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AirCentre Aviation News Digest
APRIL 1997
Tuesday 1
It is 9 years to the day when the Australian (Federal) Government owned
Archerfield Airport was "sold" to the "new" Federal Airports Corporation
The new owners then introduced a GAIT tax on all aircraft at the 'Field that effectively charged
the "customers" to "come in the door"
The result was an exodus of aircraft from Archerfield that continued on unabated for quite a
number of years
. . . the date should not normally affect the outcome of any "venture"
. . . .
but then in the end this "date" really was applicable
Tuesday 8
Airport Security in the "news" again
The F.A.C. issues a "new" policy for "airside access"
Additional "taxes" will now levied on all aircraft owners who use on-field maintenance
for servicing of their aircraft
The new rules require all non-registered airfield vehicles to have annual inspections,
be issued with a "maintenance release", and to also have a V.H.F. (aircraft) radio and display
a rotating beacon
Engineers who do not hold a pilots licence, will now need the minimum of a radio licence to go
onto the 'Field and will also need to undergo navigation training around the airport
. . . . . . do these new rules make airside vehicles "ground aircraft"
(groundcraft) and the engineers (L.A.M.E's) "ground pilots"?
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Thursday 10
History established to-day;
. . . . . first of the FAC approved "groundcrafts" tries out runway 28L
North Coast charter bus observed in "take-off" mode on R28L, . . . . again fails to
reach V1 and aborts the take-off
It then "mixes" it with a landing aircraft on runway 10R, and is requested by the tower to
clear the movement area
The elderly passengers on board the bus were not concerned
. . . . as from April 7, the FAC requires a minimum of 5 million dollars public
liability insurance cover for all "airside vehicles"
Earlier  Attempt
Wednesday 30 Oct '96
Friday 11
A smaller version of the ex-Bond type Airship "Whitman's Chocolate" entertains the
airfield's inhabitants when it arrived at Archerfield
Droping in for a visit, it
"bounces" on the first landing attempt (pilots call this a landing "balloon") requiring a
"go around" and trying again for another landing approach
. . . . . . this procedure only proves that this "dirigible"
aircraft is in fact, a "balloon" and not an "airship"
. . . . but then again;
. . . . it could also be called a "blimp" as a similar model became deflated on
a visit to the airfield some years back! !
Airship  Ballooning
Friday 18
Jabiru ultra-light aircraft pilot flies in from Noosa in Piper PA28/235 aircraft
for the required bi-annual flight check in a "VH" registered Jabiru aircraft, so as to remain "legal"
for "tower type" controlled airspace situations when in the "55" registered ultra-light
Jabiru
"55" registered aircraft are restricted from being able to use some of the facilities
offered to the "VH" aircraft, even though it is being flown by a "legal" pilot using the
same "airspace"
The excellent safety record of the Bundaberg designed and built "55" (and "VH")
Jabiru aircraft indicates that the "affordable" flying
training and maintenance appear to be on a par with the more expensive "VH" model
. . . . . the debate continues to rage
. . . . . who is the safer pilot to fly with, the "55" or "VH" trained one.?
. . . . . perhaps the answer is; "the one most current"
Jabiru  Piper
Thursday 24
Latest hi-tech machine operated by the Aeropower helicopter company calls into the
'Field for fuel
This Hughes 500D turbine with a technician "perched" on the skid, "attaches" itself to
hi-tension power pylons while repairs are carried out to the adjacent electrical cables
S.E.Q.E.B.'s Powerlink division finds this method the most effective way to service their
larger towers
. . . . . is this the latest version of Hollywood's "Woody Woodpecker"?
. . . . . that's the bird that flies and "attaches" itself to a pole!
"Woody" the  Woodpecker
Hughes 500D
Monday 28
Latest "arrival" to the 'Field after 6 days travelling via Sumatra (Jakarta),
Bali, East Timor and then onto Darwin, is an ex Singapore based PA38 Piper Tomahawk aircraft
This aircraft was "standard" with no additional equipment or ferry tanks and flown by the
owner, Lear Jet "jockey", Rob Porteous
Also "paying" a visit to-day was the ex Clive Canning built composite-constructed twin-engine Defiant
. . . . was it last week a Cessna C172 left Archerfield for delivery to a neighbour of
Singapore?
. . . . Darwin must be really busy with all these "lighties" coming and going!
View  Defiant
Click PA38 for view
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