Winds of change

In the past this event has been very informal with very little formalities. This year saw a major change to this fly-in. The airspace was now controlled and there were formal arrangements with both a safety officer and the CAA and ATNS being in attendance. This formality does add to the costs of an event (someone has to pay for it) and thus instead of being a pure fly in the gates were open to the public for an “airshow”.  Actually air displays would be more correct as there were none of the specialist display teams in attendance at this fly in.

This may change as the event may transform itself into a fully fledged airshow in the future. Whatever happens, the Bush Pilots Fly-in is an event one should attend at least once. To complete the experience and be part of the spirit of the fly-in one should rough it in the bush by camping on the airfield but be warned, it gets cold at night (there was talk of a -1 deg C temperatures the first night). Me, I am a city-softie and the guest house a couple of kms away from the airfield was enough roughing it up for me. I like a little bit of luxury like a hot shower and a comfortable bed…..

All photos: C. Hugo, F. Hugo. Photo manipulation: A. Dyason

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