VH-SVW Australian Aircraft Registration Details

Prior to VH-SVW being used by a Bell Jet Ranger, it was assigned to a PA28 Cherokee cruiser,
the c/n is 28-7425360 registered 13/09/1974 and had a previous reg. N9623N. The aircraft
was operated by Chieftain Aviation at Bankstown, [BWU) l did many hours on this aircraft in
1978, after going Solo in it. usually departing BWU for scenic to the Blue Mountains, and
returning with a landing at Hoxton Park, nr. Liverpool N.S.W..

l remember sharing a flight from BWU to MBW via CBR and ABX. having to refuel twice.
My licencing CASA instructor STERLING PRESTON flew the leg BWU/CBR. Cheryl, Sterling's
wife CBR/ABX, and l flew ABX/MBW. after a few days of getting my hours up in Victoria,
l flew VH-SVW from MBW to MEB l recall on finals at MEB l was asked to speed up approach
as an Air Naru B727 was behind me, The captain of the Air Naru B727, [an Aussie] replied.
that he would slow down, as the cherokee's wings would probably come off. l remember
landing flapless, to clear main quickly.
The aircraft also had a retractable air conditioner which caused a lot of drag, if forgetting to
retract it on t/o.
VH-SVW was a great aircraft, and l would fly it often, also VH-IAL the sistership, on which l
qualified with my PPL.

Lance.