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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:51:15 GMT -5
I am pleased to announce that the conduct of the GAAR for 2009 will return to its home at Bluegrass Airlines. As part of the responsibility of taking on the position of Director for the Australian Division, I gave a commitment to Bill to assist / coordinate the GAAR. So, what can you expect? In short, a format based on the GAAR 2007, but continuing to press the boundaries and challenging individual skills. Consequently, the intent is to build on the 2007 format. Anyone can just jump in to FS and fly, the aim is to extend this with a focus on flying skills. Rather than direct point to point routes, GAAR 2009 will include VOR / NDB navigation (sub Legs), weather variables and a focus on real world procedures for circuits and landing approaches. Broadly, aircraft choice will be at the discretion of individual competitors based on any capable (range permitting) aircraft "developed" (initially flown) in the period of the 1930's to 1950's. Detailed rules will be released in due course. Initial route planning is in progress and is intended to provide variety against previous events. From an add-on scenery perspective, whilst a standard installation of FS9 or FSX will be catered for, the event will maximise the use of Australian mesh scenery and the Vista Australis scenery pack. I know that in the past (due to size) accessing this package has caused concern for those who do not have broadband access, however, a number of sites now offer the scenery on CD via mail for a nominal charge covering the CD and postage (certainly well worth it in my opinion, but then, after all, I am an Aussie). More specific details and an event web page be added in due course. If you have any further suggestions for the event, please add them to the "thread". 121.217.210.228 Regards
Andrew Godden bgad031
Posted August 6th, 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:55:35 GMT -5
Great News Thank you Andrew
Chris Ross
Posted August 6th 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:56:26 GMT -5
...hallelujah halleelu-ooo-jah ...night landings, fuel dumps, unexpected diversions, small strips, big strips, any strip'll do. Short hops long hops, beer in kettles, beer in bottles....hmmmmm beer. Cold coffee and yesterdays newspaper. Turn off the telly and unplug the radio, send ya missus to mall. Move the fridge closer to the pc and get out the takeaway menus. GAAR IS BACK !!! Excellent news Big job ahead there Andrew, any help you need feel free to ask. cooooooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! see ya round like a rissole cob cheers Smithy Cool
Posted August 7th, 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:57:03 GMT -5
Onya Andrew, good news indeed. The odd really cr@ppy NDB approach mmmm? Maybe? Go on, make it tough. Ed Burke
Posted August 7th, 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:57:35 GMT -5
Looking forward to taking part Andrew. Great news.
Les Smith
Posted August 7th 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:58:28 GMT -5
Great news indeed. So we get to choose our 'own' birdie / repaint again? GOOOOOOODD !! Grin Grin Still some 5 months to go, but it's always good to look forward for something nice. Count on me. Good on'ya Mate! Wink Paul_vd_Berg
Posted August 7th 2008
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 21, 2008 20:59:08 GMT -5
Way to go Andrew! As soon as I get over all the complications from my recent surgery, I'll make myself available to advise/consult on the scoring and flight reports area. This for me has always beend the most difficult. Cheers! Bill Von Sennet
Posted August 8th, 2008
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Post by Steve Sellmeyer (BGAK056) on Aug 28, 2008 8:48:34 GMT -5
Hey Bill ! Guess I've been flying in the bush too long and need to expand my horizons. Could you tell me what GAAR is or direct me to a website that explains it ? I think it is every year in February or something but I am clueless. Sounds like fun from what I've read hear.
Thanks in advance.........Steve
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Post by Tom Goodrick on Aug 28, 2008 9:07:52 GMT -5
GAAR stands for Great Australian Air Rally. It takes place each February and often into March. Each year it has a different route and a few different rules. The gist of it is that you fly an airplane from the 1950's or earlier, preferably with one or more radial engines, around a course that crosses and circumnavigates Australia. Many runways are challenging to land on once you've found them. Pilots have a lot of fun flying and lying about their astounding achievements. It is set up so you fly one or two legs a day for about an hour. The rally is scored so you are racing against yourself, trying to fly not too slow and not too fast compared to a test flight made before the start.
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Aug 28, 2008 10:34:28 GMT -5
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Post by Steve Sellmeyer (BGAK056) on Aug 29, 2008 9:05:58 GMT -5
Thanks Guys !
Sounds fun and interesting too. I'll check out the websites listed.
Steve
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Post by pterodactyl (George) on Aug 29, 2008 20:47:05 GMT -5
Hey guys Does this mean the Pterodactyl might get to spread her wings again. She's been sitting in the barn since I returned round trip from GAAR 2007. I guess I'll spruce her up and finnaly paint the world on her tail.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Aug 29, 2008 21:18:16 GMT -5
Hey guys Does this mean the Pterodactyl might get to spread her wings again. She's been sitting in the barn since I returned round trip from GAAR 2007. I guess I'll spruce her up and finnaly paint the world on her tail. Indeed, spread her beautiful wings and give her a spit and polish. Looking forward to seeing you at the event again.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Aug 29, 2008 23:55:27 GMT -5
All,
Apologies for the gap in time since my first announcement about GAAR 2009. Unfortunately, I had to go into hospital for some unexpected surgery on an ongoing medical issue that raised it's ugly head again. Enough on that, but suffice to say it has given me extra time to focus on the development of GAAR 2009 both in hospital and now at home.
The route is all but finalised, albeit that I currently have four options ranging in total distance from approx 2840 nm to 3580 nm. Some might say this is rather ambitious, and to a degree it is, but then Australia is a bl**dy big country for those who haven't realised it yet and the outback is expansive - not too many overlapping NDB / VOR NAVAIDS out there, let me tell you.
All I will say for the moment is it picks up where GAAR 2007 left off, Darwin (YPDN). I like continuity, so I have tried to link it so that over a series of GAAR events, you achieve something rather than just random flying criss-crossing across a series of sectors.
For the novices and stalwarts alike, dirt / grass strips, dead reckoning ("as the crow flies") navigation - yes, aerodromes without even NDB's, possible large over water legs, alternate / diversion aerodromes, long, medium and short sectors, multi stage legs, NDB only approaches, VOR approaches, night approaches - oh, and did I mention the weather. It is, after all, the "wet season" in northern Australia in Feb / Mar.
Thanks for the feedback and comments thus far, I will keep you posted.
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Smithy
Member
afl.com.au
Posts: 69
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Post by Smithy on Aug 31, 2008 18:20:19 GMT -5
Just what the Dr. ordered~! Looking forward to it already Just gotta find the right ride for the job. By the way old boy I'd go for the longer flight, I just finished a rally that was about 1800NM and it was a pretty quick trip I thought. cheers Smithy
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