I'd like to add my support to the ASC's negotiations with the SA
govt. Gawler was where in 1973, as a 12 year-old kid from the North
Coast of NSW who only knew of howling nor' easters, I discovered real
thermals. Going up at 10 kts in a club K13 felt like I'd been
strapped to the pointy bit of a Saturn V booster rocket! Our
wonderful corner of the sport aviation sandpit seems to be under
increasing pressure; a threat in the form of roadworks is yet another
tentacle on the 'great squid' of anti-soaring activity.
On a different topic, I once again dare to ask a question of the
forum (still mulling over the great response regarding GPS/PDA units
etc): what sort of sunnies do you wear when indulging in some
'segelflug'? I'm in the market for some new sunnies (new
prescription) and see that there are some supposedly good flying
brands about. Serengeti is one as well as the time-honoured Raybans,
Rodenstocks, Zeiss, Bolle and so on. Answers on the back of a UV ray
please and no hi-jacking the thread for sedition or pyramid
selling! ; ))
Cheers,
Mitch.
On 28/11/2006, at 1:27 PM, Phil wrote:
Hi all
The proposed road will indeed impact heavily on the operations at
Gawler. Transport SA held a meeting at the club 2 weeks ago to
inform us of their proposal and to outline how we will be
compensated. The summary is that we will lose 20-30% of our runway
lengths and the road will cut off the existing infrastructure from
the remains of the airfield. The trotting complex adjacent to the
airfield is being wiped out. Transport SA has told us they will
relocate the buildings on the field. As for how, and how much,
those details are not yet determined. They have stated that they
would like the negotiation phase to be completed by May '07.
The Adelaide Soaring Club is the manager of the airfield. The Light
Regional council is the owners. The Light council was given the
field by the Federal government under a deed of transfer which
states that they must keep the field operational! In addition to
the ASC, we have a strong aircadet movement plus about 50 private
aircraft operating from the field. They are a mix of microlights,
gliders, motorgliders, ultralights and GA. We as managers have to
take their requirements into consideration as well.
The ASC has formed a small working group to put together a proposal
which we can then take back to the owners of the airfield and
Transport SA. We are looking at all the things suggested on the
list and have been assisted by John Summers, an ex ASC member,
civil engineer with extensive experience in major road projects
(and soon to be airfields officer for GFA). I don't want to go into
too much detail at this time but of course we are going to try and
make the best out of this. Needless to say this is going to be a
big project and take a great deal of time and effort.
Philip Ritchie
ASC President
Australian Gliding Grand Prix Convenor
Chair of NEWP (Northern Expressway Working Party)
Full time veterinarian in my own business
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