Gunnedah Aero Club boasts some sharp aviators but not even these skilled pilots could navigate the thick fog which blanketed Gunnedah early recently.

The heavy haze lingered for much of the morning after heavy rain the day prior.

It delayed not only the air arrival of club captain Sam Clift from Breeza but also the start of a navigational time trial around Gunnedah.

The exercise formed part of the Weeks of Speed Festival in Gunnedah – a month-long program dedicated to everything fast.

Waiting out the weather inside the aero club clubhouse were pilots Dale Kirby and Gus Greenaway.

Mr Kirby was preparing to fly the club’s Piper Archer, four-seater aircraft – one of two planes available for use by club members.

He attained his pilot’s licence about three years ago and was looking forward to developing the next stage in his skill set – flying at night and by instrumentation.

Mr Kirby said the sense of freedom when airborne was almost indescribable.

“The view of the ground is phenomenal,” he said.

PHOTOS FROM LAST WEEKEND AND OTHER CLUB EVENTS:

The Gunnedah resident also enjoyed the idea of travelling to new places and honing a new skill.

Also preparing for the navigational exercise was trainee pilot, Gus Greenaway.

He operates a farm near Mullaley and has been completing his training off-and-on for about two years.

Mr Greenaway recently completed his first solo flight – an occasion which he handled much better than he anticipated.

“I was nowhere near as nervous as I thought I’d be,” he said.

Mr Greenaway is the first in his family to train as a pilot – a moment he had been looking forward to since he was young.

He recalled being in awe as a five-year-old witnessing the local stock and station agent fly into the property.

Mr Greenaway said he has been hooked on flying ever since.

He said gaining his private pilot licence would hold some practical value at the farm but it also “opened up the world” to new possibilities.

Aero club secretary Al Kersley started flying in 1979 and has been a part of the Gunnedah club for about 40 years.

He was flying his prized two-seater aircraft, an Evektor SportStar, and enjoys the simple pleasure of being airborne.

“I just love flying, there’s nothing better,” he said.

Fellow committee member Michelle Keating said the club is represented by about 50 members.

The club meets regularly for “camaraderie and friendship” and the mutual appreciation of flying.

Members also take part in day flights to neighboring aero clubs as well as multi-day journeys to locations across the country.

Once the fog finally cleared on Saturday, pilots buckled up for the navigational exercise around Gunnedah.

This included a route via Black Jack Mountain and Porcupine Lookout before returning to Gunnedah Airport.

Later that day, pilots took part in a longer exercise to Hanging Rock, Tamworth and Mount Kaputar.

Pilot Kirby and navigator Greenaway were declared fastest of small contingent which also included visitors from Warwick and the Gold Coast.

Pilot Dale Kirby behind the controls of the Piper Archer aircraft.

Gus Greenaway and Dale Kirby wait out the heavy fog which settled across Gunnedah on Saturday morning. The poor visibility delayed the start of the navigational exercise.

Al Kersley and Gus Greenaway fuel up before Saturday’s events.

A map of the planned route for the long navigational exercise hosted by Gunnedah Aero Club.

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