kembla, that should have stood out fairly well.