I got a call from Michael Young at Merimbula last week that reminded me of my fledgling days at Casey Field in Berwick, Victoria, where I learnt to fly in a Cessna 150 belonging to the Scout Association. Merimbula Aero Club is reviving an old Casey tradition for their 2016 fly-in: The Red Baron Ball. This is a party harking back to the wood, wire and fabric days of Pfalzes and Sopwiths, white scarves, johdpurs and oompahpah bands. It's a one-night riot of colour and costume that gives everyone a chance to openly express their inner WWI fighter pilot. With songstress Nichaud Fitzgibbon channelling the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Vera Lynn, partygoers will be able to reminisce about a time and place that they were actually never at. Old Casey flyer or not, it is sounding like the will be no place in the world like Merimbula on 23 April. Contact the aero club on 02 6495 1306 for tickets and other information.
The first stepping stone for the 2016 Wings Awards is in place: the judging panel. I am back on the team again with RAeS fellow Andrew Drysdale, and we're joined by Doug Nancarrow and Shelley Ross. Personally, I find it very rewarding to be on the judging panel because it gives me the chance to see what's happening in general aviation at ground level, and be a part of rewarding accomplishment and dedication. The feedback we get from the winners shows how much they value the Wings Awards, and also reinforces that this is something we've probably needed for years. Entries open on 28 March this year and close on 1 July. Everyone out there will know of someone who deserves this recognition, and their contribution to aviation deserves at least a nomination.
Airservices' Greg Hood has thanked the operators who have already adopted ADS-B prior to the mandate, which is now less than a year away. The press release sent out made it sound very much like it is a technological step forward that the industry will make together. Sadly, this is not the case. The reality, ignored by both Airservices and CASA, is that private general aviation owners are shelling out substantial amounts of money so Airservices can introduce this technology. It still rankles many in the industry that the initial plan was for ADS-B to relieve Airservices of the costs of replacing old en route radars. That saved money was to go back to GA in the form of subsidies for fitting equipment. What we got was both ADS-B and the new radars all without the subsidies. It would be hard to imagine a worse outcome for private GA.
How good is Rotortech going? The helicopter industry expo on the Sunshine Coast in May is now completely sold out of exhibition space. Australia has a very healthy industry, which is clearly recognised by the overseas companies that have booked up much of the space. There has been a slowing of growth recorded in the past six months, but the demand for Rotortech space tells us that there is still plenty of room. When you compare this with attempts to hold fixed-wing expos of the same nature, it highlights the difference between the two sectors. Yes, Avalon gets a decent turn-out, but it is heavily patronised by the commercial companies and the military. Take them out and you'd not have the interest to sustain a GA expo alone. Ausfly is still embryonic, but one day I'd like to be able to report such healthy numbers for them too. In the meantime, lots of kudos to the Australian Helicopter Industry Association for this result.
May your gauges always be in the green,
Hitch