FLY -IN S
Award winners
Ag tractor landing
An impressive sight
Michael Smith
Big crowd for Deniliquin BY IAN MC ATAMNE Y
A
CTION at Deniliquin’s Anzac Weekend started on the Friday with several members of the Wheelies (disabled) pilots coming in and a few early birds joining the hard working club members for a social BBQ. Saturday was a calm, clear warm day. A few trikes came in, followed by a steady stream of planes and a Robertson 44. The WW2 Jeeps were busy leading some 30 plus planes into their parking spots. With a NOTAM in place for 4pm, the mini airshow began - Russell Banks in his Pitts Special and Garry Coote in the Agtractor for a firebombing demonstration. A huge crowd of locals came out to watch the spectacle. Alan Arthur gave an Anzac Day feel to the weekend in his beautifully restored Kittyhawk.
After a few pre-dinner drinks, the crowd of 150 moved to hangar 42 which had been transformed into a dining theatre. The MC, Juay Brown, asked for a minute’s silence for Anzac remembrance, then events moved along. The main aim of the evening was to recognise those people from the district who had been involved in aviation in the past, particularly Ag pilots involved in rice sowing. Certificates of recognition for their Airmanship were awarded to Peter Wood and Fred Clipperton, two early Ag pilots and directors of companies which served the agricultural community. Also receiving certificates were Ian Bradford as an active private pilot, Ian Priestly also an active pilot, examiner and administrator. We were honored to have former local pilot Edgar Pickles DFC, a WW2 pilot who flew 50 raids in49 / SPORT PILOT
cluding with the Dambusters Squadron. John Macknight OAM, well known charter pilot and Comanche club member received a certificate as an active pilot and charter operator. Guest speaker at the dinner Michael Smith told of his ‘Around the World at 80 Knots’ adventure in a SeaRay. Michael has quietly gone about what is another Australian aviator’s first, flying a single engine amphibian around the world. Read of his adventure at www.southernsun.voyage. Most visitors fronted to a hearty country breakfast before heading off to various destinations on Sunday morning. The Deniliquin Aero Club would like to thank those who attended and will look to put on another event next year.