The first task was a conventional circuit and for the most part these were ok and although some faced the crosswind, landings were all safe if not particularly tidy. Just remember to keep that into wind wing down with aileron and the aircraft straight with opposite rudder and don’t forget to keep that aileron on when slowing down and taxiing.

The second task was a stuck throttle on downwind which effectively meant carrying out a glide approach. In reality if it did happen we would only use the mixture control to stop the engine when we were certain we could make the runway.

The final event was a short field landing and most were able to pull up in the required distance, although once again the crosswind made it more interesting.

The quiz this time was about the maintenance release. The answer to the first question on how much time to run was correctly answered with 17.1 hours to run but what about the calendar time?

The complete answer would be 17.1 hours or until the 2nd June 2012 which ever comes up first.

The second question was the notations 1-5 on part 1. These are maintenance requirements that will fall due before the next 100 hourly and if due must be signed off by a LAME before the aircraft can be flown. Question three refers to unserviceabilities that may occur and it is the responsibility of the pilot in command or LAME to endorse the maintenance release accordingly with the date, the problem and their signature. Once again it must not be flown until clearing endorsements are recorded.

Licensed pilots and LAME’S are the ones who can sign the maintenance release in section 3 and the time used is airswitch time.(top right hand corner of the instrument panel)

The operational category for VH-BAC is 'airwork' and the answer to part B of that question is yes. ( if you have any queries on this one ask Mark Renshaw!!

Twelve members participated in the final competition for the year which was won by Mike Norman with 58 points from Kingsley Picker on 55 and Grady Evans on 54.5. The results of the 5 competitions for the year will now be put together and the winner of the pilot of the year will be announced at the annual dinner.

Jerry Trevor-Jones