RA-Aus Great Annual Event - NatFly!

[BigPete]

OK boys and girls - I'm going to Narromine this year with my 10 yr old grandson (my first time) ;)

 

Now I don't have an ASIC nor do I feel the need to have one. So I'm looking for whizz stop on the way that is not a security controlled airport. :;)6:

 

I've allowed around 3.5 hrs for the trip and I'd like to get around 2 hours under the belt before I stop. :)

 

So I need one on the way and one on the return trip. I'm open to suggestions.

 

Also:

 

Do I assume that their is no choice of parking area at Narromine - you just get slotted in as you arrive? :;)4:

 

Do you actually camp right next to your aeroplane?

 

If its no "startup" in the lines, how far do I have to pull my aeroplane. (Planning to arrive early and perhaps depart early)(Saturday) :big_grin:

 

Anything else I need to know? ;)

 

 

[Guest brentc]

My usual stops to Narromine from Melbourne if I don't go direct include Temora, Parkes and West Wyalong. No ASIC required as I understand it. Fuel prospects are Temora, Parkes and Forbes. There's a few others on the way that may be suitable.

 

You can park where you want. If you get there early, you will get a good spot.

 

The no-startup area is on the eastern side. Not so on the western side as it's mainly GA. Speaking of which I cranked up the Cirrus SR20 when I was there for a local flight and some pilot came running over to me in front of the aircraft trying to get me to shut the engine off. My passenger freaked out and thought something must be wrong, but he just thought it was a no startup area. I challenged him and his friends to try and push it to the flight line!

 

Worst case you'd have to pull it on grass for perhaps 100 metres. If you look at the attached picture the flight line is probably 200 metres long?

 

Camping is under the wing - one of the reasons for the no-startup areas.

 

I recommend that you stay if you can on Saturday night. It's the night of the RA-Aus dinner and presentations and the busiest in terms of aircraft and people. Friday night is one to make sure that you head out for dinner early on due to the number of public travelling through town looking for food.

 

Unfortunately don't think I can make it this year. Bought my first house last Friday and settlement is 2 days before Narromine (needs paint and carpet) and my car got written off on the freeway on Monday so I have a lot going on at the moment!

 

 

 

[Matt]

Strange coincidence, when Kaz and I were there last year in the Sportstar there was a Cirrus trying to taxi into the GA lines and there were a few cranky guys yelling at them that it was a "no engine running" area despite it being clearly detailed in the NOTAM and fly-in instructions that the western side of the taxiway is an engine running area. The marshalls that were there were also of little use as they were arguing with themselves as to whether it was an engine running area or not. Suffice to say the Cirrus went through with engine running and much yelling and swearing was done.

 

As Brent said, it may be easy to push a 300KG Jabby or similar around on the grass/dirt, try doing the same with a Cirrus or equivalent "heavy" without a few friends to help.

 

 

[Smokey]

Peter

 

Apologies for branching off your primary subject, I would just like to comment on the no engine area issue.

 

In the NOTAM for this years Natfly it mentions both the permanent and the tempory tie down areas as seperate areas but only in relation to bringing your own tie down ropes and stakes.

 

It then states 'Note 1: During the period of the fly-in, the tie-down area is a "NO ENGINE" area....', no mention is made of whether this applies to just the permanent or both the permanent and temporary tie-down areas. I would read this as applying to all tie-down areas.

 

I have wandered around the temporary tie-down area under the impression that it was a designated no engine area.

 

Perhaps someone from RAA could clarify the situation, here and on site.

 

Mark

 

 

[Smokey]

Peter

 

Back to your query, there is underwing camping on fairly hard ground, bring a good mat, I read somewhere that there is a camping fee for this.

 

There is also a caravan/camping area on the airport grounds nice soft grass :-) possibly a little more expensive but a bit quieter than the flight line if you want to just sit back for a while. Bookings Aerodrome Caravan Park 02 6889 2129

 

Mark

 

 

[Matt]

NATFLY Parking

 

Again, sorry about the thread hijacking but here's the extract from the AIP SUP - full available at: http://www.airservices.gov.au/publications/current/sup/s8-h12.pdf

 

As with Mark's assumption and based on Note 1 below, I'd suggest that the entire grassed (well dirt at least) parking area is a no engine area thereby leaving only the tarmac areas as "engine running" areas. No doubt there's a better way to have written that component to remove any ambiguity.

 

7. PARKING

 

 

 

7.1 Wire cables are permanently in position to the north of theNarromine

 

Ultralights building. Pilots need to provide their own tie--down ropes. A

 

“follow--me†vehicle will be available during peak traffic periods.

 

 

 

7.2 Due to the success of the event in previous years it is important that

 

pilots also bring tie down ropes and stakes in case wire cables are not

 

available due to increased aircraft parking.

 

 

 

Note 1: During the period of the fly--in, the tie--down area is a “NO

 

ENGINE†area from first light 21st of March until last light on the

 

23rd March 2008. Pilots are advised that taxiing or running of

 

engines in the tie--down lines is forbidden.

 

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Last year the tie-down area was marked and surrounded by a fence, where the only way in there was through a gap in the fence, often past a marshall.

 

If all tie-downs are no-engine areas I won't come on principle because that's just plain stupid. How you are supposed to move your larger than ultralight aircraft I have no idea.

 

 

[Mazda]

Be aware that if you plan to fly to Temora on the Easter weekend they are holding flying days there.

 

 

[Guest dracer]

i saw a sticker a while ago 'narromine or bust' on an old cesna 180....( i think thats what it was)

 

 

[Guest grantisaac]

Try Forbes

 

Hi Grant From Forbes Here.

 

You Could land in Forbes as No Asic is required. ( Parkes requires an asic card plus the aerobatics are on there as well) Plenty of food and drink available plus Fuel.

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Getting closer and closer...

 

 

[Captain]

The Weatherzone 28 day forcast is saying fine/fine/fine.

 

 

 

See http://www.weatherzone.com.au/longrange/raindates.jsp?lt=wzdist&lc=n09

 

 

 

You beauty.

 

 

[Admin]

Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) will be holding their annual NatFly event at Narromine N.S.W. over the Easter weekend.

 

Every year this huge event is home to over 700 recreational aircraft and pilots coming from all corners or Australia and even some from overseas.

 

The events begins with Instructor Forums for RA-Aus Instructors on the Thursday followed by open public forums on the Friday and Saturday. There are many aircraft on display and Aviation products available from the many trade stands spread around the airfield at Narromine.

 

Camping grounds with toilets and showers are available right next to the airfield as well as under wing camping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest David C]

And lets all check out stands 41 and 42 ... See you there .

 

Dave C

 

 

[slartibartfast]

And don't forget to visit me on stand 21.

 

 

[Guest AusDarren]

I got a giggle out of the photo on the natfly poster..

 

Not to many beaches in the circut area at Narromine as I recall

 

makes a better poster with the beach though

 

Regards,

 

AusDarren

 

 

[shafs64]

I will be there with bells on.

 

shafs

 

 

[Captain]

makes a better poster with the beach though

There are excellent beaches on the Macquarie at Narromine. They are world renouned.

 

 

 

However not quite as good as Wagga Beach on the Murrumbidgee, with it's 5 o'clock wave.

 

 

 

Beaches aren't the problem. Water may be. Suggest you all take your sluggos and your version of Annette Funicello, and let's party, dudes.

 

 

[Guest airsick]

Hoping I can make it too. See you all there...

 

 

[Guest David C]

And don't forget to visit me on stand 21.

Yes I'm sure we'll pop in and say G'day Slarti , and Gary of course ..

 

Dave C

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

Forecast still looking good too :big_grin: Now need to work out how to fit an esky full of beer in the Cheetah...

 

 

[Captain]

And don't forget to visit me on stand 21.

Ross

 

 

 

When are you planning on going up?

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Friday morning Geoff. After a little detour to The Oaks to pick Darren up, unless he's not kidding about the beer. Then I'll just be picking up the beer.

 

 

[Mick]

Don't forget to check out the Skylark on site 29. ;)

 

 

[Guest David C]

Forecast still looking good too :big_grin: Now need to work out how to fit an esky full of beer in the Cheetah...

Oh No ... Don't tell me Darren .. You want cold beer ? ... Whats wrong with ya , just adopt the pommie way . I'll have my old mate Johnnie Walker traveling with me , and my favourite "chateau cardboard " of course .:thumb_up:

 

Dave C