JULY 2013 - HB&EC; AERO CLUB
JULY 2013 - HB&EC; AERO CLUB
JULY 2013 - HB&EC; AERO CLUB
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT<br />
The North East paddock development is well under way. The Faram Aviation Ltd hangar has made<br />
quick progress. The Club has signed a contract with Air BP to provide a new Jet A1 fuel facility next<br />
to the Faram hangar site (behind the windsock). They have resource consent and we expect<br />
construction of that to start in the next few weeks. As part of that the Club will be preparing an<br />
access track driveway for the tankers so that will be the next working bee with a couple of tractors.<br />
Also you will see some digging near the old clubhouse/NZAM access gate as the water supply to<br />
the NE paddock is hooked up. Once the tanker access drive way is in we will level the taxi-ing<br />
areas and start marking out available hangar sites.<br />
RPL Medicals and CAA. After a long battle by many organisations and individuals a significant<br />
victory for common sense and the Recreational Pilot Licence. CAA has agreed to honour the<br />
original intent of the medical provisions for this licence. Ie; in return for a reduction in PPL privilege<br />
(one passenger, no night flying etc.) a PPL holder can move to a Recreational Pilot Licence and<br />
only require a drivers licence medical certificate. This represents a significant reduction in<br />
compliance cost from the $313 CAA medical application fee plus $200-400 medical examiner fees<br />
of the PPL medical. Along with microlight flying the RPL is another way for people to enjoy aviation<br />
whilst avoiding CAA’s draconian medical compliance costs. If you want to learn more about the RPL<br />
talk to Max. Kudos to the new Director of CAA for a step in the right direction, now we just need the<br />
$313 application fee changed to a $25 on line application and the CAA hourly office charge rate<br />
dropped to that of a moderately qualified lawyer. If there were to be a silver lining out of the recent<br />
earthquakes, would CAA be free to move to lower cost premises if their current office and source of<br />
great controversy were to be stickered for structural strengthening required<br />
Aero Club History Project. Jan White has tracked down some early film footage of flying at our<br />
aerodrome and Longlands. It is old film stock and she is discussing with the owner about the<br />
possibility of having it carefully transferred to digital format. It will be great if we can have this<br />
playing in the reception area and on the website.<br />
Aircraft. Well by now you will have seen the Club’s new green machine in action – the Rans S6-ES<br />
microlight. It is in the process of having registration changed to KIX but it is getting extensive use<br />
already with our microlight students having been on hold for four weeks. Remember you can fly this<br />
as a PPL with a type rating. Talk to Max, Kieran or Mads about it. Repairs to THA are under way.<br />
ATC. It has been a looong time coming but #11 Hastings Squadron are getting to very close to<br />
commissioning their hangar by the driveway and officially moving out of our old Clubhouse upstairs<br />
and into their own building. There will be a few party streamers flying I am sure . . . .<br />
Runway LED Lighting. Some LED options have been trialled and some further light options will be<br />
tried out in the coming weeks.<br />
Air HB Ltd. The Stage 2 Audit with Air NZ looms at the end of September so that is front and<br />
foremost in planning. A substantial part of this involves adoption of a Safety Management System<br />
(SMS) approach to risk management. Timely as this is being rolled out by CAA across the<br />
commercial general aviation operators. With the July 2 nd intake of students there are now a total of<br />
12 Year One students in action so the place is a little busier. Financial results are on track.<br />
See you at Taildragger Day next month . . . .<br />
Bruce Govenlock