"Create a dream and give it everything you have, you could be surprised just how much you are capable of achieving. "
Sara Henderson
Newsletter Index:
1. Flight Commanders Farewell
2. 13 Flight Auxiliary Instructors
3. New Appointments Within the 13 Flight & SA SQN
4. Tim Goes Feral!
5. Squadron Corporate Day
6. Parents & Friends Committee
7. Flying Bivouac
8. References
9. Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Scheme
10. Computer & Printer for your use
11. Diary Dates
12. Murray River Challenge
13. 13 Flight Projects Section
14. No 7 - Flying Training Flight Services
15. Space Camp USA
16. Newsletter Committee
17. Contented Retirement.
Well its that time again, and the annual Squadron staff posting reshuffle is up and running. Subsequently my time as Flight Commander is rapidly drawing to a close. FLTLT (AIRTC) Joop Gargosky will take command of 13 FLT on the 23 September, with the changeover occurring during the Flight trophy presentation parade on 21 September. I wish FLTLT (AIRTC) Gargosky every success at 13 Flight, and I invite you all to make him welcome.
Following trophy day, I will be taking a few months leave in anticipation of the arrival of "The Stork" with our second child, following which I will accept a new appointment within the Squadron.
Since joining as a cadet in October 1979, my seventeen years with 13 Flight have been memorable. Over the years I have experienced a myriad of changes, the majority of which have developed the AIRTC, to be among the foremost of youth organisations. Inevitably the AIRTC will continue to change with an optimistic outlook and where possible utilize opportunities to your advantage.
I trust that the staff who remain with 13 Flight will serve the cadets loyally, always placing the needs of cadets before their own. I wish you all every success in your future endeavors, in particular the Parents & Friends Committee, whom have diligently contributed towards the finances of the Flight in view of their recent formation. I encourage you all to maintain the high standards for which 13 Flight Penfield is traditionally renowned for.
FLTLT (AIRTC) PATRICK PULIS
FLTCDR 13 FLIGHT PENFIELD
Auxiliary instructors make up a large and valuable proportion of the 13 Flight staff. They assist in the clothing store, bivouac store, projects & aeromodelling areas, orderly room, training, planning activities, etc. Without their valuable help the Flight would be unable to function solely on uniformed staff. So next time you come across your auxiliary instructors, just take a moment to say thank you. Our industrious ADMINO Mr David Starick, has recently been appointed as an Auxiliary Instructor with 13 Flight. I thank Mr Starick for all his hard work in the Orderly Room, and trust that he will consider becoming a uniformed instructor in the near future. Mr Smith and Mr Delmedico have resolved themselves to progress to uniformed instructors. Both of these hard working gentlemen have been with 13 Flight for a number of years, being suitably qualified to take up a uniformed instructional role within the Squadron. Did you all realise that Mr Smith, is Mr Delmedico's brother in law. Our specialist drill instructors from 1 Recruit Training Unit at RAAF Base Edinburgh, have been assisting the Flight with Drill & Ceremonial training. The improvement in the standard of drill is very noticeable, which will result in an impressive display on trophy day. No 6 Flight, the Squadron Band, has agreed to support our trophy day parade, with parade and general music throughout the afternoon. The band will practice with the Flight in the morning prior to parade to familiarise everyone regarding the format and timing for the parade sequence.
Most of you will have noticed a newly appointed LAC roaming around the Flight, who resembles Mr Martin, well congratulations to LAC Martin on his new appointment, and not before time. What you all don't know out there, is that LAC Martin has forsaken his ties to mother England, to officially become a proud inhabitant of the Australian colony - yes, he's become an Australian Citizen. Other changes within the Squadron include FLTLT (AIRTC) Graham Evans, as the Staff Officer Public Relations. FLTLT (AIRTC) Trevor Barnett, as the Executive Officer for the Squadron. FLTLT (AIRTC) William Buckley, as the Staff Officer Ground Training. New Flight Commanders are also tipped for various other Flights within the Squadron.
Recently CDTFSGT Tim Ferrell and LCDT Andrew Heath attended the Australian Army Cadet Corps, Adventure
Training exercise in the Riverland. 13 Flight cadets had not participated in this activity since CDTWOFF (now Major)
Martin May represented the Flight in the early eighties, most probably before either of the two current representatives
were born!
The objectives of the exercise are to test the physical and mental stamina of the participants, in the areas of navigation
field engineering, first aid, radio telephony procedures and initiative.
Andrew Heath will have a chance to experience a similar type of exercise during his forthcoming trek through New
Guinea. During that exercise, he'll also have heat, humidity and various creepy crawlies to contest with, but we all
wish him luck.
Following a departure on a cold Sunday morning from the Keswick Army barracks, we headed up to Berri, and into
the Area of Operations (AO), located on private property. We were divided into syndicates and allocated two
instructors, WO2 Hancock and LT Anderson, would assess our syndicate over the next week.
We commenced the survival section, leaving our beloved packs and rations behind. Luckily we were able to trap a
kangaroo along the way, then came the task of preparing the meal. Other syndicate members erected a shelter, solar
still and lit a fire without matches, its all harder when you're cold and hungry.
The remainer of the exercise tested our initiative, first aid and search & rescue capabilities. These exercises varied
from looking for a parachutist from a crashed aircraft, to rescuing a group member from a coal pit. These exercises
tested and evaluated our pin point navigational capabilites and teamwork, under very realistic field conditions.
The final day was the most challenging, taking the form of a twelve phase navigational exercise to be completed
within a specified time. As navigator my skills depended on the success of the group, eventually reaching our
objective. Following arrival at our objective, we were bused to Salt Creek, where a 75 metre river crossing awaited
us, with full pack and webbing. We managed to cross the creek, placing all our gear in a hutchie for the crossing.
Following this last exercise we were ferried to the Berri Army barracks for a long awaited shower, we had not seen
our base camp for a week, with all our orders being passed on by radio and resupply occurring in the field.
Of the 17 participants, five were not so lucky in gaining the required competency, which is not surprising considering
the nature of the exercise.
For all of you out there who are contemplating the Adventure Training award, then have a go if you ever get the
opportunity. But remember, you must be prepared to give it your best, and be prepared to do some things that
would not normally be experienced under "ideal" conditions.
Tim will be presented with his award during the annual Flight trophy day, I'm sure that he'll wear the adventure
training badge on his uniform with pride, that's if he can find any room on his uniform amongst all the other badges
that are already there!
The South Australian Squadron, in conjunction with the AIRTC Regional Council, is planning a Corporate Day which will highlight to Industry & Commerce the activities of the AIRTC. The State Regional Council, led by Commander Maritime Patrol Group - Air Commodore McCullough, will seek to attain corporate sponsorship through the activities generated throughout the day, which has been tentatively scheduled for September/October. 13 Flight has been chosen as a representative Flight, whereby the invited guests will be able to experience life at a typical Flight. Other flights from around the Squadron have been invited to contribute towards the activities planned during the day which will be staged from 13 Flight. If cadets or staff have any ideas regarding particular activities to be staged during the corporate day, please advise the Flight Commander 13 FLT, FLTLT (AIRTC) Graham Evans - Staff Officer Public Relations or e-mail WGCDR (AIRTC) Neil Northeast at neilne@ozemail.com.au with your suggestions.
The 13 Flight Parents & Friends Committee has been going from strength to strength, in an attempt to raise funds for the Flight, which will mean that cadets get cheaper activities. The Committee is headed by Mrs Jeanine Schultz as President, Mrs Janet Heath as Treasurer and Mrs Lindy Dams as Secretary. Parents are encouraged to join the committee, which meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the 13 Flight Cadets Club. The Committee inaugurated its events with a comedy debate and dinner during May. Some 120 people had a great night, and thanks must go to Mr Vic Campbell for arranging the debaters and the cadets that assisted with the serving and cleaning up. The Committee has also been busy selling bingo tickets at the United Way bingo booths, in the Elizabeth, Munno Para and Parabanks shopping centers. Your support of the current chocolate drive is essential, with each cadet and staff member selling a box or more of chocolate. While you enjoy selling the delicious chocolate to your customers, you can explain how important their financial contributions are, in order to ensure the financial security of 13 Flight.
The upcoming flying bivouac is sure to please all concerned, CDTFSGT Ferrell has put in many hours of planning into the exercise in conjunction with SQNLDR (AIRTC) Rob Moore - Staff Officer Flying Operations. Activities planned for the weekend include air experience flights in Piper Warrior aircraft, trial instructional flights in Piper Tomahawk aircraft, gliding, aerobatic glider flights, aeronautical theory, air traffic control and CDTCPL Starick is going to take a running leap from an aircraft - maybe this time he won't end up breaking the aircraft or himself! We will also be joined by cadets and instrutors from 15 FLT Whyalla, during the weekend. All cadets and staff will be living in "Siberia", with meals at various locations throughout the weekend. Please see CDTFSGT Ferrell regarding the Saturday evening entertainment, if you don't contribute, then don't complain in you're not happy with what is presented. The weekend is for your enjoyment.
If you intend on applying for any employment positions, either within the Australian Defence Force, or with civilian employers, please do not hesitate to approach the Flight staff for a reference or record of training. Staff members are more than pleased to provide references, please indicate your full name, rank, number, address, contact telephone number, time of service and achievements, for inclusion in the reference. Just remember, the staff are busy people too, so plan well ahead, the night before your interview, is not the ideal time to approach a staff member for a reference. It is better to have a reference ready, which can be used for a job application at a later date. If you require a reference from FLTLT (AIRTC) Pulis, please approach me well prior to 21 Sep 97.
FLTLT (AIRTC) Battams, in conjunction with CDTFSGT Ferrell, are operating the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards scheme for 13 Flight. Please contact these individuals for information and assistance with your particular stage of the scheme. Many activities within the AIRTC scope of training, will qualify you for the requirements of the awards. The awards are grouped into bronze, silver and gold stages, with increasing demands and requirements for each successive level. All cadets within the Flight are encouraged to participate in the scheme and awards can be worn on your uniform.
The flight has a computing suite which includes a laser printer and a colour inkjet printer. The latter is capable of printing colour copies on paper, colour overhead transparencies (blanks are available from the Orderly Room) and colour prints which can be ironed onto T-shirts. The suite also features a variety of software including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Bureau of Meteorology software, Flight Planning Software, etc. All cadets and staff are welcome to use the computing suite to prepare for their lectures or training. Bookings can be made through FLGOFF (AIRTC) Peter Girdler.
The following events should be entered into your old fashioned diaries, or wizz bang electronic organisers:
09 Aug 97 Flight Commanders Conference
22 - 24 Aug 97 Flying Bivouac
20 Sep 97 Trophy Day Practice
21 Sep 97 Trophy Day
16 Dec 97 Flight Dining In Night
20 - 22 Feb 98 Roonka Aquatics Camp
13 Flight currently operates two canoes, with another awaiting its canvas covering to be applied. Those budding canoeists out there should consider the Murray River challenge as a possible Duke of Edinburgh's Award component. Obviously such an exercise will require training. The Flight canoes can be gainfully employed to assist you during the working up period prior to such an event, with the possibility of conducting training exercises at West Lakes. Cadets interested in developing this idea further should consult with FLGOFF (AIRTC) Girdler and Mr Smith to establish a training program, develop a strategy for the canoeing exercise, and to initiate the appropriate approvals. This type of exercise would be ideal for a mixed group of senior and junior cadets, who would develop a canoeing team. FLTLT (AIRTC) Battams is eager to engage the assistance of cadets to cover the remaining canoe, which will further boost the size of our armada. The Flight has recently purchased new personal flotation devices (life jackets) and paddles to be used with the canoes. Don't forget the 13 Flight SAAIRTC vs 23 Flight VICAIRTC, Roonka Cup canoe challenge, it is up to the cadets of 13 Flight to defend our current victorious title. Practicing with the Flight canoes prior to Roonka 98, will further enhance our competitive edge.
Mr John Hipkiss has modified the wing of the P-3B Orion and has built a new carrying case for the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter. Mr Hipkiss is currently developing a system which will permit the Orion to move about on its axis during displays, to enhance the models visual impact. Mr John Ingram has been assisting in the projects area with a variety of activities including maintenance on our Link Trainer, Fire training aids and flying circuit demonstration model in conjunction with FLTLT (AIRTC) Pulis, and the model of the RAAF Anniversary hot air balloon, located adjacent to the Orderly Room. Mr Ingram's tireless and dedicated efforts are very much appreciated, thank you John. CPL (RAAF) Anthony Brett and Mr Hipkiss are currently in the process of planning a model diorama competition, which will be judged during the Flight trophy day parade in September, so get out your modelling tools and submit your entry. See CPL (RAAF) Brett for further details.
The Flying Training Flight is an aeronautical services provider for the South Australian Squadron, managed from its center of operations at RAAF Base Edinburgh, commanded by FLTLT (AIRTC) Peter McKeough, under the auspices of SQNLDR (AIRTC) Rob Moore, the Flight offers a myriad of aviations activities including gliding, motor gliding, powered flying, parachuting and various ground instructional subjects including ground handling and air traffic control. The Flight has recently recomissioned the Squadron's Motor Glider after an extensive refit, thanks to the tireless efforts of SQNLDR (AIRTC) Kevin Lewis and FLTLT (AIRTC) Don Battams. Cadets are encouraged to fly in the motor glider as an initial step towards either powered flying training or Gliding Federation of Australia certificate in gliding. Generally gliding is conducted from the Gawler airstrip and powered flying from either Parafield or Edinburgh airfields. No 7 FTF also encourages cadets to take a leap, in the form of parachuting qualification. Extensive ground training is conducted prior to a first jump, which may be conducted using either a static line to deploy the parachute automatically following your exit from the aircraft, or using the free fall technique where you deploy your parachute following a brief free fall, under the guidance of an instructor who jumps with you. For those of you who would like to experience a recreational jump, the tandem option is available, where you are strapped to an instructor and you jump together. Parachuting operations are conducted from the Lower light airstrip north of Adelaide, where jumps from Cessna and Pilatus aircraft are performed.
For those budding astronauts among you out there, the Air Training Corps at a National level, is attempting to arrange a visit to Space Camp in the United States of America during 1998 and beyond. It seems as though the main hurdle will be the cost of approximately $4000 however this should be viewed as a challenge rather than a hurdle. What this exciting challenge needs is some hard work by cadets and staff to get the project well and truly off the ground and into orbit! 13 Flight could take the lead in sending representatives to Space Camp as ambassadors for the Squadron, the planning for fund raising could be arranged through the Parents & Friends Committee with the assistance of cadets. Cadets wishing to take on this challenging project could raise funds through car washes at local garages, quiz nights can & bottle drives, an inter-Flight cadet social gathering, etc, the options are only limited by your imagination. If you are interested in going to space camp and are prepared to work towards a worthwhile goal, arrange a cadet committee amongst yourlselves to develop ideas, the staff will assist you with those ideas and will channel resources to bring your dreams to fruition.
If you have enjoyed this edition of 13 Flight News and you would like to see a newsletter released on a regular basis, then FLTLT (AIRTC) Pulis wants to see you and recruit your journalistic talents. A group needs to be formed to ensure the survival of the 13 Flight News, as this is your communications vehicle. Allied with a group to produce the newsletter, assistance is also required in the form of news items which should be submitted for inclusion. FLTLT (AIRTC) Battams will assist with editorial assistance where required, however the basic newsletter should be cadet based. As you can see from this edition, there are an abundance of activities occuring both within 13 Flight and the wider SA Squadron. Please see FLTLT (AIRTC) Pulis to volunteer your assistance.
There aren't too many people who can say they have retired twice, however FLTLT (AIRTC) Battams is an exception. Following his retirement from the South Australian Housing Trust, FLTLT Battams devoted most of his resources towards the development of the Air Training Corps. Don's exploits are too many and varied to all be mentioned. FLTLT Battams has served 13 Flight Penfield since leaving the RAAF in 1975, resisting many attempts at being dragged off to a staff position in headquarters. Don has been instrumental in developing various activities for the AIRTC, including the Work Skills display for the AIRTC at Wayville Showgrounds, with his budding assistant Mr John Hipkiss and Camp Quality. We wish Don all the best in his retirement as a uniformed instructor with the AIRTC, which will come to fruition later this year. Begrudgingly Don will take off his uniform, however I'm sure that he won't leave 13 Flight for a while yet. A little "birdie" informs me that he's making himself a nest within the 13 Flight Projects Section, so as to continue on with him much appreciated tasks. Don thank you for your efforts throughout the years. and we all wish you a prosperous and happy retirement of sorts!
