THE MERRY MONTH OF…OR THE DARLING BUDS OF…MAY.
With The “Phoenix.”
 Well dear readers, as Adelaide has received its first rain, and in the month of May, June augers well for a great year. Motoring to the Strathalbyn area just a couple of weeks after my last trip there, the beautiful green surroundings amazed me. No doubt SSL Park at Milang must be a lush picture of grandeur. My first picture this month shows two fine gentlemen – on the left is Eric standing with Jurgen. Eric is a character who is steeped in flying history, having flown side by side with Murray Scott in Control Line many decades ago. You all know how old Murray is – he goes back to Noah and you also know how long it is since he had his boat in the water, even to indulge in a spot of water skiing or fishing. (Someone had to catch those small fishes. As Noah did everything in pairs, ‘tis no wonder that Eric and Murray paired up to do some control line. As for Jurgen – one of his main claims to fame is that he is one of the Schneider brothers, One being Michael, The Red Baron Schneider and, even though he did not fly this night he was seen nursing a Pulse-jet engine of many years vintage. Mike’s description of the noise of the pulse-jet on full song, was a very well Australian voiced description. Goodness me, I tried to cover my ears with my wings but it still filtered through as a very positive description of the noise. Tut! Tut! No doubt, as we see him in the next picture with an interested spectator, he was quite likely to be expounding the noise of the engine to the visitor. I hope he was impressed ‘cos that may bring him back to ETSA Park. 
Our flying numbers were way down this month and, as we just scraped through with the rent, the SSL, who gladly accept our surplus each month would miss out. That is not a situation that finds me weeping tears of sympathy. They do very nicely, thank-you-very-much, from our indoor movement.
My dear friend and sparring partner, Scott (Broad)Gage fronted up this night with a v e r y heavy foam model of his own design and construction and, apart from knocking the propeller off several times, it gave him a lot of pleasure through out the evening. Just look at the thickness of that foam.
 I couldn’t help myself with the next picture of an unknown (to me) gentleman and when I tell you that I titled the shot “Total Concentration” I thought that was a fairly accurate description. A scantily clad belly dancer could have walked right past him and I don’t think he could have told you if she had a sun tan or not.
 Dear readers, I have – sort of – made a feature of Andy Hollitt this month and his Auster because it is a red hot story about one who is a leading light in our movement. Here is one reason why. Please let me digress a wee bit first of all and describe his aircraft which you see here held by its builder. It is the usual length for this type of foam model, about one metre and is constructed using EPP foam, which speaks volumes for its enormous strength. This strength is aided by a full length carbon fibre arrow shaft that Andy has let into the fuselage in such a way to make it quite invisible. It is fitted with an E-flite 250 motor which is powered by a 2S300 battery pack. The completed model, rigged for flying weighs in at just 165 grams and, according to Andy is indestructible. 
My final two photographs show the top and under side of the Auster Trainer. Yes, it is called a Trainer for that is the exact reason for its introduction. As he has always made himself available for anyone who seeks his knowledge or his invaluable assistance, he decided to present this trainer for the use of any person who visits the flying sites where Andy can be found, such as Ingle Farm, Aberfoyle Hub or Etsa Park Stadium. It can also be flown by any person who seeks introduction to the world of foam-built models. It is a generous offer and, as he says, if it attracts some new fliers to our indoor movement, then it has been well worth while. It is a great move on his part and the Auster Trainer will be in appearance at ETSA Park on our next indoor flying night and, I take this opportunity to remind you, one and all that, because of a hugely important Netball fixture on our usual third Thursday, in June it will be on the fourth Thursday, the 25th June and from the usual time of 8.30 to 10.30p.m.
DO try and come along folks and take up Andy Hollitts great offer. To all my Victorian friends who are regular readers of the Phoenix stories, I wonder if you have any features like the Auster Trainer within your flying fixtures. I guess you are all a bit down after the Crows treatment of Carlton last Saturday night. Poor Mr Fevola, that was so sad – not a single goal for him or the entire team throughout the first half. Sooooo sad! He! He! I don’t have the power to speak of our other team, but then that was Barry’s Mob, not the Vics.
I look forward to our communion on the 25th June when, if you fly, it will only cost you ten dollars. Of course, if you are a new flier being given some instruction on the Auster Trainer, you will not have to pay. Remember that wax on my wings is much better than in my ears.
The Friendly Phoenix.
Phoenix Indoor Flight Reports
Indoor Flying at ETSA Park 2009
| Date |
Court |
Time |
| Thursday 17th September |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 15th October |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| Thursday 19th November |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
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I
want a quote on how much freight it will cost to send items to me.
