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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 20, 2012 22:28:22 GMT 12
I was talkgn with bruce about perhaps we could have a little Christmas gathering here in the Waikato for forum members sometime in December, and he very kindly suggested that we would all be welcome to join the Waikato/BOP SAA Chapter at their Christmas Picnic Fly-in at Hinuera. This airstrip is on the main road between Cambridge and Tauranga.
Thanks to the SAA people for welcoming us into this event. Here are details that Bruce has kindly provided:
Saturday 15 December - start 11am finish "whenever"
Bring Picnic lunch - BBQs available for meat etc, Tea Coffee etc provided. All welcome, bring any photos or interesting aircraft stuff to show.
Hinuera Airfield (the Potato Farm), Located corner of SH29 (Tauranga Highway) and Hopkins Rd (Turn off to Matamata) entry from either road (first gate past the intersection on each road), but take care crossing runway from Hopkins Rd. Look for large irrigation rig in paddock beside SH29. Park behind Hangar / implement shed to allow space for aircraft out front
Airfield details:
37 52.68 S 175 44.49 E (8.5NM SW of Matamata airfield)
Runway 200/020 650m firm grass Elev 280' Windsock on shed 100m east of runway. No known obstacles on either approach. Comm 119.1 Hinuera Traffic
All use is at own risk. Park near shed or beside taxi way.
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Post by oggie2620 on Nov 21, 2012 0:31:35 GMT 12
Damn I don't fly get to NZ till the 24th!  |
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Post by Bruce on Nov 22, 2012 19:22:51 GMT 12
If people bring the sort of stuff we've seen at forum meets in the past, we'll probably still be there on the 24th, Oggie!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 29, 2012 11:33:24 GMT 12
Apart from Bruce and myself, is anyone else going to attend this?
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Post by eieio on Nov 29, 2012 12:00:39 GMT 12
knowing how many are likely to turn up could be helpful to the organisers, there are things that have to be moved to the site...yes I am going but of course I know that!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 29, 2012 16:54:40 GMT 12
I plan to, by road not by air though.
However, Mrs Flyernzl is well into Christmas mode, so I may yet be instructed otherwise.
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Post by suthg on Nov 29, 2012 22:19:36 GMT 12
I will be too! Possibly with DW and a pommie mate... its just 25mins away.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 11, 2012 11:19:01 GMT 12
Is anyone else coming along?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2012 13:31:32 GMT 12
I regret to inform that I have just discovered my plans to attend this picnic with bruce, in his Avian aircraft, are now shattered, as I realised I have double booked with a previous engagement.So i won't be able to make the picnic after all sadly. Maybe we'll do something next year. Have fun all those who are attending.
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Post by Bruce on Dec 12, 2012 13:57:18 GMT 12
Despite Dave not being there, I stress that forum members are more than welcome to attend. let me know if you have any queries about where the place is.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 13, 2012 17:27:33 GMT 12
I have now been let off the leash until 4pm on that Saturday, so it looks to be on for me.
Anybody else planning to drive down from Auckland?
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Post by Bruce on Dec 14, 2012 21:12:59 GMT 12
Just a little announcement on this, If you turn up at the Airfield and cant find us, we will have moved across to the packing shed across Hopkins Rd to the North. Its got a bit more space and shelter out of the sun for having lunch and talking aeroplane!
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Post by suthg on Dec 15, 2012 0:49:39 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce, we'll find you!
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 15, 2012 8:53:11 GMT 12
I'm off to Whitianga for the weekend, no aircraft, no phone, no hassles, just beach and sun! Have fun at your picnic guys!
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Post by suthg on Dec 15, 2012 18:19:23 GMT 12
Well what a fabulous day! Except me and my pommie mate Marcus got there at 12:15 and everyone had well and gone to lunch at the Packing sheds and i didn't have the forethought to drive down the 450m driveway to the barns well off the road. We found a lovely coffee house 1km out of Matamata and had a drink and a lovely savoury scone. got back and found some folk about to leave but still several at the barn. Bruce welcomed us at the strip and we watched as those early leavers got organised. My mate managed a friendly circuit as observer - it happened to be his birthday and had not reminded me so a perfect present for him - over 50 plus something... and had worked in the RAF as Fire Fighting and Rescue staff at RAF Manston, Kent. He had then a personal interest in the old Chipmunk that was there. We arrived at the packing sheds and met the others and enjoyed the afternoon sharing and meeting folks. Many thanks to Mike for his hospitality and for the SAA club guys for welcoming us visitors from this forum. ANd many thanks to those who shared in particular the flight for a very happy pommie gent Marcus on his birthday!!! Thanks Bruce too for welcoming us. The strip was set amongst a field of onions! Attachments:
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Post by suthg on Dec 15, 2012 18:25:59 GMT 12
Another pic... just beating Bruce to it!! Attachments:
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Post by Bruce on Dec 15, 2012 20:17:45 GMT 12
It certainly was a good day - although the heat was pretty merciless! It was quite nice to move across to the AS Wilcox packing plant and relax under the old Walnut tree outside their lunchroom - thanks to Mike Taylor for hosting us. I left the Adventurer behind and drove over as I wasn't feeling very great in the morning, which worked out well as I could shuttle people across to the packing sheds by car. I was a good turn out of aircraft with 12 assorted light aircraft arriving and parking beside the Onions (although referred to as the Spud Patch, this year its growing onions, Maize and carrots...) Some of these machines are based on small private strips so aren't often seen at bigger airfields. Not a huge forum turnout, but good to catch up with those who made it. Lots of aeroplane spoken, food consumed and a good time had by all. anyway, here are some of my photos of the aircraft departing - there was a lot of heat haze around, but the blue sky with puffy clouds just looked like summer ought to!  Gary Williams Jodel D11, Adrian Van Der Hulst's Zenair CH701 and Case Groot's Vans RV-6A  Ken castleton and Maurice Thompson depart for Te Awamutu in Ken's Cherokee 6 (Which still bears the NAC Flying club colour scheme)  RANS S10 from Te Kowhai  Neil and Marcus take off for a circuit in the Chippie  Jack Godfrey and Noel bailey depart in the Jodel D18   Noel positions the D18 nicely for photos as he departs  "Chapter President Bruce" (eieio on the forum) - with stuffed emu! heads for Wharepapa South in his Emeraude  Neroli and Bill Henwood head off into the heat Haze in the PA18 |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 16, 2012 16:01:30 GMT 12
I was set free to visit, with a strict curfew. After a bit of navigational challenge, I arrived around midday and followed the blue truck to the packing shed as per instructions. Good to see you again Bruce, and the other SAA guys I chatted to over lunch. The fox terrier was having the best day of it, chasing rabbits. Returning to the strip to see the Cherokee depart, I photographed the other aircraft that were there at that time. Adding to the above: The Cherokee Six ZK-DHG, from Te Awamutu
Super Cub 95 ZK-BQV, from Waiuku
 GY-20 Minicab ZK-DRK/2 from Pukekohe Zenair CH701 SP ZK-ESY/2 from Te Awamutu Piel CP328 Emeraude ZK-FMM from Te Awamutu Barber Snark HA/3 ZK-PIE from Otorohanga NZ's one-and-only Wittman W8 Tailwind ZK-RET, from Pukekohe and, of course, the visiting Auster Needless to say, although I departed promptly, I was late home due to a weather diversion via Hamilton Airport (My excuse is, the weather was good!). |
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Post by Bruce on Dec 16, 2012 16:27:22 GMT 12
Glad you enjoyed your day Peter. Just a couple of updates for your records:
Cub BQV is now resident at Te Kowhai,
Witmann RET lives at Kihikihi, south of Te Awamutu and
Emeraude FMM is based at Wharepapa South
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