The March issue of “Out of the Blue”, the club newsletter, is here (PDF,54 kB).

News of students going solo, the club’s Annual General Meeting, and some reminders about safety in ground operations.
Coming soon: airspace changes, check-flight weekend, working bee.

There was another great weekend at Waikerie.

Saturday saw some good flying before the Clubs AGM. Several pilots were “away” for a few hours, under Cu with climbs to around 6000.

The highlight of the day however was the first “in-command” flight by Bradley McKay. After a few flights with Bill Mudge – it happened. Congratulations to Bradley on this milestone in his flying career – he had a smile when he landed that you couldn’t walk around. Well done Brad.

On Sunday, Matt Morgan went solo. Well done Matt! It was a good one.

It was good to see Graham Parker during Saturday afternoon: he flew in from Gawler in his AS G29.

Saturday’s flying finished early because of the Club’s AGM.

A separate report in Club forums will provide information and detail for members.

I thank those members who have contributed to the operations of the Club in the past 12 months – in particular to those who actively contributed to the Multi-class competition a big THANKYOU.

A new Committee was elected;

I thank Allen Hudson for his efforts and commitment to the Committee over the past several years and I welcome Dion to the Committee.

On behalf of the members, I extend special thanks to the Committee for their efforts and ongoing support over the past year.

I also thank the membership of the Club for re-electing me as President of the Club for another year and  for the show of support at the direction we are taking.

There are always tasks which would benefit from the effort of members – the benefits to the Club and to individual members is great and personally rewarding. I encourage every member to get actively involved – and if you need help to select a task, talk to me – I’ll gladly assist.

Again thanks for the opportunity presented – I’ll endeavour give my best.

John Hudson

The March issue of “Out of the Blue”, the club newsletter, is here (PDF, 145 kB).

A brief report on summer operations; dates for  working bees and AGM. Thanks Greg!

Our newest trainee tug pilot
On Sunday 13th December at Waikerie our newest trainee tug pilot was seen familiarising himself with the cockpit of the tug, all strapped in and ready to go, only one problem he cannot reach the starter switch, or the pedals and a few other minor things….
He was Hamish Robinson aged 2 and half.

1st flight in a glider
Zoe Robinson aged 4 and half had her first flight in a glider on Sunday and she loved it! Zoe is already asking when she can learn.
15min flight to 1600ft with 2 turns in a thermal. Zoe only wanted me to turn so that she could see the ground.

Peter Robinson

On Friday 23rd October, John Ridge towed the AS K21 trailer to Waikerie to allow the glider to be fitted. No work was possible that weekend, with a large influx of visitors for “Everything Aeronautical”. Twenty six aircraft flew in – many just for the day and 50 stayed on for dinner on Saturday evening.

Last weekend, (31st October) was a normal flying weekend. Gliding conditions were reasonable, but it took a long time to warm up – so a late start. Pete Siddal flew the Tug, Bradley McKay had 3 flights in the ’21, Dion Baker had his annual check-flight, while other Club pilots explored the lift in climbs to around 10,000 Ft. Towards the end of the day, Pete Siddal swapped saddles and flew the ‘21 and Greg Jackson flew the Tug – thanks Greg. While the flying continued, Aiden and Nigel Baker took the opportunity to use a mechanical “lift” to fix the problems with the hangar doors – both the eastern and western ends. It’s now a dream to open/close the doors – a huge thankyou to Aiden and Nigel, well done.

After dinner on Saturday evening, Peter Robinson presented an informative session on Low Level Finishes, which particularly focussed on the high workload which is created when this is undertaken.

On Sunday 1 November, a small band of members gathered to “fit” the AS K21 into the trailer. The ‘21 was derigged and the wings “fitted”, allowing the wing dollies to be tested and measurements taken for the permanent installation of the fittings before the fuselage was “fitted”. It is necessary to complete all of the fitting which involves welding before the skin is attached. The “skin” will be white colour bond sheet, fixed to the trailer with 3M “very high bond tape” (effectively a double sided tape. A big thankyou to John Ridge, Peter Paine, Art Hohmann, Craig Vinall and Nigel Baker who persisted for several hours to complete the job. The trailer was then towed back to John Ridge’s place – where the build will be completed.

Another great effort on the weekend by Craig Vinall, who mowed the 02/20 strip and most of the 08/26 strip. Great effort.

John Hudson

The October issue of “Out of the Blue”, the club newsletter, is here (PDF, 210 kB). Coming events – Everything Aeronautical, Performance Week and the Multiclass competition. Proposed Cross Country Course in December. Canopy care, member news. Thanks Greg!

On Saturday morning 15th August, I had the opportunity to experience for the first time the AS W20 “Tri-jet”. With full fuel and the glider DI’d, Allen towed KYA to the threshold of Rny 02. While conditions were not ideal, with a north-westerly breeze – and a slight cross-wind, we prepared for take-off. Each engine was started in order, the wing walker removed and the throttle wound up to 100%. A quick check to see that each engine was producing max thrust and we were away.

The rudder is noticeably very effective very early, so steering is not an issue. Flaps were set to the first stage of reflex to get the flaps working in combination with the ailerons for good control to keep the wings level. At around 40 Kts, I reset the Flaps to zero, resulting in the glider becoming airborne. The glider accelerated to 50 Kts – still with no inclination to climb – similarly to 60 Kts – 70 Kts – and we were away, with the vario full-scaled at 10 kts. The air was fairly turbulent due to the effect of the wind, which was considerably stronger than on the ground. I climbed to around 500 Ft before turning left to fly downwind, endeavouring to maintain a steady speed to allow the Collibri to record the various parameters. I had a play with airspeed and climb rate – up to 90 Kts with no apparent improvement, then progressively back to 60 Kts in 10 Kts increments, which saw the climb rate progressively reduce. It was apparent the ram air effect had a considerable effect on engine performance. Now approaching 2500 Ft, I executed a number of steep skidding turns, with no effect on the engines, before shutting down number 1 and 3 engines. As the engine exhaust temperature reduced towards 80 degrees, these engines were retracted. I then had a play with Number 2 engine, changing the throttle setting down and back up, some steep turns in both directions, slipping and skidding turns before I shutdown this engine, having climbed to a little over 2700 Ft.

The engine noise is by no means uncomfortable in the cockpit – most of the noise disappears behind. With ear plugs, I could comfortably hear the radio above the engine and airflow noise, without having to have the volume wound up. The effectiveness of the rudder once the engine power is increased resulted in some over-correction initially. Ergonomically, Allen has the engine controls well laid out – I had no trouble reaching or adjusting the various items. The engine display is easy to read and select, and the few engine controls (which are necessary to adjust) set up to be very intuitive. With the engines shut down, the 20 was the same as it always was, extremely nice to fly, even in the turbulence.

After a flight lasting a total of 26 minutes, I landed back on Runway 02, well satisfied with my first flight in the AS W20 “Tri-jet”. Now looking forward to some more flights in the “20.

John Hudson.

On Sunday morning (14 June 2009) the appearance of Allen on his quad bike, with the ASW20 in tow, brought members armed with cameras from various parts of the complex to form a procession to the 02 gravel take off point. The previous evening he had said that, if we were interested, he would give us a flying demonstration of the “20”, weather permitting. We had left him in no doubt that we were interested.

While he went through serious preparations the rest of us got in his way taking photos from every angle and admiring his workmanship.

When he began “lighting the wicks” to the 3 jets, photographers dispersed to various locations.

Rolling for takeoff

It reminded me of film footage one sees of the first flight of any prototype, although this was the 5^th time it would fly jet powered. There were two cameramen, one on either side of the runway several hundred metres ahead, David Lawley, with a video camera in his car, immediately behind the glider ready to follow down the runway and when Allen settled himself in the cockpit, and gave brother John the O.K. to level the wings, the remaining members clutching cameras spread themselves at a respectable distance.

Within a few seconds the jets let us know that it was time, and after a few steps Allen had aileron control and John let go of the wingtip. The wind was from the northwest and the “20” climbed up over Brockies. Conditions proved to be gusty and rough so Al. kept the airspeed below 80kts. He was soon cruising around at 1,000ft on one engine and, as planned, did a low level pass but at moderate speed because of the turbulence. On the climb out he fired up the other two jets with impressive effect, then positioned himself for runway 02 grass, and shut down and retracted the engines for a perfect touchdown.

Jet fly-by

Allen can be very pleased with the results of the hours that he has put into this project. The power unit looks like a factory fit and is a tribute to his workmanship. The rest of us are very envious.

More jet-20 photos in the club photo album.

Graham Francis

Thanks to those who attended the Working Bee on Saturday – Greg Jackson, Mark Morgan, Peter Paine, Ron Brock, Graham Francis, Allen Hudson, Grant Hudson, Craig Vinall, Bill Mudge, David Lawley, Tony Edge and Mark Mortimer.

Several important jobs were completed – David Lawley tidied up the wiring to the Data Projector and Wireless Access point, Greg laid half the carpet in one of the Dormitories, Allen Hudson put a new jack on the Pie-Cart, Graham Francis repaired some doors, Mark worked on the water points for the National comps, bill Mudge tidied the main hangar, Pete Paine tidied the Igloo and filled some holes in the main hangar floor and Ron Brock sprayed the weeds.

A few beers and a meal prepared by Grant topped off a good day’s work.

John Hudson

The May issue of “Out of the Blue” is now available. Coming Events… the Hangar Ball, what the committee is working on, planning for the Multiclass in January. “How about 750 on a 650 day”, a riveting read from Craig Vinall. Well done on the 750, too!