Anyone Remember "The Cockpit" at Essendon?
Aubrey Adams
the "Way We Were" threads, so I guess it is just about on topic, well
barely.
I was rummaging around for an audio lead in my son's "audio abyss"
(amplifiers, mixers, PCs, turnables, tapedecks, etc) when I came across an
old LP (12" inch diameter 331/3 rpm vinyl recording to those born after
1980) that belonged to my late mother-in-law; and now obviously used by
breakbeat sampling wannabe DJ son.
Here's part of the liner notes:
<quote>
Les Patching Trio at the "Cockpit"
The "Cockpit", one of Melbourne's more imaginative night spots, overlooks
the tarmac at Essendon Airport. This gives it an intrguingly different
atmosphere. You enjoy superb food and wine; listen and dance to wonderful
music - while just below you see giant airliners arrive and depart.
The music comes from Australia's top trio, led by Les Patching ..... <more
blurb snippped> ....
This album was recorded "live" at the "Cockpit" (the first of it's kind in
Australia).
<unquote>
There's also a very small photo of the restaurant, very classy, with what
looks like a Viscount just visible through the windows.
Other notes mention this "famous" trio getting Jazz awards in 1962 so I
guess this album came out in 1963 or 64.
Not that I'm a jazz fan and even now I'm an old fart myself, I guess this is
a commentary on what was once considered an innovation but now is so "so
what".
Did any anyone here ever go to the Cockpit, sorry "Cockpit", just for a meal
and to dance to the jazz?
I can't see airport owners these days encouraging non-pax to come out for
meals and entertainment - you don't see much of the "giant airliners" and
don't mention the parking fees!
I do remember going to the Orbit Inn at Perth Airport once or twice in the
1970s when the antique state licensing laws in force at the time meant you
could rarely get a drink (legally) elsewhere after midnight - but the prices
even then!
Reminds me of the cartoon of a couple sitting down to a meal with aircraft
taking off in the background, she's scowling and he's saying. "Well, you
wanted to have a meal somewhere expensive."
Aubrey
Pits
Aub you know that idea may not be as silly as it sounds .
The fiscal fiends at WAC may just go for it as in that part of the
world WA (AKA sleep city)-- there is a need for something bit upmarket
in those 'burbs ----------
you can only Go to Kalamunda or Forrestfield so many times eh .
The early mornings ( fog permitting) arrivals from the north and east
hmmmmmmm As so many visitors arriving have to stooge around in no mans
land between Int & domestic.
Re Giant airliners 747's and the odd big Russians at Perth
aint that tiny mate :-)
Parking for patrons eating a meal get a voucher validated when pay the
bill. So at $2.00 a pop is better than the city
Excitement can be provided by SIA's "arrivals" and at times border on
Spectacular :-) Although of late most are not as they once were :-)
Hell an old Hull could be towed and converted and secured AIR SIDE down
near the new Cargo centre . You could be on to something :-)
But 1000 :1 wont happen -- Unless Kizon wants to be closer to his
supply chain :-)
Cheers
Aubrey Adams
"Pits" <mun...@anti-spam-munged.com> wrote in message
news:40fd...@quokka.wn.com.au...
>> Aub you know that idea may not be as silly as it sounds .
> The fiscal fiends at WAC may just go for it as in that part of the
> world WA (AKA sleep city)-- there is a need for something bit upmarket
> in those 'burbs ----------
> you can only Go to Kalamunda or Forrestfield so many times eh .
Huh! Have you been stalking me??? What kind of car do you drive?
:-)
If the microwave link level of the tower is still unused perhaps WACL could
put a bar in there - the floor to celing windows would give views of all the
action!!!
cheers
Aubrey
Coop
> <snip>
>
> Reminds me of the cartoon of a couple sitting down to a meal with aircraft
> taking off in the background, she's scowling and he's saying. "Well, you
> wanted to have a meal somewhere expensive."
>
> Aubrey
Love it! :-)
(Must try this on the Navigator first chance I get- I'll let you know how it
turns out.....)
Coop
--
To reply, remove the nose wheel.....
jc
<snip>
> I do remember going to the Orbit Inn at Perth Airport once or twice in the
> 1970s when the antique state licensing laws in force at the time meant you
> could rarely get a drink (legally) elsewhere after midnight - but the
> prices even then!
Never seen sights like it since, leave work - pub, mates take you off to
face the midnight (0045) horror. Even (more than once) seen 2 hosties
helping someone to the plane. But that was is an different world (and a
different country - Australia)
--
regards
jc
LEGAL - I don't believe what I wrote and neither should you. Sobriety and/or
sanity of the author is not guaranteed
EMAIL - jc...@pacific.net and ne...@perentie.net are not valid email
addresses. news2x at perentie is valid for a while.
Paul Repacholi
> I do remember going to the Orbit Inn at Perth Airport once or twice
> in the 1970s when the antique state licensing laws in force at the
> time meant you could rarely get a drink (legally) elsewhere after
> midnight - but the prices even then!
Part of the plus the Orbit Inne, and the Shell Servo had, was until
about 74 or so, state law dod not apply on Commonwealth property.
This was well known by some you used the AP tho get rid of unwelcome
blue lighting :) Deregulation at tis best! Also meant no restricions
on trading hrs for the servo, and no woorries with the licencing act!
--
Paul Repacholi 1 Crescent Rd.,
+61 (08) 9257-1001 Kalamunda.
West Australia 6076
comp.os.vms,- The Older, Grumpier Slashdot
Raw, Cooked or Well-done, it's all half baked.
EPIC, The Architecture of the future, always has been, always will be.
Lembit Marder
Sunday night was really swinging, very lively place!
"Aubrey Adams" <eaad...@MOVEiinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:40fdec88$0$29287$5a62...@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
veritas
was almost 40 years ago.....
Aubrey Adams wrote:
Gregory Bond
<snip>
There was still a bar/disco upstairs at Essendon when I was training
there (mid-90s). Dunno if it was called the "Cockpit", tho the name
sounds familiar. Never went in there. Used to have a billboard
facing the freeway going N past the end of runway 27.
Brian
As much as I hate to admit it, yes I went to the Cockpit. Good pick up
spot. The main attraction was after hours drinking when Victoria had 6PM
closing. It was Federal Property you see. I worked in the old NIC
(Ansett) instrument workshop nearby.
The Cockpit was a good spot occasionaly for dinner etc but too expensive
as just a watering hole. The RVAC rooms at Moorabinn were better for
that and you could watch all the antics on the field at the same time.
Do you remember the RVAC club at Essendon. Main tarmac area, not when
they were forced down to the southern side of the field.
BG
