Welcome to NOK Flying Club's NEWS - 2008

How to find us by air

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For taxi - call Mr May 0869110939 or Mr Mike 0871802455

• SFAT have produced a useful mini AIP guide for Thailand. Details here

• Our Tiger Moth and "new" Blanik have now arrived at NOK.The Moth seen here been assembled by our chief engineer Khun Prasert.

• Congratulations to Phuket Flying Club on the opening of their new airfield.

More information here

• To make way for the new arrivals at NOK of a Eurofox, two more S. Cubs and a Grob Astir CS (these 4 aircraft have already been shipped and are expected in Thailand later this month) our C172 HS-VDM has been sold - it's new home will be Tantawan Sunflower Airfield - see below.

• Tantawan "Sunflower" airfield welcomes visitors. Details here
• Bali Fly-in July-August 2008 Due to problems with availablity of Avgas please note this event has been postponed - -- Khun Sunny and Khun Uthai from Tantawan airfield are leading a SFAT flying expedition from Thailand to Bali, Indonesia. Plans and clearances are being organized at the moment. If you want to join this exciting flying adventure -- email Sunny -- view Trip Program.

• The DCA now requires applicants for foreign licence validation to take a Thai Air Law and Human Performance written exam before rendering foreign licenses valid for flight in Thailand. If you already have a Thai Validation, then you must take this exam before 11 May 2008 or your validation will be void. The DCA are holding exams every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until the 25th June 2008 - new deadline. To make a booking call them on +66 2287 0320 or fax +66 2286 3373

From now, all pilot applying for Thai Validation must pass the Paper test at DCA: "Thai Air Law and Human Performance."
1. New PPL pilot : must have the test before submit application
2. Pilot holding PPL validation : Attend the test before 25th June 2008 to keep current
3. Pilot on Validation process : attend the test as soon as possible to continue the process

NOK Flying Club are holding refresher training for those who wish to take Air Law and Human Performance. Contact us for details.

 

• General Aviation helps save endangered species in Thailand. Read the full story of our Club member, Ed's, survey flying activities to help preserve Thailand's endangered marine species. Story and pictures here.

• 1995 Piper Malibu Jetprop for sale in Thailand - contact:
  Minor Corporation PLC
  16th,18th F/L Berli Jucker Building
  99 Soi Rubia Sukhumvit 42 Road
  Klongtoey Bangkok 10110
  TEL: 66 2365-7500 ext. 7781 
  FAX: 66 2381-5776-7
  www.minornet.com
  www.minoraviation.com

• Online Classroom - To enhance technical training for registered students, on all our training courses, the club have initiated a free on-line classroom. Student pilots and club members, embarking on a pilot training course with us are invited to join this scheme. The online classroom will give you direct contact with our instructors, who will give advice and answers to queries on-line via e-mail. Students and pilots at all stages of training and experience will find this useful but in particular candidates who are studying for PPL examinations can greatly benefit by using this facility.

• The annual Children's Day was held at Chiangmai International Airport on 12th January. Wing 41 invited NOK Flying Club to participate, 6 aircraft arrived from NOK, including, for the first time ever, at Chiangmai Airport a flying display by our Blanik L13 glider. A very well coordinated flying display, including the Thai army, navy and airforce, took place for most of the day, to the great excitement of all the menay visitors present. Congratulations to Wing 41 and Chiangmai ATC for organising such a well run event.

• NOK's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held, in the clubhouse, on 30th December 2007. 17 members were present and members appointed and approved a new committee. Minutes if this AGM are posted on the club notice board.

• Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta scheduled on February 7-10, 2008 To all Aircraft Owners, Pilots, and Aviation Enthusiasts,
  "Please see attached a complete invitation and schedule of activities for the 12th Philippine Fiesta.  Please join, meet old and new flying friends and have a fun flying weekend with us.  There will be more activities and aviation attractions for this years fiesta.  Thanks and looking forward to flying with you in Philippine Skies".  Joy Roa. Press report here.

• Just to remind everyone that we are now approaching the dry/forest fire season. NOK's Forest Fire Protection Project, together in association with the Forest Fire Control Division and the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand, pilots and members are invited to participate in reporting outbreaks of forest fires in Chiangmai and Lamphun Provinces. This information should be passed to the Forest Fire Control Division (DNP) in Chiangmai – Hotline 1362 - who will take appropriate action. Details here. Reporting forest fires please call Chiangmai DNP office 053-276100 Ext. 11 during office time or our hotline 1362 round the clock. Story here

• Chiang Mai: Where Influential Locals Meet to Set Forest Fires

21st February 2008

Every evening, for over four weeks, we have witnessed smoke rising from the forest. As darkness falls the raging flames, masked by the fire resistant trees, are revealed. It is now clear that the burning has been approached systematically moving from one hill to another, until all the undergrowth has been destroyed.

Last week we filmed this practice on the hillside nearest our house with infrared video. There we saw a group of 5 people, made visible by their torch lights, lined up down wind from the fires. There was also a lot of barking. So the evidence suggests that this is an organized activity, practiced by possibly a single group working to systematically burn the entire local forest area. Indifference by the local authorities and the fear shown by villagers suggests that there are powerful people involved. It looks like hunting with dogs is one element of the ritual, although most insist mushrooms are the real prize. Richard Rhodes continues his commentary on the burning fires he is witnessing from the jungle in Thailand. A unique insight into perhaps the single biggest factor behind global warming: forest fires.

• With support from NOK Flying Club, the Royal Thai Forestry Department and the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF) are setting up a joint venture in Northern Thailand to undertake an assisted aerial natural forest regeneration project. Aerial re-seeding will take place during the rainy season (July-August). WAR’s research teams will follow re-generation progress at regular intervals.

• As a result of our Vice President's recent European visit the club will shortly have the use of two more PA18 S. Cubs, a Eurofox and a Grob Astir CS (single seat glider). These aircraft are currently being readied for shipping. Watch this space for updates.

• After a long delay we are pleased to confirm that our Tiger Moth and second Blanik will be shipped out from UK on 16th January - we expect them to arrive in Thailand 3 weeks later. Watch this space for updates.

• Another UK visitor, with us for 3 months (and hopefully longer), is QGI Dave Hallsworth, who has been kept busy running our gliding operations. Dave is a highly experienced professional gliding instructor and tug pilot. Several club members are currently taking advantage of his knowledge and undergoing glider pilot training courses.

• A warm to QFI Mark McCelland from UK who is with us running our flight training programme. Mark is another professional, higly experienced, qualified flying instructor who also owns a Renegade bi-plane ultralight based at NOK. Both students and experienced pilots are enjoying his invaluable instructional style and wisdom. We hope that Mark will be with us for a long stay.

• Our S. Cub has been undergoing major reburbishment and is now back in action - having completed over 50 aerotows in the past 2 weeks.

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  Give this gift of a real 45 minute flight lesson with one of our instructors. The person this gift is for will be doing MOST of the flying in the pilot's seat and actually undergoing a real flight lesson. Gift certificates cost 5,500baht including club membership. Contact us with your request for gift certificate.

• Loy Krathong Festival 2007 - Annual Fly-in at NOK - weekend 23/24th November.

 

"Great party - great music - great food - great entertainment - we look forward to next year's event - Best wishes from all of us at Tango."

 

 

 

*Picture gallery Loy Krathong 2006 here

 

• International balloonists will take to the air in December More than 30 air balloons from Asia, Europe and the United States will take to the skies above Pattaya over the period December 8 to 12 as part of the celebrations surrounding the birthday of His Majesty the King.
  On October 16, representatives from the Royal Thai Army Sports Center along with the Sports Flying Association (Thailand) visited Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn at Pattaya City Hall to discuss the organizing of the Pattaya International Balloon Fiesta 2007.
  The launch ground for the balloons will be at City Learning Park, which is part of the College of Innovational Education at Thammasart University, Pattaya Center.
  Niwat Wongchinsri, secretary of the Sports Flying Association (Thailand) said that this would be the biggest event of its kind to be held in Asia, and would gather over 30 international balloons from Asia, Europe, and the United States.
  Niwat said there would also be an air show, and competitions in para-motoring, para-gliding, and parachuting. Ariyawat Nuamsawat

• Oshtak at Mae Sot 28-30 Dec 2007 - many clubs and organisations will be supporting Oshtak at Mae Sot this year in commemeration of His H.M. the King's birthday. Don't miss it.

• SFAT MALAYSIAN ADVENTURE TRIP -- Inche Ismail of MSAF was the organizer of the very successful KUKL 2007 - KARNIVAL UDARA KUALA LUMPUR - the major ANNUAL GA event in Malaysia (supported by the Malaysian Government). Picture showing HS-NOK over KL. More info here

• Chiangmai University Flying Club are now well established and closely affiliated with NOK, having already had three summer camps at the airfield, with over 160 of their members taking to the air. We look forward to further regular visits from them. Congratulations to (Arjarn) Sampan Chaithep, Head of Engineering faculty and our club member Pete for actively setting up this project.

Read more about CMU FC projects here and here and here

• Major new developments on the airfield - the areas adjacent to the runway are being grassed and new irrigation system is being installed. A new access road and workshop is currently under construction - see map below

• NOK Flying Club's new BLOG - post your blog here

• The Sport Flying Association of Thailand (SFAT) works closely with flying clubs throughout Asia, liaising with DCA and promoting general aviation in Thailand. Get your voice heard - new members welcome - details here

• Initial/renewal pilot medical information here

• Songkran Fly-in April 2007

   

  NOK Flying Club's 2nd Birthday Anniversary - our fly-in and Songkran celebration, organised by the Sport Flying Association of Thailand (SFAT), was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. 5 visiting aircraft arrived on 14th April - our glider was busy all day operating introduction flights for our members and friends. Trucks were provided for those who wished to join the  Songkran  water war festival in Chiangmai streets.

   

  An excellent evening party, organised by Khun Nok, was attended by over 100 of our members and friends. Great live music by Chiangmai's premier "C" Band completed the evening's enetrtainment. The following day 6 aircraft flew to Pai for a night stop prior to flying homewards on the Monday. A great weekend enjoyed by all. Story and pictures here.

• Songkran Slideshow

• MINOR AVIATION to launch VIP charter services - More information.

  
  

• Also this month we are planning on a weekend summer camp, on the airfield, for all members of Chiangmai University Flying Club (CMUFC). Date to be announced.

• Shortly to arrive from UK our "new" (see pic below) 1942 built DH82 Tiger Moth G-ARLI (re-registered in Thailand as HS-VIP) - coming together with another L13 Blanik sailplane (registered HS-CMU). Once certified these two additions to our fleet will no doubt be very popular.

• Work is well under way in the construction of a new (number 3) hangar.

• Extensive earth filling/levelling and renovation work has now been completed on each side of the main runway. This area has now been reseeded giving a runway width of 35m

• New aircarft arrival in January 2007 - Renegade bi-plane ultralight - now in the hangar awaiting certification.

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• Pete, our member from Chiangmai University (CMU) brought a dozen people from the University, to NOK, over the New Year Holiday and gave them each an intoductory ground school lesson followed by a short flight in the C172.

• CMU Flying Club is now fully registered under the auspices of the CMU Faculty of Engineering. The 150 members who have already signed up to join are looking forward to their participation in our aviation activities.

More info (Thai) here. For those with high speed internet video link here.

 

If you are a member of CMU and would like further details on CMU Flying Club email us here.

 

• Congratulations to our v.president who has been invited to be an adviser to the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Bangkok. ( Photogrametry.)

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• Gliding at NOK:

On the 23rd December 2005 our Blanik was launched from Lamphun Airfield (home of Chiangmai Flying Club) with our Super Cub and flew to its new site at NOK Airfield. NOK's Glider photo album

Our members can now undertake a glider training course - or just experience the thrill of silent flight. To suitably qualified pilots the glider is availalble for self-hire.

To arrange a trial glider flight call us

• Taildragger flying

Ever wanted to learn the aspects of flying a taildragger - then come and try it for yourself.

• Scenic flights

Want to take a scenic tour of Thailand's mountains and forests - call us

C172's, C182R and 160hp Super Cub are available

This NEWS page is updated regularly so do keep coming back to check our progress.

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We look forward to seeing you at VTCY

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