FLY-INS “Big guns doing big business”
Damian Croatto, Peter Ryan and Jeff Cottrill love putting aerochutes on display every year
#RA-Aus had a big team on hand including Janelle Wayling, Jill Bailey, Kelly Stirton, Michael Linke and Maxine Milera
Caboolture’s Trevor Mills flew the E.III Eindecker in the Heroes of the Sky battles
T
HERE was no shortage of recreational aircraft on display at Avalon’s Australian International Airshow 2015. Intermingled with massively impressive ADF displays and demonstrations were stands by local aero clubs such as Lethbridge, Geelong, Royal Victorian and others manned by well-known recreational aircraft suppliers such as Foxbat, Brumby and Tecnam. This year’s Avalon was ranked by the organisers and the best ever. Recreational aviation enthusiasts also called it a great event all round. For regular visitors to Avalon displays were easy to find. But several first timers commented that because our end of the flying industry was dwarfed by the big displays, next time it might be worth investing in some high and bright signage and markers to ensure everyone can find all the recreational aviation related displays. The flight displays were awesome and drew crowds from opening day until the closing moments. The RA-Aus stand attracted about 3,000 visitors on the public days, which kept the staff busy. Imagine if just some of those dreamers decide to start learning to fly. Recreational displays showcased aircraft ranging from the only WWI replica E.III Eindecker (see story this edition) at the eastern end of the field in the TAVAS display, through to the sleekest Sonex on the
18 Sport Pilot .
Westland and Vickers names evoke a sense of aviation history - Bruce Vickers and Andrew Westland are both Geelong Sports Aviators
western end. The various types of light and sports aircraft spanning the site ensured there was no lack of inspiration for future flyers, among them quite a few ADF personnel itching to get up close and personal to their favourite ultralights. Michael Hooker’s Murphy Renegade was a popular stop for visitors, alongside a mirror finished Sonex which won best ultralight on display, while Lethbridge Aero Club’s expansive stand covered everything from the Bundaberg manufactured Jabiru through to a variety of kits and imported aircraft.
FOR RECREATIONAL PILOTS
Steve Biele flew his latest Lightning, considerably smaller than the jet fighter his son Mark commands, though it was hard to figure out who was proudest. Steve recalled one air show he remembers as the most special. “I remember way back, it would have been about eighteen years ago, when my wife shouted Mark and I gold passes to Avalon,” said Steve. “The first thing I did was buy Mark an air show shirt. It had a big picture of a Hawk on the front. I remember holding it up saying ‘Are you ever going to fly one of those, son?’” “You know, I’ve still got that shirt,” said Steve. “I never even thought about where Mark would end up when we started flying. All the kids are now in the RAAF, with our daughters Sarah and Kate both at Amberley.” When I asked more than one RAAF jet fighter pilot what three things were most similar about flying a tiny glider or ultralight compared to a modern jet fighter, the answer was almost the same from each – it was the perspective, the freedom and, of course, the opportunity to go where no one else can. So while the big guns were doing big business, for the most part the rest of us were satisfied simply absorbing the feel, the sound and the atmosphere, making new friends and catching up with old ones. Roll on the next Avalon.