SGM

This is something I either never learnt, or forgot, from my RAAus cross country.. so seeking your collective advice. I am contemplating a flight soon at 7500. The GAF has conditions per the below image. Aside from using the cabin heater, and not flying near any cloud, using carby heat on descent, is there anything else I should watchout for generally (eg icing on surfaces). The engine is a 912.

Telstra wholesales parts of it’s mobile network to Aldi and others, but the Boost brand, which is Telstra-run within Australia, has access to the larger Telstra coverage. This webpage has a comparative coverage map https://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Guides/Telstra-network-coverage-vs-ALDI-Woolworths-Belong-Boost

I am by no means the expert, but I have found it handy to use a web tool https://www.geo-fs.com/ (with the 10 euro HD option) I'm not much of a gamer (hence no FS2020), so I mostly just use the "autopilot" to fly my proposed route, at the altitude I expect. This enables me to watch the satellite imagy and moving navigation map to get more familiar with the various landmarks and circuit on approach to unfamiliar airports.

..and looking after the aircraft is an important consideration : )

Looking ok for weather

I'm not sure if it helps anyone here, but I enquired of SOAR directly in August 2020. Below is what I was told. Note: I thought they were over-priced and bought elsewhere.

Our Evektor Sportstar (and Birddogs presumably) is facory built LSA (specifically SLSA). Which, as I understand it, is an international standard.

I did look into whether 912's could be maintained per airswitched hours - the conclusion I arrived at, unfortunately, matches this view... https://foxbatpilot.com/2017/04/12/rotax-engines-4-scheduled-maintenance-update/ . Thanks to Peter Harlow who also corresponded with me via email. Key quote below. So – make no mistake, if you have a 912-series Rotax engined aircraft, scheduled maintenance must be carried out based on engine running hours, NOT flight times! On the topic of TBO, the advice was, from two sources, you must follow manufacturers rules to stay as LSA (either CASA or RAAus).. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/april/pilot/pe_savvy Key quote below. Here’s another oddity. Rotax also builds a certified 912S version for use in Normal-category airplanes such as the Liberty XL. When your certificated Rotax 912S reaches its 2,000-hour TBO, you can keep flying as long as the engine remains in airworthy condition, because TBOs are not compulsory for noncommercial operators of certificated aircraft. However, if you own a Van’s RV–12 SLSA powered by a Rotax 912ULS, you are required by regulation to overhaul it at the 2,000-hour mark—because that’s what Rotax says to do Note: RAAus conversion from LSA to ELSA at TBO does however remain an option.

A shame, maybe they can either watch from the vantage points or hitch a ride with their GA friends?

I saw Murray sporting a 100aeroplanes.org t-shirt out at Lilydale Flying school... so I had to look it up.. "The basic idea is to fly 100 aeroplanes over Point Cook, home of the RAAF, the Shrine of Remembrance, and over Melbourne. Technically, this will not be a formation of 100. In fact, we might not be able to find 100 formation-endorsed pilots and suitable aircraft. The event is best described as a Balbo, or an Air Armada. This means there will be multiple smaller formations working together to fly a large number of aircraft over Melbourne in the same timeframe. Route here.. https://www.100aeroplanes.org/flight-details/route Great idea I think.

A shame CASA isn't subsidising SkyEcho. Has anyone had any experience with PingUSB? Obviously it is ADSB-In only so you need to be looking at Avplan/Ozrunways on a tablet to make use of it, and of course you are not 'visible' to other aircraft.

I fly at Lilydale on the east of Melbourne... $120/hr midweek in a Jabiru. https://www.lilydaleairport.com.au/about-us/yarra-valley-aviation-our-fleet Best part is the friendly country feel.. chatting in the hangars, a few social activities, getting a free ride with someone who is doing a daytrip. They are also doing weekly online seminars (apparently recorded on their facebook channel - Lilydale Flying School)

Yes, my understanding is eall ndorsements on RPC carry forward to RPL. I am currently RPC, with PAX and working towards XCountry. The process convert to RPL (I'm told) is get an ASIC, a Basic Class 2 medical (up to 1 PAX) or Class 2 medical (2+ PAX), fill in a webform, and then when CASA issues a licence you do a type familiarisation flight test in a GA aircraft. I might go this path because the Jabirus I learnt in aren't available to rent for weekends away, and hence this it opens up more aircraft like a C150 or Tomahawk etc. !Looking to buy a good one if anyone knows of any!)

Hi Azna Currently we have two solid (and one potential) RPC syndicate members lined up from Melbournes eastern suburbs. We are willing to convert to RPL for the right aircraft. We are looking for something to purchase that is suitable for "mid-distance cross-country" trips (eg weekends) and also economical to operate. The ideal criteria is - Useful load of of 230kg+; - Well maintained, reliable engine, access to parts; - Fuel of 80L+, potentially MOGAS which will soon be available at our airfield; - Airframe suitable for tie-downs (unless we have enough members to defray expensive hangarage) We have looked at C150/C152, Tomahawk, Skippers, J170/J200.. and are keen to find the right one (If anyone has a good tip, let us know) If you want to know more, PM me and we can arrange a call. SGM

Reply from CASA today.. ” I have nothing further that I can advise you at this time in relation to timing. I can say that the project is certainly continuing to progress amongst the many other regulatory projects currently under way”

I have (again) emailed the CASA individual who gave me the last update... seeking news. The subject line of my email was the auto-generated "Query regarding DP 1912SS on the amendment of MTOW values that are specified in CAO 95.55, Part 149, Part 149 MOS, Part 103 and Part 103 MOS (Consultation related)". Initially my email went to [email protected] and was then passed to some named individuals, one of which replied. I won't list their names here, but feel free to email the mailbox above.

Interesting. I'm in Victoria and fly a J160. A few of us are considering a syndicate for weekends away etc. The J170 and J230 are under active consideration for their additional load potential... ie extra fuel. I'd like to fly a family location about 500km away without stopping, and also allowing for a potential for a headwind. As a low hour pilot I'd like something that handles well. Is the suggestion the J170 or the J230 is better behaved?

I guess my assumption is that GA aircraft handle tiedowns better than RAAus lighter aircraft - for extended periods anyway

We had some pretty strong winds last week in Melbourne - many large gum trees down, power outages etc. The media reported gusts of 124km/hr (~67 knots). Our local airfield (Lilydale) has many GA aircraft on tiedowns (including a few ligher ones like C150's, Tomahawk etc), but no RAAus registered aircraft on tiedowns that I have ever noticed... even "cheap" Jabirus are all in (expensive-to-rent) hangers. I have seen a couple of older Jabiru J120's on tiedowns and covered up at Coldstream a few km's away, curious to know how they faired in the recent storms. Has anyone had good experiences keeping RAAus registered aircraft outdoors in windy locales?

FYI ... I asked CASA for an update... here is the reply for anyone interested Hello Steve CASA is continuing to work on the DP 1912SS project. At this time, drafting instructions for the amendments are being developed. The draft amended regulations will also go again for industry consultation. The timeline is difficult to define at the moment with impacts of COVID-19 on many CASA resources. CASA will need to consider the second stage of consultation from the draft amendments.

Visit YLIL and (subject to some advanced planning) I'll show you the Yarra Valley and its wineries and admire your Savannah.

Great day so far ... flying the flag for Angel Flight...literally.

Tyabbairshow.com .. It's a bit slow, but it works for me, hopefully it's because lots of people are coming.