Newsdesk — General Aviation

Air Race Helps Flying Doctor

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is at or very near the top of any list of worthy causes in our book, and an air race which is being held this August is intended to be a major fundraising event for the organisation. The Mobil Outback Air Race is being conducted between August 10 and 24, taking competitors from Perth and back again via Kalgoorlie, Nallan Station, Meekatharra, Newman, Fitzroy Crossing, Kununurra, Derby, Broome, Port Hedland, Coral Bay, Mt Augustus, Gascoyne Junction, Carnarvon, Nanga Station and Geraldton. It will be a great way to see the Australian Outback and time has been set aside to explore the Kimberleys, Lake Argyle, the Bungle Bungles and other areas. There are various prizes on offer including a trip for four to London, awards for the best and most imaginative fundraisers and daily prizes for the winners of each leg. Contact race co-ordinator Donna Hayes on (041) 122 1093 or fax (09) 417 3880 for details of what could be the adventure of a lifetime, and all in aid of a great cause.

Churchill Fellow’s Overseas Experiences

Well known Ag-pilot, Dan Kennedy of Goulburn Air Services, has recently returned from an overseas study tour following his award of a Churchill Fellowship. Dan visited the UK and the USA to undertake study for his Fellowship into air safety practices. He reports that the tour was of exceptional value and is keen to pass on the benefits of his experiences. He may be contacted on (048) 21 1169, or by mail to PO Box 426, Goulburn, 2580.

Missing You!

I guess it’s easy to miss a flying school when there are already so many in our annual Flying Training Directory which appeared in our previous issue. And of course this is precisely what we did when we omitted to include one of the keenest organisations in the flying training community in the form of the Australian Air League’s Air Activities Centre based at Camden near Sydney. Sorry guys. This operation is completely staffed by volunteers and consequently includes some very experienced airline and military pilots amongst its instructor ranks. The fleet includes Cessna 152s and 172s in addition to a Piper Arrow. Pilots who have earned their wings with the Air League have gone on to fly everything from Hornets and F-111s to A320s and 747s. If you want to know more about this worthy organisation then call (046) 55 7721 or write to the Director, Air Activities Base, Camden Airport, 2570.

Coffs Harbour Celebrates

August 1996 marks the 50th anniversary of regular commercial flights between Sydney and the NSW north coast resort town of Coffs Harbour, and some special celebrations are planned to mark the occasion. The weekend of August 23, 24 and 25 will see Coffs Harbour ‘Salute Aviation and the Arts’ with a series of events including remembering the activities of the RAAF at Coffs during WWII and the arrival of the first Butler Air Transport DC-3 from Sydney, and the opening of the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in conjunction with the 8th Annual Coffs City Rotary International Cartoon Awards. The Bunker holds special significance for the RAAF which had a major base at Coffs Harbour during the war. Other activities include a DC-3 package tour from Sydney, an RAAF remembrance ceremony, a ball, a golf day and an air pageant. For details contact Margaret on (066) 52 2992 or Wendy Hall on (066) 52 0764 or fax (066) 52 1773.