Wednesday

When I arrived at the field today this is the sight as I stepped out of the car.

Friday 27th

 Our member Gary (left) and his colleague John are pilots of Fire Bombing aircraft under contract to DEPI (or whatever they call themselves now) from a Canadian company called Field Air.
They generously gave of their time to show us their aircraft and to demonstrate water bombing.

 Gary in his office.

We were able to get a guided tour of the dashboard, one at a time.

Everyone present was impressed with the aircraft and with the demonstrated accuracy of the drops.

We thank Gary and John very much for the experience and look forward to their return next fire season.

Loading the hopper with about 750 US Gallons.















 We gather to watch the demonstration flight.


(Video to be edited and posted on Youtube)

The Aircraft: Air Tractor AT-802F Single engine air tanker.
3,200 Litres Load capacity, Foam, Retardent or Gel.
Engine Power up to 1600 HP 300kmh cruise speed to target.
Short take off/ fast climb, Remote/Rugged airstrip capability.
Computerised fire door with infinite selectability of coverage level.

Bee

Plenty of members turned up at the working bee today to tidy the place up, now that we have our 'Certificate of Occupancy' and the ACTIO(n) event is SO close.

Do you know just HOW easy it is for a T shirt to catch fire from a few silly little sparks????

Ian knows.

Gary puts his back into it!

Look who showed up in time to get back on the mower!

Carol-Anne gets things organised for catering.

 Shed is looking good.

 Kim has a slightly unorthodox way of levelling the ground.

















Charles smartens up the clubhouse.

Ken is doing such a good job.

So much so that the blokes all stand in total admiration of such dexterity and attention to detail.

Out of there

A working bee today was to be for tidying up rubbish at the old field so closure was assured.

 The eastern mountain appears to have doubled in size.

 A new dam under construction at the western end.

This quick stitched panorama shows a desolate overgrown landscape. I found it almost heartbreaking after the beautiful flyable, workable field that it was.
Obviously we changed to our new field at the right time.

Grey Sunday

A new area has been set up for starting the noise-makers.

Not a bad idea.

The guys congratulated Ben on his achievement with his heli and examined the you-beaut rotor blades he won.

 Yes, once again, the heli is all over the place.

Wednesday

Today was a tad on the windy side, but some of us flew, then hung around chatting while others were replacing belts on the red mower. This is getting to be a habit.



Kim did the test drive, narrowly missed getting a speeding ticket in the process.

NEWS

Ben recently headed off to a competition of Helicopter flinging (you know the way he chucks his about) and won his class.
WELL DONE BEN.
His antics were noticed by a retailer ( Zen Rc ) who subsequently offered some sponsorship!
Needless to say it was accepted with pleasure.
I reckon that's great news, congratulations Ben.

Wednesday

THE WIND HAS DROPPED!!

 So while blokes were flying some blokes were working on the mowers.
The red mower has had new bearings in the front wheels and on the cutting blades.

 Kim and Brian grease up the front end.

While Ian doesn't LOOK really pleased, he is secretly very happy at a most successful test drive and mow.

 The cadet engine has been rebuilt after a melt-down requiring a new piston and TWO con-rods.
It is ready to be inserted in the frame.

 Kim, Tom and Brian have the engine in the frame and the laborious process of trying to remember what goes where begins.

No bits left over and Brian goes roaring into the test drive.
WELL DONE ALL THOSE BLOKES!