SAFA Skysailor Magazine

17 WINTER 2025 | June-July-August SKY SAILOR Next I turned eastwards past Lake Rosine and over Cressy. The airfield, es- tablished in 1939 as an RAAF training base, has massive, grass runways. On arrival, we parked outside a big RAAF hangar. In the distance, a Tiger moth was being wheeled out and prepared for flight. • Airtime: 42 minutes • Distance: 36.7nm • Average speed: 52.4kt We departed for Tuki, a private strip on a farm property, bypassing Ballarat to avoid the delays we experienced on the way down. We passed Mt Helen, Mt Clear and Sovereign Hill. At Creswick, I let the slowest trike catch up. I expected the airfield to be difficult to see from the air, located on a property near the town of Smeaton. Our landmark was a turn in the road after a long straight bit. As we approached, we found it hard to identify the rather rocky airfield until two aircraft parked on the top of a hill gave it away. • Airtime: 60 minutes • Distance: 57.8nm • Average speed: 57.8kt A short break, then all four of us taxied to the bottom of the hill with little room to manoeuvre, the last aircraft down had to be first to leave. Once airborne, we headed past Castlemaine and Bendigo for home. As we passed Nagambie Lakes, the leading aircraft made calls to land and soon we were back at Wahring Fields. • Airtime: 1 hour 12 minutes • Distance: 74.8nm • Average speed: 62.3kt That was fun! Join us next time Special thanks to Cobden Aero club for the use of their facilities. We loved the airport, the people and the town. The trip home Photos: A Batson and Cressy