slartibartfast

While I enjoyed it, many people seem to think the Wide Bay Airshow ranged from rubbish to endurable. If you attended, let us know what you think, and via posts in this thread, how you think it could be improved next time. For example, the issue of transport from the aircraft parking area to the makeshift camping area did not eventuate. I raised this with Viv the organiser type person, and she acknowledged that it was a major problem for people to lug stuff that far by foot. The major issue there is money. It's a tight budget, and the hoped-for government money didn't eventuate. Also Jack tells me that the camping area sucked. Cold showers and poor amenities. That would need to be changed too. What else can you come up with, and how could it be achieved on a tight budget?

Indeed we did Watto. Didn't realise you were a member. There was lots of chat opportunity, and with all the sensory overload I had for those 3 days, I can't remember everyone I met. I do remember the looks on the faces of all the kids I sat in the Cheetah. One mother said something to her son like "that's the best thing that's ever happened to you". Seemed sad, but he's young and there's time. Hopefully they all become pilots.

I wrote somewhere else about my starting troubles and tracking them down. I had a dud Odyssey battery, but the main issue was the starter solenoid. I had been forced to use the above jump pack for every start, even after changing the battery. While diagnosing, the multimeter showed an issue with the solenoid. Then to prove it, the earth return from the solenoid melted. I put an identical solenoid in after finding it at Supacheap and it would kind of start again. Then I put an expensive German solenoid in, and it hasn't failed to start since - even in cold weather. I crank it over on the starter to distribute some oil before it fires up. Some people do it by hand, but I now have plenty of cranks available, so I use them.

Yeah mate. That's where the step-son lives, so I took him to see it from the air. Gets 'em every time.

I still maintain the difference is in the starter solenoid. Mine fired first go this morning. When cold, I always crank about 5 seconds with ignition off, then start it straight up. Even works in Goulburn - although Bundy wasn't much warmer this morning. I thought it was supposed to be warm up there. Beautiful one day, brass monkeys the next. When I was having trouble Pud, I was carrying a jump pack around. I'll find an example. Something like this: or this:

Well I thoroughly enjoyed it. Was great to catch up with some forumites. Excellent to see you again Bernie. Love your lifestyle. Ditto Brian and Linda. Great to meet Mick, TangoCharlie123, and heaps of others. Bit too buggered right now for photos and report. Took a Canberra friend's step-son for a flight before departing this morning, then flew coastal taking in Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, Bribie-Moreton-Stradbroke VFR lane, views of Brisbane, great views of the Gold Coast thanks to a very friendly controller at Coolangatta, Byron Bay, then a quick refuel at Lismore. Then tracked pretty much direct to Goulburn to ensure I got home before last light. Eight hours flying today (then the 110k drive home) with one fuel stop (a 15 minute break). Compare with 7 hours on Saturday despite having to go via Narromine thanks to great tailwinds (135 knots much of the day). About 700nm each way. One fuel stop each way. Gotta love the Cheetah's legs. Some photos when I'm next awake. OK - a quick tease. One for the Jab Jockeys: [ATTACH]8369.vB[/ATTACH] And one for Tomo: [ATTACH]8370.vB[/ATTACH]

Geoff - the ARFOR was wrong. Not too tubulent, but had to go as far west as Narromine to go around the low cloud. Had 135 knots showingmuch of the time. Rob, Garry got too slow in the end. He had loaded the Sierra up without regard to CofG and ran out of elevator. Didn't go around when he should have and got it porposing. The last bounce got the nose too high and it stalled back on. Mick Poole asked me how my nose leg was. The RAA people thought it was me! Mick wasn't happy because he was watching it with two GA Pilot Inspectors. More later.

Heading off now Geoff.

Sain and Maynard - glad to hear she taught good circuits to you guys. Maybe I have the wrong end of the pineapple and it isn't her propogating the wide circuits at YGLB. As I said, she taught my instructor to fly, and I have the utmost respect for Adrian. She can't be bad.

Up at 5am this morning - thinking it might still be a go. ArFor said "severe turbulence" and "freezing level 4500" among other horrific things. Back to bed. You bailed too Geoff? I will try again tomorrow. I figure Sunday there will still be worth it. Garry Morgan tells me he bent the Sierra on landing there. He loaded up with too much stuff without due care for CofG and couldn't keep it on the ground. As he says - "live and learn". The kit Sierras have the engine an inch further forward and aren't as sensitive to bad load distribution. Goes to show though - you should always load carefully according to your load chart.

I don't think she's a member here, but plenty of her students are. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with her. In my opinion, it's dangerous for 2 main reasons. People appear in the circuit where you don't expect them to be, or when you look for them after their call you can't see them where you expect them - therefore putting me at greater risk. I like the idea of circuits being made within gliding distance of the field. If I have to conform to their circuit because I'm following and would overtake them otherwise, it takes me further away than I want to be - therefore putting me at greater risk. See? It's all about me. What a selfish :csm: Er, um, I don't think we should have that smily Ian. Let's all sit around :kumbaya:and :FeelGood::killen:. me for I have :stirring pot:.

I've met her, and the guy who taught me to fly powered was taught by her. I don't have much to do with her, except to occaisonally have to watch for aircraft you would swear were departing the area, but are actually in circuit. You pretty much need an XC endorsement to fly the circuits she teaches.

That's what the Cheetah was dubbed by those on this forum more easily amused than you or I ;)

The pussy lives in Goulburn. I live in Canberra. Where did you get Vic? I was born there. More interesting reading about the crash (I couldn't help myself): A news article. Aftermath pics on Flickr. A thread with ATSB info.

Too true flying dog. When it comes to YouTube videos, I think your caution is well founded. flying cat

Wow Flying Dog. You should swap usernames with Skeptic. How about this then. Here's a picture of the crash site. You can see where he should have been going. And here's a recording of the ATC at the time. The 185 pilot even warns him to come right. You'll note the wind was only 5 knots. Check out the number of planes about the place. What a great place to live that would be.

It also happened to a friend in a Tecnam Echo a couple of months ago. He was over lake Jindabyne and had just finished saying to his passenger how lucky he was to fly on a perfectly calm and sunny day when, WHAM!! He was inverted. Scared the hell out of him. He was a low hour pilot and had no training to prepare him for invertedness or upsidedownosity. It appears that some weather had moved in on the other side of the Snowys and just rolled over at that moment in the form of a large rotor. Lake Jindabyne is in the lee of the largest mountains we have in this country. You never know. It pays to get some extra training. I did aeros in gliders way back, but did a refresher in a Pitts last year. Definitely worth doing some training if you haven't had any - and in RA we aren't allowed to do it.

Weather isn't shaping up well for me. Departure Thursday is out. Jury is still out over Friday. Weekend looks good though.

Ooh - that'll do Donkey Last day to get your entries in this month. It's a bit light on too. I think we can blame the winter, but it would be great to see more entries next month.

Huge advantage when you have paid for a stand at a show and you need your plane there to sell more. He trailered to Narromine too. Only way he was going to get there and home. Dangerous though - he dropped the trailer on his foot while packing up.

There are 2 Sierras flying, and about 10-12 being built. Two more will definitely fly this year. One of the Sierras is a 4 cylinder (I reckon it's a Cheetah). Garry says if it's all metal, it's a Sierra. The 4 cylinder Sierra cruises at about 115 knots and has flaps. It's a great plane. I have flown the 6 cylinder, and I love it. You can get 1000 fpm climb out 2 up at 90 knots. Handles beautifully too. Flaps are an option - not standard. They aren't really required for low stall speed or attitude (the 2 usual reasons), but do make them easier to land. Garry is building a 4 seat version too - the Cougar.

Hi and welcome Louie. If you already have the Sierra on your list, you'll find it has the J230 beat in every category except certification. Easy 135 knot cruise, sports car handling, endurance, luggage capacity, easy build. I'm biased, so make sure you fly one. Garry is bringing his to Bundy on the weekend. He's not sure if he is trailering or flying - depends on the weather. Let's see you trailer a J230!

There's some more explanation here and a link to the original YouTube vid with comments by the camera dude. Yes - the windsock showing a crosswind is a big clue. Edit - here's the YouTube video. It's much higher res.

No idea Nev. I assumed it was the Bonanza.

Oooh - a fork-tailed doctor killer. Looks very nice. Welcome, brethren all.