jackc

Any requirements to meet L1 certification now or in the future that increases the knowledge base of the aircraft owner has to be a bonus. IF it means increased theory and mandatory practical testing, so be it.

Cheers,

Jack

Current details.

[/url]https://www.regosearch.com/aircraft/au/CUR

Cheers,

Jack.

Some 5 years ago, Benalla GlidingClub had a tug fitted with an LS1 V8 operating under a limited hour experimental CASA permit from memory.

Cheers,

Jack.

OK, I’ll bite, just what is Victor 1?

Cheers,

Jack.

Unless it's Victor 1. ;)

On checking distances over water, Bamaga to Daru is 120 nautical miles over water.

[/url]https://www.airmilescalculator.com/distance/abm-to-dau/

However there are many intermediate airstrips en route on small islands, probably very basic facilities, this situation might cover gliding distances over water? Then, Customs formalities need to be considered for entering New Guinea, guess that has been done before by GA pilots.

Cheers,

Jack.

Hi Jackc - All student pilots are taught (I hope) to do a thorough pref flight inspection before committing aviation. The L1 or for that matter any maintenance program is unlikely to improve on this - unless you start dismantling the aircraft.

 

If I may draw an the automotive world for an example - overwhelmingly most drivers know/care little for the mechanical condition of their vehicle - this is left to the service personal. As with pilots, drivers do not need to know the intricacies of the machine, to operate the vehicle safely.

 

As an long term and obsessive "bush mechanic" I have simpatico for your argument - it just doesnt play out in real life.

 

If you intend to play the part of maintenance crew (& pilot) then the training/experience you have from working on land bound equipment is, if applied with some common sense and the use of a type specific maintenance bible ( manual) is all you will need to maintain an RAA aircraft.

 

The L1 is unlikely to do any more than give you the formal right to apply what you already know.

I have seen other students do preflights and it was obvious to me that they had very little idea of what they were looking at engine wise. Very little mechanical knowledge etc. I will be going to a Rotax maintenance course soon, to learn all I can about that motor, whilst I am not allowed to do extensive work on them, I will gain intimate knowledge that may help make diagnosing a problem easier and safely and become aware of any shortcomings of the engine itself, if any.

I am responsible for a proper preflight and any knowledge that helps me do that job properly is very important.

Cheers,

Jack.

Thanks everyone for the advice, it’s something I will research over time to see IF it is doable. Be great if it is but also understand the realities may not be possible. Nothing ventured.....nothing gained :-)

Cheers,

Jack.

Did a runner to RAA, in with Jared Smith doing tech stuff.

Cheers,

Jack.

Well maybe there is pressure from the CASA gatekeeper? I personally think it’s a good idea, there are many students doing preflight inspections, knowing only the very basics. More knowledge has to be a bonus all around? Whilst I have worked on motorcycles, cars etc etc for over 50 years, I have been in this Aviation gig for all of 10 minutes:-). I will be doing engine courses etc, everything I can get my hands on to further my knowledge. One day, it just may save my backside.

Cheers,

Jack.

Alan,

We were told at the Dubbo practical L1 course that it will become mandatory, contact Darren Barnfield, for details.

Cheers,

Jack.

The online L1 course covers you now for your own servicing, however the new L1 practical assessment course will become mandatory in addition to the existing online course. A date has not been announced for the new L1 regime of testing.

Contact Darren Barnfield 0408 351 309 at RAAus for the good oil.

Cheers,

Jack.

I did the L1 practical training at Dubbo about 3 weeks ago, logged in 10 days before and paid by card. Eventbrite seem to be the organisation that organises it, with the host location. You get a certificate and then need to do the on line test to get the L1.

Cheers,

Jack.

An enquiring wants to know IF this possible? Has anyone done it? Naturally, approvals would be needed etc to exit Australia, enter another country and return. Does flying over ocean present a legality problem?

Any hints appreciated,even if it means abandonment of the idea!

Cheers,

Jack.

Fairly rugged terrain out there.

Welcome Jackc and good luck with your training ?

Cheers,

Jack.

Welcome Jack. At 25 SSW of Rocky, you are not far from Old Station but are you on the Mt Morgan Rd. If so there are other pilots near you. Let us know how your strip is coming along.

Cheers,

Jack.

Not so long ago, Australian aircraft working in remote areas had to be equipped with HF and the usual aerial config was a wire from wing tip to top of fin to other wing tip, or fin to fuselage. The military developed a compact loop that could be fitted in the tail.

The older truck aerials had several windings to give the choice of a small range of frequencies but you had to plug into the correct one for the frequency chosen. Nearly everyone had 2020 which was the “galah” frequency for chatting. Modern mobile aerials are tunable and expensive.

 

The modulation you get on HF SSB gives an unusual character to voices being transmitted and solar flare interference can be extreme.

 

kaz

Cheers,

Jack.

Couldn't get away with that in the UK Jack.   Commercially produced / factory built aircraft cannot be modified once they have been approved for recreational use under the 'Permit to Fly' system here.   Occasionally, minor modifications to existing design have bee suggested, these then have to be described in detail, both to the Manufacturer, and whichever umbrella organization which looks after the type.  We have 2 in the UK, the LAA and the BMAA,  

 

If the manufacturer approves of the idea, they can advise LAA /BMAA who will look at all the engineering aspects and if they agree, a modification may be made, under strict conditions.   That sounds easy doesn't it ?. . .It's a lot more involved really !  It took 3 years to get a cabin heater, based upon a Mini car heater radiator in our syndicate plane under the BMAA.  engineering system, and this wa a home built aircraft.   In the end we had to remove it as I'd made a big Boo Boo in my calculations and when it was turned on,. . .the engine wouldn't maintain normal operating temperature !   We all flew in Ugg Boots instead.

 

I can imagine the howls of derision regarding dangling a bit of wire behind the aircraft. . ."What if it jams the controls ?"   etc.  The other point is that no one uses HF in the UK. . .when you can communicate to everywhere using 3 watts on VHF ! A flight radio telephony licence here only covers VHF too. . . Some older GA types have HF fitted, but I've never had cause to use it since I came back to the UK from Aus in 1983. . .

Cheers,

Jack.

 Welcome Jack. . .I've had a ride in the Demonstrator Vixxen at our airfield . . .Lovely aeroplane. . . shame I haven't the dollars to buy one on a pension ! .  

Cheers,

Jack.

Rode my daughters Monster in SE France. Driving on the right, steep drops with no barriers. Scared the sh... out of me. Went back to her house with my tail between my legs.

Having tempted fate in my life already, it’s time to move on but I will keep my Vespa 300GTS Super, though ?

Cheers,

Jack.

Wonder what the legality is, trailing  a wire HF antenna from an RA registered aircraft?  An enquiring mind would like to know ?

Cheers,

Jack.

Hi Everyone,

Well, here I am to start a new era in my life, since I am retired from the Radio Comms industry. Another goal to achieve and another item to cross off my bucket list!  So last week I did a TIF at Coffs Harbour in an Aeroprakt Vixxen and continued on for 5 hours or so training over the rest of the week.  My longest flight time was 1.8 hours and I guess the instructor was trying me out to see IF I had a chance to make the grade.  I have to say it was the best week I have had in a long time.

I did 3 hours classroom time as well.  The plan is to go back to Coffs Harbour for  10 days or so and run up more training hours and keep up this regime through the winter. Fortunately the Vixxen has a full complement of steam gauges and no glass panel I need to throw rocks at ?

I have done  previous training in gliders, however at my age I have found the groundhandling regime too hard for me in the hot Sun, so I abandoned the idea. At the same time I am bringing my era of 50 years motorcycling to an end as well.  Picking up a BMW 1200 HP2 if it falls over, I cant do anymore ?

So it’s onwards and upwards, even to the point of measuring out an airstrip on my property, herein after called a fire break!  Time to fuel up my bulldozer and other machines and get to work,  construction of a machinery shed too, for an obvious reason.

My aircraft of choice is a Foxbat “Kelpie” although I am looking at what else is out there.

Gathering much good knowledge reading the forums, won’t post much as I have little knowledge to offer right now.

Cheers,

Jack C

(25km SSW Of Rockhampton)