Queensland Sporting Hovercraft Club

June 2008
Queensland Sporting Hovercraft Club
A branch of the Australian Hovercraft Federation Inc (Vic)

Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast,
The Queensland branch held a planning meeting at the SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome on Tuesday, 17^th June 2008 which was attended by Des Goss, Phillip Audsley, Angus Kerr, Peter Venn, Arthur Stead, Max Bugeja and Steven Odgaard.

Cruise report - Kirkleagh on Somerset Dam, Saturday 31^st May 2008.
The cruise scheduled for Saturday 31^st May at Kirkleagh on Somerset Dam was preceded by several days of torrential downpour which deterred all but the most hardy enthusiasts, so only one craft was present:-
Steven Odgaard with a Billy Baker 2.
Heavy rain on the morning of the cruise did not deter Steven from towing the Billy Baker to Fernvale where, while waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive, he enjoyed a golden brown spinach and ricotta quiche lorraine, washed down with a smooth chai latte on soy at the Old Bakery Cafe.
Nobody turned up for the rendezvous, but he decided to drive for another hour up to Kirkleagh at Somerset Dam just in case anyone should drive in via Kilcoy. Nobody did - however, with the dam now at 82% capacity, and only two diehard campers on the spit, Steven couldn't let such a great opportunity go by and decided to launch.
The wind was around 15 knots, just less than white cap force, but the lee under the eastern shoreline mountains gave protection for a good high speed dash down to Brockhurst and back. The lift engine performed well, but the ignition on the thrust failed just as he was rounding the bouys on the approach to the boat ramp. With a change of spark plug, a second approach got the craft clean out of the water and up to the roadway apron for a dry loading.
Hovercraft Services Of Australia:-
Peter Venn and Arthur Stead travelled south at the end of May to do some contract work for Vales Point Power Station on Lake Macquarie south of Newcastle. The air cushion vehicle is the only means of access to the treacherous ash storage dams used by power stations, making it ideal for survey work on these areas.

Ash Dam Survey

Camouflage

Treacherous surface

Australian Hovercraft Federation News:-
On Wednesday 4^th June the Australian Hovercraft Federation held an Annual General Meeting via a three state phone conference. In attendance were:-
Victoria - Peter Streader, Colin Dainty and Ken Osmond.
N.S.W. - Eugene Zanozin and Karl Bowman.
Queensland - Steven Odgaard, Peter Venn and Arthur Stead.

Election of office bearers:-
President - Peter Streader Vic,
Vice President - Eugene Zanozin NSW,
Secretary - Steven Odgaard Qld,
Treasurer - Colin Dainty Vic

Next club cruise:-
The next club cruise will be held on Saturday 5^th July 2008 at Muriel St, Redland Bay.
Meet at 9:00 am at Peter Venn's place at 96 Muriel St, Redland Bay for a launch into the Redland Bay Channel.
UBD Reference - Map 267 B9.
Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404.
Next Queensland branch meeting:
7:30 pm - Tuesday, 15^th July 2008.
SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome.
Beatty Road Qld 4108.
Regards
Steven Odgaard
QSH secretary