AVWebs Picture of the Week

http://www.aircraftpilots.com/threads/picture-of-the-week-avwebs-flying-photography-showcase.32574/

RAAF  Roulettes performing at Amberley Airshow 2008

Well Christmas is coming, I am now on leave, and the news is a bit slow. Well RAA Aus is waiting on docs from my flying school before they will renew my license so I can't fly at the moment. So I have done what all pilots do when they can't fly. I have read about aviation, taken photo's aircraft, loaded up the flight sim and taken the odd model out for a spin.

So while sating my addiction last night I found AV Webs Picture of the week gallery for the year (link above). Take a look at some of the stunning pictures on offer. Hopefully you will be inspired by some of them. I will occasionally post some pictures myself here that I have taken. Whilst not necessarily news worthy, I think all pilots like to check out a good aviation picture. In the meantime, please feel free to comment below with links to any of your galleries you wish to share or to other galleries you have found that you feel everyone will enjoy.

Enjoy, and have a safe and Merry Christmas.

C17 Globemaster in Reverse.

Lockyer Valley Airport to Takeoff

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2011/12/20/lockyer-valley-airport-takes/

The Chronicle reports (with an epic headline pun) on the launch of a new airport proposed for the Lockyer Valley. Regional Council Mayor, Paul Lucas, views the airport as an economic boost for the region.

The airstrip is expected to assist the community in a number of ways. The strip will be long enough for Dash 8's to land on hopefully boosting tourism to the area as well as having facilities for local emergency management. A dam located on site is designed for water bombing helicopters to use for firefighting with the helipad doubling as access for other emergency aircraft.

The airport is also expected to be used recreationally, both as a training facility as well as a historical aviation museum to be located on site.

The support of the local government in this venture is a positive move for the aviation community. Local Governments around Australia have been closing down airports to sell to developers, hindering the growth of our industry and recreational aviation in general.

AOPA in 2010 (http://www.aopa.com.au/magazine/2010/07/articles/disappearing-airports-update/) describes the struggles facing many of our regional airports, most of which are used in great numbers. We can only hope that all of our regional councils see the example shown by the Lockyer Valley and start to increase access to aviation rather than hinder it.

Reno Air Races likely to Continue in 2012

http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Reno-Air-Races-Likely-To-Continue-in-2012/3p1Ks7-F70WqrOJAJdj04Q.cspx

The Reno Air Races are set to continue in 2012 says CEO Mike Houghton. After the tragic crash earlier this year (2011) that killed 11 people, Houghton has made it his objective to ensure the full event will be run next year.

Forums and News reports across the Internet and TV were speculating that the Air Races could not possibly continue after the tragedy. While Houghton still needs to ensure all the necessary permits are obtained, it is good to see the organisation still working to ensure the event will run.

Needless to say some safety changes will be made however it is a fantastic result to see that the pin was not immediately pulled on the event, contrary to some public outcry for it happen.

Whilst we have a severe lack of anything that comes even close to this in Australia, it is a fantastic thing to see the races continuing for at least another year, especially with the Red Bull Air race on a temporary hiatus. Those of us who have a passion for flying are keen to have a race dedicated to our sport. It would be a shame for something as influential as the Reno Air race to be cancelled.

Lets just hope we can organise some kind of an event like this downunder.

Australian Air Cadet Alumni Site

 http://www.aafc.org.au/our-supporters/alumni

Former Australian Air Cadets have been encouraged to participate in the Australian Air Force Cadet Alumni Association.

Australian Air Cadets have been around in a number of forms since 1941. Originally formed as a Cadet Corp to be used as part of the RAAF reserve, Air Force Cadets have evolved to become a "premier, air minded youth organisation".

VH-TLA - http://www.facebook.com/VHTLA

My own years in cadets, Queensland Air Training Corp as it was known then, introduced to me to a whole world of experiences I would otherwise have missed out on. From a flight in a Caribou on my very first night, to flying training in the old Piper Tomohawks, the QAIRTC helped encourage and participate in my early aviation experiences.

Not only did I experience the thrill of flying but the cadets gave me opportunities that would be difficult to replicate without the organisation. Shooting competitions at Boonah, bivouacs all over the Queensland countryside, paticipation in the marching band in Toowoomba, National Cadet Camp in Wagga, lots of time at Amberley plus so many more experiences. In addition to these experiences, there was instilled in me a good work ethic, leadership and mentoring skills that I still carry to my career today as well as meeting many lifelong friends.

If you had the good fortune to be a part of the Air Cadets, then consider joining the AAFC Alumni Association (https://sites.google.com/site/alumniofaircadets70/home). Whilst in its infancy, the Alumni website gives you the opportunity to register your interest. If enough interest is garnered, a more involved website will be forthcoming.

If you were not a part of the Air Cadets and have teenage children, consider enrolling them (http://www.aafc.org.au/) . The lifeskills and experiences earned will assist them throughout their lives.

Pilot Fails to Follow Checklist... And more

http://www.aircraftpilots.com/threads/pilot-fails-to-follow-checklist.32363/



Not the crashed cub...

 Alaska: After refuelling his Piper Super Cub, a pilot took off and suffered an engine failure. After trying to turn 180 degrees his Cub descended nose first into snow-covered terrain coming to rest inverted (what a surprise!).

Ok, tis the season to be Jolly, not stupid. Christmas holidays are here, family are visiting and those of us who are able to are doing our best to go flying as often as possible. This report is a timely reminder of all those things our instructors told us to remember, that maybe some of us have forgotten.

In the article above, the pilot was luckily uninjured. I stress lucky! There have been too many fatalities caused by pilots making these mistakes in the past.

The engine failure was found to be due to the fuel selector valve being in an almost off position, possibly closed while refuelling.

So how can this be avoided? Well the pilot summed it up beautifully. "Do checklist" and "Land straight ahead when the engine stops."

Do the checklists. These are not created by manufacturers and governments just to make life painful for all pilots. I know sometimes it might be easy to leave a bit out of the checklist but these are in a specific order for a reason.

Land straight ahead when the engine stops. Every other report you hear of a fatality at an airfield is due to someone trying to turn back to the runway. Have your landing areas ahead of you identified as soon after lift off as possible. Resist the tempation to turn back. Remember all the times your instructor drilled this into you and all those practice forced landings you had to do.

Please enjoy your christmas flying, and most importantly, Be Safe!

Airservices tests systems ahead of Christmas Eve

http://newsroom.airservicesaustralia.com/releases/561c39fc-3f2b-46ce-b52b-d9925599f4f8

Santa is all systems go for clearance through Australian airspace on Christmas Eve.

Airservices has posted a news release assuring Australians that their systems are able to cope with Santa's trip through our skies on Christmas Eve. Close coperation between Airservices Australia and Santa's Elves have ensured that Santa will have the most time and environmentally efficient routes possible available to him on his lightning fast tour of Downunder.

I love this campaign and I know the kids (both young and old) love to follow santa on his trip through Australia. Follow the news as it happens HERE.

Of course he has somewhat more trouble getting through US legislation:

The following article was posted recently on http://www.aircraftpilots.com/threads/santa-faa-exam.32241/ by the administrator:

Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Federal Aviation Administration, and it was shortly before Christmas when the FAA examiner arrived.

In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got out his logbook and made sure all his paperwork was in order.

The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and Rudolph's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for the sled's enormous payload.

Finally, they were ready for the checkride. Santa got in and fastened his seatbelt and shoulder harness, and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun..


"What's that for?" asked Santa incredulously.
The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff."

Welcome to AU Aviation News

Welcome to AU Aviation News. This site will bring to you the best in aviation news favouring recreational and sports aviation from around the world, but mostly from Australia.

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