A local aviator from Upper Coomera has entered this years Reno Formula 1 air race in Nevada USA and appears to be the first Aussie to do so - his aircraft is a Cassutt named "Outrageous" sporting race #12

OZ pilot John Kokshoorn went to the 'States in June to be checked out at the Reno "Race School"

He observably passed as he is an official entrant in this years race - mouse over text and click for image pop-up of contestants

News Desk Research

Again this year there has been a fatality this time in the lead up to the races - highly qualified female pilot 32 year-old Erica Simpson was killed a few days ago when carrying out the mandatory flight check

The modified Cassutt racer Erica was in had 'thinner' wings than standard and during the commencement of a roll the wings detached themselves from the fuselage and the pilot was killed in the ensuring ground impact

After almost 50 years of flying and undoubtedly one of Archerfield Airport's most colourful characters of modern times Barry Hempel will finally be laid to rest at a memorial service on Thursday September 11 at 1300hrs

The service is to be conducted at the Centenary Memorial Gardens 353 Wacol Station Road Sumner

News Desk Research

Barry grew up on a property near Kyvalley in country Victoria and left the district in the late 1960's after gaining his pilot's licence and instructor rating with the local aero club and eventually ended up at Archerfield where he ran his own flying training school and aircraft charter business for 30 years

A Cessna C-210 on a scenic charter flight with five persons on board apparently suffered an engine failure approaching Darwin airport and finished up crashing onto a local road and in front of a house where 2 children were playing

The Barrier Air operated Cessna was at 2500' - with a 40-year-old pilot with 23 years flying experience - when the engine suddenly failed

The 4 passengers were a husband and wife team - aged 87 and 62 and a 38-year-old man with a 26-year-old woman

The pilot and passengers were able to exit the wreck and then they were assisted by the family from the house they crashed outside of - "We called them inside to sit in the shade.."

49-year-old "winged" parachutist - Swiss national Yves Rossy - is to attempt a crossing of the English Channel around September 24 and if successful will be the first person to do so as a human jet-powered flying machine

Yves recently teamed up with a German model aeroplane engine maker for a small jet-engine and one was developed with 49lbs of thrust

The plan is that Yves will climb into a light aircraft somewhere near Calais in France with his folding-wing firmly strapped on to his back and when at 8,000' he will fire up the 4 small jet engines attached to the underside of the wing and then jump out of the aircraft

"If I calculate everything right I will land in Dover - but if I get it wrong - I take a bath"

News Desk Comment

This challenge is obviously character building

In 2001 when flying as captain with Swissair the bankers moved in and shut down the airline and Yves found himself jobless for a while until the new Swiss International Air Lines started up

"He never forgave the Swiss bankers who killed the old national carrier - so much so that when he found one of them on his aircraft recently he ordered the man off the flight"

The banker refused to get off and a huge row developed involving the airline bosses and Yves - he was grounded for a week

And Yves comment - "I have no regrets"