MRAC Newsletter August 2006

							Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
As reported in our last Newsletter at an Extra           You will need to bring shovels, wide paint
Ordinary General Meeting on Saturday 25th March          brushes, whipper-snippers, and ride on mowers if
and it was voted that the Manning River Aero             possible.
Club Ltd becomes an Incorporated Association.
To refresh your memories this was decided upon           We will have a sausage sizzle for lunch.
so that we did not have to meet the accounting
and reporting requirements under the Australian          Please ring the Club and let us know if you are
Securities and Securities and Investment                 able to attend.
Commission.

We became Manning River Aero Club Inc. on 9th            AUSTRALIAN              LIGHT           AIRCRAFT
June 2006. It was a reasonably smooth transition         CHAMPIONSHIPS:
but Government bureaucracy did not help one
iota. We had to deal with CASA and the Taxation          The Australian Light Aircraft Championships were
Department, however now all is going smoothly.           held on 12th and 13th May 2006 in Toowoomba.
Nothing has changed as far as members are
concerned.                                               The MRAC team of Glen Garousse, Mike Tulk
                                                         and David Turner performed extremely well.
I wish to thank Richard Wilson and Cyril Lewis
and Trevor Potter in particular for their valuable       Michael Tulk was the Overall Champion of the
assistance during this transition.                       ALACs. This means his average score from
                                                         Forced Landing, Spot Landing and Streamer
SOCIAL EVENTS:                                           Cutting was the highest.       This is a great
                                                         achievement and congratulations go to Michael.
We have decided to move our Chicken and                  He hasn’t stopped smiling yet! He also won the
Prawn Night from Saturday 16th September to              Spot Landing and came 7th in the Forced Landing
Saturday 2nd September.                                  events beating a record number of competitors.
This is our Competition day and the social
function will commence after the finish of the           Glen Garousse came 6th in Forced Landing and
competition.                                             5th in Spot Landing.

For those not competing in the Competition we            David Turner came 9th in Spot Landing.
envisage the dinner will commence at about 5.30
to 6.00pm.                                               Well done Glen and David.

This has been changed as we have been                    The MRAC Team came third in the Federation
canceling our social functions due to lack of            Team event another great result.
support. We hope you will stay on after the comp
and enjoy the social side of the Club.                   Next year the ALAC’s and RFACA Conference
                                                         will be in Bundaberg. At this stage it will be in
                                                         early May again. Bundaberg is a great place
WORKING BEE OLD BAR AIRSTRIP:                            (apart from the Rum) lots to see and it is Bert
                                                         Hinkler’s home town and also where the Jabiru
Old Bar Festival is being held on the long               factory is. So lots of aviation interests as well as
weekend in October. In preparation for this we           great scenery and very friendly members of the
are holding a working bee on Saturday 9th                Bundaberg Aero Club.
September. This will commence at 9.00am until
finished. We will be painting markers, chopping
down shrubs and clearing more parking area,
mowing strip etc.
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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FLYING HOURS:                                             AGEING FLEET:

We are now at the stage of needing more                   We are getting to the stage of maintenance
students.                                                 becoming more costly especially for JHK. The
Word of mouth is the best way of getting new              committee is aware that there is a stage to reach
students please spread the word about learning            where maintenance and repairs are no longer
to fly being a most exciting and rewarding hobby.         warranted and we will need to look at a
                                                          replacement. We don’t think we are there yet but
We have still been flying many scenic flights since       it will not be too long in the distant future when we
to catch up with all the Gift Vouchers sold as            will be confronted with this issue.
Coastwatch Flights over the Xmas period.
                                                          We are getting really good numbers of members
Coastwatch continues to be very popular.                  and friends attending our Saturday afternoon
                                                          gossip sessions and wonderful afternoon teas.
FINANCIAL RESULTS TO 30TH JUNE 2006:                      Most people arrive between 2.00-3.00pm with
                                                          afternoon tea commencing at 3.00pm. Come
We are very happy to announce that we have                along and join in, it is a great way to catch up on
made a profit again this year although much               what is happening in the industry and at the Club.
smaller than last year.     It will come in at
approximately $4400. depending on an Insurance            Happy and safe flying
claim for JHK which had a cracked engine mount.           Marj Davis
                                                          President



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                           Michael Tulk – overall champion at ALAC’s 2006
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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Secretaries Report
Membership

       New Members:
            Mar06             Adrian Wall
            Apr06             Mitchell Higgins,
                              Brian Tyas,
                              Brady Fisher.
               May06          Brian Carney
               Jul 06         Trevor Burns

We welcome all our new members and look forward to seeing them at our monthly flying competitions and
the Saturday afternoon tea and social gatherings.

       Membership Status:
            Life members              8,
            Flying members           86,
            Social members           14
            Total                    108


Manning River Aero Club Incorporated

The paperwork to changeover to the Incorporated Club is almost complete.
Overall, the change has occurred without too many regulatory problems.

ASIC has granted all companies an extension to their Annual General Meeting (AGM) date this year. This is
due to Auditors anticipated work load to comply with changed accounting procedures. The Committee has
decided to avail itself of this extension as it is required to have and audit of the accounts of the former
MRAC Limited. Tentative date for the AGM is Monday 27 November at 7.30pm.

YTRE

Greater Taree Council has leased 4 more hangar sites backing onto the road serving the last lot of new
hangars.

There is a proposal afoot to name the road to facilitate tenants address locations.

There is also some gossip about a proposed rezoning of land on the Old Lansdowne Road, just north east
of the grass strip, for an "Air Park" subdivision.

Bill King and Richard Wilson have carried out a few parachute drops in Cessna 182
VH-EIO "Old McDonald".

YWLM (Williamtown)

Following the visit by the RAAF Williamtown Aeroclub earlier this year we have been invited to reciprocate
with a visit to YWLM. Date proposed is 11 Nov 06. There will be a flying competition and we are hopeful a
tour of the RAAF base and a couple close up looks at a couple of interesting aeroplanes.

This is a rare opportunity to fly at Williamtown so come along for a good day out. More details of the visit
will be available soon.

                                                                         Richard Wilson, Secretary
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR’S REPORT
WEATHER RELATED DECISIONS

INTRODUCTION
There is often a need to make weather related decisions when planning or conducting a VFR day flight.

The AIP contains all the guidance required and although it may look a daunting publication, it has a good index which
helps make it usable. Even if you do not subscribe to a hard copy of the AIP, it can be viewed on-line at:
www.airservicesaustralia.com/Pilot Centre/Publications

FLIGHT PLANNING
Before beginning a flight, a pilot in command must study all available information appropriate to the intended
operation and, in the case of flights away from the vicinity of an aerodrome, must make a careful study of:
    1. Current weather reports and forecasts for the route to be flown and the aerodromes to be used;
    2. The airways facilities available on the route to be flown and the condition of those facilities;
    3. The condition of aerodromes to be use and their suitability for the aircraft to be used;
    4. The Air Traffic Control rules and procedures appertaining to the particular flight; and
    5. All Head Office and FIR NOTAM applicable to the enroute phase of the flight, and location specific NOTAM
        for aerodromes.

ENROUTE
Even for a VFR day flight it is useful to determine an appropriate LSALT from the charts and to get an appreciation of
the terrain being overflown. If the cloud base predicted in the ARFOR is more than scattered (4/8ths) below the
LSALT plus 1000 FT, flight is not advisable due to the inability to remain VFR at a safe height above terrain.

DESTINATION
Except when operating an aircraft under the VFR by day within 50 NM of the point of departure, the pilot in
command must provide for a suitable alternate aerodrome when arrival at the destination will be during the currency
of, or up to 30 minutes prior to the forecast commencement of, the following weather conditions:
     1. Cloud – more than scattered (4/8ths) below 1,500 FT AGL
     2. Visibility – less than 8 KM; or
     3. Visibility – greater than 8 KM, but the forecast is endorsed with a percentage probability of fog, mist, dust or
         any other phenomenon restricting visibility below 8 KM; or
     4. Wind – a crosswind or downwind component more than the maximum for the aircraft.

Holding at the destination may be an option to wait for a forecast improvement in weather conditions above the
alternate minima. The amount of fuel required in this situation depends on whether the deteriorations are intermittent
(30 minutes duration) or temporary (60 minutes duration). In order to allow for inaccuracy in the timing of forecast
weather changes, 30 minute buffer periods apply to the commencement and cessation times of such deteriorations.

SUMMARY
If the ARFOR indicates that you will have a cloud base of more than scattered (4/8ths) below your chosen LSALT
plus 1000 FT enroute, or the TAF for your destination requires you to plan for an alternate or to carry holding fuel,
you should carefully consider your options.

If the flight was commenced in acceptable weather conditions but deterioration occurs enroute, you should turn back
or divert before you run out of options.

Safe flying

TREVOR POTTER

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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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Club Captains Report
I have four items to mention in this report.

Light Aircraft Championships at Toowoomba.
Team representing MRAC was Michael Tulk, Glen Garousse, and David Turner.
Michael won the Spot Landing.
Glen and David both achieved high scores in the Spot Landing. Michael and Glen both had high scores in
the Forced Landing and both did very well in the Streamer Cut.
Michael emerged as the ALAC’s Champion. Well done and well deserved, as Michael travels from
Richmond to Taree to compete in our local flying comp each month often accompanied by his wife, Janet.
Kay and myself had a very enjoyable trip to Toowoomba in HTM which was used by both the Victorian and
New Zealand teams in the Formation Flying event, out of four teams the Victorians came first and the and
the New Zealanders third.
We had a great four days at Toowoomba, very “laid back”, and one of the highlights was to enjoy a cup of
coffee in the restaurant at Picnic Point which is situated on the edge of the escarpment at the eastern
extremity of the city.
The trip home was first class.
(Bill also took part in the championships flying the Archer and performed very well. Editor)

Monthly Club Comp.
Ted Towers was the winner of the May comp, well done to Ted.
The June comp was cancelled due to excessive wind that prevented competition from being conducted on a
“level playing Field”.
Bronte Dupen was the winner of the July comp, well done to Bronte.
As things stand Michael Tulk is at the top of the point score table with Richard Wilson eager to topple him
for the top spot.

Tri-Club comp at Maitland, held on Saturday, 22 July, 2006.
This event was a huge success with Michael Tulk again being the overall highest point scorer and MRAC
winning the trophy. A novel part to this comp was a “River Bash”

Parachuting
My fourth item for mention is the Parachute Operation that has begun at Taree airport being conducted by
Mark Brody, a very experienced and capable Skydiving Instructor.
If you would like to have a go at a tandem skydive, contact Mark on 0418 730 741.

Bill King
Club Captain
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                                       Try www.mrac.org.au
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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                                    Tri-club Competition at Maitland

                                                 By Michael Tulk

After a week of rain, Saturday 22nd July dawned with dark clouds and rain on the horizon not a promising start for the
Tri Club competition being hosted by Royal Newcastle at Maitland.
The weather did hold off and aircraft from Hasting Rivers and Manning River Aero clubs arrived at Maitland in time
for the 10.00am briefing.
JHK arrived with Bronte Dupen and Richard Wilson on board followed shortly after by LEI with Trevor Potter and
Ken Sanders on board. David Turner, Michael Tulk, Manuel Zaunders and Ted Towers arrived by car to make up the
Manning River Tri Club Team. The Team was loudly supported by Maj Davis, Judy Meyer, Cyril Lewis, Margot
Lewis, Ann Turner and Janet Tulk.

At the briefing all competitors, from Manning River, Hastings River and Royal Newcastle, approximately 28, found
out that the competition was going to be made up of 4 parts.
    1        Instrumentless, (blind), circuit to a touch & go or go around.
    2        The river bash, follow the river at 500’agl to turn onto right base.
    3        The flour bomb drop from 200’agl
    4        Low level circuit to a spot landing

The task that we all enjoyed the most was the river bash. This involved tracking from the touch & go or go around to
the river approximately 5 miles north at 500’agl and then follow the river, every turn, at 500’. Points were lost for,
corner cutting, being off the river for more 30 seconds and for +/- 25’ altitude.
As all competitors and supporters were down on the line, there was quite a bit of “friendly” banter and rivalry, but
Manning River was not going to take any prisoners in this competition.

The first bomb drop set the pace at 10m from the target, set by Michael Tulk, then Ted Towers quickly followed at
11m, Mannings going to nail this, then Manuel at 8m, we have it won went up the cheer only to be deflated by the last
competitor of the day from Newcastle at 6.5m.

The River bash and Blind Circuit were won by Hastings River.
The Bomb Drop was won by Hastings River
The spot landing was won by Michael Tulk of Manning River.

Once all team scores were added and factored Manning River Aero Club was declared the winner. Over all our team
did extremely well with an average of just on 300 points. David was second overall with 327 points and Michael was
first overall with 333points.
                                                The Winning Team




          L-R David Turner, Michael Tulk, Ken Sanders, Manual Zaunders, Bronte Dupen, Richard Wilson,
                                             Missing is Ted Towers
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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The Tri Club trophy is on display in the clubhouse and should be an inspiration to all members to attend next years Tri
Club to be held at Taree.
We cannot let it go.
We will fight them on the line, we will fight them in the air, we will fight them in the lunch queue and we will have
our judge trained in how to score them.

Happy Flying.

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                             Computerised Flight Planning and Monitoring


I have recently bought a PDA (Palm Computer) and went looking for navigation software. I have
found some at www.pocketfms.com and it is now downloaded to my desk top and I am down
loading flight plans to the PDA.

It is freeware but they suggest you make a donation should you find it useful. If you like it let me
know and we may share a $50euro donation.

Whilst in the early phases of evaluation it appears to be quite comprehensive.

I can select an aircraft, choose appropriate rates of climb, descent, fuel consumption and perform
weights and balance calculations.

I have downloaded information for Brisbane and Melbourne FIR's and have aerodrome locations
and runway orientations altitudes, reporting points, CTAF and centre frequencies, boundaries for
restricted, danger and control zones as well as radio navigation aids. Haven’t evaluated height
data yet nor the ability to get area and terminal forecast weather. I can also enter my own way
points.

The flight planning section looks like it will take ground elevation information, restricted airspace
heights and cloud information into account and select altitudes for flight. The outputs are heading
track, great circle distance, eta's, time, ground speeds etc.

The zoom in and zoom out provides for 1 nM up to 54 nM scales.

The good part is that by buying a GPS receiver (about $150) you can feed GPS info into the palm
device in flight and display your progress and track on a moving map. I have just bought one on e-
Bay and have yet to evaluate its performance.

When you get near to your destination, you can get vital airport information all displayed on a
50mm screen on your PDA / smart phone.

If you start using it, let me know how you get on with it.

Richard Wilson.
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                November 11th             Interclub competition at Williamtown.
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Manning River Aero Club Newsletter – August 2006
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Coming Events
September: Saturday 2nd       Monthly competition – who knows what it will be?
                              Chicken and prawn night at the clubhouse 1730 hrs
           Saturday 9th       Old Bar working bee
October:   Saturday 14th      Club competition at Camden Haven –right hand seat, figure of eight circuit
                              and spot landing. BBQ and camp over
November: Saturday 11th       Inter club competition at Williamtown
          Friday 24th         Awards presentation dinner – Waterfront Restaurant (the Old Poplars)
December: Saturday 9th        Children’s Christmas treat – Santa 2pm
Every Saturday                Afternoon tea 3pm


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From the Editor
 The newsletter will no longer be e-mailed to you instead you will receive an e-mail advising you that a
  new newsletter has been posted on the web site. The newsletter will still be mailed to those who do not
  have access to the web.
                                                        st
 Deadline for articles for the next newsletter is 1 December and can be e-mailed to me on
  www.davidnturner@ozemail.com.au.




ALACs Toowoomba




       Bill King with Archer HTM                                Club members at the dinner




                                                                “Our” 152 VH-LEL
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