ADELAIDE BIPLANES

7 days ago

A Flight To Remember ....

Squadron Leader Peter Nelson, AFC, RAAF Reservist, Air Show Team writes for me ....

"Why is Remembrance Day on November 11th?

The truce (or Armistice) to end the war between countries was signed at exactly 11 o’clock on the morning of November 11th, 1918. The guns on the Western Front fell silent .... at long last! And so, every year on Remembrance Day, we observe one or two minutes silence at the same time to commemorate those who served as a member of the armed forces during wartime, and their contribution to our freedom and way of life.

The war, also known as The Great War, lasted over four years and took the lives of over 15 million people.

This year we marked the day peace was made 106 years ago!

During the moment of silence in public Remembrance Day services, there is a song played on either the bugle or the trumpet called 'The Last Post'. This moves many in the gathered crowd to tears, regardless of how many of these ceremonies they have attended.

The Last Post was used during wartime by the Commonwealth Armies to signify to soldiers and officers that the end of the day had come, the fighting had ceased for the time being, and those who were lost or wounded could follow the sound back to camp for safety and rest.

Now, this song is played during Remembrance Day and other memorial services to symbolize the end of wartime and to honour those who had fallen by calling them to rest.

Nowadays, Remembrance Day ceremonies honour those who have fallen on all conflicts, those who have served and those who continue to serve."

At Adelaide Biplanes ............ On Monday 11 November at 1030, we began to slide the hangar doors, firstly pulling out the 1940 British designed Tiger Moth VH-UEQ. Sliding across the next door revealed the big radial engined American designed 1942 Boeing Stearman, VH-EYC. Both aircraft served time during World War II in a training role and still sport their 'training yellow' fabric colours, on this day shining and resplendent in the Australian sun.

As we took off from Aldinga Airfield, the biplanes climbed and gradually came together in formation, the pilots Martyn and Karl, working hard in the bumpy air. I turned back to look at the Tiger Moth bobbing up and down behind and then out ahead over the cowling towards McLaren Vale as they flew together, engine sounds purring and 'phtting' a rhythm.

First we flew over the Aldinga Memorial service and then back to the Willunga Memorial before landing home. The hangar doors were pushed closed and the aircraft were 'back in bed'. We had rumbled along and flown in peaceful air, free air.

With the sound of the Stearman engine rumbling in front of me, I began to remember ... Later, I began a search in old photos and letters, for I was remembering a story of the memories shared between my Aunties and my mother about their Uncle Robert George Lucas. He was the second son of my Great Grandparents, their grandparents. Their first son Edward Lucas had died in 1912, just 17 years old, then Robert their second son enlisted with The Australian Army on the 16th March 1916. At this time his sister, who was to become my Nanna was only 12 years old and had clear memories of that time.

Robert was from the family farm and he had attended the nearby Mt Gambier High School .... he rode horses .... he was loved by his family. On 14 August 1916, he was marched onto a ship at Outer Harbour, the 'Itria' sailing to Plymouth and arriving in the UK on 30 October 1916.

New Year's Eve 2016, he sailed on the ship 'Princess Victoria' to Etaples, France where he joined the 5th Pioneer Battalion, regimental Number 2382A.

On the 10 May 1917, Robert was KILLED IN ACTION, in the field, France, just 20 years old. His parents received a telegram on the 21 May 1917.

He lays far away from his family at the Vaulx Hill Cemetery, 160 kms north of Paris.

On the farm at Allendale, they were far removed from the horrors of that war, but it still reached out and affected them for the rest of their lives. I remember my family talking about him. His mother, my Great Grandmother was always heartbroken they said. I can vaguely remember there was a story of a young girl left behind in Mt Gambier. She never married.

The ripples of pain go down the generations.

Quote .... "Why do we need to remember? Because those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

2 weeks ago

Pete Watkinson ..... First Solo in the Harmony

"It was my 40th birthday 2 years ago! I made the commitment to myself after talking to Kara my wife, that I was going to learn to fly.

Time is precious, I'm making the time in my busy life. I want to do it, but there is also a benefit to my work as an Engineer.

I left school in the distant past at 17 years old and joined The Australian Army, to become an Avionics Technician for the next 10 years. I was posted to Wagga Wagga for Basic Training, on to Oakey Army Barracks near Toowoomba for Transition Training for helicopters (Rotary Wing), then I was posted to Darwin for 2 years working on the Kiowa Helicopter. I was sent back to Oakey for 3 years to work on the Iroquois (Huey's), finally serving my last 3 years at Edinburgh on special projects.

In 2007 and 25 years old, I met Kara, a South Australian girl. When we started a family we decided that now was the time to leave the Army and be more settled!

I began working for David Foord Avionics, based at Adelaide Airport on the corner of Sir Donald Bradman Drive and Marion Road. That was a big challenge to deal with General Aviation after working in a military environment!

I moved on to work for Australian Helicopters working on the Rescue Helicopters .... Bell 412's. They flew to trauma and for medical transfers .... the Emergency Air Ambulances.

In 2013, Steve Davis rang me. He asked me to join him in a new start up company, Pulse, as their Avionics Engineer. In 2020 the whole business was sold to the Tisdall Aviation Group based at Archerfield in Queensland. I became the General Manager at Pulse Aero based at Adelaide Airport.

I feel like all the years of fixing aeroplanes has given me the knowledge to perhaps understand better how an aeroplane responds to input.

Going solo? I wasn't expecting it on that day, I had felt as if I was gaining that confidence to go. Thinking about it afterwards, I realised that I had been flying the circuit and the Instructor had been quiet for a while! After the solo was a great feeling. It's a variable, always subject to weather experience, but an enjoyable challenging journey!

Looking forwards, I want to get my PPL (Private Pilot Licence) eventually. I have always wanted to do this for pleasure ..... Let's just see where it takes me!

Who knows where the challenge is going to lead me now?!! " ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

3 weeks ago

Dick Johnson .... Just turned over the page on 88 years old

"For my 88th birthday I wanted to do aerobatics because I thought it would be the ultimate. I've been learning to fly in the SportStar, then the Harmony for 8 years now. I was only 80 when I began!

Martyn said I did ....

A Barrel Roll
A Hammerhead
Inverted, flying upside down
A Cuban
!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martyn said he did 4 and 1/2 G. Was it the ultimate thing to do? It was the icing on the cake!! Plus I was able to fly the Super Decathlon on the way back too!!. Great!! " ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

3 weeks ago

Oscar Graefling nearly 18 years old .... First solo in the tailwheel Champ

"I grew up living at Glenelg, only a tram ride from the city of Adelaide, 20 mins walk to the sea and houses all around.

When I was 12, my Mum told me about an opportunity to join AAFC, the Australian Air Force Cadets, to give me some exposure and experience to aviation. The 601 Squadron was close by at Keswick Barracks and I attended on a Friday night from 6-10 pm. We learnt about service knowledge in the Defence Force, discipline and drill, jobs in the Defence Force and basic aircraft recognition. We also learnt field craft .... how to put up a tent, light a fire!

Meanwhile, my sister Sara Louise, 3 years older than me had started at Urrbrae High School here in Adelaide. In her Year 12, one of her projects was Sheep Management and that changed the lives of our family. Mum and Dad found a property at Mt Compass, we all moved and started farming, running sheep and dairy cows.

In 2023 I was awarded an AAFC Scholarship for Flight Training for 15 hours of flying and I started at Adelaide Biplanes. That began my journey. I have jobs to complete on the farm and a part time job, that all goes to my flying.

Going solo in the Champ? I knew that I must be getting close. I came in on an overcast day and thought it won't be today, but it turned calm, Martyn stepped out and I flew by myself! I was pretty nervous on the takeoff roll, it's very different not having the 2nd person in the back, it climbed like a rocket and it was all over so quick!

Outwardly, I didn't show much, but inside I was shaky and really pleased! I knew by my 2nd lesson that I wanted to fly!" ... See MoreSee Less