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news
Keeping Kokoda alive
I
am a paramedic with the NSW Ambulance Service. Approximately five years ago, I completed the Kokoda Track and raised over $20,000 for our local hospital to walk in the footsteps of a relative who served in the Kokoda Campaign. I then took it upon myself to talk to countless Diggers of the Kokoda Campaign and to go out to schools and teach their story. Since then, I have conducted over 33 crossings of the Track and have never had anyone fail to complete the journey. During my trips, I have supported orphanages in New Guinea and treated countless Indigenous people with malaria and other illnesses. Last year, I decided to start my own company to raise awareness, not only for what the soldiers did, but also what our aviators achieved. Our pilots were often outnumbered 10 to 1 in the skies over New Guinea. I donate $1 per kilometre for every person who walks the track, to charity organisations. As a member of RA-Aus with over 400 hours flying experience, I am also planning to raise
money for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, Angel Flight or a scholarship for a student pilot. It’s a way of remembering those men who lost their lives. John Jackson, after whom the Port Moresby international airport is named, was killed taking on Japanese Zeroes. He was a true Aussie hero. 30 and 31 Beaufighters Squadrons (Whispering Death) conducted countless missions and bombings on the Japanese around Lae and also had a decisive victory in the battle of the Bismarck Sea. 75 and 76 Kittyhawk Squadrons, stationed at Milne Bay, conducted bombing raids on Japanese troops, disrupting their supply routes. During my journeys, I have seen countless aircraft wreckage from these confrontations. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign and I believe every Australian should understand and know what these Diggers achieved. For more information www.kokodacampaigntours.com.au - Bob Brown
Aerochute roaring along T
RA-Aus school on GA turf A new flying school has gained RA-Aus approval at Bankstown. Chieftain Recreational Aviation, has begun operations. It was foundered by John & Miles Hey, with John Lyon as CFI. Chieftain operates Jabiru’s and has two J16Os ‘glass cockpits’ on the line with a 230 due for delivery from Bundaberg in the near future The flying school has been established in the old Sydney Aerobatics/Red Baron building, next door to AOPA at 6 Prentice Street.. John Hey was the founding Principal for Bankstown Grammar (now Georges River Grammar School) and will continue his interest in education and aviation through ‘Chieftain’. John intends establishing a ‘schools aviation’ program similar to that which he earlier created while principal. Miles Hey, John’s son, has long held an active interest in Aviation. Miles already
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for recreational pilots
he team at Aerochute Industries has released a new propeller for the Aerochute range which gives greater thrust. It also comes with a rubber leading edge insert which gives the propellers greater resistance to stone chips. It’s available for the Aerochute dual 503 cc
and the Hummerchute 582 cc engine. A new trim is also available and is now standard on all Aerochute canopies. It improves lift and increases turn speed. It also makes the aircraft very responsive to small adjustments. Pilots should also keep an eye out for a new 80hp 4 stroke motor coming soon, as well as a
new fully elliptical canopy, a replacement 60hp engine for the 503cc engine, a new single seat Aerochute with a 2 or 4 stroke engine and a new paramotor for people who want to fly this style of aircraft. Lots of new toys to look out for. For more information: www.aerochute.com.au.
Clifton cancelled For the first time since the Clifton Flyins began in 1982, the organising committee was forced to cancel the 2012 event because of a flooded airfield. As the organisor, Trevor Bange, commented, 30 uninterrupted years was not a bad record. During early March, the Clifton region experienced a very local storm which dumped 33mm of rain on the runway and surroundings, resulting in flood water washing over the runway. This water then lay around pooled on the centre line about half way along the runway, about 50 mm deep. During the big floods in December 2010, a dam burst upstream of the
has his GFPT and Pilot Certificate and intends gaining his RA-Aus Instructor Rating. John Lyon, also qualified as a Mechanical & Structural Engineer is a grade 1 GA instructor and holds CFI approval for ‘Chieftain’ from RA-Aus. John has been instructing for just on 20 years and has managed aviation companies in the past. The facility at Bankstown has many attractive features including male and female showers, a kitchenette, lounge/ recreation area, good sized briefing room and even a ‘crew’ rest area.
runway, which put about 100 mm of silt on the middle point of the strip and changed the water flow. With the continuing wet weather over the past year, the Darling Downs club has been unable to right the problem, but is hopeful it can get repairs started in the next few months. It was a shame, too. The strip had been in perfect condition and the club all set up and ready to go. Trevor says pilots should book in their calendar the next Clifton Fly-in on March 9 and 10, 2013. For more information trevorbange@bigpond.com
for recreational pilots
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