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First flight for grand daughter no 2. I'm going to try to make Pilots of them both👩‍✈️

FINALLY got my rpc. it took 50 hrs because of all the breaks in between. now i can fly the xair to my hearts content. i know the basic rpc is just solo practice in the 25nm zone but that is fine with me for a while until i start x country lessons.

Arrived in perfect condition. Unpacked and box dismantled in two and quarter hrs. Now for inventory Lyndon

Beautiful flight to Bairnsdale last week. Family stuff till today. Now patiently waiting for the weather to improve to fly home. Don’t think it will be for a couple of days though.

When I was flying I ALWAYS had the beacon where it could be grabbed quickly and I briefed my passenger on how to use it. I ALWAYS flew as high as possible over water (usually between Wallaroo and Cowell in South Australia) and always let ATC know my intentions. But that's just me, I know of pilots who fly above 100% cloud cover and navigate by GPS alone. I know pilots who fly over water at low altitudes (due cloud) and have bugger all time to get out a mayday, trigger the beacon, brief passengers when the engine stops. They are out there with their 'she'll be right attitudes' and when they come to grief, too many take some poor soul with them. Alas, as I got older I got stupider (is that a word?) so I no longer fly.

Thanks Ian, for all your good work. I'd just like to add, to all websites users - Please ensure you assist Ian with the website running costs - it's only $50 a year to become a full member, and even if you're cash-strapped, I'm sure he'd appreciate any level of donation to help offset website running costs, which run into many hundreds of dollars a year. With this site, you get free classifieds, free valuable aviation information, aviation camaraderie, plenty of opinions, and many aviation contact opportunities, so I believe the small annual donation requested is pretty good value.

Been practising circuits when I can get suitable weather. It is winter I suppose. No photos. Just a quick video of xair take off. VID_20250726095420.mp4

My view on this which has gone right back to day 1 is I refuse to charge anyone a fee to maybe find out something through the use of the site that may save their life. THAT is what this site was set up to do, help aviators to learn from each other's experiences. I personally think that if I charged people a set fee for that, then I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. It would discriminate against those that can't afford it by maybe, just maybe, using their life as a "your life for a fee". What kind of person would I be if I did that, no, any donation is so much appreciated.

My wife & I flew into Ingelara about a 20 min drive from Carnarvon Gorge resort back in SEP17, stayed in resort & organized pickup & drop off from strip, the pilot touring guide gives you contact details of strip operator, from memory we paid a $50 donation to the RFDS as part of the landing fee, cattle maybe on strip so a condition/status report important. Definitely worth a visit.

Pretty amazing photos. https://www.twz.com/air/eurofighter-typhoon-canopy-shattering-bird-strike-captured-in-amazing-images

Well that's prospecting out of the way for a bit. This lot took three and a half weeks then we had to return for a couple of weeks on an organised tour of China. All that climbing hundreds of steps, all I could think of is I could be doing this at home and there'd be a gold nugget waiting for me at the top. This is the result of our last two and half weeks out and about. That's taken care of my training fees for a few more weeks 😅

Yes going the long way always the best option. The increased safety of a track north of canberra with lower terrain and more landing options rather than direct Wangeratta Moruya adds only 21mins to the trip for a 160knot aircraft.

Also Clear Prop has just about every nut, bolt fastener and clamp...aviation grade...here in stock...and many different gauges of WIRE and transponder kits...just ask for anything you need. In fact, doing so helps this site that you get for free than to just recommend going elsewhere

We can say certification and design would never allow such a situation. But history of the 737 max and self certification by Boeing with minimal federal oversight has allowed the seemingly impossible to happen. Until the final report and one that's accepted by the European safety authorities, we can not be sure. I do not have a great deal of faith in the USA been a beacon of safety over profit, esp given the Trump cuts. This is India's first full modern investigation into a crash and in a country with known compliance issues, as such we need to wait and see. They may do a great job or they may not. Question? Does the 787 have a single FADEC for both engines? Is it not possible the FADEC is the culprit? Computers are never completely failsafe. To openly speculate about pilot suicide whilst possible does the poor families a great disservice and pilots in general. It also shifts the focus away from technical matters that need to be exhaustively tested. I remember everyone blaming the Pilots for the Max 737 crashes and Boeing happy to blame them, even after the second crash. We can desktop cowboy all we want but we don't know what happened.

Hi All, Recreational Flying (.com) will soon come to an end...BUT, Aircraft Pilots (.com) will be born. This site has outlived most other sites around the world having been going for over 22 years now providing a great, informative, helpful, vast resource to all recreational aviators but it is time to be more comprehensive in helping all types of aviators, no matter what you all fly. The features that are available to you cover the needs of all, it is not just a Forum site, but features like Groups, Blogs, different types of Media like Articles, Movies, Books etc, ALL types of Aircraft in the Aircraft Section and the Resources section provides tools for every kind of pilot. Also Clear Prop (.com.au) will also be moving to Aircraft Pilots (.com) and currently a Single Sign On (SSO) is being developed to provide a single registration and login system to both the forums etc and shop. When it all happens both Recreational Flying (.com) and Clear Prop (.com.au) will have redirects to Aircraft Pilots (.com) to make it easier for users to make the transition. HOWEVER, if your Email Address in your account settings here at Recreational Flying (.com) is no longer active, incorrect or not working in any way you will be LOCKED OUT of the new site. To check your email address, click your avatar at the top of the main menu and then click "Account Settings": Thanks and stay tuned for some updates

Inventory all done. I've started on a token part. The easiest I think Lyndon

A thorough Investigation requires that you don't rule out anything. Nev

You're the man for the job Ian, and all your hard work over the years is much appreciated. Thank you. Rgds Planey

Actually, I have the PERFECT wife. She has been happy to ‘tolerate’ and partially fund 3 aircraft builds; 2 aircraft restorations; the building of one 12m sailing catamaran, and she hates shopping with a vengeance (although when she does do any shopping her starting point with a salesperson is to start and end with the most expensive option). Since my retirement 15 years ago she continues to bring in more funds (which she mostly spends on dogs and anti-animal cruelty organisations). Her dismay with me keeping the Corby is that it is the sort of aeroplane that tempts one to do what one shouldn’t, particularly as one gets old. Besides, she still stores her Ducati racing motorbikes under one of my aircraft which she hasn’t raced since being pregnant with our first born who is now in her 40s. Which is understandable because she’s got Buckley’s chance of fitting into her size 8 one piece racing leathers. I do admit that I’m having difficulty convincing her of the merits of building a 2 person submarine and/or an airship.

Hello Headwind… Operating the brake and yoke are the least of your flying worries… I fly a Jabiru 230 D…If you actually want to get some where, the 230 has the range and speed of a lot of GA aircraft, with a very generous weight limit.. I recently undertook a trip with a friend who flys a Diamond..He said “ I cruise at 120knts’, I replied, so do I. He had to stop to refuel, I could have reached our destination, without stopping.. I really like my aeroplane..

A type of radio failure that has happened in our ctaf is pilot headset plugged into the copilot Jack's, radio appears to work but no voice is transmitted. This was two different aircraft with all the Jack's between and or partly behind the seats.

People who visit Chinese Factories are simply "in AWE" of what they see. Us Infrastructure is out dated and in dis repair. Lack of Investment and research. Port Facilities and road and rail. USA still make SOME good stuff but Gov't Interference and chaos won't be the solution. "Hewson We have a Problem". The Bloke at the Helm has a screw loose. He's not POTUS Material. and thinks He Da KING. Nev

an ex CASA guy, I'm reliably told. Many years ago (30?) a Taylor Monoplane went MIA from Barwon Heads on a flight to Latrobe Valley (maybe?) He was found the next day, alive, trapped in the wreckage in the saltbush about 2 miles east of Barwon Heads. Didn't get far.

Think the issue would be one person business and he has been in the states for Oshkosh.

Heater kit arrived today, need to find time to fit it next week.

I'd say that fixating on any one thing can be dangerous in aviation (even more so on the road). But that'd include fixating on the front window if the threat is not to be seen out there. While driving we instinctively combine info from all three mirrors and the view out-front to get the situational awareness we need. Maybe we need to develop that kind of instinct in the air to divide our attention between screen and windscreen.

Enclosed cabin. Doors make a big difference. You can fly mine in your Speedos while sipping pina colladas.

Fabricated a new style vent to trial in my wing tanks. Have completed one as a trial / proof of concept (it’s a spare that a mate gave me). Drilled a 3.5mm bore in the bolt on a mates lathe today so now ready to fit to one tank and give it a tryout.

I recall reading somewhere that he was not a particularly gifted pilot.......but he had a lot of shooting experience, could have been game birds in which case he'd haver a good eye with a moving target and where to point the gun......

I flew on one of Virgins B737-8FE's today (VH-YQR), and while waiting to load everyone on, I looked up the history of the aircraft. I was surprised to come across an ATSB Incident Report from 2023, detailing a major flight upset with this aircraft, approaching cruise level - and the interesting part is - it involves an incorrect switch selection, due to distraction. I thought this report made for an interesting read, and it shows just how easily a mistake in control selection can be made and how long it takes to figure out what has gone wrong with aircraft handling. Inadvertent rudder trim input led to 737 in-flight upset | ATSB WWW.ATSB.GOV.AU

As you may have noticed, I asked Ian to add an Electric Aircaft category in the Aircraft Section. While checking Wikipedia for aircraft to include in the profiles, I came across a List of Electric Aircraft. A quick check showed that there are about 80 aircraft in this list. I have compiled a few profiles so far with some more to add. However, many of those listed aircraft are projects which have not made it to prototype stage, or have been cancelled. Others include electric versions of existing ICE aircraft, such as the two-seat Cessna 172 Electric, and electric trikes and self launching gliders. If I find sufficient details to complete a profile, I will add it to the section. In the meantime, I still have more ICE aircraft to add to the other categories. Coincidentally, the current count of profiles is 1872.

The aircraft is a reims cessna f406 twin turbine. Assemetric training gone wrong?

I don't think you want STUFF rattling around. A balance weight is Normally a solid thing, firmly attached to function properly. Nev

Got marooned on Cocos Once, with a leaking FCU on My B727. Had to overnight, while it was fixed and engine ground run about 5 am next Morning, with a new "O" ring flown there, at a cost of 37,000 dollars. The ONLY time I'd not taken my overnight gear and civvies with me. (THAT proved I did not PLAN it despite the Likely Rumours). Borrowed some clothes from the Administrators Husband, gratefully accepted. The Place is right out in the Middle of the Indian Ocean and about 15 feet AMSL. Nev

There are lots of bin chickens here this morning. I had go full throttle to overtake one.😁

Ordeals of a test pilot, part 37. Or how myths are born. Today I was adjusting the trim of the lateral axis. This involves making an adjustment on the ground, taking it up and making an assessment of what needs to be adjusted next. As I'm climbing, at maybe 1500 feet my radio makes several screeching sounds, like a goddam eagle. A second later to my right, I see an ACTUAL eagle, talons extended ready to attack me! I veer to the left. I think we got to within 10 metres of each other. Of course the screeching was coincidental, but in that moment it sure did seem like the eagle had talked to me.

They are pretty big.

Mine goes into a fuel receptor on my ride on mower🙃

Definately a good reason for Lexan screens if you can afford it. Or a open face helmet with bubble screen. I hit a Galah at 120 kmh on a bike 35 years ago and still remember feeling been hit by a gorrilla with a sledge hammer. The helmet screen took a direct hit, not cracked just scratched.

You can replace the oring. Need to obtain correct one from an aircraft maintenance organisation. If you choose to replace the valve then you need the correct thread, there are several similar looking threads in use. Take your valve to the your value to the maintenance shop and they will advise.

Like any bloke, I enjoy the feel of getting pantyhose off. 😄

I can't wait, to see the rush by a bunch of blokey pilots, to obtain their size in pantyhose! 😄

I hate flying in boots or heavy shoes. We do have a heater in our plane, rarely use it though. And flew the last one for many years before having a heater installed. For me pantyhose or merino thermals tucked in to heatwarmer brand socks works for me. It was -3 degrees at 9,000’ today flying over the ranges to Bairnsdale and my feet and legs were fine.

This is it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7c9DqTCBus

As Burnie says, the RAAus online course is free and not specific to any model as L1 does not give you the authority to do in-depth engine repairs. You can do this course to allow you to maintain your aircraft legally using the manufacturers service procedures. You are supposed to get your RPL first but mine went through. The message came back that the L1 endorsement would by applied to my RPL certificate. https://members.raa.asn.au/learning/l1-maintenance-authority/ Under member training.

Appears no mayday call either. RIP old mate. 😞

So a bit of a followup on this particular Aztec.... I did a lot of research into it, and was about to pull the pin last year though I was still waiting for some info from a 3rd party on it, but then I was offered a new job that I'd been on the wait-list for for 2 years, so decided not to at the time, and very shortly afterwards it ended up selling to a Bankstown-based group for $80K. Fast forward a year, I'm settled into my new job, and bored-ly browsing Facebook marketplace last night and what pops up? A 1975 Piper Aztec. For $190,000!! You read it right, the new owners have decided it's not for them and are trying to make a $110K profit in 12 months. Well, actually 8 months as it's been listed for 15 weeks. NFI why I hadn't seen it before now, but anyway, I sent a message to the owner... And, after discussing it with him asking "What have you done to justify the increase?" the answer is "Nothing" - BUT they have also been doing the annual inspection themselves, despite not being a LAME or qualified to do so per the CASR's as we discussed above. As I said to him, "I built my RV and even I can't sign off on the annual...." When he asked what price I thought I'd pay, I said "$85, or $100 if it has an annual from a LAME". $85 is the price I'd agreed to pending the info from the PO last year and I think it's fair given "what" it is. Being Experimental, it can't get put online, you can't do Angel Flights with it, AWK and Charter are out. So it has to be a private owner who needs a (big) twin. I wish them well in selling it, but $190K for an Aztec that you can't use for anything except PVT flights? There's far, far cheaper ways to commit aviation. Might as well be jousting sticks...