I heard they had the Australian Light Aircraft Championships (ALAC's) at Taree for the whole week, so it would have been crowded there!!!! Someone there must have seen the culprit?? :ooh:

PS ... I hope he left a Tip in the console for the missing fuel! ;)

There was a major bust up Mareeba way a year or two ago, got a mention here, but a search hasn't been revealing so far.

Wasn't stolen machines though - a few robbies got impounded as I recall.

Been many a Robbie used to transport cannabis around Far North Queensland, I should know.

My machine was used by a grower on cross hire some years ago. !! I ended up being a witness for the prosecution and had to produce the Maint release etc showing the Pilots signature, The Dope " pun intended " even left the flight plan and VTC under the seat showing were the plantation was located..:eek::}

Turned out the guys were packing the dope into 1KG packs under the seats and landing on a dirt road to then end up on a cattle truck and moved interstate.:=

Maybe just another (private) pilot with full time job, loan payments, wife and three kids, who couldn't afford flying for his BFR otherwise.

Botched insurance job.

what qualified pilot would steal a helicopter,not with new anti terrorism laws in place.

GTA IV has a lot to answer for!!
 

All this Grand Theft Auto gamers, thats what I think Happend.:eek:

Probably stolen by some lapsed PPL who has emerged from a 2 week GTA IV binge, bleary eyed and fancying the real deal after all the Gaming stealing of cars, bike, trucks, boats AND HELICOPTERS!!!

Obviously wasn't placarded appropriately ;)

http://www.eacott.com.au/gallery/d/2...istwarning.jpg

In the news today:
"Police today have charged a man with the theft of a rare helicopter known for its ability to avoid detection, after the craft went missing from its hangar.

A 48-year-old Port Macquarie man was charged this morning with stealing the ex-military Kiowa, which had been reported missing from Bankstown Airport by its owner on May 4, a police spokeswoman said.

"The owner had visited the private hangar and noticed damage to the locks and main door ... and the helicopter missing," she said. She had last visited the helicopter in its hangar last December, she said.

Police found the helicopter on May 6 at Taree Airport on the Mid North Coast and returned to its owner, police said.

The 48-year-old turned himself in to Bankstown police this morning and was charged and will face Bankstown Local Court on June 18.

According to police, the aircraft is a rare collector's item and one of only three in Australia.

Gary Byk, a helicopter enthusiast who has written a book titled Kiowa in Australian Service, said the Kiowas were heavily used for "battlefield reconnaissance".

"These were the guys that sneak around and see what's happening," he said.

"They would be used in stealth mode and use the natural foliage to sneak up and see what the enemy is doing.

"I remember they used to have open days in the country where four Kiowas would be about five kilometres away in the countryside and would show themselves to the crowd before going to ground.

"About 15 minutes later, they would pop up right in front of the audience to their amazement, no one would have noticed."

However, Mr Byk was surprised one had been allegedly stolen.

"I spent a lot of time riding in them as a paramedic. They were noisy, they were cold, they vibrated - I don't really see why someone would be overly enthusiastic about it."



I heard a name mentioned, but it isn't in the press yet, so i will keep quiet in case I am wrong, but the name I heard was a person renowned for telling massive lies about himself.

But why would Mr Byk describe a Kiowa as being stealthy, and then say they are noisy? Perhaps he is trying to describe NOE flying. The paper lives up to the standard for accurate aviation reporting again...

Like most helicopter pilots in Australia he was probably bored, and with no one private hiring helicopters for him to go for a blat in, he said F*%K it I cant get to one legally I will steal one instead.
No it was'nt me.
:D

This guy has been convicted and sentenced to periodic detention.

Story Here

What helicopter might they be referring to?

Certainly not the Kiowa....aka Jet Ranger!

The other day I was just wondering what happened with this ...

What a nutter... No mention of him having any licence :\

Simon