Brigg runway status - aerotow & big models

[NeilS]

Gents,

I showed up early for the scheduled January aerotow however the runway had not been graded as promised so unfortunately aerotowing is not possible. Does anyone have any reliable information on what is planned to establish a usable runway for larger powered models & aerotowing?

NeilS.

[F3Joel]

Do you think it will even be possible to fly a aerotow event at Briggs Field due to the small size of the field and the proximity of trees and other obstacles?

[NeilS]

G'day Joel, if the runway is graded and lengthened it may be possible to aerotow smaller scale gliders however I doubt that the bigger models and tugs could be operated safely. The trees are going to be a significant problem and the rotors off them will be a real issue when a South, South West or West wind gets up.

[Col Collyer]

The temporary strip has been graded, and should be fine for Saturday, except for the dust, as the grader driver was a little too keen ! I'm sure we will get used to the tree's, and if not, then we will find the tree climbers amongst us.
See you Saturday, weather permitting
Col

[NeilS]

Col, I thought "grading the strip" meant removing the high ridges with the grader not simply spreading the piles of fill across the whole strip as has been done. I had a look today and already the loose fill has settled or blown/washed out of the depressions leaving the strip much as it was except for the new dust and stone hazards (see attached pics). Hopefully the permenant strip will be properly excavated & leveled to ensure that the existing depressions are permenantly removed before the surface is appropriately top dressed and sown. Any idea when this work will start and what the layout of the final strip will be?

[Col Collyer]

The grader driver was just requested to fill in the 2 east west depressions at the ends of the temporary strip. He had other ideas, so what we got is what we got, not what we had intended. Bit of a dust bowl really( bit like Bendigo a couple of years back!)
We are still harassing the earth moving guy to get the grader back, they are due to be finished mid Feb, so I guess that sets the time frame. The only blessing is the price is right
Col

[NeilS]

Col, can you advise what the detailed plan and timetable is for establishing the permanent runway. It's likely that many members with powered models and/or larger gliders are very interested in progressing a quality strip asap.