Congratulations to Bruce Shearer, who did three excellent solo circuits on 20th December 2011. Bruce and his wife Yvette moved to Grenfell from Sydney for a “tree change” and started training in the Jabiru last March. After a long break of three months when they went caravanning around Australia, Yvette decided not to continue with her training, but Bruce has continued. It has been quite a long road, and quite a lot of breaks, but finally Bruce has taken that huge step in pilot training – the first solo! The grin on his face afterwards was a sight to behold.

Naturally there’s a way to go yet, as he will have to complete five hours of solo flying and some more dual flying before gaining his pilot certificate – but a first solo is always something special.

Cowra Aero Club held it’s annual “Santa Fly In” on Wed. 14 Dec at 6:00pm at Cowra Airport.

James Shaw soloed in the Jabiru on Friday evening. He is 20 now, and his last solo flight was when he was just 15. Then he was at school, now he is an apprentice at PG Aviation. Now James will be working on achieving his pilot certificate, passenger and cross country endorsements.

Congratulations James

The club flying day on the last weekend of July was a visit to Orange Aero Club for a barbecue. Unfortunately it coincided with the Cowra Wine show which put some people off from attending. The weather was a bit grey, but quite OK for flying. Three aircraft from Cowra went over – David Shaw in the gere sport RSD, Jenny Ganderton and Ernie Menday in Brumby JGP and Mick Gwillem and Matt Nash in Brumby 4462. The Orange club made us very welcome – and and there were lots of aeroplanes and hangars to look at. Quite a few lessons happening too. We all had a good natter and a sausage sandwich, and flew home again. All good fun.

Congratulations to Club President Roger Lynch, who completed his cross country endorsement in the Jabiru on 16th July. Now he can really go places!!

At the last club meeting it was decided to purchase the first production Brumby 610 (high wing version) which should be finished in three months time. The deposit was paid today. The purchase will be financed partly from club funds and partly from loans to the club from members. The lenders will be paid interest on their money at a rate above that of bank savings accounts, but less than what the club would have to pay if it borrowed money from the bank. The aeroplane will provide security for the loans. Brumby Aviation, our local manufacturer, is very keen to see their aircraft used as the club’s trainer, and hopes that the members will show it off to other aeroclubs! We hope to be able to hire the aircraft out at a more economical rate than the cross-hired aircraft that we are using now, but this will be dependent on it doing significantly more than 100 hours per year. The committee is confident that the new aircraft will attract lots more flying.

The prototype Brumby 610 was flown by committee members the day before the meeting. It handles beautifully, has superb visibility and a very roomy cabin. Climb and cruise performance were very impressive. We have been assured that the production aeroplane will be even better. The prototype has a Jabiru 6-cylinder motor, while the production model will have a Rotax 912. This will not be quite as powerful as the Jabiru, but should be cheaper to run and require less frequent servicing.

We have been promised enough money by members to go ahead with the purchase, but it is better for the club to have many small loans rather than a few big ones in case a member needs to withdraw his or her capital. So it is still open for members to contribute if they would like to.

At the same meeting there was some discussion as to refurbishing the clubhouse kitchen, but this was deferred to a later meeting.

The next club meeting will be on Monday 27th June presumably at the normal time of 8.00 pm. This is an important meeting, as we have a few things to discuss :

1. Purchase options for a new aeroplane
2. Kitchen refurbishment
3. Antique Aircraft Fly In

Those who might be interested in loaning the club some money toward a new plane are invited out to the airport at about 11.00 am Sunday 26th June (or post fog) to have a look at, and possibly a fly of, the high wing Brumby prototype. Please throw in some petrol money.

Had cross country training pencilled for both Saturday and Sunday, but the weather didn’t comply. However we had a good session of cross country theory and revision on Saturday.

Kurt turned up and did a BFR in the Jabiru in between showers on Saturday, and a Forbes Club member dropped in on Sunday and did one too.

Unfortunately the battery was flat in Brumby 7007, so David’s lesson with new member Sam Gavin did not eventuate. I offered them to borrow the battery out of my Brumby, but before they could swap them over it started raining, so they gave up. The battery went on charge, so 7007 should be fine tomorrow (Monday).

The starter motor in the Foxbat at Forbes has broken down, and they are awaiting parts to fix it, so no training activity over there as yet.

David Shaw is running BAK (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge) courses starting from tomorrow (Tuesday).

Seven planes and about 16 people flew to Forbes for a BBQ lunch at the Forbes Flying Club on Saturday. For a small aeroclub like Cowra, this was a great turnout.

The weather was calm, but not very sunny, and we had to wait till midday for the cloud to lift before departing. Neville Brien and Col Shrimpton flew over in Brumby 7007, Ernie Menday accompanied Jenny in Brumby JGP, which flew over in formation with David Shaw in Gere Sport Biplane RDS.. Roger Lynch combined a navigation exercise with the trip, and flew via Young, just to get a bit more nav practise. These planes were both full, with Mick Gwillem, Richard Shaw and several others on board. Two Clamback and Hennessy planes flew over with Lyn Gray and Ray Clamback – a 182 Cessna and a Warrior. Ray Heilman flew over in Cessna 210 RAT, with three others, including Matt Nash – can’t remember who else. Mobs of people anyway.

Whilst over at Forbes, I (Jenny) was roped in to do another BFR in the Forbes Foxbat. The pilot concerned was very capable, so it was a pleasure.

Most of the usual suspects from the Forbes Club welcomed us and fed us, and some even went flying!

A pleasant little excursion – now where shall we go next?

The club will be flying out to Forbes Airport for a Barbecue with the Forbes Flying Club on 5th June. So far four aircraft will be going, and hopefully we’ll be able to persuade a few more to visit.

Aircraft definitely going will be the Jabiru, Jenny’s Brumby, VH-RAT and Gere Sport RDS. Seats are available in RAT (four at time of writing) – anyone wanting to go should contact Ray Heilman.

Volunteer needed to fly Brumby 7007 over.

As well as the Barbecue, members will have the opportunity to see the Forbes Club’s Foxbat aircraft.

This is a great opportunity to foster friendship and co-operation between the two aero-clubs