33rd AAAA National Fly-in

33rd AAAA National Fly-in

 

April 24th – 26th  2009

 

The Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia (AAAA) and the Echuca Aero Club (EAC) would like to invite all members and friends to join us at Echuca, on the Murray River for our 2009 National Fly-in.  Our hosts, the EAC, have extended a warm welcome to all AAAA members, pilots and aviation enthusiasts for a weekend not to be missed.

The AAAA and EAC committees have agreed to make Echuca the biennial venue for the AAAA National Fly-in.  Both organisations are working  towards providing better facilities for the AAAA members & families, making the event a must attend on your calendar every second year.

 

 

 

 

What to see and do                 

Echuca/Moama, the paddle steamer capital of Australia is an ideal holiday destination for the whole family.   Visit the Port of Echuca to discover the early history of the region when Echuca-Moama was a bustling river port.  Living history abounds in the many museums, which offer a wealth of riverboat and community memorabilia, vintage cars, and, in the National Holden Museum, over 40 beautifully restored Holden’s, rare prototypes and historic film footage. Older fans of this Aussie icon have been seen to bow in homage at the Holden museum entrance!   Sharp's Magic Movie House and Penny Arcade have won awards for its mix of wonderfully nostalgic old films and old-fashioned fun.

                                                                                               

 

Experience the Murray River, the centerpiece of the towns. Take a paddle steamer cruise and feel the same sensations as the old-time skippers did, when these towns were the hub of the important 1800s riverboat trade, which opened up inland Australia.  Smell the oil from the engine, feel the heat as the red gum logs go into the boiler, feel the huge paddles chug and vibrate, watch the clouds of white steam surge into the sky, and listen to nostalgic toots from the whistle.  Climb up to the bridge and chat with the captain and look out on a 150-year-old scene as you return to the dock. 

Alternatively, hire a houseboat, go fishing, swimming, canoeing or water skiing. You can also use Echuca-Moama as your base to explore nearby towns, magnificent red gum forests, wetlands and fauna parks.

You will be delighted with the variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and accommodation available.  Echuca is also fast gaining a reputation as a Jazz centre within Australia and you'll often find performances on offer around the town.  Echuca-Moama enjoys a wonderful climate, perfect for holidays - whatever the season.  There is so much on offer I encourage you to take a few extra days, bring the family and have a holiday.

 

Accommodation

There is a fabulous range of accommodation on offer, with more exciting new choices are opening up each year.  They are all easy to find in the most scenic spots, easy to afford, made for easy living.  Bed and Breakfasts take pampering to new heights.  Self contained units and villas are the answer when you want home away from home with plenty of space, while motels continue to offer affordable and relaxed base for you to discover the towns.  Even take a few extra days and hire a houseboat right in the middle of town.  For more information please contact the Tourist Information office who will be happy to help you with your booking.           www.echucamoama.com or phone 1800 804 446

                                                                                                

 

Bus Service

A shuttle bus service will operate between the airfield and selected accommodation venues in Echuca-Moama for the transport of pilots and crew.  This will commence Friday evening and run throughout the weekend concluding with a final service on Monday morning.  Tickets will be available at the pilot registration desk and be in the order of $10/person for the weekend.

 

The Event

This year is an airshow event and this will be held on the Sunday.  We have a great line up of aircraft scheduled for participation so for those of you who haven't made it to Avalon or Temora there is sure to be some fantastic aircraft being displayed.

 

Friday Night

Late arrivals

PILOTS  BBQ dinner at the Aero Club with entertainment

 

Saturday

Morning – Pilots breakfast  and continued aircraft arrivals

Lunch available at the Aero Club for pilots and crew

Afternoon – Local attractions tour for aircrew including local wineries

AAAA Presentation Dinner at the Moama Bowling Club

 

 

Sunday

PUBLIC AIRSHOW: 11:30am – 2:30pm

Afternoon – Aircraft departures

Evening – Pilots wind down dinner at the Aero Club

 

 

Monday

Morning – Final bus pickup to return to Airfield.

 

Flying In and Aircraft Parking

Please refer to your current AIP/ERSA for airfield information. 

We will be operating a Unicom on the CTAF for traffic advice but, as always, it is the pilot’s responsibility to maintain separation.   

We are going to park similar aircraft types together.  This worked fantastically in 2007 and the visual spectacle was well and truly worth the effort.  The Unicom will notify you of the ground frequency and taxi assistance will be available.   

 

Day visitors will be parked separately to aid in their departure at the end of the day.

 

 

Registration

All Pilots are requested to register their attendance at the fly-in.  The registration desk will be set up in the Aero Club.  Bus tickets will be available for purchase here.

Echuca does not operate any RPT's and hence ASIC cards are not required.  We will however be issuing financial AAAA members with their 2009 membership cards which is also their flight line pass.  Non-AAAA member pilots and passengers will receive a temporary flight line pass so that they can access their aircraft outside airshow times.  Access to the flight line will be restricted to people with this flight line pass

 

The Airshow

Entry to the Airshow is: $20/adult, $10/child & $50/family.

Entry is FREE to AAAA members but they must show their membership card for entry.

Visiting pilots and crew will be charged ½ price for entry.

                                                                                                

 

Tie Downs and Aircraft Security

All aircraft must be tied down and secured when left unattended.  It is the responsibility of the pilot to supply adequate tie downs and security locks.

 

Aircraft Starting

Please remember that a licensed pilot must be in the cockpit – whether hand starting or using a starter motor.  When you wish to start please ensure your aircraft is positioned such that other aircraft and spectators will not suffer from your propwash and resultant dust and dirt.

 

Fuel & Oil

The Echuca Aero Club operates the fixed Avgas bowser opposite the club house, however access to this will be very restricted over the weekend due to the limited hardstand.  A mobile tanker will be available from Saturday morning to re-fuel aircraft in their parking bays.  Limited supplies of Red Band Oil and Mogas will also be available on request but you must let us know prior to the event if you require Red band Oil or Mogas.

                                                                                                

 

Airfield Entertainment

On the airshow day there will be a wide variety of entertainment in addition to the aircraft.  They will include vintage car displays, stationary engines, craft markets, children's entertainment and food stalls.

 

Echuca is a fantastic venue and with the enthusiasm and effort being put in by the Echuca Aero Club & the local AAAA members this will be one of our best events yet.  I hope to see you there.

CRAIG TABERNER……

 

Photos from Echuca 2007