11th August
Saturday dawned a lovely day for the first day of the run to the Coromandel.
Instructions were for the local members to meet at the Orchard House Café, north of Katikati, at 9am ready for a 9:30 departure to arrive at our lunch venue at Mercury Bay Club Whitianga around 12:00 to 12:30 – the chosen route via Whangamata. Members from other directions to meet at the lunch destination. I understand a few had trouble with time coordination, or whatever, but all found Whitianga and the Club where we all enjoyed our lunch and caught up on progress over the last few weeks.
We were joined at lunch by some of the members from the local car club so the carpark looked pretty impressive with 23 of our cats plus theirs. Once lunch was finished we booked in at our accommodation on Buffalo Beach with a great outlook towards the Mercury Islands, we were in two motels more or less next to one another. We were in Admiralty Lodge which was very comfortable and I understand the other motel was equally as good.
There was an hour or so to fill in before our next engagement so some went for a walk and others chose shut eye. At 2:45 it was time to head for our 3:00 pm Venue to attend a presentation by Jim Evans, a retired Aircraft Engineer, who is the driving force behind the Mercury Bay School Aviation Trust.
Jim explained how the Aviation Trust came to be, how it started, and where it is up to now. The Mercury Aero Club, like all Clubs, have ageing members and the expense of flying is closing many clubs. Their Committee considered if they could bring young members into the MBAC at an affordable means to fly could be a solution.
Learning to fly in NZ costs between $240.00 and $270.00 per hour.
Several types of Microlight and Light Sport Aircraft were considered and the decision was made to procure a Vans RV12 Kitset produced by the largest aircraft kit manufacturer in the world. The Club could operate the RV12 for around $100.00 to $135.00 per hour using 95 octane “MoGas”.
Jim suggested they use students to build it and get some life skills and open their eyes to various jobs in aviation, also increase membership in the MBAC and obtain young members. Jim and Tony Turner visited John Wright, the Headmaster at the Mercury Bay Area School, who thought it was a great idea.
Premises to construct the planes was obtained thanks to Jim. 10 mentors were selected with various trade skills and a number of them having built their own planes, plus two teachers for support and 11 students. During the first three weeks, students were taught how to read and understand drawings and follow written instructions.
The construction of the RV12 aircraft is expected to take the students about 700 hours. The RV12 being constructed that we were able to inspect is the fourth one to be built and the students are doing a great job. The wings are all assembled and part of the body including the tail. The RV12 on completion is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority and then required to carry out 10 hours test flying. The students get 12 months free membership to the MBAC also flight tuition in the first aircraft to be built on site. Students need their parent’s permission to fly and obtain a novice license if they intend to go solo. A number of the students who have been involved in these builds have obtained jobs from their experience.
After the presentation, we visited an airfield hangar to see the first RV12 built which belongs to MBAC. I am sure Jim and all those involved in this project must be pleased of the success they have achieved and the vast knowledge they have shared with the young people of their town.
Lost Springs.
After the airfield hangar, we had an hour or so to rest and have a spot and get ready for our evening outing to the “Lost Springs Restaurant”. A number of us went in the shuttle bus as parking was limited plus we do not drink and drive. Cess was a big help assisting the ladies on and off the bus both ways, our thanks Cess.
The “Lost Springs Restaurant” is a very nice venue. The drive in is through quite dense shrubbery to the carpark and the foliage carried on round the whole building with the heated pools fitting in amongst it. Walkways meander through it all with a bridge over the pool with views of those bodies soaking in the pools. Considering this is in the middle of suburbia.
The dinner was a three-course set menu meal which was very good and mixed with a wine or two and good company what more would you expect, not to forget the good service.
Morning view from the Lodge.
It was then time to board the shuttle bus for the trip home which was considerably noisier than the trip to the venue, and thanks again for Cess and his assistance to those dismounting the bus.
A special thanks to Evan and Lorraine for all your efforts in arranging this enjoyable day we certainly all appreciated it.
By Phil Barron
12th August
The day began as we stood on our motel balconies, witnessing the pounding of the surf rolling in under a clear blue sky on beautiful Buffalo Beach.
As the jaguars assembled on the waterfront, some even daring to go topless, we embarked on a euphoric cruise through to the enchanting town of Coromandel.
Annie and I followed David and Audrey all the way and the sight of that magnificent yellow E-Type contrasted against a background of Pongas and Nikau palms still takes our breath away.
Not to mention, I had to work hard to keep up with a car 50 years older than mine, well done David!
The highlight of our weekend was awaiting us, sitting deep in the alluring mystique of the Coromandel mountains and fauna.
A train ride like no other, built by an amazing potter with literally no certified engineering qualifications and developed into a work of art.
The engineering, almost vertical terrain and magnificent native bush, turned all this into an enchanting adventure, never to be forgotten.
Followed by a much desired brunch and coffee in the lovely town, surrounded by our usual band of charismatic fun lovers, this was a day to be cherished!
By John Devine
12th August
On the way home, we were invited to visit Warrick and Betty Holmes to view their Jaguar collection of 7 cars. This was an added attraction for all those attending. To see an actual C Type, plus two XK150’s two XJS’s, an E Type and an XKR, all in immaculate condition was a great privilege.
All these cars are for sale…
I have devoted the next page to photos of their collection.
By Peter Davies
