NSAC Celebrates Aviation History

North Shore Aero Club recently celebrated its 60-year anniversary, a lofty milestone for any club. It began in 1963 with only 8 members and has grown over six decades to become the largest aero club in New Zealand with 600 members, and one of only a few that continue to own its own aerodrome.

A book celebrating its first 50 years (1963 to 2013) was launched in February and is bound to interest local history buffs. From The Paddocks To The Skies is written by Ivan Prince, North Shore resident and long-time Club member with the assistance of other Club members, including Sue Campbell from Albany. Sue was a part-time flying instructor for three years, and is also a booklover, so she got to indulge both of her passions in assisting Ivan to complete the 450page volume.

From The Paddocks To The Skies chronicles the first fifty years of the North Shore Aero Club and its affiliated airfield, originally known as Dairy Flat Airfield, but today named North Shore Airport. The history is supported by newsletters and records from the times and is illustrated with photographs.

The second part of the book includes the names of Club Officers, Club Flying Instructors, Club trophies and holders, Club highlights and achievements over the years, aircraft operated by the Club and a detailed history and photograph of some of the most popular aircraft that the Club has operated. Also in print for the first time is the story of the only Club member to have had his aircraft hijacked, written by the pilot himself.

Copies are available from the Club for $79.95. Please contact Anton Ramenskiy– Phone 0800 494 647 or 09 426-4273 or email anton.ramenskiy@nsac.co.nz if you'd like to purchase a copy.

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Marathon Effort Pays Off

Almost 800 runners and walkers completed this year's Coatesville Half Marathon, one of the summer race series organised by Running Events. Originally scheduled to be held on 5 February, the Coatesvlle Half had to be delayed two weeks because of Cyclone Gabrielle. And only days before the rescheduled event was to take place, trees were toppling on Glenmore Road because of the wet conditions which threatened to see the run called off again.

However, the Running Events team remained optimistic even though the date collided with associated summer races, leaving them short-staffed, race director Rob Docherty pressed ahead with only a fraction of his usual support crew. That meant he had to start every race, giving a comprehensive safety briefing before sounding the starting hooter. Competitors were urged to be mindful of the conditions and to stay on the right-hand side of the road, watch out for cars and that crossing the centre line was grounds for automatic disqualification.

But that was only part of Rob's duties. After getting everyone started, he then had to leg it over to the commentating tent and announce the runners by name as they crossed the finish line. By the end of the morning he'd almost run a half marathon himself.

So how did the results look this year? There were fewer participants but the diehard fitness freaks still attended. Several runners told the Chronicle it is the hardest but the best of the Running Event summer series.

The times this year were a little slower, not much, but the fastest Coatesville half marathon race time I've seen is just under 1:14 mins and this year the first runner home, Sam Walker (1) arrived at 1:19:08 followed by Ben Parker (2) 1:19:39 then Oliver Norman (2) 1:20:42. First woman home was Sophie Markwick (3) from Riverhead in 1:30:41, Rachel O'Brien (4) 1:32.29 then Kate Pineda, 1:36:10. The 8K Classic was won by Pat Kalin in 00:29:19 followed by Laurence Walsh 00:30:47 and Isaac Happy 00:30:49. First woman home was Mel Chan Chui (5) in 00:36:57 followed closely by Caroline Guedes (5) in 00:37:21 and Rachel Gower in 00:38:44.

Amazing achievements all round.

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