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Thursday, May 20, 2004
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Fatman banned! Prank call costs radio personality his on-air spot
FLY BOYS...Roxby Downs Aero Club enthusiasts, from left, Jim Spring, Phil Goldsworthy, Rob MacMillan and Daryl Wake with new local flight instructor Ben Hammond at Olympic Dam Aerodrome. Mr MacMillan and Mr Wake enjoyed their first introductory flights with the aero club last week.
Aero club back in the air OLYMPIC DAM...The Roxby Downs Aero Club will take to the skies again this week after almost two years of uncertainty. The aero club, originally formed by local flying enthusiasts in 1993, has spent the past two years working to upgrade its facilities and services to meet new, tighter CASA (Civil Aviation and Safety Authority) requirements. These efforts have culminated this week with the local employment of flight instructor Ben Hammond from Forsyth Australia. Mr Hammond’s appointment means that local residents can now learn to fly at Olympic Dam, while pilots can conduct their biennial flight reviews and licence upgradings right her in the Far North. Roxby Downs Aero Club is currently the Far North’s only club of its kind with a complete endorsement from CASA. Already, club coordinators Jim Spring and Phil Goldsworthy have received more than a dozen inquiries into learning to fly, with an open day planned for later this month. The club currently owns two planes - a Cessa 172 and a Piper Arrow. “There’s no better place to learn to fly than out here,” founding aero club member Jim Spring told The Monitor this week. “We’ve got so much space, great conditions and un-
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cluttered skies - and no matter where you want to go in Australia, there’s a landing strip. “People just don’t realise how close everything is when you go by plane. I don’t even own a motor car these days - if I want to go somewhere, I fly. “There is real freedom in flying, and the chance to see our beautiful Australia from the wild blue yonder.” Flight instructor Ben Hammond agreed that local conditions made learning to fly a real pleasure. “You can get maximum value for your money learning at Olympic Dam - there’s no congestions, great conditions, lots of space and no landing charges,” he said. “Just look out your window at the sky - the conditions are almost always perfect.” “This is an interest that can grow into a career or commercial opportunity,” Mr Spring said. “With commitment and time new pilots can one day be commercial aviators and fly for a living.” The Roxby Downs Aero Club will host its ‘learn to fly’ open day at the Olympic Dam Aerodrome on Saturday, May 29, from 10am till 4pm. Meet the instructor, enjoy and introductory flight for just $50, find out more about training or just enjoy a sausage sizzle with some of the region’s local pilots. For more information, contact Ben Hammond - ph 0407 974 002.
BANNED...Roxby Downs radio personality Jay Stringer the Fatman - contemplates his two-month ban from RoxFM. ROXBY DOWNS...RoxFM radio personality The Fatman - better known as Jason Stringer - has been banned from air for a month following an on-air prank call last week. The call to Blockbuster Video, Roxby Downs, contravenes community radio broadcast laws. According to the Australian Broadcasting Association, no person can be broadcast on air on community radio without fore-knowledge. The call also caused sponsorship concerns, as all businesses mentioned on air must pay for the privilege, or it is regarded as free advertising. Community radio station RoxFM has come down hard on The Fatman, star of the station’s highest-rated show. “We weren’t happy to ban Jason it’s a hard call but it’s the one we had to make,” RoxFM station manager Deb Paliska said. “The rules are for everybody and we don’t want to lose our community station over something as silly as a prank call. “We look forward to having him back – he’s an important member of
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RoxFM.” The Fatman’s Top 20 Countdown program will continue, with various guest hosts, until Mr Stringer’s return. “I feel terrible about the ban,” Jason Stringer told The Monitor this week. Obviously at the time I was just having fun on air, none of us considered the consequences. “The last thing any of us wants is to lose our community radio through a breach of the ABA laws. “It’s a real eye-opener for all of us and a reminder that as radio DJs we have laws we need to abide by. “I think the community needs to be aware that we are restricted by tight guidelines, including types and brands of music we can play.” RoxFM community radio station is an important local service, according to Mr Stringer. “As much as I’m disappointed to not be on air, it’s nice to see that the management is serious about how the station is run. “I look forward to making my return to the airwaves in July.”
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Thursday, May 20, 2004 - Page 1