This was my first time at NATFLY since 2005. The event has really taken off, great attendance and trade displays, an airshow segment and run as professionally as any airshow.
Now that's a low pass!! Accelerating in ground effect after takeoff ...
I flew down from Tamworth on Friday morning, the weather at Temora that day was not great. A brisk wind towards the crowd line and a cloud base of 2000 feet with lower patches looked like making my display interesting. Fortunately, by early afternoon the cloud base was up to over 2000' but the wind remained. My display went exactly as planned and the feedback was terrific. All that training on windy days was rewarded.
The plane was parked in the middle of the trade display area, outside the Museum.
Plenty of curious people took the opportunity to have a good look at the plane.
Paul Goard of Brumby Aircraft looked after the plane that night with hangarage in the Temora Museum - thanks to all!
Hover!Friday night seemed to have parties, BBQs and functions all over the place - it was a great atmosphere.
With more flying the next day, it was a quiet and early night for me.
Saturday provided near perfect conditions, clear skies and less wind. Hard not to enjoy flying a display on a day like that!
It was fantastic to catch up with so many friends, people from all over the east coast of Australia.
Sorry I didn't get as much time with you all as I would have liked ...
I had great ground crew, thanks to brother-in-law, Les and local web site guru,
Kaos (of Upside Down Web Sites).
Stu Hutchison always manages to get me some great pics, he has posted them at:
I also like the photos from Michael Wignal and wife Renae - great to meet you both:
Michael in the foreground ...
One of the great things about this event was the CASA attendance. While some people might be put off by this, I suggest it can only be good for Recreational Flying. The CASA guys are enthusiasts too and they too want NATFLY to be a success. With their guidance we can continue to grow this event for the benefit of all.
All the display pilots found CASA a pleasure to deal with.
I also spent some time with the guys from Plane Crazy, check their web site for a NATFLY podcast including an interview with yours truly!
These guys work closely with Aviation Advertiser, I actually hadn't heard of this web site before but it looks like one to bookmark for any aviation minded person.
So, overall, a great event, my congratulations to all involved but especially Mick Poole.
Thanks for having me at NATFLY, I had a blast!
