bETTy the Grumman Traveler VH-ETT

Me, Robyn (VK6XRE) and bETTy (VH-ETT).

After flying the FlightClub Grumman Tigers (AA5B) aircraft VH-IGI and VH-IFL (IGI is in the background to the right, the other Tiger is IGG, click on the picture above for a larger view.) I bought my very own Grumman Traveler (AA5) VH-ETT, on the 3 June 2005.

Here are some Pictures of my bETTy and friends.

Click on the Thumbnail for a bigger picture.

Have a look in the Video Vault for some of my latest Aero Videos

2007 Bomber Command. A fly up the Swan River at 500 ' AGL and past the War Memorial to commemorate the brave members of the RAAF who flew in the WW2 Bomber Command.

bETTy now has a nice home out of the elements. No longer does she camp in the field. She shares a hangar with a Jabaru. Also pictured is my Nissan.


A bETTy Fly past	A bETTy Flown Past	A Quokka

Phil's OLD Gal	Phil & OLD Gal

April 14th 2006 Good Friday. This was the 20th year of the Rottnest Bun Run. This is a fly in where the landing fees are donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). The Bun Run is organised each year by the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia (RACWA) and it's mission is to fly to Rottnest and buy Hot Cross Buns from the bakery there. Rottnest was named when the first Dutch explorers saw the Quokka but thought it was a big rat, hence Rat's Nest.

I flew bETTy over with 2 Pax, Kerry and Frank Cherry, and a good friend Phil (VK6AD) flew his newly acquired 1958 Piper Tripacer (VH-OLD) with his son and girl friend (the sons girl friend).

VH-ETT, ET's Traveler, Was owned by a Syndicate in Parafield South Australia, 2700 Km (approx 1700 mile) East of Perth Western Australia. I did my inspection before purchase purely via the internet.

These are the pictures that the broker sent me or pictures that I found on the net. I researched all the known problems an AA5 may have and engaged a LAME (Licensed Aeronautical Mechanical Engineer) to do a pre-purchase inspection. Needless to say the report came back with no major issues.

I flew over to Adelaide South Australia, parted with the required amount of money and flew her back cross country to Jandakot, Perth Western Australia. The trip back takes 2 days and incorporates four three hour legs. I had flown the route before in IGI (VH-IGI) pronounced IG-EE to and from the Avalon Airshow 2003.


This Is bETTy outside TAC at YPJT

Sunny day in the Office	bETTy and her LYNX friend down at Serpentine

	This is Phil (VK6AD) with VH-JEC a C172

The image of ET always reminds me of something that I wont expand on, so not happy with the connection, I sort another "Tag" for VH-ETT to be known by. The name bETTy came to mind. The link to the cartoon character "Betty Boop" followed. Not only is my bETTy an old bird, she is a 1972-3 AA5 sn: 0282, Betty Boop was created circa 1930, but the traveler nose bowl, with it's squarer profile (compared to a Tiger or Cheater) reminds me of Betty Boop's head.

I try to fly every week. The Pictures to the left are from one day down at Jandakot and Serpentine. Serpentine is the home of the experimental builders. I base from TAC (The Aeroplane Company).

Phil (VK6AD) an Amateur Radio friend of mine for many years, and a pilot, flew down to Serpentine in a C172.

Late July 2005, my eldest daughter, Tamara and her partner Pierre, came over from Melbourne (3435 km or 2134 mile) for a visit. I took them for a joy ride up the coast of Perth and then an orbit of our City.

The weekend before they left was cloud at 300 foot. In other words Non VMC, it is winter. They were leaving on the Tuesday so I took Monday afternoon off to take them up, the weather was passable. They both enjoyed themselves and my daughter shot a small video clip (right click and save target as) of my (not the best but OK) landing.

bETTy was at her weight limit as I weight 125Kg (275 lb), Tamara around 75Kg (165 lb) and Pierre at 115Kg (253 lb) but the day was cool and 24R is 1200m (nearly 4000') long. We waddled up into the sky at a respectable 500fpm.

A bit of trivia, the Web server this page resides on is located on the 8th floor of the QV1 Building, which is the tallest building in the second picture of the "Orbiting Perth City" set.


Pierre the Pax	Enroute to Freo	Fremantle Heading North	Hilaries Marina

Joondalup in the North	Ocean currents	New Development	Cloudy ocean	Looking South as we turn back

Perth City in the Distance	Orbiting Perth City			East Perth

Herrison island in the Swan River	Subiaco Oval, home of the WEagles	Cottesloe via the Swan River		Passing Fremantle from the North

Fremantle South Mole	Fremantle Fisherman's Warf	Down wind 24R Jandakot YPJT	Late down wind 24R	bETTy tucked away for today

I am a member of the AYA (American Yankee Association) and participate in the GRUMMAN GANG mailing list. The Top photo is of my pretty original and boring panel and the other photo is of my carburettor linkage of the Heim (or Rose Joint) type.