Tim E

Yes Chris..you must get a totally different perspective from up there..from plane pics you can see the sharks so much more easily from the air..wonder if any of the regular flyers along that route down there can still sight any shipwreck hulls underwater from that height on a clear day? I know there was one in the 1970's you could supposedly see but dont know what the current state is.

Thats ringing a bell with me Chris..think I saw brochures where we stayed in Lorne mentioning flights from Apollo Bay...roll on holidays..wouldn't mind getting back down there soon! :)

Welcome Billy..looking forward to your contributions...a friendly bunch here. :)

Sounds great Chris..was down at Lorne at Easter..seem to rememeber a brochure with flights mentioned..wonder where they do the flights from? :D

I used to go down the GOR a lot many years ago..had a real interest in shipwrecks along there..back then, in the 1970's, you could still see evidence of shipwrecks along there..spars sticking out of the water and outlines of ships frames underwater under certain conditons. I remember one you were able to see from a hill near Apollo Bay..just an outline of the wreck underwater..also the 4 graves from the wreck of the W.B Godfrey just past Lorne..graves which they shifted when they built the GOR in the early 1900's. A great coastline..thanks for reviving the memories Chris. Good one. P.S Have never done the trip by air..maybe thats my next one! Yay!

Excellent pictures Chris..what a great flight and great photography to carry on the memory. Thanks for sharing Chris Tim

Loved the vision of the old man and the stick..the pilot and his kindness..yes things like that stay in one's mempory..and I'm willing to bet it not only made his day but was etched in his memory too..thanks for sharing that one xpat Tim :)

Some great aircraft flying around now aren't there..with some great interiors and facillities. Wouldn't mind a flight on John Travolta's 707 one day! Hmmm.. Might have to buy a few acres(hectares) more to add to my 5 ares and make a private strip out here in Moyhu! Could always turf out the hay bales and turn the machinery shed into a hangar! You aren't preparing a private airstrip with your new ride on mower by any chance Chainsaw? LOL Tim

A great story xpat..adventures and events some of us can only imagine..glad you came through it all safely with such clear and full of life memories.. that are part of your joy in aviation. Tim :)

Yes..looking forward to your stories..Tim :)

I enjoyed reading your story of your aviation connection and love of aviation xpat. I look forward to hearing more of those stories...glad the grim reaper left you to thrive for another few years yet! Tim

Great idea Chris! What a way to spend some time..a picnic and planes and family. Good to see you on board G-I_Jack. My love of planes came from my childhood when our Dad would take us to the Airshows at Laverton in the early 1960's..and of the DC 3's and Vampire, Sabre, and Canberra Jets flying over head during my childhood in the Melbourne suburbs..as well as Dad taking us out to Moorabbin and Essendon airports..what a great Dad. I know your love of aviation will give you much enjoyment in the years ahead. Cheers. Tim

Albury Air Show Both would be great!

Albury Air Show Hi Robbo..hope to get to it then this time..pity I have missed it in the past. Looking forward to the suprise..Hmmm.what could it be? Any clues?

Albury Airshow Hi Chainsaw..Thanks. I wish I had absorbed a bit more information but I was staggering in the door with the groceries and trying not to trip over the animals under my feet (no snakes). Guy being interviewed was saying how Albury is such a good airport and could well hold the event. Sounds good doesn't it...might not be a huge show but I reckon its what you make it..maybe even its size gives more time to talk to the people there..pilots, organisers, aero club members etc..should be most worthwhile..congrats to the people whose idea it is and for getting it up and going..might even see you there Chainsaw..with these cheap flights on at the moment a Sydney Albury flight a possibility in April??

Saw an advert last night on local television for an Air Show in Albury in April 2008. Think Roulettes are booked and there will be fly overs and plane inspections.....they did list some of the aircraft..think one of them was a Hurricane. Think its local aero club putting it on..anyone know any more details? Tim

Good the craft got good homes. I have fond memories of my mother telling me the story of Bernard O'Reilly finding the crashed craft in the ranges where no one else was looking...it was a Stinson weasn't it..and there were survivors. He wrote a book didn't he.."Green Hills and Cullenbenbong"?

Great feeling when the mower knocks that down and chews it up Chainsaw! Have been eyeing a new one myself but couldnt quite come up with the kanga.. My 21 year old Rover Rancher was falling apart..have settled for another fairly cheap one of the same model to tide me over..but like you with your long grass, it seems, they take lots of abuse up here when I get stuck into the tall grass on the road verge or out near the sheds. What sort are you getting? You should take a pic and let us all see you smiling on your new Christmas" toy! LOL Sounds great..can pick up how pleased you are..what happened to your old one?

Very fast Chainsaw! LOL..think I'll have to install a TV on the ride on mower when I'm out trying to deal with the tussocks and onion grass..or make sure I'm in on time and in the armchair to catch it next time! Cheers Chainsaw! TIm

Missed it too..but my brother caught it and said it was worthwhile. Hope to catch it next time!

Thanks Robbo..wow that is an interesting site..and educational to me to see they they were making recommendations to CASA. Couldnt find any information on specific incidents/crashes though..might have missed in whilst perusing. A good historical reminder too of some of the incidents/issues back in 2000-2001 :)

Plane Crash Benalla Did my research at "The Chronicle" and then at the Library. Was first week of February 2001..an English female pilot flying a motorised glider (so much for my knowledge of planes in those days..probably hasn't improved all that much either!) Crashed at Winton in paddock off Greta Rd, not all that far from Benalla airport. She was a member of the Benalla Glider Club..and used to come out once a year to take part in gliding out here. CASA were investigating..wonder if it shows up in their records? I checked once and couldn't find it. Also Vic Glider Federation was also investigating, according to the Chronicle. Someone at Benalla Airport might know more..or a member of the Glider Club there..I might catch up with someone there at find out more if I can.

Yes you were correct with the Council. I remember the great debate in its early and later years over the funding and $..had forgotten though about the freeway impact.. I remember taking visitors out there who loved it too. Is it possible to upload the video..yes I would definitely be interested.thanks..appreciated. Tim :D

Not sure on that..Know Council had a lot to do with the airport and with funding the Drage part in some way....the collection I'm not too sure about who actually owned the collection? But Precision is there now and flourishing from what I hear? And making a great contribution to local economy and employment and making some great craft?

LOL! From my memory it was just a brief article of a few lines..remember feeling a bit shocked having seen the craft and pilot only minutes before the end...and then picking up the paper next day or day after and reading that it had crashed. It was so low overhead when it came over..we were up the top of Mt. Buffalo near Cresta Lodge from memory..in the crater with all the big moonscape rocks around..think she might have been struggling to get over the top at that stage..then a clear run to Benalla on descent path but unfortunatley didn't quite get there.