5-DME Adelaide

Sunday 26th October 2008 5DME attended the SAAM Engine Run. There were several engine types on display with about 1/2 dozen being run.

• Rolls Royce Merlin Mk III
• Pratt & Whitney 1340
• Armstrong Siddley Cheetah IX
• Lycoming 540
• DH Gypsy Queen
• Gnome Rotary
• Armstrong Siddley Lynx
• P-3 Orion GTC85-72

It was great to see and hear these engines close-up. Our favourite was the Gnome Rotary with it's no throttle, full on or off method of control with the ignition being pulsed to maintain the required speed. Plus the fact that the cylinders actually rotate in this engine rather than remaining stationary like the radial engines.

After the engine run we toured the rest of the museum and took many photographs. A particular favourite was the Mc Donnell Douglas DC-3 which could be boarded and viewed inside. It felt strange to be on one of these aircraft again after not having been on one since childhood. What a peculiar feeling it was to board walking uphill and disembark without breaking into a run when going downhill :)

All the officials at the meeting were great and most positive and informative. Everyone I spoke to was very enthusiastic and helpful. 

The South Australian Aviation Museum is well worth a look even if you are not an enthusiast. If your are, it's heaven.

SAAM is located at Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.

 

25 October 2008 Goolwa hosted a fly in over the sat-sun weekend. 5DME attended on the Saturday morning and there was already a significant attendance. Several aircraft had arrived on the Friday night. There was a large variety of aircraft from vintage right through to modern. We estimate about 50-60 planes as they were not all on the ground together.

5DME photographers took plenty of stills and they will be uploaded to the gallery as soon as time permits.

5DME are about to introduce some new sections to the web site. To extend our coverage and information of interest to you will will be adding the following:

• Aviation Trivia Section
• Aviation Museum Section
• Parafield Airport Pages and Gallery

We will also be making additions to the recently created Memorabilia section.

Keep an eye out for the new material as it is posted.

On the 27th September 2008, 5DME visited the Adelaide Airport for the purposes of video and photos of the A380 on its first visit to YPAD. What a spectacular site it was too! However as we were waiting the was an emergency landing on runway 30. Apparently, a Beech B200 VH-URU was having difficulties with the landing gear after just taking off for a flight to kangaroo Island.

We noticed a collection of Ambulance, Police and Fire services at the head of 30. After some time circling VH-URU made its approach. Coming in over the threshhold of 30 it was quite obvious he was going in on his belly. We all watched in amazement as the pilot executed a spot-on wheels up landing.

As the the plane came to a halt it was surrounded by Aviation Rescue/Fire Fighting vehicles. After a short time passengers disembarked and assembled alongside the aircraft.

Apparently there were no injuries and all walked away safely.

5DME give recognition to the pilot for such a skilled landing and it only goes to show that skill and daring have once again overcome fear and anxiety :-)

 

As most of you will know by now, the A380 will make it's first visit to Adelaide at 1215hrs on Saturday the 27th of September 2008. We have some information that you may find interesting as enthusiasts or just for general interest.

1. Wake Turbulence times have to be extended between aircraft with the A380 to 4/3/3 minutes from 3/2/3. This means that light aircraft land 4 minutes behind an A380 compared to the usual 3. Other aircraft can land 3 minutes behind and A380. Departures may differ and in many cases an extra minute is required after the A380 moves.
   
2. During visits the A380 will usually be parked on F6 (Near Tapley's Hill Rd Public Observation Area).
   
3. Visits will be around 25-30 minutes to allow brakes to cool, crew change and of course photos.
   
4. Initially, there will be a 5 minute delay between runway movements after each take-off or landing of the A380 to allow AAL to inspect the runway. This is possibly due to any debris that may be introduced to the runway surface from the jet wash or wake turbulence of the A380.
   
5. If other large aircaft need to use the full runway length whilst the A380 is parked, it will have to be shuffled as there is a size limit as to which aircraft can do 180 turns on runway end nodes.

5DME will be compiling a page on the A380 to be displayed on the site in the future. For the moment we will add our photographs and video to the galleries for your interest.

A QANTAS A380 will visit Adelaide this Saturday 27th September 2008. It will arrive at 12:15 and depart at 12:40pm (Lunchtime). 5DME will be there to record the event. We are thrilled that Adelaide did not miss out on such a spectacular event.

We assume the will be traffic restrictions around the airport so take care.

On the 9th September 2008 a 2/3 scale Kitty Hawk was test flown at Aldinga. A local Aero Club member built the aircraft and it was piloted by an RAAF Test Pilot. Spectacular! No problems on maiden flight. Audience cheer as the aircraft lifts into the air. 5DME was there to capture images and video. See the galleries.

The Aldinga Aero Club held its 2008 Dawn Patrol on 14 September 2008. Acknowledging and remembering the Battle of Brittain. 5DME was there and we have added some new photographs to the gallery. Unfortunately we did not catch everyone but the was a special treat a Nanchang from Adelaide Warbirds. We even have some video, once edited it will be placed on the site.

We now have a new section on the web site that is dedicated to aviation memorabilia. A local aviation historian has a superb collection and has agreed to display the items on 5DME.

The collection so far consists of:

• Drink Coasters
• Air Mail
• Buttons & Badges
• Greeting Cards
• Post Cards

More will be added as we index the items and photograph them.

The site menu has been adjusted to incorporate the new section. You will notice changes under THE REAL THING menu.

We are also adding the items to the photo gallery under the memorabilia section.

Enjoy!

 

We have a new selection of photographs on line of REX (Regional Express) SAABs. Just type in 821 to the seach box in the photo gallery. Turboprops category.