stevron

BENDIGO looks like it’s another Council looking at fees to support its expenditure to bring RPT to the local area. The cost of high fences , airport manager, major upgrade of the terminal , pathed car parking and the new extended runway and then the other demands of the RPT operator such as screening and security costs .These upgrades cost millions of dollars , so up goes rent on the hangar land, paid car parking , landing fees , air side parking fee and then there is the burden levied against flying clubs for operating to train future pilots , ( hear amounts of 5000$ per plane) so up goes the training costs , up go city council land rates and so on. It is the councils that wish for such services like RTP so why do they always burden others to obtain services. It is the council that agrees to spend the cities money on up grades for RPT operations . It is the council that spends money on pathed car parking and security fencing etc. None of the above will assist GA operators it’s all for RPT so let the RPT users and RPT operators pay for this facility. Why should GA operations need to be burdened because of upgrades not required by them. Of course RPT services will bring ASIC card requirements for air port users which will increase GA operating expenses . Scholarships for young that are now offered by the flying club May need to be decreased because council fee structure. I say if the council wants RPT let the RPT users pay .

I would like to thank the Leeton gliding club for a friendly, well organised gathering on the weekend of 15/6, I flew the Brumby from Albury late Saturday afternoon (due to the blessed fog, lots of fog ) and met up with approximately 20 people in 16 planes. There was a good cross section of the flying community and planes. I am sorry I do not remember all the brands and models. After securing the plane We adjourned to the fire for evening of light hearted chit chat, The Leeton gliding club supplied lunch, an evening meal and breakfast all at a very reasonable cost. The on site accommodation with hot showers was brilliant. People were offering rides in a biplane and a couple of RVs which was followed by a aerial display. There were people coming an going during the day. what a fantastic sight of all the planes lined up against the back drop of the club house and hangars. The landing strips were smooth and well maintained. Another top camping / flying weekend . I can recommend Leeton as a destination, great town and fantastic people. This impromptu gathering was a spur of the moment thing and YLEE gliding club excelled. I really like these weekends

When we talk about paying or not paying landing fee, I think pilots frequenting landing areas like Porepunkah and other outer rural location are happy to assist with a donation. Generally these ALAs have a dedicated group of volunteers doing the maintenance and most pilots enjoy/appreciate the work these people put in . GA which includes RA Aus and Gliding clubs are being forgotten and in some cases driven from air fields. Redevelopment of landing areas is a serious concern, some air field operators are looking for a short term gain ,but what are the local communities loosing and it not just an air field. Aopa, SAAA, RA Aus should and could do more to secure the access to descent facilities and tell the operators of the larger air fields give us a break . For my money, I tend to support regional ALAs and their communities as they need more help than larger regional operations. Someone should ask the larger airfield operators, is the small amount of money collected from individual pilots worth chasing pilots away from these regional centres ? My guess is that if airfield operators had a hard look at what it costs their local communities if pilots stay away, they might / should reconsider the fees imposed on the GA/RA pilot family and stop the destruction of such important infrastructure because if it continues it will put lives at risk . I understand Fee charging regional airfields retain very small portion of the landing fee after collection fees are deducted. My question Is it worth it.

As I look around at my local airfield I am excited to see, 6 aircraft maintainer companies, 2 pilot training schools (GA) , a helicopter pilot training school, fuel and oil depot , emergency services heli pad and ambulance patient transfer area, I see numerous airside commercial operations from freight forwarders to power line inspectors to mention a couple operations. I see a beautiful new airport terminal building filled with happy travelers and visitors. Outside the terminal building sits brightly painted RPT aircrafts patiently poised awaiting the arrival of new passengers and cargo. So as I think about what the airfield means to myself and my home town , I see hundreds of employment opportunities for maintainers, airside security, dispatchers, Help Desk’s , Car hirers , taxis , truck drivers, flight instructors, administrators , and list goes on. We even have some air cadets happily being part of the airside experience. There is life happening around my airport , careers are being forged . I see a happy vibrant environment, that is what I see . But, when I turn to private Light GA air craft (which includes RA aircraft), all I see and hear about is landing fees , air services fees, Asic card costs ,aircraft and car parking fees and hangar fees, unfair council rates and by the metre lease costs for the land. By far the biggest of all complaints “no infrastructure for pilots or GA planes” It appears to some, that the council makes a lot of money from RPT and commercial operations and spends accordingly on these operations. Yet nothing improves or changes for GA even though they too are Levied landing and parking fees etc and worst of all, the airside operator does not offer a simple thing like a toilet near the GA parking area. When I taxi past the casual GA parking area and see it empty , I ask myself what is the most likely cause, Is it Council or air services fees , is it a lack of infrastructure ie toilet and lack of a rest area etc, (a lot of airside locations only have aero clubs offering rest areas) is it the fear of the control tower or is it that light air craft pilots do not feel welcome at location like my home air field. I see some overseas students flying over from other locations , but they do not stay or spend any time at the air field, but at least the airfield operator gets a cut for landing fees. It is all well to pay for services but our local air field operator appears to take advantage of light air craft and their pilots. All over our wonderful country is a need for an agreement between local pilots and air operators to encourage transient pilots to stay in beautiful cities like mine. There is more to my town than aircraft operator fees. How much is the City loosing by levying landing fees to private flyers , bring back casual parking zones full of light aircraft and see what that does local community.

Let’s hear from the most informed amongst us. Does a 3 blade prop perform better than a 2 blade , I am looking for a little better climb rate and yes I can loose weight and that will help. Let’s hear some facts that would encourage a poor and struggling pilot spend the hard earned to the purchase a Performance improver. I am happy with all facets of the planes performance except take off performance. Which I think is asthmatic to say the least.

Friday 7th 3 planes left Albury for Benambra to meet with a local identity Ben Buckley and spend some time in this high country village. The trip to Benambra was just divine with pristine mountain views , snow and clear skies. We landed at the lakeside strip and taxied to Bens hangar. Though we knew some additional aviators might join us on this excursion and it was a Friday before a long weekend to our amazing surprise there were 11 planes in total lined up . What a fantastic sight , Ben was milling around talking to one and all ,aviators we’re doing what all aviators do when they are together ( comparing the performance of their toys at altitude) after a short time it was off into the village for lunch and a fine feast it was. The ladies at the local cafe excelled. Sitting around a fire eating and solving all the problems presented was extremely enjoyable. Later Ben gave us a talk on his thoughts on green energy and with a short demo of his solution to water useage and electricity production it was time to return to the air. My Brumby was not as lively off the ground at 2250 plus feet wet grass strip as it is at Albury’s 500 feet paved runway. To all who made this Village visit thank you , the town seemed happy to receive the additional revenue and traffic. Clear skies Stevron

I believe it’s a restructure , I can tell you it working well , I am positive about this change , I flew in late Saturday arvo and it was working well being pilot operated.

Albury Aero Club is moving to an air side location and will be catering to itinerate travelling pilots /locals and emergency services with a air conditioned lounge and toilet facilities. the expected opening is around early May but in the mean time come and enjoy Albury check the NOTAMs for the tower operating hours and i am sure you will find Albury town a great place to visit.

Hi All. This will hopefully be the last update in regard to the amended tower hours. Effective from this Saturday 2nd March, our Saturday hours will be 0815 - 1500(local). Effective from this Sunday 3rd March, we will not be opening on Sundays. Effective from 4th March, Monday to Friday hours will be 0815 - 1830 (local). Thanks for your patience while this has been through the change process. Please call me if you have any issues. Simon. Simon Thomas Unit Tower Supervisor, Albury Tower

Good on you , your an inspiration

I have landed at YLKE the owner is very friendly and gave us a ride into town, it did not seem to much trouble . Give him a call as it is not far from town

At 700 hours a lonely Brumby departed YMAY with clear skies and a light tail wind for YHAY with a ground speed of 110 kts it was not a fast trip but enjoyable. Arriving in Hay I met up with my only flying companion from the Holbrook flying Club, Andrew . We exchanged pleasantries and then departed for YLMU. Though only a short distance from Hay to Mungo Lodge we were there in no time, the flight was like glass with picturesque scenery. On arrival at Mungo, I did a lap over looking the sand dune, sand stone formations and dry lake bed, to my surprise , there was still no turbulence or adverse winds which allowed me to take some photos. We flew to Mungo Lodge for Coffee and stayed for lunch. It was then decided that this would do us for the day as Andrew had not been to Mungo before. The Lodge rented us a 4x4 For $30 to go to the visitor centre and around the local area to do some sight seeing. Later that afternoon the flying doctor arrived at the lodge air strip to pick up a sick or injured person who had been brought in by road ambulance. My goodness those turbo props on the air ambulance kick up an enormous amount of dust, we could hardly see the lodge buildings. We ended up enjoying the last part of a fantastic day sitting on the baloney of the lodge rehydrating. Later on we meet 2 ladys from Tocumwal air village who where enjoying some R&R. After a delightful 1st class meal and wine, we engaged the ladys in some light hearted banter about their flying experiences and then we parted company and retired for the evening. Next morning Andrew and I departed for Nhill ,(I bet we woke every one up) again the weather gods were with us, tail winds and smooth air all the way past Robinvale , Mildura, I was delighted with how green that area is from the air. As we approached Nhill the wind picked up , not so good, I did get some cross wind landing practice though. Andrew arranged for us to be picked up and use of a car for the day, after very late breakfast or early lunch I decided to leave Nhill and met up with some Bendigo Flying club members returning from Coober Pedy. Bendigo has a new and improved runway and taxi way system which is a delight to land on. I stayed the night in Bendigo and departed for Echuca the next morning, returning to Albury later that day. I enjoyed every minute of the trip, good flying thanks to the weather gods and the good company of Andrew from Holbrook flying club. I look forward to our next trip

In my opinion Narromine this year was a great success , we arrived Thursday to find the site well organised. The air side people where friendly and helpful , air craft arriving constantly, we just sat and watch it all happen. Unfortunately i could not stop for the full weekend but what i was involved in was fantastic . Thanks to the organizers, Narromine ,SAAA and Aopa etc great a time was had including Good seminars, entertainment, food and fantastic conversation with fellow aviators The flight home was the anticlimax of the weekend. Well done Narromine.

The tower Is closed Saturday before 9-00 and after 1600 hours

Everyone is welcome to join the Albury Aero club in their annual display at the Albury Air port. 26th to the 28th of Oct ——sorry I could not change the dates on the above display , these are the correct dates

I will check next when at the hangar,, the plane sits in a hangar unused for 5 years Approx , it appears to need a lot of work.

Bunns have a number of planes on their property’s in various stage of operating condition. I have not been there for awhile so I do not know about a Cherokee , I know they have a soft spot for Cherokee 6

Remember you need to be a PPL or a RPL with the correct endorsements to fly in to Albury. But If you come you will enjoy wineries, snow , a beautiful river. And a magnificent high country. The Albury Aero club would make you welcome if open. Or at worst I will help

Thanks , I am not aware of the Prince P propeller

I did not include medicals as they vary so much PPL , RPL, GFA , RA Aus. Plus this side of flying is contentious as I do not know if it made flying safer as people fly with vary medicals from basic to more controlled.

Food for thought RAAus membership / authority to fly $245 Craft registration $155 Total $400 Gliding after primary costs GFA memberships $300 Club membership $250 Annual flight review $100 not biennial Tug fee between $20 to $50 per launch Total $650 I do not know the cost of reg GA After the primary costs Lic nil cost Reg Nil cost Plus government free funding support Through CASA Just saying , interesting though

could office bearers please post their flyin and Bbq etc in the calendar so New chums can plan to go to such events. Our club has had a change office bearers and they to do not know what to advise our members. You never know you might get a few more attendees

as an office bearer of an Aeroclub i am having trouble notifying our members of events as not enough info listed or should I be looking somewhere else please help. Albury has a Bbq last Friday of the month at the club house 1800 on wards please feel welcome.

It’s been fun , I am finish with this how no more comments from me