News

Jan. 18, 2008. The first homebuilt aircraft planning to make its first flight at Denmark Airport moved closer to that milestone when Ken Burke of Denmark Earthmoving transported Fred Moreno’s Lancair IV fuselage from Fred’s shop to his hangar at the Denmark Airport. Ken and Fred were assisted by Rob Slater and Ross Boaden who also have aircraft based at Denmark. The fuselage complete with engine was lifted onto Ken’s crane-equipped truck for the forty minute ride to the airport. First flight is planned for later this year.

April 2008. After a 15 year build cycle, Lancair IV VH-YFM took flight under the capable hands of Qantas Capt. Gary Burns who flew in from Shanghai (on his way home) for the event. Gary has had some Lancair experience having flown his Lancair IV around the world in 1996 setting many world records along the way.

December 2009 - Denmark Airstrip Sealed!

The Denmark Airport Association has been active in improving the airstrip. Working with the Shire, a Rural Airport Development Scheme grant has been obtained to cost-share the paving of the main runway and some new taxiways that will serve additional hangar locations at the east end of the airstrip. The paved runway will be 1200 metres long and 15 metres wide, and pavement will be per airport standards, well rolled to provide a smooth sealed surface.

Using Shire-supplied materials, the Association has also erected a new fence between the parking area and the airstrip apron to provide a greater measure of safety in separating members of the public from operating aircraft. The photo shows members of the Airport Association and some members of the Albany Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) Chapter 13 during the construction of the news fence on 1 December. The second photo shows the runway being prepared for application of pavement. Completion is scheduled for mid-December

January 2010. Hangar lease blocks are available at Denmark! The shire has approved new lease blocks, surveyed the land, and graded the surface including construction of a new taxiway at the northeast corner of the airport. A total of nine hangar blocks have been made available, and in the first round of “bids” four of the blocks have been spoken for. That leaves five more available for aviators that want to move their aircraft to Denmark. It looks like new arrival, Wayne Austin, the Deputy Principal at Denmark High School may suck one up shortly for the RV-7A which he is constructing. Act fast if you want one!

The Shire of Denmark has announced that it is about to develop a long term plan for the Denmark Airport and surrounding area to assure the best use of the airport as it evolves during the future. This process will include a comprehensive review of the current airport policy which will likely be revised to permit residential dual use (hangar/house) around the airport. The Denmark Airport Association will be an active member of the Planning Committee.
This new initiative was taken in part because two developers have placed applications before the Council for “Airpark” developments for both short term and permanent accommodations for fly in visitors and permanent residents. The process should be completed by about July 2010 after which we hope to see our first planning approvals obtained for the Denmark Airpark. Stay tuned.

December 2009

Peaceful Bay farmer and ex-African C210 owner Ian Tippett decided the excitement of Denmark aviation was irresistible. He succumbed to temptation and bought a nice C-182 RG which was flown in from Queensland in December. The photo below shows Ian and his son Mark with their new bird.

January 2010. Long after Harry van Wees built his hangar and provided space for Jim King’s Cherokee, he finally bit the bullet and bought a nice C-182 from the US. Hint: the way to do it is via an export shop in Kansas which ships Cessnas around the world, but handles all kinds of aircraft. It was reassembled at Jandakot and recertified and finally made its way to its new home at Denmark Airport.

Originally only the ends of the runway were to be paved to prevent surface erosion in the summer when the big 1200 horsepower water bombers take off with four tons of water. However, reviewing the situation, the Shire decided to pave the entire runway for which we are eternally grateful. And they did an excellent job, rolling the bitumen to perfection and working on a very hot Sunday to get the best possible final surface finish. Many thank to the Shire and the runway paving crew. Well done.

Rob Slater of Champagne PC Software and Flight Planner 3000 fame (and sponsor of this web site) took advantage of the strong Aussie dollar in early 2009 to buy a late model Cirrus SR 22 which he imported from the USA. After some importation pains (long story) the airplane was finally licensed in Oz and made its way to Denmark where it stays busy. That’s Rob smiling below as he heads out for another of his frequent flights. He has failed to learn the lesson of airplane ownership: you don’t actually fly them; you just polish them to stay in shape.

2nd February 2010. Wet weather did not dampen the spirits of those attending SAAA Chapter 13 member Ross Boaden’s 75^th birthday celebrated in a hangar at the Denmark Airport. Chapter 13 aviators gathered to cheer Ross on to more flying with the bright yellow airplane he built which has been dubbed “Top Banana” by some of his friends.

Ross has always been fascinated by airplanes. In his first career, he was a jet engine mechanic in the RAAF. In his second career, he was in the mining industry in Newman and Port Hedland. In his third career, he operated automotive businesses in Mandurah before he retired and moved to Denmark with wife Mary. Now in his fourth career (retirement) he spends a lot of time working on airplanes and helping with upgrade projects at the Denmark Airport.

While in Mandurah he was unable to shake off the flying bug any longer and decided to get his pilot’s license. But first he built his airplane in the shed behind his house, an RV-6 with a 180 HP O-360 and fixed pitch propeller. Then he used it for his flight training. After retirement, he brought the airplane with him to Denmark where he shares a hangar with two other Chapter 13 members.

Ross is an active member of Chapter 13 based in Albany and Denmark, and regularly partakes of the high octane beverages produced at the exclusive Auger Inn coffee shop located in one of the Denmark airport hangars. Entry is via pilots’ license or invitation only, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. Pilots and their friends are always welcome. This is the best place to see Ross and the “Top Banana.”

October 2009. Harry van Wees finally followed through with his threat to build a hangar which was finally erected but devoid of airplanes. It was not long before the camel put his head under the tent. “Silver Tongue” James King manages to slip in his Cherokee while nobody was watching, and chained it to one of the hangar girders. Here it can be seen on one of those days when it comes out to improve its tan. Silver Tongue does not need any further tanning. However, we are grateful for his continuing efforts on the part of the Airport including his dealings with the Shire which, to date, have yielded impressive results. Maybe that is why Harry puts up with Jim’s airplane.