As usual, the New Year starts off with a "bang"

A summary of some of the more interesting highlights from the past year include the following:-

• Most of February including a Piper Navajo in Tiger Country



• Lancair IV Turbo and Acro Sport in May



• Archerfield Sale Details in April

• MUM to the Rescue in May



• The Avgas Price reduction in June



• Archerfield's New Owner, Archerfield Airport Corporation in July '98

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. . . . . . it appears that the coming year at Archerfield will be just as interesting as the past

. . . . . . the control tower charges and mid-year administration changes by the airport owner are "in the pipeline"

The "Happy Holiday" season, still in full swing, has been overshadowed by the number of persons who were injured or killed in pursuit of their dreams

It would appear that during this period - throughout the great southern Land of OZ - water accidents claimed about 20 lives along with the now regular road deaths (about 60) and one fatal light aircraft accident

. . . . . . . it has never ceased to amaze this News Desk how light aircraft accidents similar to this latest 'statistic' still have the ability to generate front-page news right around Australia

. . . . . . the weather and the rapidly changing conditions both in - on - and off - our coastal waters appears to be the culprit for most of these water (and air) accidents

. . . . . click HERE to view "Snoopy's Comments" on the Weather Forecasters

On the 'airside' side of the airfield an unusual visitor - a 30 seat Shorts Skyvan from our "deep north" (Darwin way) drops in for maintenance

. . . . . . . to build . . . . or not to build..

. . . . . . is Hempel's Aviation going to build a new hangar alongside their 'original' hangar..!

. . . . . . or has this well advanced idea been deferred indefinitely by the 'Boss' after trying to get approval to commence construction from the new airport owner?

The latest "gossip" around the 'field is the 'fighting fund' - supported by most of the flying schools - to have the AirServices (tower) charges challenged in a court of law

All aircraft owners and operators on the airfield have been, or are about to be approached for donations to cover the anticipated costs

. . . . . . . in the past similar suggestions and actions have never been successful and the only winners are the people who support these conflicts

Also of interest during the past week was the Avro Avian carrying out a few circuits under the safe and talented hands of Bob Tait

. . . . . . . and on a rather sad note - for those of you who partake in the fine art of coffee drinking - the Rancilio coffee machine in the AirCentre Office has finally had its 'life support' withdrawn from service after an unsuccessful attempt to revitalise the interior workings

. . . . . .Yeah that's right . . . . .

The DC4 remains 'missing' in action

Only the Mobile Workshop (Bus) stands guard over the DC4 airside 'parking-space'

. . . . . . . and the other older 'sibling' of the '4 still remains out in the paddock awaiting its future

Also of interest to the aircraft observer is the 'kingsize' aircraft now undergoing refurbishment in the old ex Hawker Pacific paint shop

The 'flying kangaroo' on the tails of QANTAS aircraft make them easily identifiable to the observers of aircraft and their movements and to the general public at large

. . . . . . . and no, . . . . it is not a QANTAS 747 but one of their smaller 'siblings'..!