Gateway Gathering 2001: Day 2  by Randall Mowlam

Well the crowds came out today, on what is the traditional day of the TMAC Mini Gateway Airshow. Some new faces in the crowd and some familiar faces not seen for sometime returning to TMAC. One of these being Ron Cavanaugh and his magnificent P51D Mustang.

The day started with a short words by TMAC president Kevin Dodd welcoming the pilots and thanking the organizing committee, Paul Franks, Peter Stevenson, and Mike Edmonds. Then its pilot briefing by Peter.

The jets opened the day with Chris Patterson flying his beautiful F18 Hornet complete with 2 turbine engines, showing the speed at which these machines can perform all the manoeuvres the real planes can.

With flick of a wrist and the roar of the engine, its time for some Golden Era Pylon racing as the large petrol engine powered scale aircraft raced around the sky in race formation, simulating the early days of air races from the USA. Will Sipma with his Wedell Williams and Brown B1, Doug McIlwraith with his Baby Bullet, Noel Wilson with his Davis Racer.

With the crowd settling in and finding a good spot to view all the flight line, it was the helicopters turn to take to the sky and perform for the crowd.  Mick Warren again entertained the crowd with his expert flying. Stephen Amett got all his super scale helis up in the air in turns, the Lama, the Airwolf, and the Jet Ranger. Dr O using his helicopter as a make shift lawn mower, flying inverted close to the ground. There was also heli drag racing.  Mick Warren again took on challenger, this time against Chris Clayton and his JR Voyager 50. Mick proving too good, winning 2 out of 3 heats.

Then its the return to the days of WW and Bi-planes used by early pilots to help win the war. Special guests are the boys from the War Bird Association. Chris Howarth firing up his AT6 Texan powered by a 74 CC petrol engine, and Peter Love from TARMAC firing up his A6M Zero. This was followed by a spectacular choreographed scale flying. Allen Danvers demonstrated skilled flying with a P51D Mustang and a T28 Trojan. Ray Dixon was ready to take off with the magnificent Messerschmitt ME109G but a technical problem saw the aircraft grounded for the day. Ron Cavanaugh did very impressive flying above the watchful eyes of the entire pits with his magnificent P51D Mustang which looked just like the real thing.

One of the highlight of the day must be Lionel Weeks' B17. This aircraft required control by a second transmitter which was handled by Gregor Kruberg. The flight started with a perfect scale take off and a few nice circuit and bombs dropping before trouble begin. Problem is engine no. 2 which was pouring out smoke. Preparation for emergency landing was further complicated by one of the landing gear being jammed. This brought the crowd to silence. Lionel had no choice but to make a landing approach with just one landing gear down. Luckily, seconds before touch down, the jammed landing gear was freed and the B17 made a perfect landing.

Next to turn heads were the general flying aircraft which filled the sky with a dazzling display of aerobatics and some close misses with no midairs. Dozen of planes took to the sky.

There were many less than 80in scale models. Paul Franks with his Extra 300, Peter Stevenson with his Fly Baby, Lee Seabrook with his AT6 Texan, Adrian Allen with his Zero and PC9, and non other than MAAQ CFI Graham Tattersall and his Astro Hog. Peter Francis came down with his Super Chipmunk.

Then its large-scale models' turn. Ted Bullock launch his large Extra 330L into some scale aerobatics, complete with smoke. Joining him in the air was Doug McIllwriath’s spectacular Super Skybolt, powered by an impressive 150 CC engine. Chris Clayton took to the sky with a borrowed aircraft looking much like a large funfly plane, but with much more power than 10 smaller ones. Just to add to the eye catching display was Will Sipma and his Quickie, truly an interesting plane to see, looking much like two seagulls in flight and performing effortlessly in flight. Junior member Jake Dewar did some impressive flying with his J3 Piper Cub. Noel Wilson had many good flight with his PC9 Roulette. Tony Kendal flew his Cessna and Piper Cub. Ray Dixon flew his Fairchild PT19 the "Ray Dixon" smooth flying style which earned him TMAC CFI title for many years prior to his moving to the Sunshine coast.

An interesting aircraft to see was a gyrocopter which was flown by Peter Love from TARMAC, who flew it very well in difficult conditions as the wind had lifted quite significantly since yesterday. The most memorable moment was when both rotors stopped during a stall turn!

Just as the day had began with the jets, the day ended with two turbine aircrafts in the air simultaneously. Kevin Dodd with his "Aussie Roo" and Chris Patterson with his Foxfire, performing some high speed passes and some fast rolls, to the roar of the crowd. The smell of jet fuel filled the air as the planes rolled through their turn and round the field before settling in to the landing circuit for final approach and some smooth landings.

Peter Stevenson, contest organiser for the day thanked everyone for coming and all the helpers who had helped make the day a great success and an enjoyable day for all. Many thanks to all the guests who travelled to the event and also to the spectators, without which the day would not be possible. 

The raffles were drawn and the lucky winner of a PC 9 kit was Ian Loughrey. Ted Bullock won the glider and model prize. The OS engine was won by Wayne Mudd.

All in all, the day was an extreme success in achieving its main goal: for all to have lots of FUNS.

See you all at the next Gateway Gathering. Stay safe and enjoy flying.

So let the day begin .......