Coolum – Australia - Jet Meeting 7^th to 9^th July

Well it all started with a brief conversation with my boss Carl at work one morning, which went like “ they keep asking me to bring the Turbine over and give them a demo at the big Jet meeting in Coolum”. My response was “get yourself over there Carl and show the Aussies what we do in Whangarei. I know you will not disappoint them.

A few days after our brief conversation he asked if I would be keen to come with him as support crew. My own response was “ Kin right buddy, as long as you can sweet talk the boss to give me the time off”

We both rarely travel to other clubs due to various things like Carl with his Car Racing, many business commitments and me with Sailing and Blokarting. Plus I can’t be bothered traveling at weekends!

But this was the opportunity of a lifetime for us to share Carl’s awesome Hughes 500E Vario Turbine Helicopter, see some serious Aircraft and make some new friends. We would worry about how we make it happen over the next few weeks.

Carl phoned Ken Buckley who was really helpful arranging the mandatory NZMAA insurance and documentation to enable us to get the beast out of the country and back, with as little hassle as possible. Flights numbers had to be confirmed before Ken could arrange for the Airport manager at Auckland to write a covering letter to smooth the way. He also sent us the official NZMAA forms to show proof of the necessary inspection. Mike Johnston was appointed our inspector and was as usual a mind of information on how to do it all with his extensive worldwide travel in the model flying world.

Our accommodation was at Maroochydore, which was 1-1/4 Hrs up the motorway from Brisbane and 20 minutes from the flying field at Coolum. Accommodation was booked at Northcliffe apartment’s right beside the water and very close to all the local amenities.

We set about wondering how to transport the Heli and it was decided a wooden box would be built to fit the stripped down machine. Laurence Brock-Smith spent the next few weeks making a box, which exceeded all expectations with weight kept to a bare minimum. AUW with the machine inside fully stowed was less than 32Kg. The box size was also within the maximum allowed by Air New Zealand. I honestly did not realize the resources needed to build a decent transport case. Thanks Laurence!

The day before we set off, Mike came to inspect the model and drool over our box. All the time spent flushing the engine and plumbing with Isopropyl Alcohol proved its worth as Mike assured us we would have no problems.

We arrived at the Airport at 0430 for our 0630 flight and had a few strange looks and comments from fellow travelers as we man handled the big box. We checked in our luggage and proceeded to the Large Items desk. We showed all the paperwork including photographs of what was inside to the customs officer. But it was the letter from the Airport manager, which smoothed the way, as we were certain the box would need to be opened. (Thanks again Ken) We were permitted to view the contents on the colour X-ray Machine as the box disappeared. I can’t imagine how any one would be foolish enough to try and smuggle anything with such sophisticated surveillance being used. We could even see the bearings of the turbine in Technicolor!

We arrived in Brisbane after a 4-hour flight and with the undamaged box in tow went through immigration. There were again some concerned customs officers with debate of having to pay duty to bring the model into the country, but Carl managed to evade this one with some smart talking and we cleared customs. One of the officers showed a special interest for some unknown reason.

Carl got the hire car and we headed off to find Mark Kyle at Kyle Communications to have the Radio Gear Certified. No certification means “no fly” as the Aussies are streets ahead of NZ when it comes to regulations. We learned a lot from Mark in the short visit and he showed us some of his extensive collections of Aircraft. We headed off to the apartment to reassemble the model before meeting Chris Venter at his home in Marichidoor to have the model certified before we could fly on Friday. Chris is one of the top jet pilots in Australia and owns many jets. Words fail me trying to describe the numerous pristine models hanging from his garage roof. I was so taken I phoned my wife and told her I was in the Sistine Chapel drooling over masterpieces. Chris was also enthusiastic about Carl’s Heli and was full of nothing but praise. He inspected the machine and Carl completed the required documentation and was required to do a test flight under supervision on Friday, before he could be certified to fly.

On Friday we headed to the Field, which is reputed to be the best of its kind on Australia. We were made to feel incredibly welcome by everyone. All fuel etc was supplied and we carried the beast to the Flight line for the test flight. After an effortless start and spool up Carl hovered briefly, peeled off to the right and headed into a blustery 15 knot cross wind. Every one of the pilots stopped what they were doing and watched as he had a few minutes beating up the sky. Chris & Brian (from WIN TV) advised us to land and put it away as they wanted it to be unmarked for Saturday & Sunday. They had never seen such scale like flying before especially the impressive high angled banking “no mistakes high” and that he undoubtedly was a very competent pilot.

After the pilots briefing on Saturday we spent the next 2 days thoroughly enjoying the event and with each 5 minute flight Carl was growing in confidence and flying better. The wind caused quite a bit of problems with many of the pilots and it was sad to see many machines damaged due to hard landings and flameouts. One beautiful jet flamed out, stalled and over an hour later the posse found it totally destroyed in a lake.

Carl’s machine behaved flawlessly and we witnessed some magnificent flying from Chris with his massive Warthog, Lightning & 2 Euro fighters. He unfortunately had a flame out when his favorite clipped a tree and was badly damaged on impact. The Best model was awarded to the Jet Cat Importer Peter Agnew with his beautiful Cougar. My personal favorite was the scratch built Mig 15, which was flown so beautifully and looked like the real thing.

The Sport Model with the vectored thrust was truly impressive as it was hovered and pitch poled by both father and son. We didn’t know you could do 3D flying with a jet, especially after the previous day when pilot Steve’s large Jet Sea King Heli suffered serious damage when taxiing down wind. Dynamic roll over happens really quickly and he had no time to save the machine when the nose wheel hit a small pothole while collective was used for the taxi on the grass.

Over the weekend we had numerous conversations with public and pilots alike. We made many new friends and there were 2 serious offers to buy Carl’s machine. It seems obvious that Jet fliers have lots of machines and accept flameouts and under carriage damage with a shrug of the shoulders. We lamented with Chris Venter about the serious damage to his $18000 Euro Fighter. His comment was “It comes with the territory”

The prize giving ceremony on Sunday was really good fun. We were presented with 2 DVD’s of previous events because we had travelled so far. All the prizes were awarded in good spirits and every body had smiles on their faces. The special prize, which was presented last, was the “Pilots Choice Award” chosen by the 40 competing pilots, many of whom were the best Jet Pilots in Australia. What better recognition for your ability than judgment by your peers. The unanimous decision from all was that Carl Hansen was chosen for the “Pilots Choice Award” for his awesome display of the most realistic Scale Helicopter Flying seen in Australia. (And honestly Carl, this was no Jack-Up) We were invited to “please come back next year”. We turned up, assembled the machine and flew many impressive flights, all without problems.

It was a wonderful 5 days and I know the 8000+ spectators during the event also had a rare treat. We dismantled the Heli and flushed the engine out at the field and crated it back up at the Apartment.

A security Officer at Brisbane saw me guarding the box at the entrance on our way home while Carl returned the hire car. “Ah, the helicopter boys, you were on TV and I also met you last week”. I will show you where to check in the machine. (He spent some time telling me of his mate’s disastrous attempt to learn to fly helis without help) The lady on the check in desk had also seen us on TV as well. What a buzz! We were famous “as seen on TV”

We cleared customs and MAF without any issues and headed home, to be greeted by the worst storm Northland has had since Cyclone Bola.

Grateful thanks to Ken Buckley, Mike Johnston, Ross Brown, Laurence Brock-Smith, Brent & Karen Hansen, all the Australian Pilots and Club Members of the Suncoast Model Fliers Inc and every one else who has helped or gave advice in making the whole experience a memorable one. I highly recommend staying at the Northcliffe Apartments only 30 meters from the shops – either for a short stay or a holiday. The amenities could not be better and I look forward to staying there again in the future.

Carl, you did NZ proud and I am privileged to have played a small part in the accolades of your peers. I also learned a few tricks about international travel myself. You have ruined me for life!

Don Barker - Whangarei MAC & Northern Helicopter Modelers Club

Chris Venter & his Warthog