Caboolture adventurer Lang Kidby is expected to have a "welcome home" party at his airfield next week-end

Lang has just returned after flying from England to Australia in an Avro Avian similar to the aircraft used by Bert Hinkler, the first person to fly the leg "solo", 70 years ago

Lang's feat has stimulated a lot of interest in light plane flying and a large turnout by the Caboolture "locals" is expected next Sunday

. . . . . . . click HERE for details on the Avian visit to Archerfield prior to the adventure beginning

. . . . . . . it's a long way in an open cockpit aeroplane with a cruising speed of only about 80 kts

. . . . . . a similar feat was also carried out by John Fisher in a DH82A Tiger Moth in 1996, click HERE for details

Airside action during the past week saw the RACQ Care Flight helicopter from the Gold Coast call in for fuel Monday after attending to the fatal tourist bus accident that occurred at Cunningham's Gap south west of Archerfield

Also making news during the week are two classic Beechcraft aircraft

Wednesday saw a Beech 17 Staggerwing paying a visit to the 'Field, and, after a rather long "maintenance spell", the local Beech 18 (modified) is about to fly again after spending many years at the 'Field "grounded"

And another Irish Submarine (Shell this time) "resurfaced" during the week, still looking for that elusive water!

. . . . . . . it's not until there is some emergency nearby that the proximity of Archerfield to the city (and hospitals) is appreciated

. . . . . and also having helicopter heli-pads alongside known dangerous roads

. . . . . . . refurbishing of these classic Beech aircraft and others like them, appears to be continuing at about the same rate as new aircraft are arriving at the 'Field

. . . . . that only means the "average age" of GA aircraft must be remaining "static", or perhaps even increasing!

Rescue Chopper


Beech 17

Another mini-movie in the making on the 'Field late last week where a lot of "energy" was expended making a short (as in 30 sec) advertisement on "conservation"

A "Welcome Home" for Lang in the Avro Avian was held at Caboolture on Sunday where an enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the recent "England to OZ" tales of adventure

Over the years a number of movie scenes have been "shot" at the airfield, one in particular, "Mercy Mission: the Rescue of Flight 771" (1993) was of particular interest, occupying Hangar 4 for quite some time

Hangar 4 was also where two Bristol Tourers were constructed "from scratch" in the 1980's and then used in the movie "A Thousand Skies", the story of "Smithy"

Also at Caboolture was the C182 tug and parachute drop aircraft that made the major TV news reports on Sunday night, with no mention of the real centre of attention - the Avro Avian

C182 on "too short a final"

The Aero Club (R.Q.A.C.) is having a "Career Expo" day aimed at the young people about to leave high school

There will be support teams from the military recruiting division and a few of the other "non-conflicting" commercial operators on the 'Field

There is a front-page report by a local northside newspaper that Archerfield will close soon for "redevelopment"

It looks like the "lessons of the past" have not been learnt and the airfield "exodus" is about to recommence all over again

The open day is on Sunday week, the 29th. and is expected to attract the younger generation

Most of the high schools in the surrounding area have been advised of the "career day" and have passed the message onto their students for consideration

Redcliffe and Caboolture airports are now becoming the most attractive places for Brisbanites to store and fly their "four wheel drives" of the air

These local councils, surrounding the Brisbane area have been "swamped" by requests for expansion funds for their airports to cater for the anticipated influx of Archerfield based aircraft

Also promoting flying on the 29th of this month will be Hempels Aviation

The theme for this flying schools "open day" is the Warbird and air-show aircraft including the MiG-15 Yak-52 and others

And the airport operator has replied to the news article mentioned above, that "Archerfield will be closed soon for 'redevelopment'"
See below for details

. . . . . . . the flying schools now recognise the importance of promoting their side of the aviation business to the younger generation

. . . . . it looks like next year will see a marked change from how the airfield has operated over the past 55+ years

The time finally came during the week to extract "Santa" from his hangar after the winter recess

It was also this time last year when this hibernating giant took a ride on the back of a semi-trailer

And on Wednesday last, the airport "boss" called into the news desk for a "coffee n chat" and to partake in a drop of our now "world famous coffee" with fellow club members, Mick Boyle and Robert Melksham who also contributed (put in their "two bobs" worth) to the "debate" on how to make money owning an airport

With the end of the year fast approaching, all the operators on the 'Field swing into "party mode" trying to attract "new" customers and to thank the "older" ones for their patience (and contributions) during the past 12 months

And there still seems to be this belief amongst the non-aviation fraternity that aircraft owners have unlimited funds!

. . . . if this were true, then this airfield should be full of new or privately owned Lear Jets and P-51D Mustangs!

• Sadly, this is not the case as most of the aircraft left on the 'field now exceed the 20-year mark since construction