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AirCentre Aviation News Digest
SEPTEMBER 1997
Monday 1
As reported last month Archerfield
Airport is "For Sale" with freehold tenure one of the options
The "grapevine" has a number of aviation based local identities interested in the purchase
under this "option" with some of them forming specialized "Interest Groups" and submitting
offers to the Vendor
Latest records supplied by the "Vendor" confirm the very rapid decline of aviation activity
at the 'field over the past decade under the current "management"
. . . . . how come it takes so long to rectify a problem - that was so obvious
to so many - over so long a period ?
. . . . . one can only hope that the airfield remains as it is . . . .
A unique Australian Heritage Property with a genuine Aviation Pedigree
Friday 5
Highlights of the passing week include "Hot
Air" balloons, more military activity and a "heavy" fly-by
Monday morning saw two balloons use the 'Field as a landing ground after joyflighting over
the city
Tuesday a military Black Hawk helicopter dropped in for a visit; and to-day there was this
fleeting glimpse of a large 4 engine radial with three tails majestically "floating" across
the airfield
. . . . . is this a "low-revenue" start to the week for the airport owners?
. . . . well . . . the lighter than air would need to be
"paid" to use the airfield, and the military just don't pay
!
. . . . how is it that the military use the airport facilities without paying, but the
Archerfield based light aircraft are not permitted to use the military airport only a few
miles away !
Light aircraft owners suggest they are supporting local military aircraft operations and
just about everything else that flies by their "high priced" avgas fuel tax and
GAIT parking charges
. . . . before you know it, the aviation bureaucracy will try to tax the LPG gas
used in the numerous hot-air balloon flights over Brisbane city !
And yet another "historic" aircraft fails to be attracted to the airfield
. . . . the Aussie Super Constellation sneaks in and carries out a low and slow
fly-by down runway 28R and then continues on its way to the North Coast air-show
Friday 12
The Airfield continues to be "Inspected" by potential buyers almost on a
weekly basis
On the aviation scene, all is quite except for the "goings on" in the Hangars which should
see an excellent Salisbury "home built" sport Bi-Plane take to the air in the not to distant
future
. . . . . the "official" paperwork for this aircraft seems to take longer to
assemble than the aircraft itself
. . . . it has only taken the dedicated builder 10 "long" years to get to a
point where is now ready for its final inspection !
Saturday 13
One of the more unusual visitors to the Airfield to-day was the West
Australian built Eagle
This all-composite aircraft was "conceived" designed and built in W.A. with the production
now in Malaysian control after having been "rescued" a few years back
The two-seat 120 kts cruise aircraft is suitable for both pilot training and the private
commuter market
. . . . . is this machine a canard mono-plane, staggered bi-plane or
just a "plain" tri-plane?
. . . . well . . . it can't be called a "low wing" or a "high wing" even
though it has one of each
. . . . . . so what do you call it!
Departing 
Runway 10L
Thursday 18
Latest "new" arrival to the 'Field is a new
Beech Bonanza A36 from the
BeechCraft Factory in Wichita U.S.A.
This (about) point 6M$ aircraft is just over one month "old" and a noticeable difference
from the earlier model is a large spoiler positioned on the outboard leading edge of each
wing for what appears to be an aileron "buffet" generator for stall type configurations.
The six seat single is now powered by a 350 H.P. Continental obtained by increasing the
original 285 H.P. with 520 cubic inches capacity to 550 ci
. . . . . believe it or not . . . aircraft of this caliber were readily
available for private hire to most pilots "only" about 30 years ago!
. . . . the flying fraternity used the term "20 cent millionaires" for the pilots
who rented these aircraft for a "week-end jolly" to attend the various Aussie "Tourist"
attractions
And a "heavy" military helicopter "drops in" to the 'Field for parts
. . . . . now that must be a "loss" to the airport owners of over $1000.00 for
the day
. . . . well . . . the military just don't pay
GAIT charges!
View  Spoiler
and Helicopter HERE
Saturday 27
A local flying school six seat Cessna C210 with "gear" problems declares an emergency
After the "Emergency Team" of 3 Fire Engines 2 Ambulances, 2 Police cars and the F.A.C.
vehicles had positioned themselves, a successful tail low landing was carried out on
runway 04R
. . . these earlier model Cessnas fitted with undercarriage doors always seem
to "experience" problems of this nature
. . . . to rectify would only require the aircraft owner to arrange to have the doors
"removed"
. . . . . for a large fee, of course!
. . . . . . and the Eagle is on the 'Field "doing demos"
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