On the Pulse

On the Pulse was probably not alone this week hearing those aircraft rumbles overhead. 

Putting the question out there on Facebook, the responses were generous, and a couple good souls pointed to F/A-18 Hornet training activity at Tamworth that should be ongoing for the next couple of weeks. It appears we’re under their flight path.

While this volunteering of information was happening, we were calling around. 

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority didn’t know, and suggested we phone Air Services Australia. We did, and they kindly responded two days later in an email: “We are unable to provide any further insight into why your area may be experiencing increased aircraft noise. 

As the Inverell Airport is not an airport at which we monitor noise, we are unable to determine if there has been any increase in the area.”

Of course we contacted Amberley RAAF base and they didn’t know, the RAAF base at Williamtown didn’t know and it took 24 hours for the Department of Defence media unit to call us back and tell us they had no idea what we were hearing.

On the Pulse isn’t sure if we should take comfort in the fact that NBN had video of the RAAF pilots, though the people meant to have an eye on the skies seemed unaware of what was going on in our airspace.  

Friendly fire during  Facebook discussion

A lot of discussion took place on the Times Facebook page about the invisible jets. Now On the Pulse always takes a keen interest in this newspaper’s Facebook page, and one comment that caught our eye left us unsure whether we should be amused or concerned. When the Times page revealed our efforts to find out why we could hear jets, Ottley Irwin commented: “They are definitely fighter jets, let’s hope they are ours.”

Indeed!

Stopping all stations, just not on time

A media release from the Member for Northern Tablelands this week indicates that Adam Marshall may just have a little too much time on his hands.

On the Pulse has dutifully noticed most media releases usually cover events attended or work intended with funding included. But when this one came in on Wednesday, it was from so far out of left field that it seemed as interesting as the other four members of the Jackson Five. It was a reminder from Adam to Armidale and Moree Xplorer customers that NSW TrainLink has changed the timetable for services this weekend, 26-27 July.

Yep, on Saturday delays of up to 30 minutes on the Sydney to the 9.29am Armidale/Moree service and the 8.40am Armidale and 8.05am Moree to Sydney service departing 30 minutes earlier. And the connecting coaches from Inverell, Tenterfield and Walcha will be 30 minutes earlier too. 

But there was more. On Sunday the 8.05am Moree service will depart at 10.10am and the 8.40am Armidale to Sydney service will depart at 10.45am.

Now, it could be interpreted that Mr Marshall’s recent bad experience on the road may have renewed his fascination with trains, and On the Pulse could argue that if he gained a bit of weight, he may pass muster for one character out of Thomas the Tank Engine, but if you read between the lines, this is just brilliant stuff.

At last, a politician willing to tell us what is happening in government; the trains are still running, but they’re not on time. 

Town-wide sale and birthday in one week

Almost 50 shops are part of the town-wide sale that begins today.

On the Pulse is hoping the sale is a massive success and provides chamber of commerce boss Anthony Michael with a late birthday present after he turned a year older this week.