Yes, I know we haven't have the Merlin for a while now, but I just love the name, because at Coomalie Airfield on a cool moonless night surrounded by history, aircraft, friends, music, food and a warm fire it is hard to say that there isn't a little magic in the air.

We may not have fire breathing dragons, but we do have knights of the air and saints on the ground.

It was great to see 3 gyrocopters participate in the event, the storch was given a showing and a variety of recreational aircraft from MKT and beyond came for the event.

Joe came down for the flight after a blown fuel boost pump fuse almost put paid to our journey down on the Sunday morning. It was Joe's first departure from our new bitumen strip which he celebrated with a big Woohoo! as we took off.

A single trike was heading back in the opposite direction from Coomalie as we headed down with air that was nice and smooth, unlike the gales that had been blowing over previous weeks.

As we turned across the airfield, the DC3 stood out at the end of runway 17. Other aircraft including John in the red drifter were in the circuit and wondered what Darwin tower or Brisbane must make of this activity on 126.7 around Coomalie.

After we had landed and parked up, Joe headed off with Christian, another MKT youngster and they had a great time inspecting the DC3 and sharing stories.

After catching up and looking around at all the aircraft we jumped back in and headed back to MKT. A little more wind this time, but Joe really enjoyed the flight as I did.

A big thank you to all who make this event possible - especially Richard Luxton.

Oh, don't forget to check out the newly manicured cricket pitch in the photo album which dates back to the second world war, complete with with sentinel anthills acting as fielders on the pitch.

See you in 2011.

Merlin Magic 2010

Seeing as I am going through this process, I thought it best to share it with you... Firstly for those who don't know, it isn't a card that gets you into the Australian Security Investments Commission... but rather

If I may quote from Fact sheet 13 http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/factsheet/fact13.aspx#1

What is an ASIC?
An Aviation Security Identification Card, known as an ASIC, is an identification card which is used to identify a person who has been the subject of a background check. An ASIC is required to obtain unescorted access to the secure areas of security controlled airports that have regular public transport (RPT) services. ASICs are valid for up to two years.

The ASIC scheme is a layer of security that ensures that only people who have been background checked to a certain level are permitted to be in the secure areas of airports. The ASIC scheme aims to reduce the risk of unlawful interference with aviation, not just terrorism.
 

Why do I want an ASIC? Read on...

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I went for a flight on Easter Sunday and created a kind of travelogue video using my iPod (not iPad) nano and my Nikon D90. I purchased a program that I generally use for developing online learning modules but as it was a new version I decided to try it out, Here is the video...

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Before I start this little story, (for our TEFC club members) don't forget the flyaway to Batchelor and cricket match against the parachutists this coming weekend.

Aerial - Palmerston

During this time of the year the air is clear which makes it perfect for photography before the first fires start turning the top end into dry haze. I took a flight up along the southern coastline of Darwin Harbour where there was a large natural gas storage ship in dock at Wickham Point taking on its cargo of supercooled natural gas bound I guess for Japan. Nearby was our power station located on Channel island.

Aerial - Darwin Harbour Developments and Skyline

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For those at the general meeting last Sunday, Steve Allen ran through an ambitous but very doable and enticing flyaway planned for the end of May.

A dry season evening on the banks of the Ord River
– a full moon, good friends, good music, local hooch
– what more could you want?

FLY AWAY to Kununurra
for the
Kimberley Moon Experience

– an outdoor concert headlined by Johnny Farnham.
– the highlight of the two-week-long Ord Valley Muster.

Saturday evening 29 May 2010

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Daly River Flyaway – Sat 8 August (Day trip only)

From MKT to YDMN is about 71nm on magnetic 193 degrees, across the western end of Darwin River Dam and east of the Tabletop Range (Litchfield NP). Coordinates are 13 45.2S 130 41.5E
The airstrip is 800m bitumen, 12/30 and about 70 ft AMSL.

The airstrip is right at the community of Nauiyu with a store and fuel only about 200 metres from the aircraft parking area. It is on the banks of the Daly River and is very pleasant, green and well kept with lots of shade. The store and the fuel bowsers opposite are only open until 1300 on Saturday and not at all on Sunday (hence the Saturday flyaway). Note that there is no Premium unleaded.

If the 50 knot aircraft left at around 0700, they should arrive around 0830, depending upon wind. If the faster aircraft left at around 0730 they should arrive within half hour of the others. There is plenty of interest along the banks of the Daly with farms and cabin parks. Remember if you need unleaded to get it in the morning.

If anyone wishes to overnight, cabins are available at the Daly River Roadhouse, about 2 to 3 km from the airstrip if you walk the track beside the river, or about 4 km by road.

Click on Steve's link below to let him know if you are coming. As it is greater than 50nm, make sure you bring your epirb/plb.

View MKT to Daly River in a larger map

Steve Allen
 

Aerial - Kakadu Cooinda Flyin

 With all the things on at the moment I should be working on other things like the open day at MKT Airfield Sunday 23 August (TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!) but I wanted to share the amazing weekend at Cooinda and Kakadu I enjoyed at the end of June. I need to start out with a confession. Prior to this trip I had never been to Kakadu and by road the furtherest my feet have touched earth is Cooinda.

I am not really good at camping. When I was in the army I spent a period of time digging holes in the ground and living on ration packs and carrying my home on my back. I think the experience scarred me for life.

My idea of a camping adventure now is negotiating security and check-in at the airport in sufficient time to set up camp in the Qantas lounge for a little preflight grazing before embarking on my journey.

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Well the weekend down at Coomalie Airstrip went well. The NT Orienteering Championships went well and I understand that no one was left out there. We headed down in the Drifter early on Sunday morning and with my radio in for repair we used a uniden scanner that had the required frequencies already dialed into memory. With the receiver in the top pocket and the earphones in the ears under the headset now functioning as ear muffs we took off and headed South towards Manton Dam and then onto the rehabilitated woodcutter's mine (over some bushfires on the way)

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This was posted under a previous posting but here it is again.

 From Steve

The Top End Orienteers will be holding their NT Championships over three days on the weekend of 4 and 5 July.  yippee!

What does this have to do with us?

They will be hosted by Richard Luxton at his Coomalie Creek property. 

The actual Championship run will be around the property on Sunday morning, 5^th July (up in the hills, etc.)

HOWEVER on the afternoon of Saturday 4^th they plan to have World War 2 historical activities including DC3 rides and Richard is hoping that the Harvard and Tiger Moth will attend.

The water bomber will be there and Richard is hoping that someone will arrive in the Yak, as well as mobs of TEFC aircraft.

In the evening the folk band will perform and there will be a moonlight dinner.

Sound familiar?  Yes!  It’s the new-look

NOT MERLIN NIGHT!

- with all the old familiar stuff (except the Merlin)

.  .  .  so be there!

Info supplied by Steve Allen, your friendly flyaway organiser

For those at the monthly meeting, Richard Luxton made a welcome guest appearence to let us know about the events going on down at Coomalie Airstrip this weekend.

Coomalie Airstrip and the surrounding area has a rich wartime history.

Have a look at what you can see in the area from the air... the township including the historic railway bridges, the cemetary and snake creek historic war buildings.

Click on the highlighted links above to see what you might see.

Here are some previous entries on the event...

TEFC - Merlin Magic 2008 Jul 10, 2008 photos: 103

TEFC - Merlin Magic at Coomalie Jun 24, 2006 photos: 62

The map below shows how to get to the airstrip via road.

View Coomalie in a larger map