Rodj

I always forget to pull out my ASIC at Merimbula and no-one has questioned it. Maybe that's just because it's been so quiet this year and the couple of staff that may be around know you've just climbed out of a plane.

Ta...there's always a catch. Bit of a bummer that they don't take a CC.

Thanks all! @Roscoe, your Camden scenario was the kind of thing I guess I had in mind and I wouldn't mind a chat when I get a chance to sit down with the chart in front of me. @KRviator that also makes lots of sense. I might try one each way. On the fuel scenario, flying from Moruya puts me at the limit of my theoretical (conservative) endurance reaching Camden Haven if I have my 45min + 15% reserve going the longer way around. In reality if I get to a decent altitude and can lean her out I might use a lot less, but I'm being cautious with my lack of experience. WRT Scone, I was just going off the current notam but you've filled that info out nicely KR. For a bit more background to my question and the discussion on my experience level: Canberra is pretty straight forward, but I've observed that the ERSA and other published info is one thing but the seemingly preferred or "normal" routes and procedures are another. at times.

I was thinking Scone for fuel but I see now they aren't allowing itinerant aircraft to land currently so I guess that's out, I could go via Lithgow and then head back in to Maitland. I read up on Victor 1 but that definitely looks like something I'd prefer to do with an instructor first. Otherwise up the guts threading Bankstown and Richard that way. The need to stop for fuel is driven by a combination of the Tomahawk's endurance and the fact there's no avgas at Camden Haven. Totally agree on the thorough pre-flight and visualisation, that's basically why I've asked what I have but it's starting to sound like I am overthinking it.

Yeah I was thinking that as well, particularly from the "stress" perspective given my level of (in)experience. Going the long way around however puts me going close to or over Barrington Tops area and I'm concerned about that given the weather patterns of late with lots of low-ish cloud.

Hi All, apologies if this isn't the right forum so feel free to redirect me if not. I'm a fairly new RPL+Nav holder but haven't flown a lot in CTA (Canberra during these recent months hasn't been the busiest place). I'm planning on flying from Moruya to Camden Haven (a little south of Port Macquarie for those that don't know it) and have been trying to work out a route. I can of course avoid all the controlled palaver and go the long way (Goulburn, Bathurst, Scone) or I can go the more direct route through Sydney / Williamtown. I've been looking over the Sydney/Newcastle VTC and Sydney General Flying Guide but can't see any recommendations for just transiting the area and perhaps landing at Maitland for fuel. Is there are preferred way to do this, and by preferred I mean most efficient / least likely to get in the way of local traffic / work in nicely with Sydney Centre? Am I just thinking about this too much? Ta

I didn't realise that, keep forgetting they do their pressure differently in the US. I might do as you say and give them an email.

I started my searching with the D3, it's pretty hard to past given it's price point. From there I started wondering how much better having something that gives me true IAS, which some of the options here do, but of course for extra dollars. I'm thinking of the situation where I'm coming in to somewhere I've not been before perhaps with a non functioning primary ASI, how important is it going to be to have a true indication of airspeed or is something like what I can get from a GPS (ground speed) enough?

The BOM looks super cool, no need to charge is a big bonus. Hadn't seen that before, thanks!

Avplan and others seem good for the nav side, but I'm also after something that gives me a backup for attitude, ASI etc. I guess not such a big deal flying VFR.

I have a Tomahawk that I'd like to do some touring in, but avionics wise it has only the basic six-pack (no VOR etc) and I figure it would be handy to have some kind of backup to the basics as well as some nav tools on a long trip. I'd love to look at upgrading the avionics but it's very hard to justify given what it would cost relative to the value of the plane so I'm looking at budget options. One thing I've come across looks like a relatively new product called the Wingbug (www.wingbug.com), it looks like it would give me a proper ADAHRS enabled system via an iPad screen at a relatively affordable price. Has anyone seen or used one of these that could offer some observations? Alternatively I was thinking of investigating whether something like the Avmap Ultra EFIS would be a good thing, seems reasonably affordable though I've no idea on the installation costs. If you've tried the Wingbug I'd love to get your thoughts on it.

As a newbie based in Canberra and flying out of Moruya this has been a really useful topic as this stuff is front of mind for me, thanks! I've done a few nav's in the last couple of weeks, trying to get my nav endorsement. Flying from Moruya this time of year can be challenging as there's so often cloud blocking a run inland over the mountains. I get a bit antsy "sneaking" over tiger country under the mountains with small altitude margins but I'm starting to learn where the right valleys with some cleared fields are should the worst happen. For the route under discussion my inclination would be to head to Moruya and then along the coast (Frogs Hollow, Merimbula, Mallacoota etc) or down the Monaro valley before striking east to Merimbula and around. It's a long way around I guess but the clouds seem to clear along the coast and I feel like there's always a beach to land on in the worst case. Is that viable / good / bad thinking? I've had to divert twice now trying to get over the mountains due to sev turb / mtn waves, feeling constrained for altitude by clouds. Maybe one day I'll get the experience and confidence to fly over the clouds but for the moment that feels too risky.

Thanks @Roscoe, your comments re cross-hiring echo ones I've heard elsewhere and it's definitely something I'm wary of. I'm going to see how things go for a while, at least while I'm still chasing the quals that I'm after and then see how my own usage pans out and fits in (or doesn't!).

I recently bought my first plane, a Tomahawk, and ended up with what equates to the 80% I guess. A deciding factor was that it is a plane I'd had some lessons in and liked flying, another factor was that my better half wasn't comfortable with the budget I had in mind for the 100% option. Seeing as she'll never come up with me and my touring dreams will probably be done solo it seems like a good thing, at least for a couple of years. I've also cross-hired it to the school where I've been flying which I think (maybe incorrectly) is kind of easing me into the whole ownership thing. At least much more experienced people than myself are flying it regularly and keeping an eye on maintenance etc and I'm learning through their comments. One day I hope to be able to tour with friends or family, just not the Ms, then I can either hire or trade-up to my 100% plane hopefully. I do like the idea of a Jab 230, definitely a plane on my short list.

Until recently there were a couple of yellow foxbats and a Vixxen on planesales that appeared after the school first shut down. I kind of assumed that's where they came from. Despite the disparaging remarks I've had a great time learning in a Foxbat, even though I've now flown a few different GA planes (though admittedly nothing all that much faster) I still really enjoy it and find it's a great plane to take friends up in for a scenic.