Avalon 2007

[Ultralights]

even though the B52 is 50 yrs old, its still a very intimidating looking aicraft..

 

 

[Admin]

IT'S OVER!!! - finally...more to come when I can settle down and collect my thoughts - I think there are a lot more people out there that now know about Recreational Flying (.com.au) - your website.

 

Thanks go to all you guys that dropped in to say hi and your support

 

Thanks to my Dad who was there every day helping out

 

Thanks to Corrine who came down Sat & Sun to also help out

 

 

[PaulN]

Hey Ian,

 

Thanks for your hospitality on Saturday. You and your lovely family are doing a great job although I feel for you with all that time input and weather to cope with. I take my hat off to you, your dedication to Rec Aviation is excelled only by the good looks of 4848.

 

My son, Steve, grandson, Brodie and I travelled from Cooma (by car ) for nine hours on Friday arriving at Sunshine (that's a joke) at 2130 for our cabin. Laid awake with sinking hearts for some of the night listening to heavy rain, up at 0500 for 0600 departure to Avalon on unfamiliar roads in the dark and rain ;). Arrived at the carpark gate just before 0700 near the front of the queue (yay! :big_grin:), parked just 50m from the entry point, stood in the mud along with hundreds of others in the queue awaiting 0800 entry time for 35 mins under the cover of brollies, then charged to the front line of the viewing area adjacent 18/36 next to TWY Alpha, set up our chairs and watched the sky ... praying and hoping for better weather. Thankfully, the rain did break into showers with lots of blue patches appearing through the clouds later in the morning ... but the wind . I am so glad (not) that I chose to wear shorts and open necked shirt. I figured that coming from the Snowy Mtns I could cope with anything Melb chose to throw at me ... wrong, very wrong. I have never been so cold, even with spray jacket on, in all my memory. I believe I was pretty close to hypothermia as at times, even with all the noise and the crush of the crowd I almost nodded off while shaking uncontrollably. The front line offered great views but was full on to the SW wind and rain blasting in at around 20+ knots. I won't talk about the crush for lunch or through the main pavilions.

 

Apart from my miseries due to poor planning, the show was great and the aerobatics out of this world. Those guys do stuff that really is impossible ... and get away with it ... definitely lots of WOW factor. Inspired, when I thaw out I'm off to the airport to see if the CT can manage some of these manoeuvres :yuk:. Well maybe I can manage a more tame version of their take-offs and landings, the rest, I'll just dream on.

 

I've been wonding how I can trailer the CT around when on holidays. I've got the solution now. If I can just get a hold of one of those C17s I think it might just fit in the back ... with wings on. Man is that one big bird and a pay load of up to 75 tonnes, makes the CT's 234kg look a bit lame.

 

Sadly, I didn't catch up with any forum buddies. But with a crowd like that it's no wonder. Hopefully, we might do better at Natfly. I wonder if we can pre-arrange some organised way getting together? And, let's pray for better weather.

 

Paul

 

 

[bushpilot]

Paul said: "I figured that coming from the Snowy Mtns I could cope with anything Melb chose to throw at me ... wrong, very wrong. I have never been so cold, even with spray jacket on, in all my memory...."

 

I was there on the Thursday - and it was 35oC with a real mean Northerly happening.. and dust galore.. (Wind got even worse on Friday, but I was not there..). So good 'ole Melbourne was throwing up its usual mix of extremes - 4 seasons in 4 days... but without any semblence of a nice, calm Autumn day...

 

 

[Admin]

On the final day (Sunday) I sent Corrine out with the camera to get some pictures as I didn't get a chance to see the show

 

So here are some snaps for those (like me) that couldn't get there to see it all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Awesome pics Ian. That one with your girls, the Sigma thing? That looks awesome! I know what you all mean about the weather at the weekend. Bloody horrible it was.Out at the airport at work on Saturday night across the tarmac it was blowing at least 40kt :ah_oh: There was wind shear alerts. Rain was coming down and with the wind behind it seemed like a cyclone had hit. Onboard all the aircraft they were swaying from side to side from the wind. These are 747's and 737's! Needless to say most of the arrivals all had spew in the cabins. :yuk:

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Thanks for sharing Darren

 

Good pics Corrine. Well done Ian. Half a day's rest then start planning for Narromine?

 

Ross

 

 

[Admin]

Half a day's rest then start planning for Narromine?Ross

REST!!! you gotta be joking - 00am this morning the tent and flag poles were booked for Narromine - just trying to find a generator now for the Ern (free coffee) and Laptop - it's back to work tomorrow to pay for everything so I only have today to get it all sorted, book everything, get more stock suitable for Narromine, take out 47 knot wind, rain and dust storm insurance ;) etc

 

 

[Admin]

Ian, can you give me the brand of your Italian made "portrait" mounted GPS? It looks the goods to me... and want to check it on the web.See you at Narromine!;)

 

Cheers

 

Chris

Hi Chris - the GPS that I have is the Avmap - I had a Bendix King Skymap 3C in my old CT which is a lot more expensive then the Avmap but with only half the features - the Avmap has a 7" screen, terrain warning and everything else you would ever need plus when you fly over a road the name of the road pops up on the screen (if you want it to)

http://www.avmapnavigation.com

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Here are a few pics of mine from the Airshow..

 

Ben

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Excellent pics Ben!

 

Thanks

 

 

[Guest Roger]

What a great 3 days the crew from YNAR had despite the weather!

 

The flying was spectacular especially that Italian version of the Caribou - I cant remember what its called a C127 or something similar. You had to see it to believe it. For my money that must come close to being the best part of the 3 days I saw.

 

All the shoot em' ups must have thought they were in heaven. There was enough F XXX's to start their own airforce - very impressive.

 

To Ian & his family a big thankyou for looking after me in more ways than one. A place to leave our gear and have a coffee & a break - it was great. You saved the day after you came to the rescue with a second transciever. It smoothed over a sour moment during my trip. :;)7:

 

I certainly hope that members appreciate the time, effort and expense you have gone to and at least give you an opportunity to supply their future purchases. I certainly know that I will ;)

 

To Narromine & beyond!.....

 

 

[avid_flyer]

Avalon

 

Hi All

 

I got into Avalon Wed arvo, and there till Sunday. I must admit despite the weather, I had a great time.

 

I was fortunate enough to go to the reception party at the Geelong Yacht Club for the presentation of the "Around the Bay Rally." Friends Pip Robertson and Rod Anson won the Rally for the second time in Pip's Jabiru.

 

We were able to met (and have pics) with Jurgis Kairys and the Sky Bandits, Jim Leroy and Chuck Yeagar. All were very easy to speak with, and that was a great evening.

 

 

[Ultralights]

Nice shots there of one of my Hawks! how was their display? sadly i have never seen the Hawk display, as its only the Hornets that practice the displays here at williamtown, the Hawks practiced theirs at Albatross.

 

though before the hawk departed for Avalon, we were treated to a Mach 0.9 pass at 50 ft down the strip!

 

great Shots, sad i missed it... oh well, there always next time....

 

 

[ZULU1]

Nice shots chaps

 

I like Bens pics of the P51, very good shots indeed. must have been a real good show. What camera and lens ??

 

Cheers Paul

 

 

[hihosland]

Excellent pics Ben

 

Many thanks for sharing with us.

 

.

 

You have captured much of the spirit of the flying displays

 

Thank you

 

Davidh

 

 

[hihosland]

Thanks Ian

 

for your hospitality

 

for your work for us all

 

and for the vote of confidence in Rec Aviation that you make with your business and your personal exertions.

 

I did enjoy Avalon and do thank you for the trade pass idea which was a benefit to all who participated.

 

Thanks and congrats also to Corrine for the photos.

 

best of wishes

 

Davidh

 

 

[Guest David C]

Ben

 

Excellent photos .... The best I have seen on any site for this airshow . Well done and thanks for sharing .

 

Dave

 

 

[PaulN]

The flying was spectacular especially that Italian version of the Caribou - I cant remember what its called a C127 or something similar. You had to see it to believe it. For my money that must come close to being the best part of the 3 days I saw.

Roger,

 

I think it was called the Tritan and you're right, very impressive for a big bird. I'd like to see the C17 doing stuff like that.

 

Paul

 

 

[avid_flyer]

Avalon

 

Ian,

 

How can I add some of my pics here?

 

Ange

 

 

[Admin]

Hi Ange

 

Good to meet you at Avalon

 

For posting images refer to:

 

http://www.recreationalflying.com/forum/announcement.php?f=42

 

 

[Ben Longden]

I like Bens pics of the P51, very good shots indeed. must have been a real good show. What camera and lens ??Cheers Paul

Thanks.

 

Bit of a Nikon freak (well, 25 years as a pro news snapper...) the cammy was the humble basic Nikon D70 mated with a Nikon 80-200 f2.8 with a Nikon TC-17. I was deadset slack and used the predictive AF (which was reeeeally useful in the low level 500 knot passes) Then made dial up friendly when processed in Photoshop 7.

 

Ben

 

 

[Guest Roger]

Nice pics Ben - have you any more ;)

 

 

[Ben Longden]

Got a couple....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TechMan]

Great pics. Anyone got any of my glider which was on static display with one of the gliding clubs there? German rego D-6111 "D2C"?

 

Chris