Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast,
The Queensland branch held a planning meeting at the Sporting Aircraft Association of Australia
hall at Archerfield Aerodrome on Tuesday, 21st April 2009 which was attended by:-
Des Goss, Angus Kerr, Arthur Stead and Steven Odgaard.
Visitors for the evening were:- Dale Baxter and Peter Trezise.
Cruise report - Muriel Street, Redland Bay, Saturday 18th April 2009.
The last club cruise was held on Saturday 18th April 2009 from 96 Muriel Street Redland Bay
courtesy of Peter Venn. Those attending the cruise were:-
Peter Venn - Turbo TP6
Des Goss - Turbo Wedge 225
Steven Odgaard - Billy Baker 2
Dale Baxter - ASV Vortex.
Dale Baxter visited for his first cruise gathering with an ASV Vortex recently purchased from Neville
Bennett from Townsville. Neville has decided enough is enough after fighting with the EPA and
Parks & Wildlife in North Queensland for over 10 years and getting absolutely nowhere with the
ridiculous regulations that they impose on hovercraft
Des Goss was the first to set off and circumnavigated Lagoon Island in his Turbo Wedge 225
powered by a Robin EC44. The water was so smooth that Steven Odgaard ventured out with Des
for a second run along the passage. The Billy Baker 2 let Steven down when the lift engine spark
plug fouled towards the end of the channel (Now that's most unusual isn't it?????). A change of
spark plug and the Billy Baker sprang back to life. The smooth conditions enabled Steven to reach
50 km/hr on the return up the passage.
Peter Venn took Dale out in the Turbo TP6, but unfortunately a cast iron pulley cracked due to
heat stress from an attempt to weld it to the steel shaft. Peter demonstrated his skill in
manoeuvring the large stricken craft back to base with the aid of the tide and his lift engine. A
hose clamp also enabled the rear fan to spin at idle speed - which gave some steering air over
the rudders.
Elaine provided lots of great food and pots of tea while we exchanged stories about our
hovercraft adventures.
Peter Venn has been working on Wivenhoe Dam for the Water Resources Commission and his
neighbour was happy to assist with his expert Mig welding. Peter needs to keep his machine in
good working order at all times.
Other News:-
Peter Venn requested the secretary to write a letter to the EPA requesting a decision on craft size
concerning the new permits required for operating in the Queensland Marine Parks.
Peter Venn and Arthur Stead will be away for the next month touring Western Canada and
Alaska. You can follow their exploits as they head North To Alaska at the following website.
alaska.qhover.com
Next club cruise:-
The next club cruise will be on Sunday 3rd May 2009 from The Boat Passage - opposite Fisherman
Island near the mouth of the Brisbane River.
Meet at 9:00 am at the Whyte Island boat ramp just off Port Drive, for a launch into The Boat
Passage and a cruise up the Brisbane River towards the city.
UBD Reference - Map 143 F1.
Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404.
Next Queensland branch meeting:
7:30 pm - Tuesday, 19th May 2009.
Sporting Aircraft Association of Australia hall at Archerfield Aerodrome.
Enter via the main entrance off Beatty Road.
Regards
Steven Odgaard
QSH secretary