AusFly 2015 reports

[jetjr]

A few things

 

SAAA head office is there, they arent going to hold it elsewhere as it would be much harder and costly to organise.

 

Further east from Narromine and you generally get much colder and variable weather - try camping at Mudgee or Orange on the same weekend would see temps well below zero. It can snow there in Sept.

 

Also pretty often fogged in until late morning. Cudal is long ago closed.

 

There are regular buses already between Dubbo and Narromine as well as Railcorp links east and west to trains. Im sure Ogdens would extend routes or add a few if requested.

 

There are taxis, maybe a small bus on loop would be good. Doesnt have to be free. More interaction with town businesses would be beneficial for the whole event.

 

Local papers still talking how sucessful Ausfly was and important aviation is to the town.

 

As said there are more RPT options from Dubbo than any other regional centre. You DONT want the airshow at the RPT centre as then you have ASIC and no access airside and unlikely to get airshow permitted.

 

If the Ausfly wasnt sharing BBQ resources with the Show there would be no shortfall in food.

 

Was only recently council sold off the caravan park, including showers and toilets. Previous events these were publicly available. Now you have to pay owner.

 

Area doesnt have a heap of attractions other than Zoo but more on field things wouldnt be too hard - movies on the side of the Bellman is a good value idea. There is a blow up movie screen around too...Flix in the Sticks use it

 

In town has good "high end" coffee shop/gallery, Soul Food Gallery, They run Art type activites and lessons and maybe can link in. Also would maybe extend hours on the weekend if requested. Swanes has now gone unfortunately.

 

Kids get bored quickly so a few token high energy things might help

 

Not all this has to be free.

 

 

[Oscar]

Oh, good grief.

 

About 100% of the women I know are supremely capable of making their own judgement as to whether the activities on offer at and around a fly-in, a MENSA conference, an agricultural Field Day or a Geeks Convention are of interest and their lives are far too full of important stuff to even be bothered to be offended by the idea that there are non-core-interest activities on offer as an adjunct to the 'main event'. Certainly, advertising such ancilliary activities as 'a Women's Programme' would cause a few rolled eyes and a fleeting thought that some 'Men' remain as dull-witted as they already know, but their lives have progressed way beyond being concerned that they are being relegated to a secondary status, they have things to do and places to be that are more important.

 

It would be, I believe, the quality of alternative 'attractions' for the period of the fly-in that might attract the partners of pilots focussed on the Scratch-N-Smell of the fly in to accompany them to the event. With all due respect to Narromine - where I spent many, many happy days flying gliders in the '70's - it (and the surrounds) doesn't have a huge amount that I remember, on offer to those not interested in aviation or farming. I rather vividly remember that 'Blue Hills' was still on the local radio, and that one could sometimes find Combine Harvesters parked down near the Pubs at the end of a day's flying. I gave up gliding when I became a father, as it was entirely NOT a family-friendly sport for my wife with a small child, sitting out on the field waiting for me to return from a long flight trying to keep the wee one amused. My choice.

 

Perhaps it is a more intelligent decision that Fly-ins are Aviator-centric: 'time-out' for those whose partners do not share a passion for the activity. Since the average flying hours/year for Recreational Aviators is in the order of 50 out of 6360 (or 6384 for Leap years..), is this whole 'partners' thing being blown out of proportion?

 

 

[facthunter]

You can't blame them for trying though, but I agree when you look at it it's doomed to failure. The "in the air backup matter, though is a good idea for those who fly with partners. If you partner doesn't fly with you , and isn't likely to, then you negotiate some "fair to both arrangement" (amicable divorce?), because I can't see what is in it for the partner, when you are a flying nut and they reckon it'll kill you.. Nev

 

 

[pmccarthy]

 

I'm surprised that the College of Surgeons is given as an example of non-sexist behaviour! My professional institute has Womens' Auxiliaries around Australia. I have campaigned to change this to partners programmes, but the women will not give up the name.

 

I was in Aarhus in Denmark last month, they have built an outdoor museum set in 1975. It is really entertaining. At the back of the service station is the workshop, with Playboy centrefolds all around the walls. Some of the women in our group objected, and were told "but this is 1975!" I don't have a picture of that, but I do have one of the bookshop. Remember, this is a serious museum showing our kids what the world was like in 1975.

 

 

[jetjr]

There was a significant partners event put on for Ausfly weekend

 

Narromine Show!

 

 

[rankamateur]

I think we are all missing the point here, we can't see the dog for the stripes.

 

 

[dazza 38]

I have a great idea to keep the partners of pilots happy and occupied at Ausfly. How about some cooking classes and knitting classes. That will be very popular I reckon.

 

 

[Oscar]

DAMN right! I can cook but I can't knit for sh#t.

 

 

[spacesailor]

How many people Knew ?.

 

The 1st American pilot shot down at Peal Harbor was a female Trainer, who's male student ran for his life when she got her damaged aircraft back on the deck, He didn't pay for his lesson either,

 

The same pilot ferried bombers on the mainland USA, until a male ferry pilot crashed into her aircraft & killed her, he survived.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[Nobody]

I have a great idea to keep the partners of pilots happy and occupied at Ausfly. How about some cooking classes and knitting classes. That will be very popular I reckon.

That's a great idea just as long as the knitting is wing rib stitching and the cooking is mixing epoxy or proseal!!!!

 

Seriously, I think that times have changed a little. Aviation needs new people who have a passion for aircraft.

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

That's a great idea just as long as the knitting is wing rib stitching and the cooking is mixing epoxy or proseal!!!!Seriously, I think that times have changed a little.

Yep understand your point as well, and when the current 30's (who are as a matter of fact within our organisation are also a minority, because life tends to ensure that income is least and expenses greatest at that stage of life) become the majority through natural attrition and the march of time then fill your boots......Statements such as "Times have changed" is a gross over simplification....... As a generalisation time changes most for the youngest and progressively decreases towards least/not at all for those who are older. That at a macro level is simply a reality no matter whether you like it or not...I mean look at the discussion about the paper vs electronic download of RAAus magazine...that to me shows exactly that point..... Anyone who has dealt with Centerlink will know what I mean, those young folk that are computer literate will have the vast majority of their dealings with centerlink online......(still a painful process, but at least in your own home as you suffer) while older folk still shuffle in, join the line, or telephone and listen to appalling elevator music for hours while on hold or and wait for seemingly eternities to be seen by someone for face to face who will before actually dealing with their issue will have to extol the virtues of online access for several minutes and probably wonders if talking to a brick wall would be equally satisfying..... for those older folks times have changed in that they now must suffer less face to face staff to deal with their queries so it takes even longer and they now must suffer a preaching of the virtues of something that to all intents and purposes might as well be a different language......Not really the change that those architects of change and reduction of costs actually had in mind......

 

Andy

 

 

[Downunder]

I would like to see a good line up of trade stalls with stall holders having stock at good prices. Perhaps sending out invitations to companies that may be interested?

 

I would also like a schedule of events list/ line up ideally 4- 6 months ahead of the day/weekend.

 

I looked at the website earlier in the year and there was basically nothing on it. (When was the official program uploaded?)

 

People that are going to travel far may need to make a decision to go or not well in advance of the weekend. Not having any info (bait) may make it hard to get that commitment.

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Good suggestions Downunder and will be passed on to the planners.

 

 

[dazza 38]

That's a great idea just as long as the knitting is wing rib stitching and the cooking is mixing epoxy or proseal!!!!Seriously, I think that times have changed a little. Aviation needs new people who have a passion for aircraft.

Yeah thats what I meant.

 

 

[KRviator]

Casa have already done the checklists approved also by RA-Aus, they gave out thousands to anyone who wanted one, i got a few at Evans Head. This satisfies your checklist requirements and can sit right next to your useless A-SIC if you need one.

And there's another one or two.You do not need to be a member of the SAAA to fly an experimental.

 

There is no legislation that requires you to carry weather or NOTAMS. You must "make a careful study" of them prior to a flight away from the vicinity of your departure aerodrome, but you do not need to carry them.

 

You do not need a backup (Plan B?) EFB for private operations.

 

You are not required to lodge a flight plan (Some exceptions depending on airspace) nor are you required to maintain a flight log, nor are you required to lodge a SARTIME.

 

That kind of checklist is certainly geared towards a safer flight, but it does go over and above what is required for flight, and you only have to show the CAsA AP/Investigator compliance with the minimum standards for flight. Something they themselves would do well to learn. At least they didn't include a bunch of dodgy references in that one!

 

 

[Guernsey]

Several years ago nine of us pilots in Adelaide chartered a turboprop aircraft to fly to Narromine for the day and we all thoroughly enjoyed it, however my wife and I will now have to come for at least a week.

 

My wife loves cooking and I like eating.

 

My wife and I used to knit regularly (my uncle taught me when I was 8 yrs old)

 

We both love roses and have more than 100 different varieties in our garden.

 

We have never been to the Zoo at Dubbo.

 

We would both like to visit the telescope at Parkes.

 

My wife loves socialising with the other ladies at Fly-ins.

 

My wife also likes to see me happily mixing with other aviation enthusiasts.

 

Life can be a real buzz at times.

 

Alan.

 

PS. you're going to have to read all the posts to get my drift, sorry.

 

 

[Guest guru101]

So criteria we are looking for are:1. Near a major centre (preferably within a 2 hour drive of one of Melbourne/Canberra/Sydney/Brisbane)

 

2. Easily accessible for all types of aircraft from PPCs to warbirds (so OCTA and not surrounded by Tiger country)

 

3. Suitable for operations of all types of aircraft (at least one good sealed runway)

 

4. Parking for over 200 aircraft

 

5. Air show to be supported by local council and community (so a pro-aviation community)

 

6. Adequate infrastructure to support the event (camping facilities, accommodation facilities, etc.)

 

7. VFR weather normal for the anticipated period of the event

 

Now let's rack our brains and see whether we can come up with some suggestions... If we cannot find one that fits the bill, let's find ones that fit the criteria closely.

 

So, suggestions?

Bring it to Bathurst, we have another couple of pretty big events here that seem to get well attended, well catered, and well liked. I am sure the local airport, flying club, and flying schools would love to have the event here. Maybe I am biased because I live in Bathurst but it is a very nice place to fly.

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Bring it to Bathurst, we have another couple of pretty big events here that seem to get well attended, well catered, and well liked. I am sure the local airport, flying club, and flying schools would love to have the event here. Maybe I am biased because I live in Bathurst but it is a very nice place to fly.

Coincidentally, when exploring options, Bathurst popped onto my radar. A long sealed runway, a parallel unsealed and cross runways. Space for aircraft parking, close to a decent sized town with good infrastructure, decent airspace, closer to a major centre than Narromine...

 

If AusFly coincided with the Bathurst 1000 to offer a wings and wheels spectacular in Bathurst, while getting accommodation may be somewhat problematical, when the cars weren't racing the petrol head fans could visit the fly-in and the aviation enthusiasts could sample some Motorsport activity. There's a ready made visitor base for the air show portion of the flyin. While AusFly would be held primarily for the benefit of the recreational aviation fraternity, I suspect that a Motorsport revhead (and junior revheads) who were there for the races could be tempted to check out those pesky aircraft and might even grab their attention as an alternative to cars.

 

Food for thought...

 

 

[Geoff13]

Coincidentally, when exploring options, Bathurst popped onto my radar. A long sealed runway, a parallel unsealed and cross runways. Space for aircraft parking, close to a decent sized town with good infrastructure, decent airspace, closer to a major centre than Narromine...If AusFly coincided with the Bathurst 1000 to offer a wings and wheels spectacular in Bathurst, while getting accommodation may be somewhat problematical, when the cars weren't racing the petrol head fans could visit the fly-in and the aviation enthusiasts could sample some Motorsport activity. There's a ready made visitor base for the air show portion of the flyin. While AusFly would be held primarily for the benefit of the recreational aviation fraternity, I suspect that a Motorsport revhead (and junior revheads) who were there for the races could be tempted to check out those pesky aircraft and might even grab their attention as an alternative to cars.

 

Food for thought...

A terrible idea. Bathurst during race week. No accommodation and terrible weather for camping. And the airfield running amok with the roulettes, TV Helicopters the myriad of choppers used for the racecam system. Can you imagine trying to close the airfieldfor a couple of hours for an airshow with the money those guys a paying for choppers trying to keep up with racecars. Not to mention the thought of a couple of hundred flyin aircraft. Not an option imho.

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Not an option imho.

You are likely correct. There are some terrific upsides but the downsides are probably not acceptable.

 

Moving right along...

 

 

[Kiwi303]

[Tongue inserted into cheek]

 

You could always hold it on Lord Howe island, I'm sure they would like the tourist dollars, and it IS part of Aussie with a decent runway.

 

[Tongue removed from cheek]

 

 

[rhysmcc]

Cirrus is holding their "conference" this weekend at Hamilton Island, lots for the partners to do there if your after an island location.

 

 

[Happyflyer]

Cirrus is holding their "conference" this weekend at Hamilton Island, lots for the partners to do there if your after an island location.

Cirrus owners can afford Hamilton Island.

 

 

[Guest guru101]

A terrible idea. Bathurst during race week. No accommodation and terrible weather for camping. And the airfield running amok with the roulettes, TV Helicopters the myriad of choppers used for the racecam system. Can you imagine trying to close the airfieldfor a couple of hours for an airshow with the money those guys a paying for choppers trying to keep up with racecars. Not to mention the thought of a couple of hundred flyin aircraft. Not an option imho.

Actually I was thinking more around the Easter 12 hour event, you are correct to say the October 1000 would be a bad idea, but the 12 hour is nowhere near as big, and does have a lot of international coverage.

 

Just a thought.

 

 

[spacesailor]

?? :closer to a major centre than Narromine /Dubbo .:

 

Where oh where is the major centre 40 minutes drive away from Bathurst.

 

spacesailor