Festival Of Flight – Watts Bridge, Australia

Proctor
I could not have put it better myself.
you hit several nails right on the head.

A79-RAAFVampire

Charging landing fees always seems a bit backward to me.

I am one of the founders of Watts Bridge Memorial Airfield (Foundation Chairman, key player in running the airfield for about 16 years) and over the years there was suggestions that we should change landing fees for other than association members.

I always strongly opposed the move on the basis that I put in the huge effort of re-activating the airfield so that aviators in the South East Queensland area had a destination to fly to, hiring or operating an aeroplane is expensive enough without having to pay another $10 to land. I wanted an active airfield – activity means interest. Watts Bridge appart from being a recreational airfield for warbirds, vintage aeroplanes and others is also a residential air park. Having visitors is what its all about – lifestyle!

Its also the principle, we don’t charge people to use the road system to drive into the town so why should we charge for another system of transport which gets us to that town.

Most people doing a cross-country are stopping to refuel (spend money) or to overnight at a motel (spend money) or to buy have a break and buy lunch (spend money)

Some of the country strips offer all the amenity of a morgue and councils should pay aviators to use them to gain the ecconomic benefit (said with tongue in cheek).

cheers

I have to agree .
The new credit card bowsers are the best thing to happen in
Australian airports for ages. One just went in at Broken hill and
theres a new one at Port Pirie (which has great service from the caretaker anyway).
Now if we can get rid of landing fees at Council owned airports ill be
even happier.

Gooday All

Will try and remember to take a few pics and post them. Not a great aeroplane photographer like some I see that post on this forum.

Thought I would put up a image of the new Fuel Depot, AVGAS is now available 24/7 at Watts Bridge, the credit card bit is on the left hand side and is only slightly visible. Fuel hose is in cabinet to the right of the fuel pump. I may be a bit backward, however this is the first time I have seem such an installation.

Means that you can confidently fly-in and get AVGAS easily at the Festival of Flight.

What a great advancement for an airfield. You can refuel your aeroplane straight away without calling out the refueler and battling the flies (Australian Airfields always have about 2 million flies in residence)

cheers

For those that may be interested, The Queensland Vintage Aeroplane Group Festival Of Flight at Watts Bridge is the premier gathering of vintage/warbird aeroplanes in Australia.

About 100+ aeroplanes are in attendance, it is NOT an air show, its a fly-in.

That means there is a LOT OF FLYING done by all sorts of aeroplanes.

It is on 28/29/30th of this month (August 2009)

Avgas is available at the fuel depot (via credit card).

cheers

For those of us in another hemisphere who cannot be there, a pictorial record, as in previous years, will be much appreciated. Then you can show those of us up north just what we are missing down south!