Tarmac Topics Magazine Aug/Sep 2021

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT

FUEL MANAGEMENT

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BATTLE OF BRITAIN 81ST ANNIVERSARY - DAWN PATROL 17

SIR NORMAN BREARLEY COMMEMORATIVE FLIGHT 20

by Mick Harcourt

by David Royans

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

Tarmac Topics

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

Photo Credit - Duncan Watkinson

PATRON Kim Beazley, AC Governor of Western Australia

Welcome to our new club members Marco Gabbiani

Daniel O’Connor

Kim Halliday

Anthony Fisher

Michael Grubelich

William Michell

COMMITTEE

Breon Banwait

Nathan Vitanza

Scott Rogers

Denyse White

Ray Challen

Stuart Archibald

Laurel Borromei

Josh Czepulkouski

Luke Rosielle

David Hill

Steven Akker

Jaroslaw Hryniewicki

Bernard Vaughan

President 0408 321 262 ray@challen.com.au

Bruce Rathbone Vice President 0427 004 130

Lachlan Holden Julia Chapman Richard Hill

rathbone@iinet.net.au

Kudakwashe Makanza

Jim di Menna Treasurer

Simon Harrison

0419 434 283 Jim.diMenna@zetta.com.au

Brent Stephens

Mick Harcourt

Harrison Hayes

Club Captain 0402 800 862 mickh@iprimus.net.au

Karen Pye Ian Guy

Andrew Eldridge Committee Member 0438 220 703 andrew.eldridge@bigpond.com

Russell Philip Committee Member 0427 999 261 raphilip@westnet.com.au

Stephen Pearce Committee Member spearce@outlook.com.au

Vaughan Emery Committee Member 0412 923 494 vaughanemery@bigpond.com

Haydn Vernon Committee Member haydn.vernon@gemcorail.com.au

To download our Members Guide visit our Website - royalaeroclubwa.com.au

CEO REPORT

Written by David Currey I was very fortunate to participate in the epic Derby flight in mid-September, celebrating 100 years of scheduled passenger carrying flights in Australia. Besides the stunning scenery, camaraderie and seeing new places, the flight certainly helped boost the confidence of many participants. “I have learnt so much” was a common saying by many pilots on their return to Perth. There is talk that Kangaroo Island might be on the cards for members to visit next year.

The flight to Derby also saw the introduction of Norm, the Club mascot. Norm the quokka has a logbook and can be taken on a flight by any member. All we ask is that you take a photograph of Norm at your destination, send the photograph to our social media page and fill in Norm’s logbook.

It will be interesting to see how far Norm travels in a year.

Thank you to Coril and her team for organising a simply stunning Annual Dinner. The gasps of astonishment as the doors to the ballroom were opened to reveal the amazing décor are a tribute to Coril’s creative flair and organising skills. The event is the highlight of the Club’s social calendar,

ship subscriptions remaining at 2020 levels. Doug Brooks

which is evident by the effort made by participants to look

was unanimously voted to be a Life Member of the Club.

their very best. A big thank you to Trevor and Terence Tang

We extend our condolences to the Adkins family on the pass-

for implementing two very generous scholarships. Congrat-

ing of Reg Adkins, a club stalwart and significant contributor

ulations to all members who received awards.

to aviation in Western Australia.

The weather Gods have certainly been helping the WA farm-

The Club’s Young Eagles program is progressing very well,

ers, but this has not helped aviators. Many training and pri-

with 14 participants enjoying the experience of learning

vate hire flights have had to be cancelled due to weather.

about general aviation. Many thanks to the volunteers

This means that the demand for Club aircraft will be intense as the weather becomes more suitable for flying, so please

who help support this important club program.

make sure you book your training/private hire flight well in

The Club promoted learning to fly at the Koorda agricultur-al

advance to avoid disappointment. Good airmanship also

show and attended the White Gum fly-in. Club member

requires you to make sure you take off and return the air-

Sarel Breet will be promoting the Sling at the Serpentine

craft within your booking time.

fly-in. It is important that the Club is seen to be supporting

The 2021 AGM saw an unchanged Committee and member-

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

aviation to the wider community, not confining its activities

I am very pleased to report, that in keeping with the strategic

to Jandakot and Murrayfield.

plan, Murrayfield Airport has seen the start of a road leading to potential hangar sites. The cross-over on Lakes Road

The lead up to Christmas sees a club event almost every

has been completed and the contract to build a limestone

weekend. YMUL will be busier than usual with an open day

road has been awarded. A significant amount of work will

on 23 October, to commemorate 90 years of Tiger Moths,

be required to map out the next phase in the development

the WALACs on 12/13 November and the Greg Hill Memorial

of hangar sites.

Trophy on 20 November. More details will be in the weekly newsletter. Mick Harcourt and the Flying Committee put a

Please remember to take Norm with you on your next flight

great deal of time and effort into organising activities for

and help him become the most travelled mascot in Australia.

members, so please come and support these events as

Safe and happy flying.

much as possible.

CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT

Written by Mick Harcourt

On Saturday 23 October, there will be an Open Day at Murrayfield, the main theme being the 90th anniversary of the

As always, at this time of year, the sun starts shining for a lot

de Havilland Tiger Moth. There will be several of these and

longer and with it, brings a promise of great flying weather,

many other vintage aircraft on display for everyone to see.

so let’s take advantage of this!

Also attending will be representatives from the Aviation Heritage Museum with some of their saleable products and

We have had quite a program for RACWA Members so far

model aircraft on display. A coffee and sandwich vehicle

this year, including flying, seminars, pilot maintenance

will be on site as well as a sausage sizzle for those that get

programs, New Members dates and a host of other

a bit peckish!

activities to keep us all interested, especially during those

The Western Australian Light Aircraft (WALAC will be held

bad weather non-flying times!

at Murrayfield on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November, with

So, we keep moving, with open days, visiting other Clubs

the formation competition being held at Jandakot on the

for breakfast and many flying events to both near and far

Friday evening and the rest of the comps at Murrayfield.

destinations.

There will be a presentation dinner at Jandakot in the Club Lounge on Saturday evening.

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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Former Club Captain, the late Greg Hill, will once again be

As you will be aware, the YMUL and YPJT Comps are usually

remembered with the Greg Hill Memorial Trophy competed

held on the Second (YMUL) and Last (YPJT) Sundays of the

for by three teams of three – one from the instructors, one

month, however, December throws things out a bit with the

from the members and one from the students. This will be

run up to Christmas, so the dates will be changed to Sunday

held on Saturday 20 November and if you are not selected

5th at YMUL and Sunday 12th at YPJT.

to compete, it would be a great gesture to come along and

Incidentally, at the Jandakot competition, a Rudder Circuit,

barrack for whichever team you support.

on 28 November, we will start the Big Breakfast again and

It’s all for fun and the winning team get to have their name

if last year was anything to go by, it will be important to

engraved on the trophy, currently held in the Trophy Cabinet

pre-book your tucker or you might miss out!

at the top of the stairs!

Looking to January a trip down to the south coast for an

Moving on to December - on Saturday 4th the Lancaster flight will

overnight stay at Augusta is being planned and more details

take place with a briefing under the very aircraft at the

will be available soon.

Bullcreek Museum at 1pm, then we return to Jandakot to

Safe and happy flying.

make good a flight along the dams and escarpment from 3:30pm.

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

FUEL MANAGEMENT - FROM THE HEAD OF OPERATIONS Written by David Royans

had slowly discharged the missing 45 litres overboard. The defect was traced to the lower O-ring on the fuel strainer

In the last Tarmac Topics we discussed the importance of

bowl leaking. Only a well-maintained fuel log alerted the

understanding the fuel system in the aircraft you fly. This

pilot to the problem.

is an understanding of a technical system, so we are aware

The fuel on board should be managed such that it is avail-

of the anomalies that can occur.

able at all times to the engine and assists in maintaining

The human side to the fuel system in flight is how the pilot

the balance of the aircraft. The availability is always more

manages the fuel on board - or possibly not on board!

important than the balance – but the balance should not be simply ignored. With the C172 for example, you select

A recent incident experienced by a RACWA pilot highlighted

both tanks and, provided there are no defects, the fuel will

the importance of managing fuel on board and knowing how

flow to the engine from both tanks uninterrupted – if you

much fuel you SHOULD have – as opposed to how much

are flying in balance! If you select Right or Left tank, the fuel

fuel you DO have.

The pilot departed Geraldton for Meekatharra with 180 litres

will flow from that tank only. This is a reasonably simple

of fuel on board. 90lt flight fuel, a fixed reserve of 42lt and

set up. With other systems, fuel may only be available to

a margin of 48lt. Approximately 30 minutes from Meekat-

the engine(s) from one fuel tank at a time, with the pilot

harra, the pilot noticed a fuel discrepancy start to develop.

managing which tank is delivering the fuel. With this type

Within a comfortable range to Meekatharra, with the fuel

of system, the amount of fuel in each tank should be by

indicated on board, he opted to continue to Meekatharra,

the pilot’s design – not through luck. Regularly checking

whilst continuing to assess options if the need arose. A safe

your fuel and changing tanks, when necessary, can avoid a

landing was made and the engine was shut down with a

sub-optimal fuel situation. A poorly managed fuel system

check of the fuel on board reading 45 litres, thus indicating

can see the engine stop due to fuel starvation, with possibly

45 litres of fuel less than should have been. An inspection

hundreds of litres of fuel actually on board the aircraft. A

of the aircraft found the fuel strainer bowl was leaking and

forced landing due to this type of fuel starvation is not an engine failure, it is a pilot error.

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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To aid the pilot in managing this dilemma we have fuel gaug-

is your tool to know how much fuel you SHOULD have on

es. The issue here is that if we suffer some form of electrical

board, and where that fuel is. The fuel log will not change

failure, the fuel gauges may become unreliable or even read

anything, however comparing it with the fuel gauges may

zero. Another issue is that a correctly functioning fuel gauge

alert you to the fact you have a fuel discrepancy.

will not recognise a fuel leak – it will continue to indicate

Remember, when the fuel gauges are hovering around “Emp-

exactly how much fuel is on board – all the way to empty,

ty” you may wish to question their accuracy – but they are

which may be well before expected.

accurate enough to say you do not have much fuel!

The main defence we have against these issues is managing the fuel and keeping an accurate fuel log. The fuel log

2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Written by David Currey Secretary

Subscriptions Membership fees remain unchanged at follows:

The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 29

Ordinary memberships

September, thank you to all members that attended. At the

Ordinary member

meeting there were three key agenda items:

Country member

$209

Committee

Senior member

$168

Junior member

$168

The 2021/2022 committee is:

Member for life

$2,990

Ray Challen

President

Associate memberships

Bruce Rathbone

Vice President

Associate member

$75

Jim Di Menna

Treasurer

Retired member

$25

Mick Harcourt

Club Captain

Social member

$30

Andrew Eldridge

Committee

Corporate member

$1,678

Russell Philip

Committee

Steve Pearce

Committee

Haydn Vernon

Committee

Vaughan Emery

Committee

$299

Life member Mr Doug Brooks (member 358) was awarded Life Membership of the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia.

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

ACHIEVERS Congratulations to all of our achievers for the months of August and September. We are very proud to see so many people reaching new heights in their flight training with us.

FIRST SOLO

Allan Moi - First Solo - August

James Crawford - First Solo - August

Juan Trazona - First Solo - August

Lucas Geidans - First Solo - August

Mitchel Lawson - First Solo - August

Phillip Edwards - First Solo - August

Aiden Glen - First Solo - September

Cameron Guelfi - First Solo - September

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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Geoff Mills - First Solo - September

Harrison Hayes - First Solo - September

Jake Doyle - First Solo - September

Peter Hill - First Solo - September

Samuel Richards - First Solo - September

Sean Martin - First Solo - September

RECREATIONAL PILOT LICENCE (RPL)

Sean Rivers-Malet - First Solo - September

Kenny Chan - RPL - August

Craig Lines - RPL - August

Aaron Keirath - RPL - September

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Dirk Bevilaqua - RPL - September

TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

James Crawford - RPL - September

Kim Halliday - RPL - September

Mitchel Lawson - RPL - September

PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE (PPL)

Scott Rogers - RPL - September

Rex Borchers - PPL - August

Anthony Barbaro - PPL - August

Emily Philippe - PPL - September

Roneesha James - PPL - September

Fletcher Burt - CPL - August

Adrian Denny - CPL - September

COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE (CPL)

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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Ash Dewing - CPL - September

James Minchin - CPL - September

MURRAYFIELD MATTERS Written by Harrison O’Brien Instructor in Charge

Congratulations to Harrison Hayes for achieving his first solo on the 5th of September. It is clear Harrison has a passion for flying. His enthusiasm for aviation shows each time he comes in for a lesson. A well-deserved milestone for Harrison.

Greetings from Murrayfield. The spring weather looks like it has finally arrived!

The Murrayfield Open Day is scheduled for the 23rd of Octo-

Congratulations to Siva Muniandy for achieving his first solo on the

ber. Come down for your chance to see some beautiful flying

13th of August. Siva showed perseverance and determination

machines both on the ground and in the air. Fancy a ride

through his flight training and it finally paid off on the 13th

in a 1940’s de Havilland Tigermoth? Now is your chance!

with Siva flying a good circuit with a smooth landing.

Trial flights and scenic flights will also be available as well as other fun activities.

YAK in Murrayfield

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

WHERE DID THE OIL GO? Written by Reece Bateson Safety Manager

Tips for checking the oil.

• Know the minimum and maximum permissible quantities for the aircraft.

Checking the oil is a critical element of every pre-flight inspection. Pilots must know the minimum and maxi-

• Know the type of oil required – usually labelled on the

mum oil quantities for their aircraft and the oil should

inside of the oil flap - straight oil (black bottle from

be within those limits. If the oil level is getting close

the RACWA hangar) is usually used during engine

to the bottom of the permissible range then it is good

run-ins.

practice to top it up prior to commencing the flight.

• Take a rag out to the aircraft to wipe the dipstick

There have been several incidents recently where oil

when checking the oil – if it looks like there is no oil

has been added over the maximum permissible level

on the dip stick wipe it off first and check again. Even if

requiring the engineers to drain the sump.

the oil level is getting low it would be extremely unusual for there to be no oil at all on the dipstick.

Usually, the oil is easy to see on the dipstick with the

• Top the oil up if it is getting close to the bottom of

colour ranging from a honey colour to nearly black,

the permissible range by:

however fresh, clean oil can be colourless and very difficult to see, particularly when the engine is warm.

• Confirming the correct oil type / grade

So, if you can’t see anything on the dipstick, don’t just

• Collect the oil from the hangar, complete the details

add oil and over fill it - double check and if required

on the sign out sheet, along with a funnel and rag.

ask an instructor for assistance.

• Carefully pour the complete quart of oil into the engine sump, using the funnel and avoiding spills.

• Wipe down any oil drips • Record the oil used on the VDO card

This dipstick has oil over the 5 quart mark

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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C-152 in maintenance

MAINTENANCE MATTERS Written by Gig Papa-Adams Engineering Manager

Light aircraft must endure more vibration, temperature change, heavy landings etc. than most other transportation.

So, it is not hard to see that components can and do fail.

Defects are part and parcel of flying aircraft. For pilots it

When you find a defect, what is it the LAME wants from

means a cancelled flight or change of aircraft. For a LAME

you?

it can mean a quick easy fix all the way through to a night-

For a start, that you understand the MR system and what

mare of epic proportions.

should be endorsed on a maintenance release.

An aircraft is basically a bunch of ‘stuff’ stuck together to

Any defect or major defect must go on the MR. Unfortu-

make something that will take off, fly and land without fall-

nately, Regulation 50 of CAR doesn’t differentiate between

ing apart any time soon. The very fact that they need to do

defect and major defect.

this means they must be strong enough to support themselves and passengers but light enough to take to the air.

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

In the event that the defect is major and the defective/dam-

Our responsibility to the pilots and passengers is immense

aged item is required for the intended flight, the aircraft

and we feel it at all times. We have a moral obligation to

must not be flown and the maintenance release ceases to

ensure safety to the best of our ability. I have often told a

be in force until the defect is rectified.

young LAME that I don’t mind if a mistake is brought to my attention, everyone makes mistakes, but make a mistake

So basically, if the failed item is a primary requirement for

and try to hide it and I can’t work with them ever again. As

flight or mission, it needs to go on the MR.

engineers we have a moral obligation to report our own

If it is not required then it can still go on the MR but can be

failures, even if it may mean losing our jobs. We sign off

noted as “not required for xxx” e.g. RH seat adjustment

on those obligations every day as we complete worksheets

jammed – not required for solo flight. Therefore, you are

and fill in log books.

making note of the defect but effectively closing the

So work with the engineers - we are a team. Talk to us, ques-

entry thus not flying with an open entry. It also means that if a dual flight were to go ahead the PIC would see the defect and either request the defect get repaired or choose another aircraft.

tion us and give us as much details as possible if you find a defect. We take every one seriously.

We have a creed that every LAME should uphold;

CAAP43-01 V2.0 is a good document to read if you want some understanding of maintenance releases.

Upon my honour, I swear that I shall hold on

Give us as much details about the defect symptoms as pos-

sacred trust the rights and privileges conferred

sible, especially if it is an engine issue. Try not to diagnose

upon me as a qualified aircraft maintenance

the defect just give us the symptoms.

engineer/technician. Knowing well that the safety and lives of others are dependent upon

Sometimes it may seem that an aircraft will have the same

my skill and judgement, I shall never knowingly

defect one, two or even three days in a row. This can hap-

subject others to risks which I would not be

pen with intermittent faults and especially with indication

willing to assume for myself, or for those dear

systems.

to me.

Say a CHT is not reading correctly. We change the gauge and on all test runs, the CHT operated perfectly. Next day we receive a CHT defect again. Did we disturb the wires?

Was it a wiring issue that changing the gauge masked? Let’s

In discharging this trust, I pledge myself never to undertake work or approve work which I feel to be beyond the limits of my knowledge,

check the wiring.

nor shall I allow any non-qualified superior to

Everything looks good and the CHT is working again and

persuade me to approve aircraft or equipment

nothing we can do can make it fail. Out it goes, only to come

as airworthy against my better judgement, nor

in the next day with a failed CHT. It turns out the probe

shall I permit my judgement to be influenced

assembly wire terminal on one of the wires had a loose

by money or any other personal gain, nor

screw under the shielding and only open-circuited once the aircraft was in the air due to vibration. This can be a com-

shall I pass as airworthy aircraft or equipment

mon occurrence, although once you get to know an aircraft

about which I am in doubt either as a result

you can usually pinpoint the problem without a huge time

of direct inspection or uncertainty regarding

investment.

the ability of others who worked on it to

As engineers, our primary goal is to make sure the aircraft

accomplish their work satisfactorily.

are airworthy, it is our biggest point of pride and we chose aviation because it gives us the opportunity to work in an

Jerry Lederer, Founder, Flight Safety

industry that demands excellence in our work. We are per-

Foundation

fectionists, and slightly OCD, and aviation allows us to work to the highest level possible.

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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Norms Adventure - Leeuwin Estate

NORM, THE QUOKKA ‘Please take me with you’ pleads Norm, the Quokka.

The Club has a new social member, Norm the Quokka. Norm would love to be a passenger on your next flight to explore the many airfields of WA. We’ve given Norm his own logbook. If you are the pilot in command could you please fill it in and take a photo of Norm somewhere on your journey so we can share details of his travels on our social media pages.

Norm’s introduction to aviation was on 15 September when he was part of the squadron of aircraft heading to Derby and back to Jandakot. Since then, he’s filled a whole page in his logbook!

If you would like to take Norm for a flight, please ‘book’ him when you make your booking with the Operations team.

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM

Written by Alexander Hartner

ry wing aircraft, including the R22, R44 and a number of larger helicopters.

In September the Club recommenced the Young Eagles

On Day 4 of the program we looked at some smaller air-

Program, previously on hold due to COVID. We ran another

craft. WARMS, the WA Radio Modellers, showed us the

series of weekend sessions specifically aimed at our young-

adoption of UAV / drones into many industries. We hope

er members. Open to children aged 8 to 14, the program

this gives the participants some insight into the current

offered access to opportunities which are not generally

state of radio-controlled aviation.

available. The available slots were quickly filled for this

Day 5 of the program included presentations on basic

program and we are hoping to run another one early next

navigation and weather, as well as an overview into flight

year. Thanks to the support of the many volunteers, the

planning. Using the simulator as well as virtual reality, we

sessions were a great success.

got to apply these elements, as well as those from the

Day 1 consisted of a presentation about the Club’s history,

previous sessions on radio calls and effects of control, into

which gave the 14 participants an informative introduction.

a practical application.

This was followed by a tour of Club facilities, services on

To finish up the program, participants had the option of

offer, the hangar and aircraft.

either a scenic or trial flight early in October.

Day 2 started with an effects of controls briefing, then

We have to thank all the volunteers including Marco Surace,

pre-flight inspections, and finished up with a short intro-

Andrew Brown, Andrew Eldridge, Emily Phillippe, Anthony

duction to radio calls. A Club Instructor covered the effects

Barbaro, Tony Fry and especially Taylor for putting this

of control briefing, which provided a useful foundation for

program together.

the simulator and real world flying later on in the program.

Emily Philippe, one of the WAAC students helped out on the day with the presentation of the pre-flight inspections giving a very extensive and comprehensive demonstration.

Marco Surace gave a presentation on radio calls which was well received by the participants.

On Day 3 of the program we visited the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bullcreek, followed by a visit to Flight City where one lucky participant got to experience the Boeing 777 Simulator and flew from Innsbruck, Austria to Venice, Italy. Thanks to John Goldsmith for inviting us to Flight City.

As a special treat, we toured Jandakot Airport. Thanks to Bryce from Jandakot Airport Holdings, we were able to arrange an airside tour by bus. Going up the strip, we looked at all the different aircraft at Jandakot, as well as the emergency protocols in place.

To complete the day, Callum Harrison, a Helicopter Instructor at Heliwest offered to give us an introduction to rota-

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

Young Eagles participants at Flight City hosted by John Goldsmith

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BATTLE OF BRITAIN 81ST ANNIVERSARY - DAWN PATROL

Written by Squadron Leader Paul Falconer-West RAAF Ret’d

A total of 28 aircraft were divided into eight flights, depending on aircraft type and performance. A briefing by Mick Harcourt and David Schneiker was held at 0500hrs in the

Every year the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia com-

RACWA hangar. The weather forecast was cloudy and pos-

memorates and honours the memory of the actions and

sible fog for departures from Jandakot which were to be

sacrifices of the Battle of Britain Air Crew by having a Dawn

in the following flights: DUXFORD, HURRICANE, METEOR,

Patrol across the City of Perth and over the Kings Park

SPITFIRE, TANGMERE, HENLEY, BIGGIN, and DORNIER.

War Memorial.

The weather was cold and CAVOK. The flights were to

On Saturday, 11 September 2021 the Western Australian

scramble at 0550hrs from Jandakot RWY24R. Jandakot

contribution to the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

RWY24R to 1500ft – Yangebup Lake – Woodman Point –

was carried out from Jandakot in two major phases. The

Fremantle – Kings Park War Memorial – Herdsman Lake

first was a Battle of Britain Commemorative Dawn Patrol

– Observation City(1000ft) – Fremantle – Yangebup Lake

over Perth followed by the second which was at the Royal

– Overhead join for Jandakot RWY24R.

Aero Club of Western Australia (RACWA) clubrooms.

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

The de Havilland participation came in the DORNIER flight: DH82A Tiger Moths VH-FAS(A17-37)(Mick Harcourt and Caroline Watson), VH-CKF(A17-421)(David and Hans Schneiker), VH-NOV(A17-757) (Barry Markham and Paul Falconer-West) and No 4 was DHC-1 Chipmunk, VH-POR(John Douglas and S Correl) were in DORNIER FLT. Engines were started at 0550hrs and all flights completed their Dawn Patrol in crisp and clear conditions. On the return to Jandakot there was fog and low cloud for RWY24R. All flights joined overhead for RWY24R and were “Mission Accomplished” after formation and single landings.

Werner Buhlmann joined the DORNIER flight at Yangebup Lake in Tiger Moth VH-DWD(A17-201) and returned to Serpentine Airfield from RWY12.

A RACWA mess breakfast was held at the club rooms. Mick Harcourt invited me, to deliver a short Battle of Britain address after the breakfast. The RAF had 2936 aircrew, flying Hurricane and Spitfires mainly, from many countries to fight in the Battle of Britain (10Jul-31Oct40). 537 died.

The RAAF had 35 aircrew in the Battle. Ten were killed.

Of that 35, eight became aces (5 or more enemy aircraft shot down). Flight Lieutenant Pat Hughes of Cooma, NSW scored 14 before he was brought down on 7 Sep 40 with his aircraft being struck by debris from an exploding bomber which he was attacking. He was in the ten highest scoring fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain.

If it had not been for the few who had defeated the Luftwaffe in the skies of Britain, we would not be commemorating the sacrifices and achievements of these FEW men at today’s Dawn Patrol. Lest we Forget!

It had been a moving commemoration. The de Havilland name is alive and flourishing in Western Australia. Many World War II aircrew trained on Tiger Moths before proceeding onto advanced training and then operations.

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

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TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

SIR NORMAN BREARLEY COMMEMORATIVE FLIGHT

Written by Iain Currill For me the Sir Norman Brearley Commemorative Flight can be simply summed up; it was simply just an awesome experience and adventure.

We had awesome weather, awesome flying over a range of epic scenery, an awesome group of people, a great mix of aircraft ranging from Jim Dowell’s Cessna C340 (notwithstanding them bragging about the air conditioning after landing in 40-degree temperatures in Derby…) through a bunch of RVs, a range of C172s and assorted others to the undisputed Queen of the fleet in Kevin Bailey’s Stinson Reliant Gullwing; an absolutely stunning airplane.

To match the original route, the ‘official’

dinner as well as the chance to present

commemorative flight route started in

the Day 1 “Top Gun”, “Dipstick of the

Geraldton on Thursday 16th Septem-

Day” and “Dodgy Duck” (for the ‘dodgi-

ber. This resulted in most heading up

est’ act of the day) awards and to start

to Geraldton as early as they could get

to collect fines for a broad range of mis-

organised on Wednesday to beat the

demeanours.

bad weather heading through Perth with the even smarter ones having headed up on the Tuesday. Mid-West Aero Club turned on a great welcome for us with a short sun-downer before we all jumped on the bus (which Wendy Mann had kindly ‘volunteered’ her husband to drive) into Geraldton.

Day 1 of the official trip saw us depart Geraldton for Onslow via a fuel stop in Carnarvon. A range of scenic routes were taken including but not limited to trips over the Pink Lake, the Kalbarri gorges, Coral Bay, Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, Exmouth and assorted other spots enroute. A number of aircraft routed

Our first night together in Geraldton

via Murchison House Station where

gave us the opportunity for a quick

Bob Fawcett and Edward Broad are

briefing on the next day’s events over

buried in the homestead cemetery hav-

Iain Currill showing the 22 aircraft to some locals

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

20

Some of the aircraft on the flight

ing crashed and been tragically killed

in but crew members within the same

delays completely threw out the careful-

during the first scheduled flight on 5th

aircraft being more than happy to dob

ly planned and sequenced arrivals into

December 1921. (Ref: http://www.spir-

each other in to help boost the fines

Broome, the tower crews in both

itsofansett.com/legends/brealey.html .

total to support the (to be nominated

Kar-ratha and Broome could not have

Regardless of the route taken to arrive

charity in Derby.

been

in Onslow all agreed that it had been a great day’s flying over some epic scenery.

Day 2 of the official trip saw us head from Onslow to Broome with most heading to Karratha to refuel whilst a

The Ashburton Shire turned on an awe-

few (as it turned out the smart ones…

some welcome function for us all before

decided to head to Port Hedland

a brief ceremony to unveil a plaque

instead. Unfortunately the refuelling

commemorating the significance of

at Karratha took a little longer than

the event.

planned due to a series of unfortunate

Our second night saw us all gather together again for dinner and the obligatory briefing, prize giving and fines session which by Day #2 had gained significant momentum with not only different aircraft being willing to dob each other

events but even the “BOF-fer boys" (Mick Harcourt, Haydn Vernon & Mike Burns) managed to get to Broome before dark despite spending the best part of 3hrs

more

accommodating

and

helpful to a group of 22 itinerant aircraft who – at least in the case of Karratha – arrived in quick succession with

limited

familiarity

of

local

procedures and protocols. The Karratha tower crew reported that they hadn’t been called “Jandakot Ground” so many times in ages (although no one admitted to it…) and also advised that we all helped them set a daily movement record for Karratha since the last cyclone.

on the ground in Karratha waiting for

Day 3 of the official trip saw us spend

the refueller…. Whilst the Karratha

the morning in Broome to support the airport open day – including the unveil-

21

TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

Participants of the Commemorative Flight

ing of a commemorative plaque - before

visit Horizontal Falls, a couple went to

And we can’t forget Norm who took his

making the short hop across to Derby

Cockatoo Island, some went to Broome

first club flights on the trip. Norm lives

to arrive for their “Sunset over a Cen-

for a few bonus days, others went to Mt

at Club Ops and is always looking for

tury” commemorative event scheduled

Augustus or Cheela Plains with a split

a flight so if you are going somewhere

for 16:00; after the obligatory final prize

in return routes between “down the

please take him with you.

giving and fines session of course!

middle” through Newman and Meeka

Landing at around 15:00 into 40-degree

or back around the coast. Regardless

temperatures we were all amazed to

of the route taken, all seemed to agree

see around 250 people out at the air-

that it was a great trip.

port to watch the aircraft arrive and be part of the celebration.

Despite the

heat, a significant number of the Derby locals present took the opportunity to take a guided tour out onto the tarmac

Apart from the awesome flying and scenery, what made the trip for me was the group of people that came along and the reception that we got at all the

The trip was particularly special for the

ports along the route. I found it quite

crews in 2 aircraft. Ray Challen had two

humbling to be part of something that

of Sir Norman Brearley’s granddaugh-

had so much significance and attract-

ters – Sally & Kate Bennison – onboard

ed so much interest at all the points

for the trip north from Jandakot to Der-

we stopped at along the way. It was a

by; neither of them had flown much in

privilege and somewhat humbling to be

Again a plaque celebrating the cente-

light aircraft previously so it was quite

part of something that was so specif-

nary of the first flight was unveiled at

an introduction for them!

Wendy

ic and meant so much to so many – a

Derby. “Fines Mistress” Helena Robben

Mann’s crew of “Pink Ladies” was an

sentiment shared by many on the trip

also took the opportunity to hand over

extract from who’s who in WA aviation

I think.

the fines collected during the trip to the

with Wendy, Susan Ward, Leonie Davis,

sonal highlights was talking with various

Derby Native Wildlife charity; a total

Bette Rees-Oakes, Robyn Stuart and

people from the Shire at Derby who all

of $601 had been ‘donated’ along the

Marie Norris (filling in for Jenny Hough-

commented “you guys look like you are

route – an outstanding effort.

ton who was stuck in Victoria but did

having so much fun” – which we did!

to have a look at the aircraft.

With the official flight ending in Derby everyone headed for home on a “choose your own adventure” routing; a number of us took the opportunity to fly over/

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

come along in cardboard cut-out form!) and certainly won the award for best in-flight catering of any aircraft on the trip!

22

On this note, one of my per-

Talk has already started about where we should go next year – don’t miss out!

KOORDA SHOW Written by Adam Bettles – SMT Student

on that day. Although I was put in charge of the day, I must thank my mother Enza who lives up in Koorda and told

On the 4th of September the Royal Aero Club brought the

me that the town would like the Club up there because

Sling up to the Koorda Show to provide trial flights and

without her, none of this would be possible. I must also

give general information on the Club and how to become

thank James Minchin and Ryan Flynn for volunteering their

a pilot. This was a day to celebrate as it turned into a fly-

whole weekend to come up and sit in a stall all day with

in with home-built aircraft from Serpentine, other

Ryan deciding to sleep in a swag in minus four-degree

members in Club aircraft and an interesting arrival by David

weather, while James and I slept in warm beds, and we

Currey in the Grob.

cannot forget Michael Sonneman who was the pilot that

The day went amazingly well with five trial flights and

made the customers day. I hope that this day inspires more

countless items of club merchandise being sold on the

events like this in the future and I will be the first one to

day. Mick Harcourt gave us the greatest memory of the

put my hand up for the show next year..

day with the Sling orbiting the showgrounds as he was giving a play-by-play commentary on how to get in there

Koorda Show from the air

23

TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

THE OLD FLIERS GROUP August Meeting Written by Steve Rogers

September Meeting Written by Steve Rogers

The National Ballooning Championships at Northam had

Three fine speakers presented stories at this meeting.

been cancelled due to the difficulty of contestants coming

This date happened to be the 75th anniversary of the found-

in from interstate.

ing of Cathay Pacific and former Cathay Captain Peter Yates

Judge Ruth Wilson had promised to give a talk to the OFG,

brought along his former colleagues to celebrate.

but this was not going to happen as Ruth lives in NSW.

Peter spoke of how a war time partnership of an Australian

One of our members had heard noted aviation commenta-

and an American and a ‘mercy flight” of “Betsy” resulted

tor, Geoffrey Thomas give a talk to a group and suggested

in the formation of this international airline.

we approach him. This we did and Geoffrey was happy

Bevan Marshall then asked the question “What does Jan-

to oblige. He thought that his talk “F35 and the future of

dakot mean to you?”

aviation” would be a suitable subject.

Is it the place, the aeroplanes, or the people?

Geoffrey is an aviation writer at the West Australian, aviation

Bevan spoke fondly of people who have made a difference

commentator on Channel Seven and owns AirLineRatings.

in his life such as Frank Colquhoun, Vivian Chappell, Don

His summation of why the RAAF made a good choice when

Ende, Doug Spears, Slim Summerfield, Rob Poynton, Robin

it came to buying the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Miller, Alan Wright, Ivan Burrows, Bernie Baldwin, Frank

was full of factual information. The second part of his talk

Greenslade, Ian Dunn, Cliff Brown, Gavin Green, Harry

was titled “the Future of air travel”

Smeulders, Rod Lawrence, and John Ridley.

Perhaps it could have been entitled “Does air travel have a

You get a strong sense of the passion for aviation that

future?” Air freight is keeping planes flying. The growth of

these folk possessed.

aviation in the past 25 years was decimated with COVID.

Vern Benjamin lived in South Africa during the troubled

40% of the World’s trade by value is carried by air. 90% of this used to go in the bellies of passenger planes.

years when the UN placed an embargo on military imports.

We need planes flying. Airbus have predicted that it won’t

Supplying and maintaining an Air Force was very difficult

be until 2025 before air travel returns to pre-2020 levels.

especially during the “Border wars” period.

We hope to have Geoffrey return in the future to share

Vern will return to complete his story.

his stories.

Bulletin No 183 September 2021 Geoffrey Thomas

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

Peter Yates

24

Doug and Roma at Arivina Estate

LIFE MEMBERSHIP DOUG BROOKS Doug Brooks has been a member of the Club for over 45

Doug is a regular member of the Saturday lunch group of

years. Learning to fly as a penniless 18-year old, Doug put

members who meet in the Club café. He prefers the flexi-

everything he had into his flying training. He was a promi-

bility of a helicopter these days and is a frequent visitor to

nent participant in all club flying activities and was joined by

Margaret River and Dunsborough restaurants that provide

his wife Roma to ensure the many social events organised

a landing pad for VH-HQT.

by club members in the 1980s and 1990s were a success.

Murrayfield Airport has benefited from Doug’s generosity

Doug’s belief in the importance of the Club’s existence

in providing a roller and water tanker from time to time for

resulted in the club receiving unsecured funding to tide the

John Ridgway and Tim Smale to use to keep runway 09/27

Club through an extremely difficult financial period. With-

in good condition.

out this support, it is very questionable whether the Club

At the 2021 Annual General Meeting Doug was unanimously

would have survived this period.

voted to become a life member of the Club.

25

TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

STAFF AND MEMBER NEWS We farewelled Toni Weston in September, after almost eight years working in the hangar. During this time, Toni completed her apprenticeship and became a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME, licensed initially in airframes and more recently, adding piston engines to her license.

The Club actively supports the training of future LAMEs, as the aviation industry is critically short of these skills.

Unfortunately, many larger aviation organisations do not share this investment in the future of the industry, preferring to recruit already trained LAMEs from smaller organisations such as the Club. We wish Toni all the best in the next stage of her career.

David Currey, Toni Weston with her LAME Licensed & Glen Caple

VALE – REGINALD CHARLES ADKINS Reg Adkins was born on 7 October 1926 in Highgate, Perth.

Reg went to school in Mt Lawley and later to Guildford Grammar School. He appeared to enjoy his upbringing.

He joined the school Cadets and learnt to march and strip down and assemble guns in record time. This led to Reg being mustered to armory when he later joined the RAAF. Working on aircraft maintenance, bombs, ammunition, he volunteered and was posted to Japan after the war on occupational duties for several years.

Once on leave from Japan, Reg answered a RACWA ad and got his Pilot Licence in just 28 days at Maylands, then went back to the RAAF. Reg was discharged from the RAAF and Reg and Alwyn Adkins

decided to get his CPL and Instructor Rating and worked

ROYAL AERO CLUB OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)

26

On behalf of the family, thank you for the Club’s contribu-

as an instructor for some time at Maylands.

tion to the celebration of Dad’s life. It really made the day

That is where he met the love of his life, the lovely redhead

extra special for us. I’m not sure though that the “Shirley

in the Aero Club office, Shirley. After they married, Reg

Adkins” would have been happy with playing second fid-

joined ANA flying DC3s and then decided to go over to

dle in the flypast! Being THE boss, I think she probably

England to try his luck in Airline Flying. There was not much

thought she should lead! She’s probably giving Dad a rev

on offer so he came back to WA and joined MMA. In Reg’s

about that now.

book ‘I flew for MMA’ he tells of all the great experiences he had flying DC3s up to the Fokker F28s.

Kind regards,

Reg had a long and full life as an Airline Pilot and retired

Alwyn Adkins

reasonably early in life with 18,000 hours in his logbook.

Shirley got involved in flying big time after her boys, Alwyn and Neil grew up. Having gained her PPL, she was involved in Aerobatics, Formation and all the Club Competitions.

Reg and Shirley travelled extensively for many years visiting Airshows in many countries. They would camp in their campervan outside the airport to get in early to the best seats. They visited Oshkosh many times and flew in some vintage and Classic Aircraft.

Shirley got more involved in aviation serving as President of Australia Women Pilots’ Association, President of RACWA and President of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia. She met many distinguished people worldwide. Reg was very supportive and was always at her side helping and promoting. They were great supporters of everything that took place at RACWA for four decades.

Reg and Shirley would volunteer to go and pick up newly acquired aircraft for the Club, mostly from over east.

Coming back on one trip in a Mooney, VH-ECH, Reg was so impressed with all the radio and navigation gear, he said ‘it’s got more gear than my F28’ They travelled as Australian representatives to FAI and other international conferences and got to know many folks from other clubs and aviation centres worldwide.

They owned a Tiger Moth VH-CKF and flew in many air trial and Club events and when it got a bit cold for the bones, they sold the Tiger and brought a lovely C140 cabin aircraft for more comfort. The C140 took them all over Australia.

Reg will be fondly remembered for his love of flying, his enthusiasm for the Club and his devotion to Shirley. His love and support were instrumental in Shirley achieving so much in her time.

Reg passed away as a result of a fall at the grand old age of 94.

Reg and Shirley Adkins

27

TARMAC TOPICS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021

Photo Credit - Caroline Watson

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