|
|
Post by Bruce on Jul 9, 2007 17:51:32 GMT 12
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November 2007 Raglan AirfieldThe Waikato Thames Valley Chapter of the SAA is once again holding a "Grass Roots" fly in at Raglan this November. Mark it in your calendar now. details to follow, but by popular request the beach flying workshop and fly - away will be repeated again this year. watch this space!  
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Jul 9, 2007 20:14:14 GMT 12
duh... 2007 not 2008!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 9, 2007 20:17:20 GMT 12
Oh dear, on Armistice weekend. I foresee a clash coming on for me.
Although if Cambridge is having a Warbirds display this year maybe you can convince them to detour to Rags afterwards.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 9, 2007 20:24:21 GMT 12
Bruce, I have taken the liberty of changing the date in the text too (you apparently changed the heading, not the text which also had the wrong date) and also correcting Thames from Rhames. Moderator Mode off
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Jul 9, 2007 20:33:51 GMT 12
Cheers Dave, my proof reading has gone wonky of late - too many late nights on the aeroplane!  Unfortunately date wise we have limited options if we want to do the beach flying - Much studying of NIWA tide tables was required in order to find a weekend with suitable afternoon low tides. The tides on this weekend arent as good as last year, but should still allow a trip to Gibson's Beach. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 9, 2007 20:43:02 GMT 12
Yes, I can understand that re the tides. I'd definately like to make it along. We'll see what happens.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 4, 2007 21:39:53 GMT 12
It has come to my attention that despite our publicitymaterial referring to info sheets available off the SAA web page, our webmaster has neglected to post them If anyone wishes to come to Raglan on the 10th and 11th and hasnt seen the info sheets (which have some important operational notes on them) or the registration form, please e-mail me at bmcooke(at)waikato.ac.nz Weather promises to be fine, which will mean an excellent weekend. I helped set up the Sunday Air Rally last week - it will be a spectacular course. Note if you are flying down, please note that there are no avgas refuelling facilities at Raglan. Nearest pumps are Hamilton and Te Kuiti. Although Te kowhai was to have pumps installed by now this has been delayed due to resource consent hold - ups.  Beach flying is confirmed for Saturday afternoon conditions permitting. Come along for a great social time and a celebration of fun flying! |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 4, 2007 21:53:35 GMT 12
I've got the Tobago JIE booked to fly in around midday Saturday.
Unfortunatly my wife has my Sunday organized, so I will need to depart again after a few hours.
Will catch up with you there again Bruce.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 5, 2007 20:16:24 GMT 12
Take your camera Peter |
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 11, 2007 17:28:11 GMT 12
I've got the Tobago JIE booked Well that's not quite how it worked out. The weather was looking good, but I got an email early Saturday morning saying that JIE had fried its radios, or some other part of the avionics. Oh dear, how sad. A quick flurry revealed that ol' trusty Cherokee Whiskey Echo Hotel was available that day. Despite some misgivings (WEH hates shortish grass strips) we went ahead and took that instead. Gassed up and ready to go, then found that the para 206 had burst a tyre on landing, oh dear how sad. Anyway, it's a long runway so we can work around that. Finally away around midday, overhead Auckland International and fine weather all the way down the coast to Raglan at two thousand feet. No problems. Quite a few aircraft already on the ground there, we were parked on the southern side of the strip, apparently the 63rd aircraft to arrive. Pop over to pay our money for the day, a quick chat with Bruce (well done, good organization there Bruce) and time for lunch in the tent. Friendly folk who have flown a Zenith up from Ashburton made us welcome at their table. Time to see what else is on the field. A remarkably diverse selection of aircraft for the first fine day of Spring. A few that were old . . .  . . some that were new . . .  . . . those that were agile . . .  . . . and those that were staid . . .  . . . Some were local . . .  . . . and some that had come a fairlie long way . . .  By mid-afternoon we needed to leave to make an evening event, so fire up old trusty and took her to the full length of the field. She bellowed and roared and showed remarkably little inclination to fly - did I mention she hates short grass strips? Maybe this is why farmers run Cessnas and Austers off their back paddock. Almost to the far fence and she reluctantly heaved herself up into the air. She flies OK, and lands OK, but those take-offs . . . Anyway a well organised event, aided by fine weather and a marvelous turnout of interesting aircraft. Thanks guys, pity I couldn't stay longer. |
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 11, 2007 20:18:44 GMT 12
Good to see you enjoyed your visit Peter. It certainly was a great weekend, we finished with a total of 105 aircraft visiting over the weekend (not all of whom paid thier landing fees  ) although for me the edge was taken off things a bit by a bit of a tummy bug, which slowed me down a little  despite that I did get a few pictures between the various stuff that I had to sort out. Gotta have the sunrise shot (blimmin early - no wonder I was stuffed!)  Zenith CH200 NEN would have brought your mates from Ashburton, Peter. I somewhat unorthodox paint scheme suitable for a colourful American - note the Gun ports and glider kill markings!  A matched pair of Foxcon Terriers:  A classic Jodel D11 with the famous Raglan airfield Phoenix palm in the background. Unfortunately this palm is unlikely to last until next year as massive coastal erosion (climate change) is likely to swallow it shortly. 30 years ago there was an additional 200m or so beyond it before the shoreline.  Due to limited space and unstable digestive system, I didnt go to the beach this year, but passed my camera to my friend Paul Wheeler, who took the following pics of the Beach landing "fly - away" A good group already on the beach as they join overhead.  just over 20 aircraft landed on the beach - with a good variety of types represented.  Bill Izard departs Gibsons beach in Jodel D11 DBY - with an audience of spectators watching from the rocks above.  Don Wilkinson's Corby Starlet TOY was the smallest aircraft to land on the beach.  Some classics just look right in the beach environment - PA18 BQV...  And Auster ATH  Two of the Waikato Jodel Squadron: Noel Baileys D18 (microlight) JAC and Murray Belfiels trans - tasman D11 MMB. Murray's machine is fitted with baloon tyres for work from bush airstrips. He flew to Raglan after going deershooting on Friday Morning - there was still a trail of animal blood down the RH wing walkway!  there were certainly plenty of classic Jodels around over the weekend. The best thing I heard was a small boy whose Dad had been showing him around all the aircraft (and obviously telling him about the aircraft types) spotting the local Fletcher with its bent up wings - "Hey dad, is that a big Jodel?" Loved it... A great weekend all told, now we seem to be obligated to do one again next year.... |
|
|
|
Post by Marcus on Nov 11, 2007 21:20:03 GMT 12
Hi all Here are a few of the pics I took at Raglan this afternoon. Only got to Raglan late the afternoon after being at the Armistice commemorations in Cambridge during the morning. Well done to Dave and the rest of the committee on a very well organised and presented event! I was fortunate to meet up with a Bruce late in the day at Raglan. First time I have met somebody from the group. Great chatting to you Bruce! Looking forward to next years event...  Here are a few of my pics taken this afternoon. Only a handful of aircraft left by then.    Marcus |
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 12, 2007 11:17:09 GMT 12
Nice photos everyone Peter, I know what you mean about the Cherokee wanting to stick to the grass. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 12, 2007 12:56:32 GMT 12
Peter, Bruce and Marcus, well done on some superb photos. And well done Bruce on what looks like a highly successful event. You must be chuffed to get 105 aircraft onsite in the end!
I hope next year the tides and other factors don't clash with Armistice in Cambridge so I can attend both.
Did you get the Harvards over that way by any chance yesterday? They displayed beautifully in Cambridge at 2.30pm but I saw them about an hour before transversing from Tauranga way (where I believe they did a display) heading westwards. I wondered if they were going to Raglan for a jaunt? Perhaps they just went to Rukuhia to refuel for our event?
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 12, 2007 18:54:57 GMT 12
Nice photos everyone I know what you mean about the Cherokee wanting to stick to the grass. Now that you are no longer involved with AAC Joe, could you tell me what exactly happened to FOS at Te Kowhai? |
|
|
|
Post by Damon on Nov 12, 2007 19:41:06 GMT 12
Looks like a merry day out! really nice to see the pic's.Great weather! Nice shot of PA18 BQV.Was the owner of Auster ATH there? I have flown it on a couple of occations.Did Dave fly it there to Black Sands?
Thanks
Damon
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 12, 2007 20:21:01 GMT 12
As I had managed to delegate the task of taking registrations this year I didnt manage to see who brought ATH to Raglan. Its based out of Tokoroa now, thats about all I know. I've just been checking the NIWA tide forecaster for November 2008 and it looks like the beach landings may have to have a break next year as the tides are pretty crappy still, its not the thing that brings people to Raglan, most just enjoy talking aeroplane with like minded people. No Beach flying should however mean that we can avoid clashes with other events and have an even better turnout - hopefully we'll get more of the excellent weather conditions too! |
|
|
|
Post by area51 on Nov 13, 2007 2:08:16 GMT 12
Hi Bruce! Wow, looks like a fantastic outing.
Is there anyone who made a list of visiting aircraft registrations during the course of the event that would be happy to share them?
Thanks Mike
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 13, 2007 9:25:20 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 14, 2007 13:28:54 GMT 12
Bruce, how did the air rally go? Can you please reveal the top secret route now? And has anyone got photos to share of the rally?
|
|
) although for me the edge was taken off things a bit by a bit of a tummy bug, which slowed me down a little 
