Ross Stenhouse's Percival Proctor Restoration

Mooch around any airfield and you will quickly discover that there are a lot more activities underway than simply flying aeroplanes.

Such is the case for Ross Stenhouse who is pain stakingly restoring a WWII Percival Proctor to full airworthiness. Ross has completed the tail section with work progressing well on the fuselage. Many other components are already on hand, including an entire Gypsy Major engine on mount. When asked about an expected completion date Ross remained quite philosophical, "Well, if I don't get it finished - I am sure someone will - maybe my daughter Liz will see it done."

When not working on the Proctor, Ross is often seen patrolling the skys around Watts in his distinctive Tiger Moth.


 

In the past few weeks progress at Watts Bridge has been made with the supply and installation of the new Pure Blue toilet block. At the same time the trenches were dug to connect the QUA clubhouse, the new toilet block and the QVAG toilets to the sewerage system.

A small team led by Peter and Ian Ratcliffe worked to complete the plumbing for the clubhouse and arrange the council plumbing inspection and approval. With help from Rod Mill and Peter Freeman the trenches were filled and the site cleaned up. The water tanks and pump have now been ordered, with delivery planned in a couple of weeks.

Whilst a lot more work is required to make the clubhouse toilet and shower functional, more progress will continue as time and funds allow.

With the new Pure Blue toilet block now functional, the old toilet block was removed, the septic tank emptied and filled in. Another toilet block, including a shower is also planned for the airfield, adjacent to the old shelter shed to cater for that end of the field. Mike Smith supplied a load of gravel.

Congratulations Glenda!!

Upon the successful maiden flight of her scratch built "TOUCAN" at Watts Bridge on 15th June.

The Queen's Birthday long weekend in June was reserved by the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Aerobatics Club for the State Championships. Unfortunately, the weather was really not playing the same game with a gloomy overcast Saturday. Ocassional showers and low ceilings saw very few arrivals and only the hardiest of pilots taking to the air.

What a difference a day makes. 
Come Sunday and the skies quickly cleared making for a great flying day.
And fly they did. Up, down, over, under and inside out too!!  Thrilling to watch!!
For the pilots of course, it was all very competitive. The judges set challenging sequences, missed nothing and marked accordingly.

That evening the winners were announced during the post competition revelry.
And the Winners are..........

Intermediate Brendan Scilini - Qld
Sportsman Clive Tudge - Qld
Graduate Danny Robinson - Qld
Entry Denzil Brunner - Qld

 
The Aerobatics Club encourages pilots at all levels to increase their flying skills in a friendly club environment. So if you have ever had a yearning to experience "unusual attitude" flying, why not look up when the Aerobatics Club is holding their monthly training weekend at Watts, come along and say g'day?

QUA Clubrooms Official Opening

QUA Members and Guests attend the first meeting held in the new
Queensland Ultralight Association's Meeting Rooms

T

The Queensland Ultralight Association is a founding member of Watts Bridge Airfield. For many years it has been a goal of the QUA to build a Club House and Meeting Rooms at the airfield. Sunday 18th May saw that dream fulfilled when the first monthly meeting was conducted in the newly erected rooms.

After the meeting a BBQ Lunch was on offer, setting the scene for regular meetings and future flying events such as the upcoming Fun Fly Poker Run. The clubhouse is freely available for the use of all QUA members whenever they visit the airfield, with tea, coffee and cold drinks already available. On-going improvements will see additional facilities become available, making Watts Bridge and the QUA a great place for aviation enthusiast of all persuasions to meet, share a cuppa, and generally have a relaxing afternoon's flying.

© 2003 - 2024 Watts Bridge Memorial Airfield Inc.
PO Box 98, Toogoolawah, Queensland, 4313, Australia

Phone: 0427 699 239 
Email: info@wattsbridge.com.au

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