Aussie Steve

I flew into Camden on Saturday for the first time ! I flew in there from YKAT (Katoomba) with Mike Fines in his Gazelle 24-3505. It was a magnificent day for flying and we headed down there at about 13:30. We flew direct and arrived in the circuit around 30 mins later. I must admit, I was a bit daunted by the traffic at first, there were 3 planes in the circuit a helicopter inside the circuit, a plane doing aerobatics straight above us, and to top it off, gliders taking off and landing, plus it was my first encounter with ATC :confused: It was, I must say, scary. In the back of my mind there was the stories I have recently read here about the near misses there and trying not to let them rattle me. With Mike coaching me through it all.. everything went very smoothly. The tower were most obliging and after our first landing we taxied in for some fuel and then took off and did 4 touch n go,s. then headed off from crosswind back for home. It was most exhilarating. Cant wait to get back down there and do some more :big_grin:

KATOOMBA - BLUE MNTS. NSW I live at Leura in the Blue Mountains and the nearest strip is YKAT which is actually located at Medlow Bath 5mins drive west of Katoomba. We have some of the most spectacular views in the Sydney area that can really only be truly appreciated from the air. Fly past the Three Sisters or thru the Grand Canyon. You can base yourself at YKAT and take your friends for scenics. The club house is open to all with a crackling wood fire and a cuppa and friendly people.We have bedding avail if you need to overnight and heaps of B&Bs around.

Thx very much Rocko. I,m about to go thru all of the eye bit soon. I,m doing my Navs and I,m using some $5 K-Mart readers (which do the job brilliantly) but I must get to the Opto and get somethin g proper. I too am doing the switching back and forth from the readers to sunnies,it drives me nuts:nerd: I would love to see you do something with RaAus or at least one of the mags. We do have the editor (Shelley Ross) from Australian Flying as a member of this forum.Perhaps she would be interested in doing a feature on this?

The Army are currently doing a transport operation out of YKAT (Katoomba Airfield) after an invitation was extended to them by the "Katoomba Airfield Limited" and their supporters. The Army will be on site conducting Ops for aprox 14 days. NB The airfield is still open to all aircraft.Only the cross-runway is closed due to the army setting up their Ops base on there. Should be fun doing circuits with Caribou ;) The "Boo" sounds awsome on take -off. Twin Pratts and heaps of dust. It only used about 200m on T/O. Video footage and more pics of Take Offs & Landings along with "Supply Drops"and ground support have been taken, and will be made available on the YKAT web site when possible. http://www.katoombaairfield.com/ These pics were taken by Roger Wursig on Friday 4 April 08. Roger is a student at YKAT. Steve.

Congrates Steve :thumb_up: well done mate. I just did my first Nav Ex (dual) to Rylstone - Mudgee (land at Mudgee) then on to Bathurst and back home to Katoomba. loved it..cant wait to cut the "control line" so I too can leave the confines of the 25nm limit

Nice pics mate ! what type of plane was it ?

Thx guys, the land is owned by the Dept of Lands.We have started lobbying and have met with their rep (he,s a GA pilot ) but he has to remain objective for the needs of the community etc etc So far so good. but still early days.

Hey Darren, it would almost definitely have been 55-935 PIC would have been our CFI, Rod. Probably doing a lesson with someone lucky enough to not be working. "What a beautiful day it was for flying". We would love to see you drop in there one day. In a plane or the car. We are currently fighting for our lives as it were , with our 25 year lease up at the end of the year and the greenies determined to have us out of there and make us rejuvenate the entire area. We need all the support we can muster. We have some ideas but need actual flyers to help "use" the place to show it is actually needed. Our website is under construction http://www.katoombaairfield.com/ Steve

Was this incedent at Camden Ben ?

"Quote Browng" "As an aside, I suspect that the advent of flaps may have increased the chances of this kind of collision." Brownie, the use of flaps not only reduces stall speed, it "lowers" the nose considerably for a much better view. Side slipping is not an option for all Rec Aircraft. ie Jabiru. (the manual dosent say you cant, but it dosent say you can) the vertical stab is extremely light and flexible.I dont risk it. But I digress. We are all taught to produce a "Stable" approach. And to be weaving all over the Final approach glide path souinds contrary to me. But I do understand your view. Steve.

Very good point Terry ! I have always believed that the instructor should have radio contact with the student at all times. She can monitor the trafic and give any heads up to movements that may not be noticed by the overworked or overstressed student. This could well save many lives and it is not a money issue. A handheld is all that is needed for observing circuit work. ;)

Condolences to the family of the deceased pilot from everyone at Katoomba Airfield, A tragedy for all pilots. Our thoughts are with all the crew at Latrobe Valley.

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I thought that the 20 hrs was inline with the GA requirment?

Well done Bob. Nice pics m8. I too will be starting my Navs in the new year, the 25nm gets small after a while eh ! Isn`t the new requirement 20 hrs for the X-country endorsment ?

Very interesting Matt

Great report Matt. Great to see your bird back at the nest ;) What sort of fuel consumption do you get out of it ? I,ve also heard that they are working on a Turbine version of the new Akala CT-4. is this true ?

Red, I believe that the Temora Meteor is "the only airworthy F8" in the world at present. http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/aircraft/documents/Meteor_001.wmv In regards to "airshow verbal dihorere" what is becoming more & more popular (nee annoying) is the playing of rock music during the displays. Van Halen, Top Gun movie theme, etc. you all know the ones. Its even starting to infiltrate Temora :;)1: Now when we go there, we go to the Aero club next door. Membership is cheap, they have beer on site, you dont have to line up for a steak sanga, and you can sit right on the apron & see the planes taxi right in front where you can practically touch them. And you can barely hear the PA next door. ;) The members are top folk and your there with other pilots. Bearing in mind that the museum is my pride & joy in this country and I do go in to have a look around & show my support for a truly magnificant organisation hats off to David Lowy and his team ;)

Firstly I must appologise for not posting the pics directly to the forum, but I was using my daughters camera and didnt realise that it was set to BIG megs. Therefore the pics are toooo big to post. So I have put a link to view a small number of them from Photo Bucket. There are more pics from the flight at the side of the "slideshow" just click "next" The trip was "Direct" from YKAT to YMND trip time was 1.5. We flew in Mikes Gazelle 24-3505 Had some lunch there & checked out all the displays. Didnt get to meet anyone, as no one was with their plane. ie Vampire and CT4. Departed and tracked to my inlaws place at Bonnells Bays Lake Macquarie, then tracked over Warnervale to VFR Lane of Entry to Prospect and then direct home to YKAT. Trip time was 1.5 again ;) http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/Aussie_Steve01/?action=view&current=e52ab370.pbw

You pass Ultra. . I did see you fly over YKAT , which way did go home ? I saw what looked like a Jab flying a bit sideways in a SSE a little while after. (movin baby ! nice bit of tail wind it looked ) ;)

GR8 Pics Gr8 pics Ultra ! ;) Those views over YKAT are what I enjoy everytime I take off..cool eh ? You should,ve dropped in on your way home. Interesting hearing your 7500` alt. Dont let Lee U. hear that. or are you GA?

That lump in your throat must be a goiter Darren. Up your iodised salt mate.:) First On Race Day Now take your medicine, theres a good lad.

Katoomba NSW YKAT Katoomba strip has access to some of the best cafes,resturants and guest houses in the state. You can call a taxi from the Airfield and visit THE HYDRO MAJESTIC http://www.hydromajestic.com.au/ only 5 mins away. BLACKHEATH VILLAGE http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/towns/blackheath.asp 10 mins drive HARROW COTTAGES BLACKHEATH http://www.bluemountainsonline.com.au/bmo/home.nsf/(webpageslistingframes)/hhae5ms6pj.html Mention that your flying in via Katoomba Airfield and Steve Riley sent you, and you`ll get a discount (my brother) ;) Or you can just fly in and grab free cuppa at the Airfield. Ph ahead. Details in ERSA Theres some "Spectacular" vistas from the area that only us flyers can truly experience. Fly on up, and get some fresh air.

It seems a pity to see all of these great pics of airports and guessing of them, when it would also be a great resource if they were in a listing and put in the "Airfields" section. Aswell as being put thru this section. Its good to know what the strip looks like when your planning a trip.

You know you guys are very welcome to drop in to YKAT if your looking for an excuse to fly anywhere ! I,ve put in a huge effort grooming the strip for those who aren`t used to dirt. Graded and rolled. Its in very good nick at the moment, and is not to far away for some of you. Ten bucks landing fee wont break your bank, and you can drink as much tea & coffee as you want. Dont be strangers