Just like the words of the song by Crowded House – “Smiling as the shit comes down… Like four seasons in one day.”

For those who braved the blustery south westerlies in tents and camper vans on the Friday night, we were smiling outwardly but anxious on the inside as we waited for the weather gods to smile on Lake Forsyth.

Two Ezyups were ripped from their positions and tossed like matchwood against trailers and cars. Not a great start as the organisers tried to salvage what they could. Some brave souls, such as Peter Barlow and Matt McKenzie rescued what they could in the rain and thoughts turned to abandoning the fly-in.

The organising team were able to relocate into the large white tent, an awning was erected out the front, and optimism started to surface.

Patience won through and by 4pm the sun came out along with the lake flies, the wind dropped and everyone took to the air. Many flights rose from the recently rolled strip like relieved phoenixes. After a couple of hours of flying therapy many pilots adjourned to the Little River pub where they enjoyed great hospitality and generous helpings of steak or mixed grills. Some stayed to see the All Blacks put another one over the Aussies while others went back down the road to see some spectacular night flying from an array of foamies and flying wings. Myriads of tiny UFO’s dotted the star-lit sky. To bed and see what tomorrow brings.

Luckily the sun came out in splendid form to bless us with a gorgeous spring Sunday and the flying really began. What a great spectacle to see an array of models – jets, warbirds, flying wings, helicopters, foamies, float planes and seaplanes entertaining a large crowd of pilots and spectators. Registrations continued to climb to 79 pilots (one off the record); all going to show that all good things come to those who wait.

It seemed a shame to stop flying for twenty minutes while the prizes were presented. Ten raffle draws and a few speeches later the following awards were presented by club president, Craig Clapham.

PRIZES:

Thanks to club patron, Des Lines, for selecting the best overall model, and to Noel Wellbourn and PlayConcepts for their generous sponsorship.

– Peter Hewson, Secretary.

Some photos from 2016:

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