In March I was privileged to be invited by Mark ‘Lumpy’ Paterson to fly for a week at Tocumwal.
By Ross McLernon
In March I was privileged to be invited by Mark ‘Lumpy’ Paterson to fly for a week at Tocumwal. He first notified us over a year ago of his intent to have this week, where a group of us that knew him when he was a youngster at Beverley, would have a reunion and enjoy the unique and exceptional soaring environment that he has created at Tocumwal. It was amazing that everyone invited was able to make arrangements to attend, one coming from the UK. It was a fantastic get together.
Tocumwal has a rich history in gliding and aviation. It was built as a bomber repair station during WWII. The installation included five large hangars, one of which Lumpy now owns. This hangar was able to house five B24 Liberators. I believe it is still the largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere.
Bill Riley ran Sportavia from this hangar in the 1960s and ‘70s. He imported Blaniks, IS28s, Pilatus and several other glider types and had a large gliding operation. The famous World Gliding Champion, and all-round nice guy, Ingo Renner also flew from Sportavia. I know Lumpy treasures the time he was able to spend with Ingo at Tocumwal.
Lumpy’s hangar is the only one of the original big hangars left on the airfield. It has offices, bar, kitchen, dining area, briefing room, repair and maintenance facilities, an outdoor BBQ area and swimming pool. There are also several caravans and a new four room motel-like accommodation unit opposite the hangar. The airfield also has an Aviation Museum with a brilliant and popular café, The Drome.
Ross ready to fly in the Blanik.
Weather and Trends
I travelled via planes, trains and busses to the airfield from Perth. Briefing the next morning was thorough and included everything you could possibly want to know about the weather and trends. The week before we came was terrible, with a cyclone bearing down on Brisbane that brought flooding rain and masses of cloud to eastern Australia. But we were fortunate to have seven wonderful, flyable days with climbs from 6,000 to 9,000ft and mostly under cu.
After the weather briefing each day, Olly, one of the instructors, gave a safety talk on a nominated topic (‘Did you know you should tuck your shirt in before alighting, because a loose shirt can blow over your head and prevent you from deploying a parachute?) We then filed out into the huge hangar to prepare our aircraft.
The airfield is excellent, with grass and dirt strips as well as sealed runways. It’s not a terribly busy airfield and the power and gliding fraternities seem to get along very well. The scenic ‘Mighty Murray’ river runs through town and makes an excellent landmark. The country is very flat with plenty of landing options.
I flew all seven days in six different aircraft with 24.5 hours flying time in total.
Tocumwal Airfield
Seven Flying Days
On Day 1, I took the Duo Discus front seat with Kim Taylor in back. We had never flown one before, or indeed together before – Kim drives a JS3Jet back at Beverley. We took an extended local flight within 50km, and thoroughly enjoyed the flight and aircraft.
Day 2 brought the chance to fly the wonderful Boomerang, after a 47 year absence from it, on a short cross country. I never thought I would have the privilege of flying a Boomerang again. The last time was when I was 17, back in 1978 at Cunderdin in WA.
For my birthday on Day 3, I flew a solo in the Blanik on a local flight – best birthday ever. Lumpy has the only operational Blanik with the Llewllyn mod. It flew just like I remembered, and I loved it.
Day 4 brought a cross country flight to Benalla and Corowa in the Ventus 2CXT, accompanied by Phil Levins and Kim, both in LS4s. We turned north of Yarawonga to the NE to follow streeting cu’s out to about 75km from Toc and a 100km+ glide with no circling.
I spent time on Day 5 in the Janus I had been trying to buy when I came back to gliding, with me in front, Kim in back. Our cross country trip to Echuca was great fun.
Day 6 was another cross country day, this time in a Ventus B to Moulamein accompanied by Phil in a Ventus2.
On Day 7, we were back in the Duo Discus with Kim in command in the front seat and me in the back, for an extended local flight.
I loved every flight – my favourite was in the Boomerang for nostalgic reasons. The Ventus 2 was fantastic and has made me super keen to get my Shark going. The month before, I had purchased a Glasflugel 304 S Shark, once owned by Lumpy, from Waikerie and have yet to fly it. The Duo Discus was superb, light and well coordinated. It’s almost like flying a single seater. Having now flown with Kim for the first time, I can see how he made the Astir go so well and does well with the JS3. He is a talented pilot.
The enormous wooden hangar at Tocumwal.
Passion for Gliding
Lumpy has an absolute passion for gliding, which he is keen to share. He has over 20 gliders there and three tow planes and all the extras you need. He and his staff are exceptionally helpful, friendly and easygoing. It was great to meet and talk with Ian (Chief instructor), Olly (Instructor), Bluey (Tow Pilot – from near Toulouse in France), Milly (Tow Pilot) and Peter (Maintenance and Gliding Guru).
I had the privilege of sitting next to Peter at dinner one night while he regaled me with his adventures from the Bill Riley days. He told stories of towing gliders from Darwin to Townsville and Cairns and Alice Springs and all over the country. He was doing double tows and triple tows, towing into primary controlled airports - try that today, no chance! - both as tow pilot and glider pilot. It was an incredibly interesting and entertaining chat with a humble legend of gliding.
Lumpy’s operation is fantastic. The gliders are all in good condition, maintained by Peter, and well equipped. After a day of flying in those great conditions, it was so good to come back and fall in the pool and sit around in the outdoor area, enjoying a drink and a chat in the shade of that massive hangar. Tocumwal is a very friendly town with a number of eating establishments to choose from.
Flying the Boomerang.
I can’t finish this article without mentioning Sharon. She supports Lumpy with the gliding, has worked in the local shire office and hospital and has recently been elected to the Tocumwal Shire Council. Sharon made us all very welcome and organised a BBQ one night, a Chinese food night another, and town and koala tours. She always has a smile on her face.
On Chinese night, Lumpy had prepared a slide and video presentation with many photos and videos from the old days. It was a wonderful night with many, many laughs, and a fantastic way to finish our week. Everyone that attended had a great week and are sporting smiles that will take a long time to erase.
If you are considering a gliding holiday, I can’t recommend highly enough Lumpy's and Sharon’s operation at Tocumwal Soaring Centre.
