SAAA fly-in Cowra NSW

[Guest Darren Masters]

Well here is our trip report from the SAAA fly-in held in Cowra NSW this weekend. Had a great weekend and a great time at this air show. Emma and the kids and I left Sydney around 0800 on Friday morning and made the long 300-something km trip. I had three grey hairs when we left but after having gone the distance with two kids screaming and kicking my seat in the back I think I now have ten!!!! The best/worst part was the last 100km stretch of the Mid Western HWY between Bathurst and Cowra. Had to make the traditional McCholesterol stop and got into Cowra just after 1100. Entry was $15 each for Emma and I at the gate and that covered the whole weekend so we did not think that was too bad. Parked in the dry and dusty car park. Infact, the whole of Cowra and surrounds looks as though it has not seen rain for quite a few months. I was impressed by the local flies though. Literally thousands of them and they are able to do amazing things like aerobatics around your head, socialise on your back and make it into your ears, nose, mouth and any other orifice that one has. They also had an amazing immunity to Aeroguard! It was good to catch up with Glenn, Daryl and Jo Clee from VIC in their J430 VH-CSJ (more about that later), aerobatic pilot Paul Andronicou and Uncle Fred from another forum. Also bumped into Mick again with his Dova Skylark. They had you a more respectable spot this time mate There was an array of aircraft there at this fly-in. Most impressed. We left around 1600 that day to make the trip back to my folks farm NW of Orange and Bathurst (150km trip). That was my fault as making enquiries to hotels/motels/caravan parks etc in Cowra a week before the event just ain't going to cut it. The trip from Cowra to Orange is a much more interesting one than the Bathurst Cowra. Some 50km of dirt road after the initial 100km and we are at my folks farm. Well deserved bbq and sleep after the first day followed. Emma and the kids and I were up at 0500 Saturday morning departing around 0700 to make the trip back to Cowra. Were there about an hr and 3/4 later. First thing was first and that was to go for a flight with Daryl Clee in his J430. Emma was as stoked as usual (not) to go for a fly. Just amazing at how dry everything is out that way (folks farm included). We went up to around 4,500ft and did the Cowra and surrounds flight. I then got to take control of Daryls J430 and was most impressed by the way she flew. Built it himself too! You should be proud mate. This is a real Jab! A perfect landing by Daryl followed. After that was good to catch up with Glenn again and got the usual sonic display of Matt and Kaz flying in with their CT4. I swear you can hear them coming from 10 miles out! Watched some aerobatic displays by the Pitts, YAKS and others. Paul Andronicou always impresses with his Extra 300S! It was then time for me to go for an aerobatic flight in Pauls RV8-VH-VPA. I had been looking forward to/dreading doing this weeks prior. Pilot was Daryl Clees son Shane (predominately a Pitts pilot). Strapped in the back seat with head gear and all ready to go! I truly think I was more nervous than when I did my first solo back in the GA days! (thanks for the great shots too Glenn). Was a bumpy old ride up to about 6,000ft and quite a few miles to the North of the airfield. Shane then explained he would first do a barrel roll. Got that over with and what followed were many other tricks. Loops, more rolls, inverted and some stall turns etc. I just could not believe how heavy I was at 4.5G. The g-loading is the biggest factor of the flight that stood out to me. I am still sore today! I was fine through all the tricks but then coming in to land is when I got crook. Got the cold sweats, mouth full of saliva, turning stomach etc but nothing came of it. I put the sick bag away and landed. This was well and truly an experience that I will never forget for as long as I live. Up there with watching your child being born, first aircraft solo etc. Amazing! I will be doing it again. Next time with Paul himself. Glenn then took us all for a tour of the airport and the production facility for the Brumby. Really enjoyed the day and did not realise just how quick it was over. We ended up departing around 1700 so as to avoid the roos on the way back to my folks farm. We had a great weekend. This fly-in was much better than the Narromine airshow a few weeks back. Was great to catch up with you again Glenn. Would love to see some more of you from this forum at future shows. Enjoy the (fish eye)pics below!

 

Below: Emma and I with Daryls J430 VH-CSJ.

 

 

Below: Some pics from above dry Cowra from Daryls J430

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Darren Masters]

PS Glenn, sorry I did not get your lady-friend a ride. Nobody was flying after you asked me (well they were but back to their home towns etc). Anytime though at The Oaks mate. I'm happy to take yourself or her or any of your friends/others off this forum etc anytime. Also, thanks for the excellent pics you took of us. Some of those will make it into a frame. We love them!

 

 

[Guest Chainsaw]

Great stuff Dazza :)

 

You really are obsessed big time. No, you really are super-mega-obsessed with planes. (mind you, nothing wrong with that heh)

 

Thanks for sharing mate, yea, kewell!

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Living in Cowra made the journey to the airfield relatively short. About 8 minutes or so. Depends what I see flying at the time and want to get there before it lands

 

Was a better couple days then Narromine in terms of aircraft to look at. I don't think there was much of a turn out of people though. But I don't mind because that meant that not too many stuck their heads in the way when trying to photograph aircraft, but yes there still ones that did.

 

No prob on the photos. Although I noticed you didn't post the before and after shots of your aeros here.

 

My friend managed to get a short flight in a rotorway chopper late Saturday afternoon. Her very first chopper flight. It took some coaxing from me to get her to come out and approach them. Will get to the Oaks one day I promise.

 

Glad you got an aerial shot of the airport. I rough counted 112 planes in the paddock. They reckon they got around 200 and said next year will be bigger. There were problems with pilots not knowing their left from their right apparently when being directed on the ground.

 

In your 4th photo I can just work out where my house is. It's right on the left of the photo.

 

Will get photos into the gallery tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the report and pics. Nice catching up again. Twice within a month or so. Where to next?