General News
22 May, 2024
Thanks for the memories
MEMBERS of the Southern Microlight Club enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the local area.
Microlight aircraft are slow flying aircraft with open cockpits.
Club member Steve Bell said a contingent from the Victorian based group of recreational aviators visited Cobden recently.
“A group recently visited Cobden with the intention of flying along the coast and local areas taking in the Twelve Apostles,” he said.
“In our pre-planning a few months ago, we contacted the Cobden Airfield ARO Bill seeking permission and were pleasantly surprised at how welcome we would be and how the airfields facilities would be made available to us.
“We were invited to join the aero club’s weekly meeting as guests and met up with a great bunch of blokes who were all too happy to share a story and give us advice with restaurants and local attractions and any help we needed.”
Mr Bell said the visiting club members appreciated the time at Cobden, with the support they received locally “lacking in the current environment”.
“Public owned airfields are disappearing and many are being leased to private operators who are only interested in commercial activities and not allowing recreational aviators to even land at the airstrips for a brief rest before continuing their journey,” he said.
“The story of the Cobden Airfield and many of the locals associated with it is all over the wall inside the aero club and is very interesting reading.
“The airfield that you have is a tremendous asset to your community and is being very well managed to attract visitors such as us and we will definitely be back some day for another visit.”
During the visit, the club members – which included a contingent of seven aircraft and three vehicles – spent five days in the area.
Mr Bell said the group visited local attractions “putting lots of our money into the local community, all of which would not have been possible without the availability of the airfield and its facilities”.
