June 2006, Issue 71 [pdf 2.8mb, 40 - Royal New Zealand Air Force

4
WN 06-0176-01
OUTWARD BOUND TO
REUNITE OLD FRIENDS
Watchmates out and about at Outward Bound.
After more than 43 years of providing adventure-based learning
and development programmes to New Zealanders, Outward Bound
is now looking to reunite former participants with their fellow
watchmates.
Outward Bound Manager – Opportunities, Darren Quirk, said the
organisation will help over 45,000 former course participants to
connect with old watchmates via a dedicated alumni section on the
Outward Bound website.
Past Outward Bound students are able to register on the organisation’s
website www.outwardbound.co.nz. In doing so, they can access
old photographs, search for watchmates, win prizes and learn more
about Outward Bound events.
HUEYS GO HOME
On 1 April 2006 the last six Multinational Force Observer’s (MFO)
UH-1 helicopters departed North Camp, Sinai, Egypt for Israel prior
to being shipped back to the USA. The UH1 helicopters, popularly
known as ‘Hueys’, have been in service with the MFO since 1982
and were originally fl own by the ANZAC aviation unit in support of
MFO operations of which many RNZAF personnel served. The current
Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott also fl ew these helicopters
during his tour in the Sinai. The helicopters have been replaced by
UH 60 Blackhawks.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
Mr Bryan Geurts, Fleet Manager Health at Army Logistics Executive
Trentham, points out that the picture of one of his products in the
Insight O6 article ‘The Hidden Hazard’ is the old Army insect repellent
spray that had been identifi ed as a fl ight hazard due to the alcohol
content. Mr Geurts says that ‘due to identifi cation of this hazard we
reformulated the product to make it fl ight safe. This product is now
one of the few fl ight safe insect repellents on the market and the only
truly alcohol free DEET product. This NZ made product is now sold
to Muslim countries and NZDF is receiving royalties on those sales.
An example of a problem being solved and creating its own market
niche.’ I stand corrected and pleased to see a Kiwi product leading by
example – Grant Carr, Editor
In our April issue (No.69) we inadvertently misspelled the name of
F/S Reg Dawson’s son (pg. 5). The correct spelling is Severne - that’s
with an ‘e’ on the end.
My sincere apology – Grant Carr, Editor.
TRUST US
Pilots are the third most trusted profession in New Zealand, according
to the Reader’s Digest’s annual opinion survey, just below fi re fi ghters
and ambulance offi cers and before nurses and doctors (see this
month’s article on our Medical Trade, pg. 14). Since the Air Force has
personnel in all these professional categories it’s a safe assumption
that we have somewhat of a clean sweep in the trustworthy stakes.
And hopefully that trust extends to all our other trades and professions.
Unfortunately journalists rank a mere 25th on the list below
taxi drivers and above real estate agents. Can you trust me on this?
Too right you can!
BUSINESS AS USUAL
Despite rising fuel costs it’s
business as usual for the Air
Force says Air Component
Commander AIR CDRE Richard
Newlands.
‘We continually monitor fuel
prices, both from New Zealand
and overseas sources, and
we receive a forecast of New
Zealand fuel prices up to a
year ahead. While the accuracy
of forecasts is subject to
the vagaries of a number of
external influences, we have
been expecting the fuel price
to continue to rise throughout
the current fi nancial year, which ends on 30 June.
‘To date actual fuel price rises have been broadly in line with those
forecasts, although for the remaining two months of the year the prices
will be a little above forecast. Nonetheless, while there will be pressure
on this cost element of the budget, we will be able to manage
funding to ensure that we maintain both training requirements and
our operational commitments,’ says AIR CDRE Newlands.
OH 04-0589-02
AFN71 JUNE 06 www.airforce.mil.nz