March - April 2023

Australian Flying

Australia's premier General Aviation magazine

Australian Flying2 min read
In the Left Hand Seat
It’s been a long time since I edited a magazine, and I miss the process dearly. What Hitch didn’t tell me, initially, was that he would be hiking in the wilds of Tassie with his mobile phone turned off. I’m diagnosed with an affliction called Aphanta
Australian Flying1 min read
Australian Flying
Editor: Steve Hitchen stevehitchen@yaffa.com.au Senior Contributor: Paul Southwick Test Pilot: John Absolon National Sales Manager: Andrew Murphy, 17-21 Bellevue Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010. Tel: (02) 9213 8272, andrewmurphy@yaffa.com.au Advertisin
Australian Flying2 min read
General Aviation Big Feature at Avalon
More than 180 aircraft and 30 different type groups are expected to be featured at Avalon this year. The dedicated GA/Sport area will feature a live build of a Zenith CH750 STOL aircraft and a conference centre where associations are invited to run t
Australian Flying5 min read
Awarding the Greats
A member of HARS Historic Flight Association, a registered Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Airframe and Engine), a Responsible Person for a number of companies with CASA, Responsible Person and Owner of a registered training organisation (Aerospace T
Australian Flying1 min read
Bonza Cleared for Take Off by CASA
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to new Australian airline Bonza after the carrier submitted final documents and successfully completed proving flights. The AOC is the regulatory approval required by
Australian Flying9 min read
Moruya: A Classic Aussie Beach Town
Relax, for a minute, and take yourself back. Feel the hot, squeaky-soft sand. Breathe in the salted air. Hear the kids on the beach, playing totem tennis or flogging soggy sand at one another, and the whirr of the Victa (no, the motor mower) slicing
Australian Flying9 min read
The Return of avalon
Absence, it is said, makes the heart grow fonder. If true, it goes a long way toward explaining the yearning the aviation industry has for the Australian International Airshow. After four years away, it returns to us in the form of Avalon 2023, and t
Australian Flying9 min read
Looks like We’ve Made It!
Pushed by the disadvantages of airline travel and pulled by the 100% immediate write-off of business aircraft for tax purposes, pilots with means are upgrading their ratings, skills and type of aircraft they fly. Previously, turboprops like the best-
Australian Flying9 min read
The Cirrus Vision
After a long break due to covid travel restrictions, it was good to be back at the fast-expanding Cirrus Vision Centre, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to test fly the latest Vision Jet and SR22T. There were more hangars, owners taking delivery, employees,
Australian Flying6 min read
Love at First Flight
As a child, Hayden McDonald knew he would grow up to be a pilot. His grandfather (known as Papa) owned a 1977 Beechcraft Bonanza which he used to fly for his commercial business. “My sister and I used to fight to be in co-pilot’s seat but as we got o
Australian Flying10 min read
A Bogbrush for Christmas
Jim Davis has a passion for instructing. He has been training civil and military pilots, in the air and on the ground for 50 years. His other passion is writing, which he studied at Curtin University in Perth. You can see, and buy, his two pilot text
Australian Flying10 min read
Our Hall Of Fame: Honouring The Past, Inspiring The Future
To the side of Cafe Connie at the HARS Museum in Shellharbour, NSW, is a lift and a set of stairs. Take either and you will find yourself on a spacious mezzanine floor, the focal point of which is an open area containing display cases. On the walls a
Australian Flying6 min read
Good Things Come in Small Packages
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a fine exemplar of modern rotary wing aviation - evolution at its finest. Designed as the natural successor to the immensely successful Bell 206 JetRanger - the light utility helicopter that kick-started its illustrious f
Australian Flying1 min read
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Australian Flying2 min read
Keeping your Cool
The Wombat Ware cooling case is a companion device for pilots in general aviation who fly with their iPads. The aim of the case is to prevent the iPad from overheating, a common issue in the summer heat of Australia. Simply place the iPad in the cool
Australian Flying2 min read
Flying Recollections
Perhaps because every pilot is told by their non-flying friends, “you should write a book!” aviation is peppered with self-published memoirs. Some are vanity projects and some are absolutely magnificent adventures of round-the-world trips we can only
Australian Flying3 min read
Redressing the Balance
What sparked your interest in aviation? Was it watching an intrepid pilot battle stormy weather at the movies? Was it through a hobby or did the fascination grow from that always thrilling first flight or a visit to an airport? Were you hooked by one
Australian Flying4 min read
Change Is In The Air
Its 40 years this year since ultralight flying in Australia became a legitimate pursuit, with structure and oversight. Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus), the successor to the Australian Ultralight Federation (AUF), has grown from very humble be
Australian Flying3 min read
Avalon to Showcase Business Jets.
Despite emerging economic and political conditions, recent reports indicate that business jet fleet utilisation and demand within the Asia-Pacific region remains high and will continue to underpin strong new and pre-owned aircraft sales well into 202
Australian Flying5 min read
Fatal Loss Of Control In The Circuit
Jim Davis has 15,000 hours of immensely varied flying experience, including 10,000 hours civil and military flying instruction. He is an established author, his current projects being an instructors’ manual and a collection of Air Accident analyses,
Australian Flying5 min read
A Lapsed Pilot’s Confession
Kreisha Ballantyne is one of the most recognisable aviation writers in Australia. With experience writing for several aviation titles, Kreisha has a broad base of experience, an ability to tap into important general aviation issues and a talent for e
Australian Flying3 min read
Electric Aviation Is Off To A Flying Start In Australia.
Electric aviation presents private, flying school and light commercial operators with a decarbonised and cost-reduced method of flying. FlyOnE Sustainable aviation is tackling the multifaceted challenge of decarbonising light aviation in Australia wi
Australian Flying2 min read
In the Left Hand Seat
It’s been a long time since I edited a magazine, and I miss the process dearly. What Hitch didn’t tell me, initially, was that he would be hiking in the wilds of Tassie with his mobile phone turned off. I’m diagnosed with an affliction called Aphanta
Australian Flying2 min read
General Aviation Big Feature at Avalon
More than 180 aircraft and 30 different type groups are expected to be featured at Avalon this year. The dedicated GA/Sport area will feature a live build of a Zenith CH750 STOL aircraft and a conference centre where associations are invited to run t
Australian Flying1 min read
Bonza Cleared for Take Off by CASA
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to new Australian airline Bonza after the carrier submitted final documents and successfully completed proving flights. The AOC is the regulatory approval required by
Australian Flying5 min read
Awarding the Greats
A member of HARS Historic Flight Association, a registered Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (Airframe and Engine), a Responsible Person for a number of companies with CASA, Responsible Person and Owner of a registered training organisation (Aerospace T
Australian Flying9 min read
Moruya: A Classic Aussie Beach Town
Relax, for a minute, and take yourself back. Feel the hot, squeaky-soft sand. Breathe in the salted air. Hear the kids on the beach, playing totem tennis or flogging soggy sand at one another, and the whirr of the Victa (no, the motor mower) slicing
Australian Flying9 min read
Looks like We’ve Made It!
Pushed by the disadvantages of airline travel and pulled by the 100% immediate write-off of business aircraft for tax purposes, pilots with means are upgrading their ratings, skills and type of aircraft they fly. Previously, turboprops like the best-
Australian Flying9 min read
The Cirrus Vision
After a long break due to covid travel restrictions, it was good to be back at the fast-expanding Cirrus Vision Centre, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to test fly the latest Vision Jet and SR22T. There were more hangars, owners taking delivery, employees,
Australian Flying10 min read
A Bogbrush for Christmas
Jim Davis has a passion for instructing. He has been training civil and military pilots, in the air and on the ground for 50 years. His other passion is writing, which he studied at Curtin University in Perth. You can see, and buy, his two pilot text
Australian Flying6 min read
Love at First Flight
As a child, Hayden McDonald knew he would grow up to be a pilot. His grandfather (known as Papa) owned a 1977 Beechcraft Bonanza which he used to fly for his commercial business. “My sister and I used to fight to be in co-pilot’s seat but as we got o
Australian Flying10 min read
Our Hall Of Fame: Honouring The Past, Inspiring The Future
To the side of Cafe Connie at the HARS Museum in Shellharbour, NSW, is a lift and a set of stairs. Take either and you will find yourself on a spacious mezzanine floor, the focal point of which is an open area containing display cases. On the walls a
Australian Flying6 min read
Good Things Come in Small Packages
The Bell 505 Jet Ranger X is a fine exemplar of modern rotary wing aviation - evolution at its finest. Designed as the natural successor to the immensely successful Bell 206 JetRanger - the light utility helicopter that kick-started its illustrious f
Australian Flying2 min read
Keeping your Cool
The Wombat Ware cooling case is a companion device for pilots in general aviation who fly with their iPads. The aim of the case is to prevent the iPad from overheating, a common issue in the summer heat of Australia. Simply place the iPad in the cool
Australian Flying2 min read
Flying Recollections
Perhaps because every pilot is told by their non-flying friends, “you should write a book!” aviation is peppered with self-published memoirs. Some are vanity projects and some are absolutely magnificent adventures of round-the-world trips we can only
Australian Flying4 min read
Change Is In The Air
Its 40 years this year since ultralight flying in Australia became a legitimate pursuit, with structure and oversight. Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus), the successor to the Australian Ultralight Federation (AUF), has grown from very humble be
Australian Flying3 min read
Redressing the Balance
What sparked your interest in aviation? Was it watching an intrepid pilot battle stormy weather at the movies? Was it through a hobby or did the fascination grow from that always thrilling first flight or a visit to an airport? Were you hooked by one
Australian Flying3 min read
Avalon to Showcase Business Jets.
Despite emerging economic and political conditions, recent reports indicate that business jet fleet utilisation and demand within the Asia-Pacific region remains high and will continue to underpin strong new and pre-owned aircraft sales well into 202
Australian Flying5 min read
Fatal Loss Of Control In The Circuit
Jim Davis has 15,000 hours of immensely varied flying experience, including 10,000 hours civil and military flying instruction. He is an established author, his current projects being an instructors’ manual and a collection of Air Accident analyses,
Australian Flying5 min read
A Lapsed Pilot’s Confession
Kreisha Ballantyne is one of the most recognisable aviation writers in Australia. With experience writing for several aviation titles, Kreisha has a broad base of experience, an ability to tap into important general aviation issues and a talent for e
Australian Flying3 min read
Electric Aviation Is Off To A Flying Start In Australia.
Electric aviation presents private, flying school and light commercial operators with a decarbonised and cost-reduced method of flying. FlyOnE Sustainable aviation is tackling the multifaceted challenge of decarbonising light aviation in Australia wi
Australian Flying8 min read
The Return of avalon
Absence, it is said, makes the heart grow fonder. If true, it goes a long way toward explaining the yearning the aviation industry has for the Australian International Airshow. After four years away, it returns to us in the form of Avalon 2023, and t

Australian Flying

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