Ashley takes his daughter on her first flight

Ashley takes his daughter on her first flight

November 2009
There has been an ongoing battle between the Luddites and the Technoteenies on whether too much is never enough regarding attachments sent to the mailing list. Rather than send a 4 meg pps file out to all 67 members on the list (that's 280megs in one click - which is very bad news for anyone running a server, particularly one providing free service - did you know that Geocities, the largest free hosting service in the world, just closed down?) I'm posting the web version here:

David Pietsch, an FA18 pilot, sent the following article from Spotlight: the aviation safety magazine of the Australian Defence Force.
Limitations of the See-and-Avoid Principle

"They treat me as a sheet!"
JB asked whether he could rent one of our aircraft as his sole remaining glider has been grounded. The request was declined, as was another concerning training his students. John Duffy wrote him a polite letter quite succinctly outlining the committee's reasons for refusing his latest proposition. His angry Franglaisian reply ended up in the inbox of a great many members of the Australian gliding community and caused considerable hilarity.

The following Sunday 8 or 10 members with numerous toolboxes and vehicles dismembered the carcase of the SuperDimona and carried and dragged it out of the swamp at the end of 05 runway. Nigel Baker of South Australia will take it away shortly. He plans to rebuild it as a towplane outfitted with a 130bhp Limbach. Watch this space - in about 5 years!

October 2009
A conference with the skydive operation was held following another incident involving JB. John Duffy has written a document outlining Tyagarah airfield operations.
Parachute_Ops_Oct_09.doc

Transponders
Just a reminder that it is a requirement in Australia to have transponder on if one is fitted in the aircraft.  This is an excellent idea in the Ballina area as all Jetstar Virgin are fitted with TCAS collision avoidance and they can then see you on their screen.  It is also a good idea if in the Mullum Ocean Shores training area (danger area) as if you are on 119.5 (Brisbane) you will be given as traffic to inbound training aircraft.   If you hear you are the aircraft being given as traffic you may care to respond to Brisbane confirming your intensions.

To save power you may care to leave ALT off (esp ZDD and GLC) so you will then be what is called Mode Alpha (mode charlie is ALT on)  They will still see you on the TCAS in aircraft but it would be best to be on ALT on these occasions

Unless told otherwise the code we have set in is 1200  (use 7600 if radio fails)

Also each week day a IFR Toll freight plane flys overhead at 6pm +/-5min.(7pm Fri) NSW time  at 3000ft to 4000ft tracking south and if transponder is on you will always hear you be given as traffic to the Metro freighter.  Remember this aircraft has poor forward and down vision.

The transponder in YHB shows altitude based on 1013.2mb pressure, and shows on the screen F--12 which means 1200ft and if Brisbane ask you to squark ident you just press the button and it will show the ident on the controllers screen for the next 20 seconds.  There is no need to hold the button in.  It is all automatic. Also in controlled airspace you should only turn xponder when you commence rolling on take off.  The reason is an inbound aircraft fitted with TCAS will be getting a blast of "collision collision collision" as they try and land the aircraft!!!  It is considered very bad manners.

As Jerry and I once found out we got outstanding service by Airservices when we hit a band of smoke.  We decided then to track to Boonah, and Brisbane ATS vectored us in to just 2nm out!!!!  Just ask for Assistance (Radar vectoring), give POB and Rego and they are at your service. Their instructions are real simple by way of "Boonah is in your 11 O'clock, 6nm" a language we all understand when under stress. Same applies to showers or low cloud conditions.  Recently Amberly Tower held us at 1000ft while they brought in a F111 over us on descent.

Thats all

Ian M 

September 09
Four club members travelled to Burketown for the 20th anniversary Morning Glory season. Brian, Paul, Russell and Laura soared four wave systems and, as always, had a wonderful time.
Photos here: Morning Glory Clouds

This month, the Frenchman JB closed his operation out of Dieter's hangar following accidents involving two of his three planes. Word is that he has his one remaining plane for sale and will return to France in March or as soon as the ASK21 is sold.

August 2009
New T-shirts and caps are available. All profits go to the club, so please, now's the time to replace that old one.
 
 

Byron Gliding Club Cap Byron Gliding Club Cap

Byron Gliding T-Shirt Byron Gliding T-Shirt

April 2009
From: Christopher Mc Donnell<wommamukurta AT bigpond.com>
(from aus soaring)
 

Sully
Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger III landed in the Hudson River and made news worldwide. It is well worth mentioning whenever the event comes up in general conversation that had he not been a skilled glider pilot the results would almost certainly have been catastrophic.

An interview with Sullenberger
http://gawker.com/5149339/sullenberger-will-be-the-hero-we-need

Gary's great day out. Sept 13th '08
 

Gary_Joyflight_1

Gary_Joyflight_2

Three_G109_Gliders

Also in September '08, Ken Flower brought in an almost immaculate G109 from Germany and Michael Shirley put a few days in getting his amazing re-engined G109 ready for a fresh form two. Both of these gliders will be going to Keepit, but for a few days we had three G109's parked at the club. Quite a party!
 

AEI's and Instructors - Revalidate in August!
 

BBQ 4:00PM First Sunday of the Month
ALL welcome, food and drinks supplied. BYO alcohol 

WELCOME :

Well it seems that the news letter is becoming a popular and informative read for the members of the club, I am receiving some satisfying comments from members that makes it seem all worthwhile. One I received from Tim Exley who is living in Japan. Tim comes to the club about once a year and was really pleased to know what was happening in the club, especially the progression of XJX motorfalke as he did his training and first solo in her. Thanks to all the other members who have also commented on the newsletter its nice to know it is benefiting you all, thanks again Ashley Osborne

Remember: Most G.F.A Memberships are due 30th September
Remember: Club BBQ'S are at 4pm first Sunday of the month

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