Student Pilot

A concept used by the Ligeti Stratos

Still no cause of the accident. Why so long? With the data recorders being sent to America you would think there would be some indications of what caused the accident? 
The naive cynic in me thinks there could be political interference in this investigation. If it's proven to be Boings fault it would be disastrous or possibly the end.
 

With massive repercussions and the known corruption of the American leadership a coverup seems to be one reason why there has been no reasons for the disastrous accident yet. 

The PIC was an ex F18/ Lear pilot, he would have known the possible hypoxia outcomes. The aircraft had been operated for years with pressurisation problems. Flick me a PM if you want to know any details about this companies modus operandi. 

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

The actual operators were certainly not fully aware of the nature of Hypoxia.  

They had been operating pressurised aircraft for at least ten years, Aero Commanders and Citations. The full final report has history and detail of company operations.

There seem no consequences for continually flouting regulations and workplace law, the way whistleblowers are treated in this country doesn't help the issue. There is a real fear (justified or not) of making complaints of law breeches and disregard being turned against the whistleblower/reporter. 
 

If there are consequences they are delayed, deferred or diffused. 

Appears the longer a prosecution can go the more the waters are muddied the more chance of justice not being served.
Is that just a revenue raiser for the defence?

Seems contrary to truth. Truth is a casualty in trials with obfuscation and duration seemingly being priorities.

The company has changed hands since, will the previous owner/management personal still be liable?

There some information around on the net about earlier problems with quality control and workplace pressure. There was an exposé a few years ago with whistle blowers and the treatment they got from Boing. One of the complaints/problems was machining swath not cleaned before electrical harnesses and wiring were installed. There was a batch of aircraft directly affected, most of those went to Air India. One of the whistle blowers was found dead a few days into giving evidence into a senate inquiry I think it was. This is very serious, why have we not heard more of this?

There has been comment about the ram air turbine being extended, that usually only happens with multiple failures of systems. In the original video the noise of the RAT (sounds like a Harvard prop on take off) is heard. I have also seen mention of possible software failure. With so many 787's flying you would think they will work out pretty quickly why this accident happened.

I call inbound (usually 10 mile, 160kts) then joining the circuit crosswind/downwind/base or straight in whichever leg suits depending on active runway and direction inbound. If there's traffic then slot in or modify the circuit joining to fit with other traffic.

The Italians I think it was produced them with a C20 or there a-bouts. SM something? I remember an airshow/flyin at Scone quite a few years ago where Col Pay put one through its paces. It was stressed for aeros and Col turned it inside out followed by taxing in and backing into the park area.

There is a standard Bird dog doing the rounds in Vic/SA on powerline work with a lidar strapped to the side. Looked a nice clean example. 

Still a couple of Resurgum aircraft around the New England area, that was the design the Rouseabout was based on. They were powered with the Koing 4 cyl two stroke radial. 

Good story. Days of heading off with just a mag compass.

On 5/5/2025 at 10:32 AM, Methusala said:

I think Harrison Ford landed there when engine failed,  Ryan from memory.  He ended up inverted but uninjured. 

I think he had a broken back, leg and pelvis?

There is talk on the net of after market blades causing problems. This machine was fitted with non Bell blades which have been proven to cause issues with balance/harmonics. Another dodgy FAA approval? The whole roof of the helicopter was torn off with the complete gearbox and mounts. Mast bump has been ruled out.

On 10/4/2025 at 2:30 PM, Marty_d said:

You don't need the deci- and centi- words. 

Works better just with the thousands.

1 litre =1000 millilitres.

1 kilometre = 1000 metres.

1 metre = 1000 millimetres.

So much better than nautical miles, statute miles, furlongs, chains, rods, cubits and yards

23 hours ago, Methusala said:

I used to walk from Cooma Nth to Polo Flat after school to watch Snowy Beavers return. Could walk around the apron looking into the cabins, no one cared.

Peter Blewet flying then? Les cooper?

On 23/3/2025 at 11:44 AM, facthunter said:

Nice looking plane .  I nearly Bought VH AHD when I was at Marshalls at Bankstown, Ex Stan Hone CFI at RNAC. Getting upside down with those is risky There's usually a Pylon in front of the forward cockpit to hold the Plane off the ground. I can't see it there.  A friend of Mine currently has one at Bendigo. Most went back to the STATES years ago. Aerobatic with a Supercharged  Menasco Pirate engine with open valve gear, 150 HP. Delicate U/C structure easily deformed. Under all that "tin".  Nev

I used to goen stroll through Marshals hangar when I got to visit Bankstown (father and uncle used to work for Air Ag at Hangar 17, I worked for Tom at a much later date) as a kid, Spitfire x2, 109, KI 43 and all sorts of machinery. There was a ground trainer with small wings on it I thought would have been great. In those days a kid could walk through a hangar and nobody would bat an eye.

)

CAC had plans for an AG conversion of Winjeels when they left service. They proposed PT6 power and a forward cockpit with the hopper over the wing behind the pilot. Never got passed the planning stage, I have seen a drawing, it looked workable.

I think the Disney one was based on a 402 Air Tractor

Kiwi's have a good claim with what seems credible information that a Kiwi flew before the Wrights as well.

If using retardant the SG is slightly heavier than water. A Fireboss normally doesn't usually carry a full load either from the water or off land, the floats are a significant dint in performance compared to a wheeled 802. Fuel load is 1400 litres plus a 3000L hopper load, the empty weight for a wheeled 802 is around 3000 kg. The only information I could find about the weight of floats is 1000 kg, that seems light  as the amphib gear is pretty solid. So just allowing for the weight of the floats the load of a Fireboss would be 2/3 of the wheeled 802. Most new 8's now are fitted with the F version of the PT6-67 which is rated at 1700 SHP, they do go well 😜

I'd rather the Thruster 😜

1 hour ago, facthunter said:

Who's filling in their suggestions for radio procedures changes? Don't complain if you don't bother.  Nev

Years and years of being ignored, hostility, non action and outright incompetence have made one jaded. Talk to most in GA, they are of a similar view. The less I interact with casa the easier life is.

Good luck approaching casa and expecting an answer.......