Temora Sabre

[Mick.B]

From Temora News

Sabre high speed taxi testing Vid. See link at bottom

The RAAF Sabre is one step closer to going flying after completing high speed taxi trials on Monday afternoon. The Museum’s engineering team spent the day working through final inspections and preparing the aircraft for the runs. The main focus was to check aircraft handling at speed and to bed in the newly overhauled brakes.

Former RAAF Sabre pilot Group Captain Mike Nixon was at the controls and later commented, "the ground handling was a treat and all onboard systems functioned as well as new, at least as seen from the cockpit. Everything works as it should and all the numbers are in the zone.”

Mike was the last pilot to fly this aircraft 16 years ago, and when asked if he was tempted to go flying he said, “it took a great effort on my part to pull the throttle back and pop the speedbrakes at the end of the high-speed run, as the Sabre seemed eager to leap into the air. I'm sure the new pilots are going to fall in love with this magnificent old lady of the skies."

Museum aircraft engineer Ben Muller has been involved with the Sabre project over the last three years and said, “watching it scream down the runway for the first time was a combination of excitement and nervousness. I can’t wait to see it go flying.”

Stay tuned as we keep you updated as the Sabre progresses towards its first flight.

Three video clips of the RAAF Sabre’s taxi trials have been uploaded onto our website, check them out by visiting the link below:

http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/new...VideoClips.cfm

[Mick.B]

Temora Sabre take to the air.

One of the Royal Australia Air Force’s (RAAF) most significant fighter jets, the CA-27 Sabre, made its first flight in 16 years today at the Temora Aviation Museum in regional NSW, after a period of more than three years’ restoration and servicing.

The aircraft was loaned to the Museum by the RAAF under an agreement made in 2005 by the Chief of Air Force in an effort to preserve historical military aircraft. The Sabre jet has been restored to flying condition by the Temora Aviation Museum Engineering team and will become a feature of the Museum’s regular Flying Weekends, which are open to the public, as well as select Australian Defence Force Airshows. Sabre A94-983 is owned by the RAAF Museum, loaned to the Temora Aviation Museum and operated by the Temora Historic Flight Club.

Museum Founder and President David Lowy AM said “This is an historic day and I’m extremely proud the Temora Aviation Museum has been able to partner with the RAAF in returning their Sabre to the skies.”

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin AM said “This first flight of the Sabre aircraft marks a great day for Air Force by vividly reminding us where we have come from. It is a fantastic result for all involved and I would like to acknowledge the work of the entire team, including the strong partnership between Air Force and the Temora Aviation Museum, in achieving this milestone.”

David Gardner OAM, Director RAAF Museum said, “It was tremendous to see the Sabre take to the sky again. Temora Aviation Museum is to be congratulated on the huge professional effort they put into returning the aircraft to airworthiness status. This event is great for Australian Aviation Heritage and the RAAF.”

Temora Aviation Museum Engineering, Chief Engineer, Peter Pring-Shambler says “Our engineering team has done a great job over the past three years and I am very proud of what we have achieved today.”

The pilot of today’s post maintenance check flight was Darren Crabb. As an ex RAAF Qualified Flight Instructor, Darren flew F/A-18 Hornets and Macchi jets. He is a current corporate jet pilot and is type rated on 14 jet aircraft types. His flying experience includes the Cessna Dragonfly, Vampire, Meteor and Canberra vintage jet aircraft and he has a total of 5200 hours of flying time in jet aircraft. After the flight Darren Crabb said ”It was fantastic! The aircraft performed flawlessly and it was both a pleasure and a privilege for me to return the Sabre to the Australian skies.”

The Australian public will have its first chance to see the Sabre at the Temora Aviation Museum Flying Weekend on September 5th & 6th, 2009.

For photos and video of today’s flight, click on the link below:
http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/RAAFSabreFlys.cfm
http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/new...VideoClips.cfm

[Grahame Hutchison]

Great news, can't wait to see it flying at Temora.

[Greg McDonald]

Beautiful aircraft..

[damien b]

Would be great to see it flying again - good to see that all the hard work has paid off.

[Kieran Wells]

Sorry to bring this one up again - Am heading to Temora this weekend for the flying session at the aviation museum. Anyone else popping down?

[Mick.B]

Im flying up in Warrior PMZ. Should be a good day with the 2 F-18s also.