TARMAC
MAY 2002
NEWSLETTER OF THE AUCKLAND REGIONAL MICROLIGHT AIRCRAFT CLUB (INC)
CLUB NIGHT- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2002.
VENUE- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -PIKES POINT AIRPARK CLUBROOMS @ 7:30pm
COMMITTEE MEETING at 6:30 pm sharp, please.
President- Chris Todd. (c.t@clear.co.nz, or 8335841 Hm.)
Vice President- Anton Lawrence (kirstant@orcon.co.nz, or 8136404 Hm.)
Secretary- Andrew Parr. (aparr@apv.co.nz, or 4793235 Hm.
Treasurer- Peter Cole. (Ph 4730130)
Committee- Willie Morton (025 901796), Anton Lawrence.
Chief Flying Officer- Willie Morton.
Chief Safety Officer- Niol Lockington (8175959)
Pike's Point Airpark Board Representatives- Jon Farmer 025 980662) Brian Thomson (8187113) Bob Syron.
Editor- Martyn Seay (mseay@middlemore.co.nz, or 5256505 Hm.)
Subscriptions must be paid by end of May at latest. Please post to: Peter Cole, Treasurer, 12 Halder Place, Brown's Bay, Auckland.
NEW MEMBERS
We warmly welcome three new members. Derek Ellis who hails from Keri Keri, and Gail and Richard Berry from Manurewa. We wish them well in the club, and trust they will find benefit and enjoyment from their association with the microlight fraternity at Pike's Point. Please make them welcome if you see them at Pike's Point.
NEWS-
Firstly, congratulations go to Peter Cole on his recent purchase of Bantam ZK-PIK. We understand it is an acronym for Pete Is Kool? Yes, Pete, we don't get any younger and if you don't make the leap sometime it just might get too late! (The editor has similar thoughts…) So get buying, all you dreamers!
PREZ SEZ-
It is with some satisfaction I can report on two highly successful working bees to repaint and tidy the clubrooms. Most outstanding repairs have been done; and new paint applied inside and outside. Both days were well supported by a number of club members, and a special thankyou is due to those who are not even members but who came to help. I won't put names in case I overlook someone. The Big Foot Award goes to a nameless vice president (oops) who managed to stand in a full paint tray! Accompanied by appropriately descriptive language!. The Editor ordered excellent weather (would have been good for flying-sigh) and a good feed of saussies & salad made both the days go easily. Sincere thanks to all who responded to the call. We no longer need to feel embarrassed by the appearance of the clubrooms.
We have dumped the worst of the furniture, and now need 2 or 3 presentable settees or easy chairs to complete the job. (Any donations of suitable furniture appreciated- call the editor anytime. I'll use the extras at my place!-no not really.) A new Zip has been obtained by Anton- you won't need your CPR certificate to plug it in! Thanks Anton for all your expert help and donation of material for the repairs.
There is still a bit of work to do and we might need another half day to finish the job. Watch this space!
The club has a number of TROPHIES which have disappeared. We were going to have a presentation at the AGM, but as NONE have been returned, we can't have a presentation! Could those members who have any of these PLEASE return them ASAP to the president, and we can have some fun presenting them at a forthcoming meeting.
COMMITTEE
A big thankyou to Bob Syron, who recently volunteered to be an Airpark Board representative for ARMAC. His calm and considered approach with his extensive knowledge of Pike's over many years will be appreciated by the club.
TRAINING
Willie Morton is on leave at present, but will be returning to instruct for the club next month. I spoke to him today!
We look forward to seeing him back in the Club Bantam soon. Chris Todd and Rim Malskaitis have also been instructing recently at Pike's Point.
AIRCRAFT
The Club aircraft, Bantam FVG, is in good shape having had a recent 100 Hour check, and a few small items tidied up. However, the possible replacement of FVG by a newer model is to be considered. FVG has served us extremely well, but there may be a number of advantages in replacement, rather than ongoing refurbishment of the older model. Willie Morton has made an excellent summary of the aircraft history in his carefully thought out “Training Report” for the AGM. The committee and owners will be debating the issue of replacement versus refurbishment in the near future. In the absence of any available insurance for the aircraft, it isn't an easy decision for the owners. Your attendance at the monthly meeting will ensure the decision reached is the best one for the club!
Editor's Note
It was noted recently that 2002 is the 20th year of ARMAC's existence. Pike's Point is a unique facility being so close to the heart of Auckland. Even in Hong Kong the old Kai Tak airport has been closed down and isn't being used for flying, so we may have the only facility in the world so situated. It has taken a huge amount of effort and money over the years by many members of both ARMAC and SAA to make this facility, and it will always remain under pressure from other interests because of its location. We must continue to support those actively working away maintaining Pike's by retaining, and increasing, club membership. If we loose Pike's Point through apathy it will be irreplaceable.
Our most successful way to gain new members has been through instruction on the club Bantam.
Reminder- subs now due. This newsletter is the last reminder. There will be no more newsletters sent to you if not financial by next time. If there is a membership form included with this newsletter, you are still listed as not having paid. Please note that you are not permitted to operate from Pike's Point unless a member of ARMAC or SAA(Auckland Chapter). (Please disregard if you have paid in the last week or two! Thankyou).
I have sent the last newsletter out by post to all members, and will do the same for this one. Anton will continue to send the e-mail versions. Could those who have e-mail and are happy NOT to have the posted version please confirm back to Anton. I have discovered a couple of members who had not received any club information because their e-mail addresses were wrong. PLEASE let me know if you change addresses (post) and inform Anton for e-mail address changes.
Royal Flying Corps Wireless Operating- (or Don't You Hate Radio Procedure?)
(From “Ham Radio Network”)
These Instructions for Observers appeared in “Notes for the Preliminary Training of Officers of the RFC as Pilots”, 1916.
“Wireless during flight- The aerial wire is generally about 150-200 feet in length, so you should never attempt to let it down until you are well above that height, also making allowances for trees, buildings and other objects.
“If the wire becomes entangled it will cause difficulties and accidents when landing, as it will be impossible to wind it in completely, and the hanging wire becomes a source of danger. It may become entangled in trees and so might bring down the plane. In such a case, it would be advisable to cut away the aerial.” (very quickly I expect-Ed)
“Under no circumstances make any adjustments while flying except that of the spark gap and the tuning clip, and never adjust the latter with the key held down (it could brighten up your day no end!)
“General Notes- Never attempt stunts on an aeroplane fitted with wireless. Do not sacrifice clearness of signals for speed. Always test the spark before leaving the ground…A ground test should be carried out sometimes at night to observe the aerial for any sparking….Remember the STRAIN on an operator listening intently for your signals is VERY GREAT…(but possibly not as great as dodging the Red Baron while adjusting your spark gap- NOW I know why ATC charge so much for their services!- Ed)
(heavily abridged. Thanks to Ross Glover for this delightful piece. Sure beats hand helds!
And that's all for now.
Martyn
TRADE AND EXCHANGE
WANTED- Articles of interest for TARMAC! I get bored writing & so will you if there aren't some more articles!
Please contact the editor if you have something to contribute.
Nothing for sale this month. Please contact the editor for any items/aircraft etc you wish to buy or sell.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ARMAC Website: www.acomodata.com/armac/ Have a look- it is very good.
TARMACS on http://kirstant.orcon.net.nz/armac/tarmacs.html Back copies are here.