Being the former base for the CDFG, Smoky Creek and the Wilson Family hold special memories for many of our club members and those that weren’t there in the ‘old days’ have certainly heard about it.
I had phoned Ray Wenck (from Banana) earlier in the week to ask if he would like to fly over to Smoky with me and he readily accepted my invite. Liz had sent a reminder email out to everyone earlier, so Ray was aware that it was on.
I wheeled the LightWing out of the hangar and gave it a ‘bath’ on Saturday. There were a lot of bugs splattered along the leading edges etc mainly due to the bit of lower level flying I had done during the week (spotting some cattle that were hiding from us on the bikes). Once she was sparkling clean I fuelled and pre-flighted her ready for Sunday morning. The morning wasn’t really cold but you’d say it was ‘fresh enough’ so I spent a few extra minutes doing the warm up before blasting off.
My normal climb-out is 6,400rpm (flat). But this morning I held it down to 6,000rpm max. Most of the climb-out was 5,800 to 5,900 which still gave me 500fpm climb. I levelled out at 1,500ft for a ‘smooth as silk’ flight to Banana but was crabbing about 15 degrees from the easterly that was blowing. About 25 minutes later I was on final into 06 at Banana ALA. Ray was there ready waiting. He climbed on board and we blasted off towards Smoky Creek. The direction was a bit more into the wind therefore ground speed was down and it was another 20 minutes over to there. Which took us directly over Jambin and into the circuit area of Smoky Creek. I called downwind for 03 and saw 2 planes already there. On taxiing in I realised they were JR’s Aeronca and Len Neale’s Karatoo which they had earlier wheeled out of the hangar to make space.
We weren’t on the ground very long when I heard incoming aircraft. It was Tony and Janelle DeGit in their Trike and Bobby Rowe in his Cessna. I’m not sure in what order the rest came in but there was Gavin McDonald in his Cessna, Ross Morrish in his Gyro and a J230 (unsure of the pilots’ name). Don Cramer arrived in his Gyro. He had flown across from St George to have time with a friend who lives in Biloela and he flew out to Smoky on Tony’s invite.
About 11am, Morgan Wilson flew in from Archerfield in a Decathlon (which is a relative plane of JR’s Aeronca Champion – LIA). When Symonn and Alan Wilson turned up it made for a trio of Wilson boys (Rob, Alan and Morgan) whom I hadn’t seen together since the old days at Smoky Creek.
Three or four cars came in as well which made for a good number of people to partake of the ‘Smoko at Smoky’. Darryl Bretag was among them and some other friends of the Wilsons whose names I don’t know.
JR and Lenny had tables and chairs set up on the newly concreted area of the hanger, the urn was boiling, and what a lovely array of morning tea delights. Cakes, biscuits, tea, coffee and chocolates which were added to as people arrived with donuts, cream buns and more cake. Which all made for a lovely relaxing morning and the kind of atmosphere that our Social Getaways are all about.
People started to head off around midday. We watched as they flew or drove out and then it was our turn to say ‘hooroo’…..
Ray and I climbed into the LightWing ready for our departure. I fired up, warmed up and checked my phone to see that it was just on 1.30pm. The trip back to Banana was not as smooth as the flight over and after having drunk 6-8 cups of coffee during the morning I was ever so pleased to see the strip at Banana as my bladder had begun to protest by the time we landed. Was just saying ‘bye’ to Ray when Jeff Hermann drove in (my turn onto final took me directly over his place). So I stayed and chatted for another half hour before taking off for home. Instead of flying the direct line that I normally do, I decided to follow the highway down and I caught up to a vehicle (looked like a BT 50 or a Ranger) not long before Gibihi Road. About 5 minutes later he was still below me. I was doing 59 to 63 knotts so he had revved it up a bit to stay with me. A little bit further on I slowed to 50 and he did too so I opened it up a bit to 75 and he stayed with me until the Camboon Defence Road where he turned with the highway I went straight down the Defence Road. So that put a stop to our ‘playing’.
I landed at home a couple of minutes later and tucked the LightWing away into bed, gave her a grateful pat and headed inside. Liz had been following my progress and had a hot meal ready to serve up. Perfect timing from my wonderful wife! (I bet I don’t get extra brownie points for that comment) …… mmmmm
So there you have it ‘as I saw it’, a really great day!
On behalf of the CDFG and myself, I extend special thanks to John Rasmussen and Len Neale for the effort they put in to making the day happen. Much appreciation to Rob and Jodie Wilson for their warm welcome. Kev would have been smiling from above…….
Cheers…..Davo
PS The next Social Getaway is at BAUHINIA PARK Theodore. It is a full weekend getaway with a ‘late lunch’ HUNGI meal on Saturday/Sunday 23rd/24th July.
Footnote…. Adding some pics of Morgan Wilson’s Super Decathlon and some info sent to me by JR. Thanks to Len Neale for the pictures.
After refueling ( Al & I gratefully shouted Morgan 80 litres of Av-Gas) Morgan took cousin Al for a flip and did several barrel rolls and wing overs over the top of Smoky; Al is the passenger in the photo. I have not asked Len for permission to forward these photos, but I feel certain he won't mind sharing them with CDFG. I think we had a rather pleasant day, Dave, - well worth the effort by us all".
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