autumn

Autumn 2004 Newsletter

CHINESE VISIT

Kestrel welcomed three members from a Chinese company in March who travelled from Shanghai to Mangalore to undertake training in the use of AS350 Squirrel aircraft.

The AS350 Squirrel is being used to sling load a specialise piece of mining equipment used in geophysical surveys in the search for mineral deposits. "A Magnetron is essentially a large electro-magnet that maps the earth beneath the aircraft, and at 9m long, 300kg in weight and valued at close to $1,000,000 the device reduces the margin of error to almost nil, particularly as the Magnetron is typically flown only 50 to 100ft above ground level" according to Senior Pilot Darren Sommers who instructed the two Chinese pilots.

The Magnetron simulator used by the Chinese crew was transported from China especially for their training.

KULNINE FLYAWAY - APRIL 2004

Another successful Kulnine Flyaway was held during April, and was the most diverse flyaway event yet!

Billed as Kestrel's "media moment" by Brian Hall, Kestrel Aviation's Marketing and Communications Manager, the "moment" in true marketing speak became a whole week with a film crew from the ABC's Landline program, award winning photographer Bruce Postle from Elm Grove Press, freelance journalist Martin Bass and Kerry Lush from ABC Radio in Mildura, converging on the property to catch all the action. The result? A live-to-air 30-minute broadcast from the station homestead during the flyaway, an upcoming feature story in Australian Geographic by Martin Bass, and a swag of photos from the lens of Bruce Postle.

Phew! And of course on top of all of this activity was the flying. 165hrs of it, R44 endorsements for Jayson Ryder and Peter Jones, and Todd McMahon passed his CPLH. A hilarious end of week "court" session presided over by Her Worship Annabel Walsh; ably assisted by the "prosecutor" Instructor Vaughn Kennett, and a host of social events held under star filled nights that were to die for.

A BBQ for all those involved is planned at Mangalore to coincide with the ABC broadcast. Tune in to Landline, ABC TV 13th June at noon to see the result of all the hard work.

Mangalore Operations

Not all the action has been at Kulnine however. Mangalore has been a hive of activity with the graduation of Stephan Evers and Stuart Gay (CIR), Alex Dewar (CPLH), Peter Jones (CPLH), Jayson Ryder (CPLH) and many PPL's coupled with the arrival of numerous new students from Japan. Several Australian students have also commenced and the last few weeks have seen many of the traditional "solo initiations" handed out. With too many names to mention, a group congratulations goes out to everyone who has successfully flown solo in the last few weeks!

The simulator has been getting a work out too. Rex Booth and the "Bat Cave" crew have been flying some serious missions with cadet pilots from Gulf Helicopters completing a range of training including Instrument Approaches, VOR Intercepts and NDB and ILS and LOFT exercises. Graham Gill from Bristow Helicopters has also completed his NVMC and CIR. To give the simulator instructors a break from instrument approaches in the fog, Hirokazu Murai has also been conducting Jet Ranger and BK117 starting familiarisation, fault finding exercises and emergency procedures.

Mt Buffalo

Job Work repairing the damaged caused by the Victorian bush fires of 2003 has begun in earnest in the Mt Buffalo National Park. Capt. Darren Sommers has been slinging new bridges into the park to replace those that were damaged or destroyed by the flames using the Bell 206 Long-ranger. More at home putting the fires out as one of Kestrel Aviation's Heli-tack 334 Team using the BK 117B, Darren enjoyed the contrast of the sling operation. "During fire season your whole focus is trying to assist others in managing a serious and potentially devastating situation, its like a war zone without the bullets" he said. "The rebuilding of these bridges was a completely different operation, with very different objectives but still in that same familiar mountain territory"

Duigan Class Room
Renovations have now been completed for the refurbishment of the Duigan Hanger at Kestrel's Mangalore base, which now boasts a new parts store, storage facilities and a 20-seat lecture room. With new carpets, air-conditioning audio visual presentation equipment and furniture, the Duigan Hanger has suddenly become the class room of choice for many of the students.

Latest Addition to Kestrel's Fixed-Wing Fleet
The Fixed wing department took delivery in April of a very shiny Piper Aztec twin engine aircraft. The Piper Aztec has already been in demand for Multi Engine training, fixed wing Instrument Rating training and hours building by many of the fixed wing students. It has a cruise speed of 155 operates at a cruising altitude of 10 10,000ft and will be utilised for both training and general charter operations.

Wings Dinner
It's on again! The annual(ish) Wings Dinner will be held at Mitchelton Winery on the 11th of September, and promises to be an unforgettable night with a four-course meal planned by Mitchelton's Chef Brett Dobson, entertainment by Lee and Paula Bowman and a secret door prize. Register your interest now as spaces are limited to 120 guests.