Gatton Airpark in southeast Queensland has announced the date for its next annual brekkie fly-in. Airpark residents invite all pilots from far and wide to the 2012 Gatton Airpark Breakfast Fly-In on Sunday May 27. There will be a new brekkie menu on offer – including pancakes – and the event will be hosted in revised facilities. All flyers are welcome and a prize of $200 is on offer for the longest distance flown. The event kicks off from 0730 and all airfield details are in ERSA; alternatively, contact Martin Hone on 0419 368 696 for more info. Don’t miss this chance to check out this popular airpark.
Adelaidenow.com.au reports on an interesting local business that has been formed to cater for European (and German, in particular) glider pilots who can’t indulge in their passion during the harsh months of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The burgeoning business, Fly Down Under, was set up a year ago by German-Australian Konrad Maierhofer and operates out of a 105m long hangar capable of housing 27 gliders at an airfield at Stonefield, east of Truro. The business has a number of gliders pilots can hire, but apparently some visiting pilots send their own glider over with them. And get this – according to Maierhofer, Germany, with a population around four times that of Australia, has 40,000 glider pilots, compared to Australia’s 2300.
The Maitland Mercury reports this week that a three-man team of formation pilots from the Royal Newcastle Aero Club is heading across the ditch to New Zealand next week to compete in the Australian New Zealand International Formation Flying competition. The team consists of team leader Bob Doran, number two pilot Gordon Southwood and John Wholohan as number three pilot, with Kerry Schiemer as coach. This is the first time the Royal Newcastle Aero Club has represented Australia in the event.
GA organisations in the US are gearing up for yet another user-fee battle after the Obama administration released its federal budget proposal with the inclusion of a $100-per-flight surcharge for aircraft that use federal air traffic services.
On the ground at the 2011 Gatton Airpark Fly-In. (Martin Hone)
