Each year cadets and Officers of the Australian Air League travel to Tamworth in rural NSW to support the local Squadron and take part in the Tamworth Country Music festival.
This year, the RAAF conducted tethered flights in its hot air balloon that is operated by the Central Flying School, and the cadets of the Australian Air League were lucky enough to get the chance to speak to the pilots and crew about this more unusual aircraft operated by the RAAF.
In 2017 Sydney Airport Corporation (SACL) opened a new viewing area for plane spotters at Sydney Airport. Named Shep’s Mound in memory of Bruce C. Sheppard who was a regular visitor until his passing in 2005, it replaces a dirt hill and fence with new facilities including seating, grasses area, information area and shaded area, and parking. Late last year Moorebank Squadron made a visit to the facilities and Cpl Lachlan Hyde gave this report.
At the end of 2017, Doncaster Squadron of the Victoria Group of the Australian Air League went on a flying day at Moorabbin Airport with Tristar Aviation. Despite a 90 minute delay due to low cloud, eventually 21 cadets and family got off the ground. During the delay, cadets got to look at Tristar’s Tri135 simulator.
They also held a BBQ for lunch and held a raffle for the two spare seats to fill the last flight, raising $195 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Photos kindly supplied by Peter Lorenz
ST Aerospace Academy is a flying training organisation that operates an ab-initio flight training base at Ballarat in Victoria.
Recently they had to replace all of their BAK/PPL/CPL/IREX text books and rather than throw them out, they donated 50 sets of study books to the Australian Air League Victoria Group. We were able to get our hands on around, most in pretty good condition.
Given the average cost of each text book is around $30-$50 each, the total value is around $5,000. There were PPL Study Guides, all CPL subjects and the IREX text book in each set. All squadrons in Victoria were able to get 2 or 3 sets each.
While some some topics such as air law might go out of date , the theory remains the same. If any cadet wants to see where their Air League theory courses could lead them, or if they wish to study more advanced subject material, these books will help them immensely.
Recently at the Menzies Community Australia Day Awards, Doncaster Squadron was chosen to be the community group that was presented with an Australian Flag that was flown in the chambers at Parliament House in Canberra.
Squadron Officer Commanding Ian Walkeden said, “As the OC Sqn I am proud as punch of all the hard work in various activities in the community our cadets have participated in.”
L.Cdt Tiffany H. was awarded a Menzies Community Australia Day Award for her tireless services to the community in Menzies as well.
These awards were presented by The Hon Kevin Andrews MP, member for Menzies.
