| Peter (Pip) Bormann |
Pip Bormann, an aviator of exquisite talent, who delighted all who had the privilege to see him perform, passed away today as a result of an aircraft accident at Shepparton airport.
On behalf of the Moorabbin Airport community, who knew Pip well, we would like to express our condolences to his family.
There will be more to follow on this extraordinary aviator. |
| Neighbours TV location shoot |
Moorabbin Airport changed its name- for a day at least. "Northern Plains Airfield" sprang up around the Moorabbin Aviation Services hangar for a location shoot by the "Neighbours" TV series.
Produced by Fremantle Media, Neighbours is a globally syndicated daily `soap" set in the fictional location of Ramsay Street- somewhere in Australia. Location shooting took place at Moorabbin Airport to simulate a country airfield and a location crew of over 50 engineers and technicians set up, filmed and then pulled down the location with a precision that would rival that of an army regiment.
Look out for this episode some time in May 2009- if you are in Asutralia that is. If you are in the UK you will need to wait until September and if you live in Iceland look out for us in 2011! |
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| Bubbles comes to town |
A huge russian helicopter has flown in to Moorabbin to help fight the Victorian bushfires. The Mil 8 operated by Heli Harvest, of Taupo New Zealand, has a maximum weight of 13,000kg and carries a 5,000kg water payload for fire attack work. It’s powered by 2 turboshaft engines and has a main rotor diameter of 22 metres. In passenger use it can carry up to 32 passengers- the same as a Qantaslink turboprop.
With only a days notice Heli Harvest routed the aircraft direct to Moorabbin. Their route to get here was Taupo- KerriKerri- Norfolk Island-Lord Howe Island- Taree-Newcastle-Moorabbin. They left on Wednesday morning and arrived Thursday evening- a very tired crew indeed.
Led By New Zealander Grant Biel the crew is multinational, with engineers and pilots from New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Moldova..
Its not the first time the aircraft has visited Victoria. It was based in Traralgon during the 2007 bushfire season and in Mansfield for a couple of years before that.
This helicopter joins the based Bell 212 fire attack helicopter and a number of fire spotter helicopters at Moorabbin and is one of well over 40 helicopters and aircraft in Victoria engaged in firefighting.
A comment from Grant: “We were so pleased to get the call to come over. Sitting at home in Taupo watching this dreadful event on TV was so frustrating as we all know and love this part of the world from our previous visits here.”
Another” Flying down yesterday we were just sickened to see the absolute devastation.”
And the nickname "Bubbles" The Bambi bucket carried by the helicopter can suck water in at a huge rate and literally blow it onto a fire. And it does look, well, cute.
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| Oxford Aviation Academy acquires Australia’s leading ab initio training provider. |
Oxford Aviation Academy acquires Australia’s leading ab initio training provider.
Oxford Aviation Academy (“OAA”) has acquired General Flying Services (“GFS”), the leading ab initio airline pilot training organisation in Australia. The acquisition, backed by STAR Capital Partners, is a key strategic addition to the Group’s “Aviation Training – ab initio” division which also comprises the former Oxford Aviation Training, one of the worlds’ largest and most respected airline pilot training schools.
Operating from two airports in Melbourne, GFS is the largest supplier of quality airline pilots in Australia. The school trained approximately 330 cadets in its last financial year and plans to grow these numbers to over 500 pilot graduates over the next few years as part of the OAA Group. It is well known for its long established relationships with flag carrier Qantas, as well as offering pilot training educational courses in partnership with two major local universities in Melbourne. Not only does GFS serve the domestic Australian market, the school also conducts training for a significant number of airline cadets from South East Asia, China and the Middle East.
The business adds significant scale and geographic presence to OAA’s ab initio training capability, enhancing the Group’s service offering in the high growth Australia and Asia Pacific region. It complements the type rating simulator centre at Hong Kong International Airport (A320, A330 / 340 and B737NG) and the significant presence that recently acquired Parc Aviation (the global market leader in flight crew leasing to airlines) already has there. In a region where the training and supply of high quality pilots is in great demand, OAA will have the capability to offer many airlines fully integrated pilot supply and training solutions.
GFS will be a key component of OAA’s Aviation Training – ab initio division (led by MD Anthony Petteford). Ross Carrington will continue to both manage the GFS Melbourne centre and support the further strategic growth in the region
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| Kirkhope Aviation at Moorabbin Airport |
Kirkhope Aviation Pty Ltd is a charter based operation at Hanger 7 Moorabbin Airport. There is a small departure lounge and the ability to garage a few cars.
The company can offer business or private charter services in comfortable twin engine piston aircraft. A number of aircraft are available and include Piper Chieftains, Cessna 340,s and Beechcraft Barons depending on the size of the charter. The company utilizes fully qualified commercial pilots who are instrument ( all weather) rated.
The company has specialized in outback Australian air tours for the last 35 years and can also arrange small group air tours to destinations that suit the client from the Kimberley, Arnhem Land, the Gulf, and the Centre. Accommodation and tours are arranged to suit your requirements from outback stations to upmarket motels.
Contact Kirkhope Aviation on 0418379263 or akirk@ozemail.com.au or directly through www.kirkhopeaviation.com.au
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| Time to Renew Your Airside Access Card |
Renew Your Airside Access Card Now
When Moorabbin Airport instituted increased Airside Access controls in December 2006 we issued a large number of Airside Access cards for staff based at Moorabbin Airport.
These cards have a life of 2 years and a large number that were issued in 2006 are expiring now.
To renew your card please contact Shirley at MAC reception on 03 8587 8000 to update your contact details. Charge for renewal is $25.00 A renewal form is availavle for download.
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| Pull the Other One! |
Hang on to your hats!
The second Stroke Foundation DC3 Pull will take place at Moorabbin Airport on Sunday 28th October. Sponsored teams will try to “pull” a DC3 over a measured course.
Moorabbin Airport Corporation and the Royal Victorian Aero Club will organize the technical side by designing the 60 metre course and providing safety marshals and Air Nostalgia will provide the 10 tonne DC3 for the task.Last year the winning team of rather large gentlemen from Collex Waste Management managed the feat in around 30 seconds.
The ladies team was slightly less successful taking well over one minute. All money raised at the event will be donated to the National Stroke Foundation. Their website is: www.strokefoundation.com.au |
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| Welcome to our new website |
We are delighted to present our new website.
We have taken the opportunity to simplify the text and font types in use, and introduce a more user-friendly web interface. New dedicated sections for Learning to Fly and Pilot information are included and we will shortly be developing a separate property section to reflect the large growth in both aviation and non-aviation property interest.
Important information regarding security and airside access is highlighted as Moorabbin is a security controlled airport.
If you want to find out more about our development plans simply go the Master Plan section, and for those who want to delve into our history then we have some items of interest for you.
We were very pleased to be awarded the title “Regional Airport of the Year 2006-7” at the 2006 Australian Airports Association Convention in Cairns and we hope that as time goes on we can further improve our services to the aviation industry.
Phil McConnell
General Manager Aviation
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| Debbie’s Delight |
“New” addition to Moorabbin is this beautiful 1958 registered Piper Tripacer.
Proud owner Deborah Fanning has already used the aircraft for a number of charity events including the recent Canteen/Carefilight fun day. |
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| Vale John Lindsay |
We regret to advise John Lindsay passed away on the evening 30th June 2007
John was 80 years of age. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. John joined the RVAC on the 1st February 1945, during his aviation career he has been a staff instructor with the RVAC and the CFI on 3 occasions, and also worked at the CAA for many years as a Flying Operations Inspector.
John was an exceedingly well known character at the airport and his funeral was attended by well over 400 of his family and friends. In appalling weather conditions the RVAC organized a flypast of 15 Piper Warrior aircraft to salute his many achievements.
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| Eagles Fly |
Moorabbin Airport continues to support the RVAC “Young Eagles” initiative which encourages teenagers, and their parents, to take their first flight.
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| What a picture |
Moorabbin Airport has unveiled a number of photo-paintings depicting aviation scenes at Moorabbin Airport as part of the redevelopment of the Management Centre facility.
MAC worked with Andrew Kopp photography to develop the series. An original digital image is run through Corel Paint Pro and Adobe Photoshop using techniques developed by Andrew Kopp. These are then printed onto canvas using Epson inkjet technology. The final result is remarkably similar to a painting but with amazing depth of detail. www.andrewkopp.com |
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