Curtis Aviation Pilots
Alan Turner - 1st flight 1936
Alan Turner took his first flight at Hargreave AirPark (near Warwick Farm) in 1936. 66 years later, in 2002, Alan still flies, however, the aircraft are a little newer these days.
That first flight in 1936 was in an Avro Cadet, 'orange in colour' Alan remembers, and it cost 5 shillings. Still at school, Alan took the ticket in to prove to his class mates that he has actually been flying. Flying at Hargreave AirPark predated Bankstown Airport, however, the AirPark was closed down after the war as it became the Naval gaol.
Most private flying stopped during the war, and shortly thereafter the Royal Aero Club, still flying out of Mascot, moved to Bankstown.
Alan completed most of his flying with the Royal Aero Club of NSW whilst based at Bankstown. Aircraft that Alan flew included Cessna 152, 172, 182, 206, and even a C185 Float Plane. Alan also flew all the Cherokees and Mooney Executive.
Alan's favourite plane? Grumman AA5-B
Most Interesting? GY80 Sud Horizon - had a narrow undercarriage and used to'waddle like a tram driver' whilst it taxiied.
Worst Aircraft? Fuji FA500-181 - CSU with fixed undercarriage - just terrible.
With 1200 hours of private flying now under his belt, Alan aims to fly at least once per month ('slip one entry in the log book every month'). Into his third log book, Alan flies VH-PBS at least every month and is still loving every minute of it!
