Possible YSSY Spotting Weekend 2012???
 

OK folks. Following some light discussion at the DoG dinner last Thursday, it's time to throw it out there...

If a spotting weekend (Friday night-Sunday afternoon inclusive ) was to be organised for 2012, what would be the preferred time of year, and would you go regardless of the time of year it was to be organised?

Previously, the YSSY Spotting Weekend has been held in February, but there have been numerous pros and cons associated with having it at that time of the year, including but not limited to the heat, heat haze for photography, length of available daylight for spotting, availability of accommodation etc.

So, to kick start things for a possible spotting weekend, what is the preferred time of year for a spotting weekend. I have included a poll for possible times of the year to get things going. I have left out the Christmas school holiday period at each end of the year so you can all spend time with the family!

But for the rest of the thread, what activities would you like to see at a spotting weekend? Dinners with a message board awards night? Planeplotter/ADS-B demonstrations? Photography hints and tips sessions? Others? Throw it out here and let's discuss it!

Remember, if a weekend is organised, then your input to its format is vital. Let's use this thread to rationally brainstorm what you'd like to see and do.

Throw in a golf day on the Sunday ;)

I think the previous formula has worked reasonably well - a number of 'organised' events like drinks on the Fri and a Saturday dinner but with plenty of available time for geeking at aeroplanes for those that way inclined.
Time of year doesn't matter to me, though I reckon it's far more pleasant to stand around outside when it's not the middle of winter. People tend to stay in their cars when it's cold, thus defeating the more social purposes of the weekend.

And what's this, Nigel being the social secretary???

Doesn't work on a push bike, mate. :p

Would be good if its on the school holidays so some of the younger members like myself can make it, just to meet you all and of course spot! :)

How about the long weekend in october a great way to fly up there for model railway exhb and then the nights drinking with everyone .

Either the April or October school holidays, that way our younger, next generation of spotters can attend. also, its a happy compromise between daylight hours and heat-haze

John

Brock, perhaps you can suggest that mum and dad go to Sydney for a 'weekend away' while you spend time at the airport? I'm sure they'll find plenty to do while you're spotting and having dinner on Saturday night;)

John, I must be way out of touch with the current schooling system, but I thought weekends meant that kids had the free time to go and do things. :confused: It would give the interstaters time to fly in on Friday night or Saturday morning and fly home on Sunday evening and still be back to school on Monday morning.


But seriously, the proposed months I've suggested were to purposely avoid school holidays so that during that time the younger mob can go on family holidays or do family activities (which their parents may/will appreciate).

Happy with any time of year, also I like the idea of a golf day!

Outside of school holidays preferred thanks. The flights are much cheaper.

Mick

As long as it's on a weekend, count me in!

Will be good to meet some of you guys! :)

It must be on a weekend, it must be outside of school holidays.

Good job in throwing this idea out there Nigel, the best ideas always come to light at the DoG!

Thanks Craig.

Who knows...perhaps I might actually make it to a weekend myself?:eek:

Not true Zac, a dinner was recently held at the DoG (a popular convening place for board members) with all users welcome regardless of age. This was organised by a highly respected long term member of this board.

May is firming as the preferred month, bearing in mind that plenty of people travel from interstate the requirement to hold the event outside of school holidays is a must. Schools aren't open on weekends so it's pretty much a win/win situation for everyone.

Nigel has put forth a great idea, one that I support and will be attending. No date will have unilateral support - the best is being done to cater for all!

Get voting, get excited and lets get a great weekend planned!

With the amount of work that gets piled on us as students, it's a surprise that we can actually do something on the weekends! :p
Nonetheless, May is not the end of term, so it should be fine.

Looking forward to the planned weekend whenever.About time for some more early morning rises and very little sleep in between drinks.Hope they live up to their name and many more pranks can be done.Hope the PEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRF office can attend as well.Would not be a weekend without granie or flushy there for the friday night entertainment.

As long as the perf office don't pull out with toe injuries things will be business as usual...

If the JQ staff/crew are still at the Stamford, things should also be business as usual :D

Ok, so with nearly 50% of the vote for May 2012 as the next Spotting Weekend time of year, I think it's fair to say that's the preliminary month set at this stage.

It's not too late to vote, so if you haven't done so and are keen to attend, now's the time to let your voice be heard!


Are previous year's spotting weekends the preferred format for activities?

Any suggestions for activities/timetables are welcome. If you have a full weekend's activities plan in mind, please post them here for discussion.

Friday drinks give people the chance to arrive at their leisure... somewhere 'close by' the airport given many out-of-towners stay nearby (I know the Stamford has worked in years past).
Something organised on the Saturday evening also gets people together in an environment that's a bit different to the usual 'fence-side' antics.
Not too much 'organised' during the day to allow for the crowds to shift around with the runways in use on the day. Lunch can be organised 'on the fly' so to speak.

So pretty much sticking to the forumula as used in previous years I reckon!

So does that include drinking at the AV8 Bar until you're falling over and grabbing the bar mats as you go? Then requiring help in the elevator up to your room?

I've still got that bar mat too....

Only if there's a retired Scottish couple to pick up the tab, Floody...

So I take it Nigel is volunteering to organise the whole weekend. Sounds like a plan!!

Amsy will love you for that.

I'm rostered to be working the weekends in May of 2012, but now that some interest has been generated I can tender the organising process back to Amsy.

I'm sure he'll thank me for that. ;)

Please do not do it during School Holidays

Anyone Keen on "hiring" one of those double decker buses and keep it parked in the compound there? Would be good close up action.

Good idea Brendan i would be in on that.

Those double decker buses have long GONE. Its more like a coach bus depot now for Greyhound.

Bugger. I wonder if someone could arrange something then to be able to use a section with a viewing platform or scaffolding in their compound? Beats trying to photograph between the poles.

There's something for you to organise Brenden.;)

How about (depending on prices) hiring a boat for 34L operation and park it out where allowed hahahaha.

Nigel, a little hard to organise something via the Perth Office. However all I am trying to think about is doing something a little different. Shame we can't use a small section of the radar field.

Of course you can organise it! Just need to make a few phone calls or send a few emails!

As for the radar field, again, make some enquiries. Have a chat to the property section of SACL and find out if it's possible. There may be conditions imposed on it's use, or they may refer you to someone who can help, but the worst anyone can say is no, and you won't know if you don't ask!


Any spotting weekend that is organised can't just be a one man organising commitee (just ask Kurt). It will take a team effort, and if those with the ideas can be the ones who make the arrangements, then bit by bit it will come together. There are enough people here who have a friend of a friend of a friend that can possibly make it happen.

PM sent Nigel.

Very true in what you have said.

Brendan,

Need me to help in anyway? PM me on FB if I can assist.

Lee

I can only strongly second this. I have helped Amsy in the past and it has been a massive job to co-ordinate all the necessary parts of the weekend. If we're going to have another weekend I think we will need to share to duties around a little more so that we don't have Amsy doing the bulk of the work. That way everyone can enjoy the social and geeking atmosphere of the weekend and no one person is tied down running the weekend.

I'm happy to help as I have done before, but it will be so much better if we have a group or committee of organisers.

Simple is Best..
 

Guys,

Firstly, I love the spotting you lads put together and appreciate the effort everyone does to get it to the state thats its get to.

If we could just make it a gathering maybe it would make it easy:

Friday night - Drinks at Av8 Bar
Saturday - Spotting - Mound by morning, Beach by Afternoon
Saturday night - Dinner at Rowers, followed by drinks at Av8
Sunday - Spotting by Mound, Beach by Afternoon, allow people to depart..

As simple as that would be unreal!

Cheers
Beau

Mid May will coincide with the Sydney Aviation Model Show 2012... ;)

Happy to help if needed

Do QF still run tours of the Jetbase? Just for something extra.

No, and no more tours of the airport. However a private tour can be arranged for a decent dent in your wallet.