Southern Aviation, home of the Bunbury Flying School
Latest News
Latest news from the cockpit, what our members are up to, and how our students are doing. If you are a Bunbury Flying School member, feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .- December 2011 News
- 24.01.2012
ON THE WING | DECVEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 12
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERNEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS
2012 could be the year for you! A new year, new possibilities, new dreams and ambitions. We all have them, and if we look we also have the opportunity to do something about them.
Many of us dream of being able to fly, whether it’s the call of the International Jets, showing tourists the wonders of Australia with charter flights over some of the best landscapes in the world, fighting fires with the Scouts and Water Bombers, crop dusting, or Corporate Jet flying.
These are just some of the flying jobs involving a Commercial and ATPL Pilot’s Licences. You don’t have to go this far….you can get your Private Pilot’s Licence or your Recreational Pilot’s Certificate, and fly just for the pure pleasure of it, taking friends with you in a fraction of the time it takes by road. We have never hit a kangaroo in the sky yet.
We have students aged between 14 and 75 learning to fly. Learning to fly is affordable and very rewarding.
We have much to offer, please phone us on 97254145, or call in and visit us. We are located at the Bunbury Airport, in the big red sheds as you come in through the airport gate.
Book a no-obligation trial flight now to see how good it is.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Water bombers, Fire spotters, Flying doctor service, Police pilots, Search and Rescue…. Where would we be without these wonderful and dedicated pilots (men and women) who have gone through all the rigorous hundreds, even thousands of hours of training to provide these services to protect us. The conditions they fly in are quite often dangerous and challenging, and they do it all because we need them.
The flight training these people do is way beyond the basic pilot training. The skills and experience required take time (and finances) and many more exams, and those pilots are always honing their skills just to make sure they remain the best they can be.
Emergency Services might not be the most glamorous of aviation careers, but we would be lost without them.
WELCOME TO TASH
We would like to welcome Tash, our newest instructor, to our ranks! We are very proud to add her to our little family here and her pleasant bubbly personality and knowledge and expertise of flying makes her a joy to have around.
Message from Tash:
“Hi all, I’m Tash, a new instructor on the Bunbury team. I’m originally from little old NZ, but have spent a little over 3 years in Australia; 2 years on the Sunshine Coast (where the sun did not shine!) and a year and a half in the Wheatbelt here in WA. So on my days off you’ll find me at the beach! I enjoy being outdoors and all things sporting. I look forward to meeting you all, so please say hi if you see me around”.
IT DOES MAKE SENSE...
A lecturer at a university is giving a pre-exam lecture on time management. On his desk is a bag of sand, a bag of pebbles, some big rocks and bucket. He asks for a volunteer to put all three grades of stone into the bucket, and a keen student duly steps up to carry out the task, starting with the sand, then the pebbles, then the rocks, which do not all fit in the bucket.
"The is an analogy of poor time management," trills the lecturer, "If you'd have put the rocks in first, then the pebbles, then the sand, all three would have fit. This is much like time management, in that by completing your biggest tasks first, you leave room to complete your medium tasks, then your smaller ones. By completing your smallest tasks first you spend so much time on them you leave yourself unable to complete either medium of large tasks satisfactorily. Let me show you.."
And the lecturer re-fills the bucket, big rocks first, then pebbles, then sand, shaking the bucket between each so that everything fits.
"But Sir," says one student, slouched at the back of the theatre, "You've forgotten one thing.."
At which the student approaches the bucket, produces a can of lager, opens it and pours into the bucket. "No matter how busy you are," quips the student with a smile, "There's always time for a quick beer."
Weather Stats
Lowest Minimum = 10.5oC Wednesday 21st
Highest Minimum = 22.1oC Monday 12th
Lowest Maximum = 21.9oC Friday 30th
Highest Maximum = 37.0oC Wednesday 28th
Wettest Day 16.4mm on Tuesday 13th
Total monthly rainfall = 26.6mm
Windiest day was Tuesday 13thAll details obtained from www.bom.gov.au
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- November 2011 News
- 10.01.2012
ON THE WING | NOVEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 11
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTER2011 DRAWS TO A CLOSE
It doesn’t take long these days does it, for a year to zip by. But when the year is broken down it can be seen that a lot has been achieved by a lot of people.
We have had students who have never so much as touched any controls in an aircraft start from the very beginning and go through to get their Pilot Licences. These people can now take their friends flying.
Yes, it takes some effort and determination, but the rewards are beyond description. As well as the sheer pleasure flying brings there is also the extra knowledge gained of how our world works, the sky and everything in it takes on a whole new meaning. The friends made, things learned, an expanded world available, and the opportunity of a whole new lifestyle and even career paths available. It can all be yours too.
2012 is just around the corner, do you know what you are going to do with it yet?There are so many choices and opportunities, we can help you with the aviation based ones. If you would like to know more about what we do please contact us, we are here to help you enjoy and make the most of all that space above the ground.
CERTIFICATE IV IN AVIATION OPERATIONS
It’s getting closer to the exciting new beginning! January/February 2012 marks the start of the official “Certificate IV in Aviation Operations” course we will be running here at Southern Aviation – Bunbury Flying School. This will be a full-time, intensive 25 week ground school course aimed at those wishing to obtain their Commercial Pilot’s Licence. It includes everything you will need to do/have to get you on your way:-
- 150 hours flight time
- Ground school theory
- CPL support pack
- Logbook
- Charts
- Navigation equipment
- Headset and bag
- CASA testing fees
- Practice exams
- CASA exams
To know more about this exciting course please contact us on info@bunburyflyingschool.com or phone us on 08-97254145. We will be happy to send you all the information!
JINGLE BELLS... JINGLE BELLS...
Ok, so it may not be “politically correct” these days, but, heck! We love Christmas!!!
And whatever you like to call this season, for whatever reasons, where-ever you call home, we would like you to be happy, safe, loving life and enjoying the fellowship of those you love.
Please take extra care when out and about, be considerate of yourselves and all the others out there we share this beautiful country with. We all live here, we all have those we love and care about.
OOPS...
It seems the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a unique device for testing the strength of windshields on airplanes. The device is a gun that launches a dead chicken at a plane's windshield at approximately the speed the plane flies.
The theory is that if the windshield doesn't crack from the carcass impact, it'll survive a real collision with a bird during flight. It seems the British were very interested in this and wanted to test a windshield on a brand new, speedy locomotive they're developing.
They borrowed the FAA's chicken launcher, loaded the chicken and fired. The ballistic chicken shattered the windshield, went through the engineer's chair, broke an instrument panel and embedded itself in the back wall of the engine cab. The British were stunned and asked the FAA to recheck the test to see if everything was done correctly.
The FAA reviewed the test thoroughly and had one recommendation: "Use a thawed chicken."
Weather Stats
Lowest Min 6oC Tues 15th Highest Min 20.4oC Thurs 3rd
Lowest Max 19.2oC Tues 8th Highest Max 33.3oC Thurs 24th
Wettest day Friday 4th with 9mm
Total November rainfall for Bunbury 31.8mm
Highest windgust was 72kmh on Tues 8thInformation from www.bom.gov.au
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- October 2011 News
- 16.11.2011
ON THE WING | OCTOBER 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 10
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERFLYING, FLYING, FLYING...
The weather is really picking up now (apart from the occasional blustery day) and the flying training, introductory flights, scenics, Nanchang adventure flights and personal charter flights are all keeping us busy. We expect this to continue as the weather gets even better and the skies keep calling us to get out and get some altitude. It’s a great time to book trips up to Rottnest Island, or day trips to Albany, or anywhere you like. The Gift Vouchers we offer make fantastic Christmas Gifts too, you can get your whole Christmas gift shopping taken care of here in a few minutes, then sit back and enjoy the season to come!
We are now also a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering Certificate IV in Aviation (that means Extra Special when you get your Commercial Pilot’s Licence) and are looking for work in Aviation. More info about this and any other flying on 9725 4145.
STUDENTS AND PILOTS
We have students coming to us from all over Australia, and also from other parts of the world to learn to fly here at Bunbury Flying School. One of our boys, Luke Preece, has been working very hard with all his training and has done us very proud. He has now gone back to England to finish off one last exam to qualify him for not only his Australian CPL, but also his European JAR (Joint Aviation Regulations) exams. He is heading for the International Airlines!
We also have another new Instructor. We welcome Tom Wang to our ranks. Tom comes to us from Lilydale Flying School (in Melbourne) and has already shown us his professionalism and cheerful love of life. He says the weather here is much better than in Melbourne (as if we didn’t already know this) and enjoys playing basketball and sports in general.
BENEFITS OF A RURAL AIRSTRIP
There are many benefits to flying at a rural airstrip such as Bunbury. No landing fees, no waiting at the holding point for more than a minute, and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. In a country area everyone is always so much more welcome.
Today we had a visit from a very large snake, in our recreation room. We named him “Phillip”, and he was nearly 2 metres long!! We are very grateful to one of the local volunteer snake handlers, John, who escorted our new slithery friend to its new home, far away.To our new staff members from the big cities and overseas….. welcome to Bunbury!!
A TOUCH OF HUMOUR
A deer is on the runway, so……..
Tower: Cessna XXX cleared for take-off, runway NN.
Std: "What should I do? What should I do?"
Inst: "What do you think you should do?"
(think-think-think)
Std: "Maybe I should tell the tower."
Inst: "That's a good idea."
Std: Cessna XXX, uh, there's a deer down here on the runway.
(long pause)
Tower: Roger XXX, hold your position. Deer on runawy NN cleared for immediate departure.
(Two seconds, and then -- I presume by coincidence -- the deer bolts from the runway, and runs back into the woods.)
Tower: Cessna XXX cleared for departure, runway NN. Caution wake turbulence, departing deer.It had to be tough keeping that Cessna rolling straight for take-off.
Weather Stats
Lowest min 4.3o Thursday 20th, Highest min 15.4o Monday 17th
Lowest max 18.7o Thurs 13th and Wed 19th, Highest max 30o Sun 16th
Wettest day 7.6mm Tuesday 18th
Total rainfall for October 33.2mm
Highest wind gust recorded 24 knots Thursday 13thInfo for Bunbury from www.bom.gov.au
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- September 2011 News
- 14.10.2011
ON THE WING | SEPTEMBER 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERFAREWELL TO DAVID
David was here for just over a year, and has now left us to fly in Adelaide. We won’t forget his professionalism, and dedication to flying and his students, also his sense of fun and mischievous grin.
David as an instructor has a real sense of how to get the theory and practice of flying across in a very effective way, and his new students in Adelaide will benefit from his experience and personality.
No doubt he will also remember his adventures here in Western Australia, such as kangaroos on the runway! …….and how far can a “navex” really be in Western Australia?
All the very best for the future Dave!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Spring is here, and that means the sun is shining and the sky is full of all things with wings. The landscape is still beautiful and green, the water is amazing, and the overall scenery is breath-taking. One of the best gifts you can get for anyone is a scenic flight so they can enjoy all this.
Our Trial Flights are also very very popular, as people get the chance to take over control of the aircraft and enjoy the sensation of really doing the flying themselves. This is a lot of fun, and also very helpful if you are wondering if you would like to learn and go on to get your own Pilot’s Licence.
Have you heard our Nanchang tearing up the skies? Full-on thrills and aerobatics in our genuine warbird! Even just the sound of this machine on the ground gets the adrenalin pumping!! Call us to book your flight in this, it’s a real treat.
MOTHER NATURE TEASES US
Along with all the glories of Spring comes the sudden changes in weather patterns just to make sure we don’t forget Mother Nature is boss.
Last Sunday we had hail that left the ground looking like we had heavy snow, rain that turned the airport carpark into a deep lake, and a bolt of lightning that hit the runway, shook the building and took out all the runway lights and the electric security gate!
So much chaos in such a short space of time! Fortunately technology allows us to have a pretty good idea of what is coming and so everyone was out of the air before it hit.
HUMOUR
At one point, we were all primary students, understanding little, questioning even less, but placing complete faith in our instructor. Many of the little things necessary to get through the first few lessons before solo were done by rote, without a great deal of understanding. Such as ensuring anyone on the ground near the airplane was aware the prop was about to spin.
One instructor was working with a pre-solo student. Instead of using the phrase, "Clear prop!" before turning the key, the instructor had simply taught his pupil to use the word "Clear!", presumably shouted loudly enough that those inside the FBO could hear. Of course, primary students rarely fly in poor weather.
One day, preflight complete, the student reached for the key, looked outside the airplane, and shouted, "Cloudy!"
Weather Stats
Lowest Min - 1oC Wednesday 28 Sept
Highest Min - 14.9oC Friday 16 Sept
Lowest Max - 15.1oC Tuesday 27 Sept
Highest Max - 21.5o Friday 21 Sept
Wettest Day - 16.2mm Wednesday 21 Sept
Total Rainfall for September - 96.8mmInfo for Bunbury from www.bom.gov.au
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- August 2011 News
- 20.09.2011
ON THE WING | AUGUST 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERFLIGHT TRAINING
We all know that we do several categories of flight training here, ie, Recreational (Ultralight), and General Aviation (both Private Pilot’s Licence and right through to Commercial for those who want a great career in the aviation industry.
We also now go to Kalgoorlie once a fortnight on the weekend to give those out there the opportunity to learn to fly. We send an instructor and a plane (ultralight category) off to Kalgoorlie and so far this is working really well. It’s a remote area and the population there also deserve to experience the varied opportunities many of us take for granted. These remote areas are very well suited for light aircraft travel due to the distances between towns, and a RA-Aus (Recreational Aviation Australia) licence is very achievable and cost effective.
Please ask us about the flight training right for you.
STAFF NEWS
We have some new additions to our staff line up.
Welcome to Evan O’Connell, who is a new flight instructor here. Evan was mainly kept busy with whale watching flights and passenger scenics before moving here from New Zealand. We will now teach him how to be an Aussie.
We also welcome Neil Jenke, who comes to us from England. Neil is a ground instructor and will be instructing all things to do with flight theory. He is here with his lovely new wife Mina.
Shannon McKeon has also just returned after surgery, your new nose looks beautiful Shannon. Another instructor, David Giret, now divides his time between flying planes and riding his new motorbike.
The rest of us stay out of their way.
Weather Stats
Lowest min - 1.3o Thurs 4 Aug
Highest min - 15.4o Sun 21 Aug
Lowest max - 15.8o Wed 3 Aug
Highest max - 22.1o Sun 21 Aug and Mon 29 Aug
Wettest day - 47.4mm Mon 22 Aug
Total August rainfall was 112.8mm
Windiest day - 31 kmh Sun 14 Aug
Strongest windgust - 78 kmh recorded at 13:06 on Mon 15 Aug
Sunrise end August, around 06:05Sunset end August, around 18:25Info for Bunbury from www.bom.gov.au
Really...
Overheard on an American Airlines flight into Amarillo, Texas, on a particularly windy and bumpy day. During the final approach the Captain was really having to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant came on the PA and announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened while the Captain taxis what’s left of our airplane to the gate!”
1. You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.
2. Helicopters can't fly; they're just so ugly the earth repels them.
3. If all you can see out of the window is ground that's going round and round and all you can hear is commotion coming from the passenger compartment, things are not at all as they should be.
4. In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles per hour, the ground has yet to lose.
5. Good judgment comes from experience. Unfortunately, the experience usually comes from bad judgment.
6. It's always a good idea to keep the pointy end going forward as much as possible.
7. Keep looking around. There's always something you've missed.
8. Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It's the law. And it's not subject to repeal.
9. The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- July 2011 News
- 23.08.2011
ON THE WING | JULY 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 7
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERWINTER FLYING
Winter did come to visit us. Not for very long it would seem, but enough to slow down a lot of flying activity. Even though the skies let loose at times we still had students make the most of learning opportunities. Crosswind training, instrument flying, low level emergency practice.. perfect conditions for these!
Naturally we did not fly in conditions that were unsuitable or dangerous. There are times when the best decision for even the most skilled pilot is to stay on the ground. During these times our students get more study done and exams completed. There is always something to be done to improve skills and knowledge, and this in turn makes flying even more rewarding.
At these times one must give thought, and gratitude, to those pilots who still do have to venture out in adverse conditions, such as the Flying Doctor pilots, and Search and Rescue and emergency pilots. These men and women risk a lot to help the rest of us when we need help, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year.
People you see here
There are quite a few faces you will see floating around Bunbury Flying School. The most obvious of course are the Chief Flying Instructor and the other flight instructors. We also have people who work behind the desks playing with paper and computers. Then there are those who make sure the planes are kept in good flying order. And most important of course there are all the students, visitors and the licenced pilots who come in to hire a plane.
Quite often we also have Work Experience students from various high schools in the region come in and see what it’s like to work in a place such as this. These kids are great to have around. They learn a lot, and in turn help us out and remind us of how valuable our youth is.
Every person who comes in here is valuable and welcome.
How's the Weather?
Highest temp - Sunday 25th, was 19.8o
Lowest temp - Saturday 3rd, was a chilly -0.3o
Mean temp - maximum 16.8o and minimum 8.4o
Wettest day - Friday 9th with 32.2mm
Total July rainfall - 135mm
July Bunbury average is just under 150mm
Windiest day - Monday 12th, wind gust 80kph at 8:47amBunbury and districts recorded some strong wind and tornado damage to some areas mid-July, with some houses damaged and trees down.
Info for Bunbury from www.bom.gov.au
Basic Flying Rules...
1. Try to stay in the middle of the air.
2. Do not go near the edges of it.
3. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there.- A checkride ought to be like a skirt, short enough to be interesting but still be long enough to cover everything
- In thrust we trust
- Aeroplane pilots break ground and fly into the wind - Helicopter pilots break wind and fly into the ground.
- Truly superior pilots are those that use they're truly superior judgement to avoid those situations in which they might have to use their truly superior skills
- Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- June 2011 News
- 25.07.2011
ON THE WING | JUNE 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 6
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERTHE WINTER SKIES
Yes, we know it’s cold out there! It’s even colder when you get a few thousand feet up!
Flying is very addictive though, and every season has its glorious days and visions which must be seen and experienced. On the better weather days flying has continued, and on the not so good flying days a lot of study has been done. We have seen diligent students cover a lot of theory subjects, and our instructors will be happy to help you with all your flying queries ranging from basic beginnings right through to those really tough Commercial Pilot topics.
Additional endorsements can also be done here, such as Night VFR, Aerobatics, and Low Level. All your Annual Flight Reviews and PPL exams can be done here too. You can also get your Recreational Pilot Certificate here (RA-Aus). Give us a call or come in and ask us more.
National Training Accreditation RTO-52396
Flight training at Bunbury Flying School has always followed CASA’s guidelines and legislation. This will not change, however……
We now have additional national training qualifications. After passing a secession of audits, ATQF, VET and RTO we are now able to offer students the Certificate IV in Aviation (Commercial Pilot Areoplane Licence).
This is a fulltime course that will result in students gaining a nationally accredited qualification. As a Registered Training Organisation our fulltime students may apply for government assistance to help with their study expenses.
We are hoping that many local parents and students will take advantage of the savings they will make by utilizing a local training school rather than using a Perth based university. No more living away from home expenses or additional university fees and travel expenses.
Builds and Rebuilds
Blair has bought another new toy to restore. It is a Polish/Indonesian IPTN Gelatik PZL Wilga 104-32. (Look up Wilga aircraft on Google). These are now on the endangered species list. When they were first built they were used mainly by the military for “agricultural operations”. They were also very well suited for glider towing and parachute training (high wing, no wing struts in the way), and due to their large gull-opening doors make a very good observation aircraft. They have an impressive STOL ability, and a ROC of 1240 ft/min.
This will be a restoration project that will no doubt create a fair bit of interest amongst the budding rocket engineers around the Bunbury Airport. There are quite a few people here who do like to build aircraft, and do a magnificent job at it too. Whether it’s building from scratch, a kit, or a restoration project, it really is impressive to see what has been achieved here. The co-operation and interest and comradeship is very encouraging. Aviation does have a way of doing away with a lot of barriers, all in the common interest of building, flying, and enjoying life’s challenges!
How's the Weather?
Lowest min 1.1oC on Sunday 5th
Highest min 16.7oC on Friday 10th
Lowest max 15.4oC on Wednesday 1st
Highest max 20.4oC on Wed 1st and Monday 27th
Wettest day was 53.6mm on Saturday 25th
Total rainfall for June was 149.4mm
Strongest windgust measured 69kmh on Friday 24th
Info for Bunbury from www.bom.gov.au
Seriously...
- I give that landing a 9…. on the Richtor scale.
- A terminal forecast is a horrorscope with numbers.
- Nothing flies without fuel, so let’s start with some coffee.
- It’s best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.
- Fuel in the tanks is limited. Gravity is forever.
- Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down.
- Keep looking around; there’s always something you’ve missed
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- May 2011 News
- 13.06.2011
ON THE WING | MAY 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 5
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTEROUR NEW LOOK
There is definitely no mistaking what we do here. We still have our plane on a pole, and now we also have two DC-4 propellers on street poles just outside our office, planted in our nice new garden beds! Not only do they look fantastic, it was very entertaining watching our blokes put them up!!
You Can Do This Too...
You’d think at this time of year (it being winter and all) that the flying training would slow down. But that is not really the case here. Winter seems to have lost its way (if it did its navigation training here at BFS it wouldn’t be lost).
The mostly clear skies and moderate days have meant our students and visitors are still able to get up and get some altitude.
For the students it has been a time of major achievements and extra endorsements with exams being sat and passed and flight tests also being passed. We have seen some interesting endorsements being achieved too, such as low-level flying and aerobatics. Night ratings are also very popular right now to add to the licence.
We also still have many people taking advantage of the clear days to enjoy trips to Rottnest Island, and south along the coast.
A Bit About the Weather
Highest Max - 25.1oC on Sunday 8th
Lowest Min - 3.6oC on Saturday 28th
Rainfall – wettest day was 32.8mm on Monday 30th
Monthly rainfall totaled 64.8mm
Strongest wind gusts shared by Friday 20th and Monday 30th at 56kmh
Figures obtained for Bunbury WA from www.bom.gov
Aviation Humour
Allegedly, while taxiing at London's Gatwick Airport, the crew of a US Air flight departing for Ft. Lauderdale made a wrong turn and came nose to nose with a United 727. An irate female ground controller lashed out at the US Air crew, screaming: "US Air 2771, where the hell are you going?! I told you to turn right onto Charlie taxiway! You turned right on Delta! Stop right there. I know it's difficult for you to tell the difference between C and D, but get it right!" Continuing her rage to the embarrassed crew, she was now shouting hysterically: "God! Now you've screwed everything up! It'll take forever to sort this out! You stay right there and don't move till I tell you to! You can expect progressive taxi instructions in about half an hour and I want you to go exactly where I tell you, when I tell you, and how I tell you! You got that, US Air 2771?" US Air 2771: "Yes, ma'am," the humbled crew responded. Naturally, the ground control communications frequency fell terribly silent after the verbal bashing of US Air 2771. Nobody wanted to chance engaging the irate ground controller in her current state of mind.
Tension in every cockpit out around Gatwick was definitely running high.
Just then an unknown pilot broke the silence and keyed his microphone, asking: "Wasn't I married to you once?"
Farewell Julian
Julian Annis, one of our wonderful instructors, has left our clear blue skies to fly in a different patch of blue skies. He has gone to Merredin to teach China’s future airline pilots how it’s done. This will definitely keep him out of mischief because he will be too busy to do otherwise! He goes with our very best wishes for his future.
We will miss you heaps Julian, make sure you call in to see us when you are in the area.
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- April 2011 News
- 18.05.2011
ON THE WING | APRIL 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERWHAT TO DO WITH YOUR PPL…
(BEC AND JACKSON’S AWESOME NAV)!!!Two young adventurous flying enthusiasts and the need to get some more flying hours…. what to do, where to go? How about, take the Piper Arrow and fly from Bunbury all the way across Australia to Brisbane, then turn around and come back again. No kidding, this is just what Rebecca Henggeler and Jackson Woodforde did recently, here is their account:
“Friday 8th April 2011… Deciding to start with a nice easy day we left after lunch, leaving just enough daylight to make it to Kalgoorlie in the clearest weather we were going to see all week. The following day, we were at YPKG aerodrome at stupid o’clock in the morning to pre-flight, taxi, and line-up in the dark, ready to open throttle right on first light. The first leg from Kalgoorlie to Forrest was a reasonably uneventful start to the day, but that was about to change. Running into the back of a huge cold front that forced us down to 500 ft AGL about half way between Forrest and Coober Pedy found us diverting to Nullarbor Motel, and a day behind plan.
On day 3 we made it to Roxby Downs, where we met an Alliance Airlines Fokker 50 First Officer, who showed us around the flight deck of his “slightly bigger Arrow”. Accommodation that night was shared with a family of mice, who rued the day they messed with Bec!
And the flight continues…..
The next day we made it to Broken Hill, Burke, and Moree in blue skies, before the skies darkened again near Warwick QLD. The combination of low cloud and the rising terrain of The Great Dividing Range made for an interesting landing at Texas ALA involving an unexpected game of chicken with Skippy, and a quick phone call to the Met Bureau. This resulted in us flying via Inglewood to try to sneak around the mountains, but the weather was only getting worse so we had to divert again. We spent our fourth night in Inglewood, less than half an hour from Warwick.
Next morning we stopped in Warwick to pick up a hitch hiker, and tracked via Toowoomba to avoid Amberley Military airspace. We finally made it to Redcliffe, Brisbane, after 5 days and 24 hours of flying!
After a well-deserved sleep-in we started on our journey back home to Bunbury. After checking the satellite weather we had to get going.
The next night we managed to get to Roxby Downs (fewer mice there this time). From there, after 10 hours of flying we made it back to Bunbury. 42 hours, 4365nm, a real cross-country nav!”
Someone is Watching Over You
The water bombers and FESA helicopters based here are a little quieter now. The official bush-fire season is over, although the spotter pilots are still keeping an eye on things. We can’t over emphasise the fantastic job these guys and girls do. Please be aware of the would we be without dangers they face in their daily duties and do your bit to prevent fires.
The Flying Doctor crews have been busy too. These people and the ambulance and medical teams give so much to look after our communities. Where them?
Australia relies heavily on those who dedicate so much to make our remote and vast land the wonderful place it is to live in.
Have You Visited Us Lately?
Bunbury Flying School is constantly evolving. Not only do we have a plane on a pole outside our office, we also have two street lights with propellers attached to them outside now too! These props are huge, they are from a DC4. Watching the guys put the poles and props up was also very entertaining!
We don’t just show you the sights, we also teach you how to fly. Whether you want to fly as a Recreational, Private or Commercial Pilot we can provide the training necessary to achieve these goals.
We also cater for those who want to go for a scenic flight in a gentle 4 seat plane, or a much more adventurous aerobatic flight in our Nanchang CJ-6. You can also have a trial instructional flight where YOU take control!
Gift Vouchers Available Here
Wilbur Wright got it Right
The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air.
- Wilbur Wright
A Bit About the Weather
Rainfall totalled 55.8mm,
Wettest day - Wednesday 27th.
Highest temp -Friday 1st - 30.9oC
Lowest temp - Friday 8th - 6.1oC
Windiest day - Wednesday 27th gusts of 70 kph at 6:35pm
Sunrise now around 6:25am
Sunset now around 5:35pm
- Weather forecasts are horoscopes with numbers.
- Remember, gravity is not just a good idea. It’s the law. And it’s not subject to repeal.
- You know you’ve landed with the wheels up when it takes full power to taxi to the ramp.
- It’s best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com
- March 2011 News
- 12.04.2011
ON THE WING | MARCH 2011 | VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS NEWSLETTERADRENALIN OVERLOAD, BFS and SPEEDWAY
On Saturday March 5th the local Speedway conducted their annual Krikke Boys Shootout, and this time the BFS also took part. The audience was treated to some fantastic car- racing, and then to a stunning aerobatic demonstration performed in our Nanchang CJ-6.
Our pilot, Lloyd, started off with a loop above the crowd then into a whole series of rolls, stalls, spins, more loops…awe inspiring stuff to see!
We had another pilot on the ground, Shannon, who was able to describe to the crowd what was happening and give a bit of the history of the Nanchang.
Of course, after seeing all this, Bunbury Flying School and the Speedway donated a free ride to be done the following night. So the Speedway held an “air-guitar” competition, and the best twanger was Cathy. The following evening Shannon took Cathy for an aerobatic flight where she gritted her teeth and endured a whole range of moves pulling up to 6-G’s, some of it inverted! She also managed to retain her lunch, well done Cathy!!
The Nanchang is a Chinese military aircraft that is rated for full aerobatic maneuvers, and definitely an experience not to pass up if you are looking for an adrenalin thrill. You can also experience this, call us!
Wedding news - Christin Svard and Paul Crane
On Saturday February 26th Christin and Paul celebrated their wedding with many guests at Amelia Park in Vasse. Most of the Bunbury Flying School Staff attended what was a fantastic evening (although very warm). Of course…. the bride looked fantastic as was the venue. A great night was had by all, many thanks to David, Julian, Jim and Blair who held the fort at the office.
Aviation Dictionary
Rich Mixture - What you order at the other Pilot’s promotional party
Roger - Used when you’re not sure what else to say
Service Ceiling - Altitude at which cabin crews can serve drinks
Spoilers - CASA
Stall - Technique used to explain to the bank why your car payments are late
Alternate Airport - The area directly beyond the active runway when the engine quits on take off
Altimeter Setting - The place where the altimeter sets. Usually hidden by the control column during a near-minimums instrument approach
Bi-Plane - What you'll say to your bird if flying costs keep going up
Carburetor Ice - Phrase used by pilots when explaining accident caused by fuel exhaustion
‘Clear’ - Warning shouted two seconds after hitting the starter button
Control Tower - A small shack on stilts inhabited by government pensioners who can't hear
Critical Altitude - Minus six feet
Critical Engine - That part of your airplane which used to be under the cowl, but is now in intensive care at the maintenance shop
“If God meant man to fly,
He’d have given him more money.”
AVALON AIR SHOW MARCH 1-6
Aviation provides many different opportunities for work, but also for fun and socializing. At many places in this world of ours fly-ins are held so that all those interested in any aspect of aviation can look, try, feel and learn about different aircraft, new, current and historical.
During March 1-6 the bi-annual Avalon Air Show was held, at Avalon, in Victoria.
The crowds that this event draws goes into the tens of thousands, and the exhibits and displays are exciting and memorable. There were a good number of local pilots from Bunbury who flew over for the event, and came back with enthusiastic tales of what they had seen and new projects available to build.
Fly-in’s on a smaller scale are held in many different places in each state throughout each year. These are always fun, informative and generally a great opportunity talk to and spend time with others who all enjoy flying and everything to do with flying.
At Bunbury Flying School we will be happy to show you why we enjoy it so much. Trial flights, scenics, or aerobatics….we do it all. If you would like to become a licenced Pilot see us now.
A Bit About the Weather
Weather in Bunbury up to 31st March
Temps: lowest min 11.4oC lowest max 26.0oC
Highest min 20.8oC highest max 34.5oC
No rainfall was recorded for March.
Maximum windgust was 52 km/h recorded on 15 March.
Dave and Shannon’s Cross-Country
Two of our pilots, Shannon and David, recently flew to Parafield SA to bring back another steed for our stable of planes. They flew over with Virgin (boring) and flew back a Cessna C172 4-seat plane (much more interesting).
Said David “After departing Parafield, we carefully navigated around the Edinburgh restricted airspace on climb to 4500’. We tracked north to Kadina to cross the Spencer Gulf, a 25 mile over water crossing. This was followed by a quick stop at Cowell followed by the flight to Ceduna for our overnight stop.
Following a good night of rest, we got up bright and early for a big day of flying. We departed Cowell en route to Forrest, however, decided to stop for fuel at the Nullarbor Motel due to forecast thunderstorms. Fortunately, there were none to be seen, and the trip to Forrest was uneventful.
Forrest was the time for a big decision – to take the coastal route to Esperance or inland to Kalgoorlie. We chose to head to Kalgoorlie due to weather, which proved to be a long three and a half hour trip.
After overflying The Pit and stopping for fuel, we departed Kalgoorlie for our final leg to Bunbury. Without a cloud in the sky, WOJ brought us back to Bunbury after a couple of days of very busy flying.
It was a great opportunity to do this ferry run, we had superfun and happy times”.
Just another example of what you can do when you get your Pilot’s Licence!
Worlds Greatest Shave
The boys had 1 week to raise money for a great cause, The Leukaemia Foundation.
Luke Howe led the way by raising over $5,000 and was the highest fundraiser in the southwest. Well done Luke and many thanks to all his sponsors. Luke actually came into the office after completing the shave at the Bunbury Forum Shopping centre and was not recognised by many, if any at all!!!
Shannon and David both had their hair coloured on Friday night after a little dutch courage and then promptly washed it out very overnight justifying their actions by saying students wouldn’t be able to breathe during lessons over the weekend as the smell was suffocating.
Well done to all of you for participating in a great event and a big THANKYOU to all those who donated.
Bunbury Airport
PO Box 1230
Bunbury, WA 6231Phone: 08 9725 4145
Fax: 08 9725 7724
E-mail: info@bunburyflyingschool.com