Airtourer Association Inc.
President's Fly-in Echuca
Amended Program - Saturday
It's been a challenge holding the Presiden'ts Fly-in at Echuca. In 2020 and 2021 it was postponed due to COVID and then finally in 2022 when it looked good there was extreme weather across Victoria and NSW. No Airtourers were able to fly in, (the airfield was NOTAMed closed), but 10 members did manage to drive. Well done to those who tried and had to turn back, thank you for giving it a go.
The flooded roads has made the original program impractical. An updated plan for Saturday is as follows:
- 8:30 Breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery
- 10:00 Walk to the Echuca Wharf to purchase tickets for a paddle steamer cruise on the Murray.
- 10:30 - 11:30 Cruising on the Alexander Arbuthnot.
- 11:30 -013:30 Lazy lunch in the Port of Echuca
- 13:30 Bus departs Mecure Port of Echuca Motel for Tongala. Departure back to Echuca to be briefed on the bus.
- 16:30 Bus departs the Mecure Port of Echuca Motel for Lockington for tour of the Heritage Centre and "Joe's Tractors"
- 18:00 Dinner at Beryl's local, the Lockington Pub.
- Departure back to Echuca TBA.
- 16:30 All receive text message from Vic Emergency Services to EVACUATE NOW
Queensland Gathering - Toowoomba
8 October 2022
Doug Stott
The lunchtime gathering at Toowoomba (TWB) yesterday (8th Oct) was a most enjoyable opportunity for SE Queensland current and past members to catch up, share stories and information about flying, Airtourers and all things aviation.
For me it was especially pleasing to see Ray and Jane Abernathy in attendance as we first met in about 1980 at the Yarrandale Presidents Fly-In. Over the years Ray has owned two Airtourers (VH-RQG & PCC). Stuart Hilsberg, long time member and past owner of (VH-RQL) and I (former owner VH-CTM) travelled by car to attend the event, as did Andrew Younger (VH-TPY) from Gympie and Greg Peters and Julia Adams (VH-MOH) from Brisbane together with his father, Jim, a long-time aviator and Twin Comanche owner.
It was a pleasure to meet current members Ross Nunn & Sally-Anne (VH-MTH) from Oakey. Ross is rebuilding MTH and commented that during the course of conversations, he had gained much information to assist with his rebuild.
The weather was not that conducive on the coast; however, JOH (VH-COI) made it down from Gympie without too much effort. Members appreciated having the opportunity to get to know John, Association secretary and chairman of the Co-op.
Many thanks to Mark Barnett, a Toowoomba resident, for guiding us in the direction of the Wilsonton Hotel, only a short drive from the Darling Downs Aero Club. Mark, along with some others were unable to attend due to weather or prior commitments.
From the enthusiastic discussion, it is anticipated that a similar event will be held again. So, we will work on a date well in advance before our calendar is too full, so that we can again spend a few hours in the company of Airtourer enthusiasts.
Photo of Every Airtourer Project
The Association's Historian Doug Stott, with the help of IT specialist Tony Self, is compiling a collection of photographs of every Airtourer. They've made great progress with the missing photos but there are still some gaps. Check out Tony's website of missing photos and let us know by email to the
The longer term plan is to have a short history, with photos, of every Airtourer produced.
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