South Island Aerobatic Training Camp REVIEW
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- Published on Friday, 11 November 2011 08:08
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Over the past 4-5 years, the aerobatic community that was once very active in Ashburton and Blenheim has seen something of a resurgence back to life. Over the last few years, we have run several low-key critiquing days at Ashburton and while these have gone well for those present, the real step forward came when Russell Brodie offered his airfield @ Rangitata Island a year ago. Uncontrolled private with a generous strip, lodge on the edge of the strip, good clear easterly facing box and lots of sheep, dogs and cats running rampant around the place, and amongst us, 4 pilots, and 4 aircraft took turns in the box all day on the 5th of November, with Pam Collings and Cathy Heslan on deck offering words of encouragement, or not in Ivan's case as we all ended up with sore necks from trying to grade his rolling circles behind the judging line.
We have established two awards, for these annual training weekends, one for the pilot who is traveled the longest distance to be present and one for general contribution throughout the weekend. Russell Bell easily took the first, having flown down from Wellington in his beautifully presented Giles. Ivan came through from Wanaka via Rangiora with Morris' S1S. Having been quite excited to see Morris' aeroplane on the field when I arrived friday evening via 4 wheels from Christchurch I was rather disappointed to see a grin form on Ivan's face when I walked into the coffee room. His face almost split in two the grin was so big. It was pretty cool to have a Pitts on the field though.
Chuck Berry, and myself decided to have some fun flying a mixture of sportsman figures in Chuck's S9 and in Russell's Rans S10 in my case. Alot of very affordable fun was had that's for sure.
Watching Ivan and Russell's flying was pretty impressive. They went through Advanced known, free, 4m free and some routines that they swapped and made into unknowns. I think the Advanced category will be something to watch next year, with quite a number of very good pilots on course to compete.
It was great to have Pam down helping us out again. Ivan commented to me, there are errors and suggestive ideas that no one else either notice, or can come up with. I think he is right. Being able to walk through your sequence after with the voice recorder replaying her thoughts and observations help you fix things really quick, or maybe not in my case. At least I didn't fly anything backwards though. Although trying to punch that wee S10 into the strong Westerly definately gave me a strange feeling of going backwards at the top of the loop, oh wait, I remember, Pam DID comment on me having appeared to hook reverse gear on one loop in particular.
Speaking of experienced zero pilots, Steve Geard was down helping out, sadly no round engines present - I am starting to worry Steve, you are letting us round engine fans down especially with doubters like Russell and Ivan lurking! Although at least there was more fuel to go around for the rest of us.
Saturday was concluded as planned, at 3:30pm. Russell was spent, so he grabbed a beer, but Ivan, still not content with pulling g's all day was up for more.
I proceeded to do some flying with a young guy in Russell's least 172, who has been looking his first solo for, oh I don't know, about 5 years. Having finally turned 16 and got his medical, I gave him over to Ivan who then sent him on his way. I have not come across someone so coordinated, mature and knowledgeable at that age. He has done alot of microlighting in tailwheel machines though. Certainly must have helped because watching his landings in the 172 was practically a non-event.
By this time it was about half 5, with stacks of daylight remaining Ivan went S10'ing and Chuck went up for some more fun in the S9. And before you knew it, what sounded like a lawnmower coming around the corner turned out to be Ivan in a Quicksilver Ultralight. I was dragged along for a fly a bit later in the evening (I was terrified by the way). What a view, absolutely nothing in front of you but your own feet. Can't say much comes very close to the fun had in that jaunt. Thanks for bringing me back in one piece, Ivan.
As the last ray of light vacated we had a few beers, got the BBQ stoked up and watched some aerial vids on Russell's projector. Sunday morning, the silence was broken by Russell's son Ross, sounding the air raid siren. I went to jump into a bunker, but there were none to be seen. Some improvements required, Russell.
Thanks to Russell, Linda, Pam, Cathy, Steve, Russell, Ivan, Chuck, Ross and all the skydiving guys for making it such a fun weekend.
Andrew Love