RVAC 1966

[triadic]

Originally Posted by lucille

When did Urm Wright start? I vaguely recall him as being the CFI around 1972.

If I recall correctly, Urm was involved in ground training in the later '60's then moved into the CFI role a bit later - early '70's??

[hei yu]

I trained at RVAC between late 1963 and mid 1967 for my PPL, CPL and instructor's rating.
PPL instructor Graeme Lowe, CPL instructor Neil O'Connor and instr. rating instructor Mark Van Es.
Roy Goon, instructor par excellence, was one of my instructors 1966/1967 but was not CFI when I left mid 1967.
A long time ago, but I think Graeme went to AAC at Moorabbin, Neil O'Connor set up Victorian Helicopters with Blue Margetts before moving to PNG to fly helicopters (See Balus Vol ll page 147 for photo).
I bumped into Mark Van Es early 70's . He had stopped flying and was working for Repco .. reckons the fun went out of it with the demise of the tail draggers.
Finally the sim shot ... The Sim instructor is Clem Atkins and I think the student in the sim (10:02:09:10) is Hugh Drummond. Hugh completed his PPL and CPL training with Royal Vic before joining the RAN as a pilot.

[5th officer]

Originally Posted by lucille

When did Urm Wright start? I vaguely recall him as being the CFI around 1972.

Would have been mid to late 60's he was a friend of Roy Goon and Urms told they were both in the Pakistan AF in the 1950's?

[yarrayarra]

Originally Posted by 5th officer

Have to check my logbook for dates, Bruce McInnes did my initial training, Roy Goon sent me off on first solo and I am sure Urms Wright was there later in my training?

my father Roy Goon was CFI/ Manager around that time. Columbo Plan students were also government sponsored at the time. There is an interesting feature article in the Aviation Safety Digest where dad was training Bruce McInnes for an instructor rating and , while conducting spins in a DHC1, the rudder cable snapped during recovery. Initial entry to spin at 4500ft but dad recovered at 1500ft to return to YMMB. Btw my first solo in RVS then CPL training conducted by Stan Tayler- was checked for CPL by Rick Tate ( whose brother Frank flew B747s) . Proudest moment of my life when he said to me “you fly just like your old man”

[triadic]

yarrayarra - thanks for your contribution. I have fond memories flying with Roy doing formation traininng.
The ASD article to which you refer for the benefit of other readers is ASD 54 Jan 1968 page 14 to 17.
cheers

[rjtjrt]

yarrayarra
Not only was your father the best of instructors, he was a gentleman.

[e2_c]

Originally Posted by triadic

Yes, that is correct. Stan worked with Doug Williams at Execs during the 70's, instructing, charter & Air Ambulance in the Shrikes. I did my instructor rating and IR with them in the early 70's.
Stan sadly passed away in the late 70's. Doug Williams was with the RAAF reserve and did a bit of work at PCK I recall.

Are you sure it was the late 70's that Stan passed? I worked with him when Execs became HC Sleigh flying the Shrikes and Nomads on the Coastwatch contract.

[triadic]

Originally Posted by e2_c

Are you sure it was the late 70's that Stan passed? I worked with him when Execs became HC Sleigh flying the Shrikes and Nomads on the Coastwatch contract.

Back to the diary..... yes, my error, Stan passed away on 12 sep 2000. I went to the funeral in Burwood and had to travel to get there. I just had the wrong home in mind as I thought it was prior to going north, not after. I did my Instrument rating with Stan in at Execs in 73 and a few renewals with Stan after that. Lots of good flying in the Shrikes, Searchmaster and the good old Cat.

[Stationair8]

The Cherokee RVV, I believe was one of the few GA aircraft fitted with an ADF when it was online at RVAC.

[triadic]

At that time the RVAC had a PA28, RVK which was set up for IFR training. It had a removable internal screen which was tinted and fitted inside the windscreen. When IF training the student would wear a pair of glassess which were tinted with a colour that when viewed with the fitted screen made the "view" opaque (to simulate in cloud). The instructor was able to keep full visibility. If I recall RVK had a ADF and VOR which was something new at time replacing the old VAR. The club also had two new B33 Debonairs, RVC and RVD which had an ADF fitted. RVC, D, V & K are all still on the register.
As in a previous post, Schutt's had a C172 (VH-DMW) that was IFR certified and the only single at MB that was at that time.