New Members & Wings Presentation

On Sunday 21st February around 55 members, guests and family were welcomed by Club President Ray Challen, for our first quarterly “Welcome to New Members” and Wings presentation events for 2021. Also in attendance were our recent member achievers who have reached an outstanding milestone by passing either a Recreational Pilot’s Licence or a Private Pilot’s Licence. We at the club both welcome our new members, and congratulate those members who were presented their Wings on the day.

Fellow committee members, staff and other members also joined the Club President in welcoming our newest members with a presentation outlining what the Club is all about and most importantly, what new members can look forward to when joining in and embracing what the Club has to offer. Everything from social activities, monthly Club competitions, Fly-ins and national Light Aircraft Championships are among the many activities on offer. All you have to do is join in! The next New Members & Wings Event is planned for Sunday 23rd May at 1500hrs in the Club Members’ Lounge.

For more information on membership, please contact our friendly staff, Club Committee representatives or fellow members.

The so-called $100 Hamburger Cub have made the most of WA’s perfect night flying conditions. Visiting Bruce Rock in January and Wongan Hills in February. Future destinations are Jurien Bay and Waddi Farms. Pilots interested in exercising their night rating and enjoying the camaraderie of a meal ‘out yonder’ should contact David Currey.

Bruce Rock The Wongan Rotary Club presented a history of Wongan Hills, which boasts one of the top five regions in the world for plant diversity.

Word has it that our luncheon meetings are fun. They are a chance to catch up with friends over lunch and to hear two interesting presenters At our most recent meeting our first speaker was John Ridley who was a Manager of Line Maintenance for Hong Kong based HAICO. He spoke about October 18th, 1983, when a Boeing 747230E Freighter operated by Lufthansa had an aborted take-off and veered off the runway (rather than end up in the ocean, for this was notorious Kai Tak airport.) John detailed how this aircraft was salvaged and the resources they used to get it back to flying. The process took three months and cost $50M. A new freighter would be about $110M. John praised the Hong Kong ethos of overcoming obstacles and wondered whether Australians have something to learn. Brian Mollan became bitten by the aviation bug early when as a seven-year-old he was invited into the cockpit of a Dakota off the West African coast. In 1959 he joined the Royal Marine Commandoes in the U.K. but applied to transfer to the Fleet Air Arm to learn to fly helicopters. The Tiger Moth (“Box-kite with an engine strapped to the front”) and DH Chipmunk were early trainers followed by a succession of helicopters. Brian brought humour to a serious subject as he detailed things that could and did go wrong. We plan to have Brian back to follow up with the story of his civilian flying when he emigrated to Australia. We will be celebrating the 100th birthday of the RAAF during our March meeting. RACWA committee member, Vaughan Emery has generously donated a flight in his Cirrus SR20 to be offered as a door prize. Thank you Vaughan. Become a member through: henol@bigpond.net.au

The Club’s most active member, Trevor Tang, celebrated passing his PPL flight test in style. At a special function, Trevor thanked his family, instructors and all those who have supported him achieve his goal of becoming a pilot.

Trevor’s first flight was a trial flight on 25 April 2018 with Jet Slater. That first flight was obviously very special as it ignited a passion for aviation that has seen Trevor at the Club at least three times a week ever since. In September 2019, Trevor wanted to perfect his circuit skills and recorded 17 solo flights and 2 dual flights that month. This is typical of Trevor’s determination to be the best at everything he does. Once approved to fly to Rottnest Island, Trevor celebrated by visiting the island 5 times in the next week, and has been a frequent visitor ever since.

Throughout his training and private flying, Trevor has always energised the operations area with his broad smile and enthusiasm for the forthcoming flight. Even when he was critical of his performance after a flight, he was still full of excitement and ‘determined to do better next time’. His popularity was evident by the many members and staff who witnessed John Douglas announcing Trevor as the Club’s latest private pilot and getting Trevor to ring the achiever’s bell.

Trevor was the inaugural recipient of the President’s Award at the 2020 Wings Dinner. This award was created to honour a member that has displayed above average passion and enthusiasm for aviation.

Not many members have flown over 400 flying hours in less than three years. Trevor’s logbook is a testament to his passion for aviation, recording many different airports that he has visited with friends and family. Trevor has introduced his nephew to the Club, determined to he will also benefit from the life skills that are required to become a pilot.