paulh

Nice video Scott, the Nynja seemed stable on a day that gliders were out, so bound to have been a few thermally bumps

nice window into the men and machines - a long time ago now but still powerful images of a world at war.

I don't (yet) own an aircraft and have gone around this thought process about what type of aircraft several times - Happy to build, despite the views of some that every one is now too time poor to build Would need to be trailerable and/or easily storable in say a shipping container or small shed Engine preference is four stroke for fuel consumption and noise reasons Despite the popularity of the LSA types, which are very nice flying machines, I wonder if there is a sustainable market for the true 'ultralight' ie the fun recreational vehicle equivalent to the 4wd/jet ski/Harley/quad bike etc. Not sure reinventing the past with uncool looking craft will attract new flyers. These new flyers I think must be the target to generate sales. Trikes despite their shortcomings seem to be doing very nicely in their niche and definitely have the cool/adventure edge. Looked at small light and efficient - even down to the sd-1 mini plane, but looking at how short coupled they are must be very pitch sensitive and safety comes to mind. Would get very uncomfortable in rough air. Sonex seem good value for money with good heritage and factory support, for some reason not popular in Oz. Heard that not really a good fit for grass runways, and those little wings struggle to make lift on a hot day esp with the 80hp aerovee Low wings look nice, easy to refuel, good view in turns etc., but when I shut that bubble canopy on a hot day (which is a lot in QLD) they can be hot and need sunscreen like at the beach. Strut braced high wings are a lot easier to make strong with a safer pilot space - The plethora of versions of the avid flyer type says something about what a lot of people are looking for. I'm thinking a modern version of the piper cub type with doors optional would be fun, sort of a three axis trike for 1 + 1 persons. Construction materials - what ever works best for the particular application. Not keen on too much wood - no good in heat and humidity in QLD and it can't be stored outside or without good ventilation in a small shed/trailer.

I can endorse the slightly biased opinion of Sean above in post #3 !! GoFly is a good place to learn, the airspace around Caboolture is relatively easy, the scenery is very nice, YCAB has cross strips that assists the learner on those gusty cross wind days, there's a bunch of other recreational flying, museum etc to see, there's a Macca's etc nearby for food - club house not yet rebuilt from the fire but one day

Pylon, better than moping about and following the better half around the shops!! Maybe you should reinvigorate the motor glider idea - Mr Morgan also at Taree I believe seems to be making progress with his, and looking to fill a market gap ie affordable, low running cost etc

There is a Bleriot replica at Watts Bridge airfield, it has been on display at a few fly ins, looked almost complete but one would need some self confidence to fly it - either that or it's a non flying replica which would be a bit of a waste of some skilled craftsmanship

Thank goodness, a crash, a successful rescue and the two men are safe!! I'm over it, reading about the series of fatal crashes in recent times ....... of course not wishing to be insensitive to the family and friends of the ones who weren't so fortunate. Just don't want to keep seeing crumpled wreckage and bad outcomes.

fallowdeer - need to change Aircraft on your tag from "None" to "shiny white nice looking Savannah" ................. too long, ok then just "Savannah" (lucky bugger)

Sounds great Garry - what I meant by the Lightwing comment was that on my iPad your avatar ie picture beside your name on your forum posts showed as a picture of a Lightwing the same as another forumite its now back to how it showed before ie just the question mark - probably some odd temporary techno fault The $20k build cost sounds amazing By your comment about prop doors sounds like the motor will be retractable rather than folding prop Keep at it, market research is not my thing but your concept of a low cost, self launch, efficient glider ( from an Australian company ) seems very attractive - safe handling and strength I would think would be very important selling points

Thanks for the update Garry (Your avatar seems a bit lightwing rather than a glider!)

In no particular order:- I can afford to fly RAA as opposed to watching others fly GA aircraft I am not interested in the full GA flying ie all the formalities of CTA, lodging flight plans etc and don't need the extra pressure in a recreational pursuit It is fun I get to talk to people who fly other fun toys like gyros, trikes etc., the glider guys also fly for fun The average GA aircraft around are old and not very interesting (they also spend a long time at the avgas pump) The instructors are into the fun of it not just getting hours up Fly ins can be a great day/weekend away My wife only worries a little bit (well I think it's only a little bit)

Thanks Dafydd - interesting aircraft

A motor blanik - what sort of engine/motor and prop combination is envisaged? It would be interesting to know how much hp is required, and will it be purely to get to altitude and avoid outlandings or be enough for some motor touring? (need a big bump in the trailer for the motor pylon!)

Giving CPR for nearly half an hour is not an easy thing to do especially to an adult male, full credit to those first on the scene and with the necessary training. Hope it turns out positively for pilot and family Good reminder to go do the CPR refresher, might just save a mate.

Thanks for the update Garry, Attention to all the myriad details will pay off in the end - bring the new birds to the market when they are fully ready

Garry, (or other approved Morgan Aeroworks spokesperson, or even an unapproved guy who knows something!) how's progress with the self launch gliders going? I see in the GFA magazine they are trying various methods to increase membership especially thinking of the next generation of pilots. An Australian built self launch glider may just be part of the answer

I don’t usually comment on this type of thread, as they can get a little pointed with “discussion” about the application of the rules etc., and my own knowledge would fit on a postage stamp – however posts like this from knowledgeable experienced people like Dafydd always make me think of the human behaviours at play when people are assessing an aircraft purchase - seems to be a whole different set of criteria than when making a purchase for other forms of transport or recreational vehicle. Not many would even consider a new car with a $100k or so price tag that wasn’t well engineered and didn't have a 5 star safety rating, or a new boat that wasn’t from a reputable designer/manufacturer that had proven the design with robust testing. This a completely separate issue from ultra light aircraft strength limitations due to weight limits etc. and very much “caveat emptor” . Apparently with very little in the way of consumer protection that we are used to in Aus, but conversely still with all the other usual liability risks attached to the operator. Seems to me the LSA rules may have been in part an effort to reduce the cost of certification and release the potential of the free market from excessive Government control, but the pendulum has gone too far out from the centre and the regulators are not happy with some of the consequences - perhaps the pendulum will get pulled back a bit. Looking at the photo of the harness anchorage it needs to. Or maybe I missed the point completely

Swap the caravan for a Jayco Toy Hauler, just lower the ramp and push it in - keep the plane dry and warm (may not be popular with the co-pilot/better half)

I'm sure this has been discussed before elsewhere on this forum, however I sure would hire a low performance single seat aircraft if it was measurably cheaper than a fast dual seater, ie more hours flown for the same dollars, but the numbers never seem to add up. If there were lower cost single seat aircraft legally able to be hired and schools were confident to allow hire ie trusted the pilot to bring it back in one piece, then schools/owners might be able to make it viable, but the component costs of hiring as quoted elsewhere don't indicate that a $30k aircraft is going to hire out for heaps less than the $100k aircraft - as the other costs are not proportional. The potential hire out time has been advised by some who runs schools to be much less than the popular two seat aircraft types due to less demand, more restricted due to wind speed etc. - possible comparison with trikes. Shame really - be nice to try some of the just for fun flying single seaters at a cost that was reasonable, even say 2/3 of the cost of the two seater would be acceptable But people need to explore all of these ideas - if you gather up the concerns raised on many current threads here related to the future of RAA and the costs of flying etc etc., then options are necessary if we are not to end up all sitting on the ground (currently glad I don't own a $100k plus aircraft with all the instability issues)

need to give up the smokes John

I agree with M61A1 statements about safety on construction sites, which can apply to other areas of life - as a project manager for civil construction the legislation ends up pointing at people like me if someone hurts themselves - so the natural consequence is to protect myself and avoid fines or jail for negligence etc so we ensure that we do the best we can not just to keep the WHS& S inspector happy but so everyone goes home at the end of the work day - yes some of the requirements are excessive and costly to implement but again, the aim is all the blokes go home at the end of the day, and I happen to like the fellas who drive graders and excavators etc and happy to see their ugly mugs in the mornings. (Well most of them) We can all complain about excess safety requirements together with all the other bureaucracy we have to endure, but having had some very bad experiences with fatal and serious incidents on construction sites I have no sense of humour about safety culture - work on my site in a safe manner and go home to your family without injury or don't bother turning up. Yep this is not aviation but the underlying principles about managing the task in a safe manner are the same - planning, risk analysis, implementing control measures, assessing effectiveness etc cowboys who do stupid things just make it harder for the rest us reasonable people!!!

With the current debacle with RAAus and costs associated with modern UL aircraft I think I'll go give gliding a go sometime, I like the idea of flying just for the pure enjoyment rather than having to go somewhere - at least in a glider you don't care if the prop stops cause it ain't there!!

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/serieslanding.htm?series=Command PRO Command PRO CH1000 rated at 40hp horizontal shaft - EFI version I think

I think that this sort of ultralight aircraft the Sirocco is far more likely to appeal to the younger person than the cub style steel tube and fabric covered aircraft. The cub style is great with a lot of benefits and we all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but they just don't look modern or cool compared to other toys and recreational vehicles eg dirt bikes, quads, jet skis etc. It would be the rare younger person that wants to go back in time. I wonder if the US rules that apparently don't require a certified welder for airframes are one reason why the steel tube types are so popular there?

I would think that if someone had some complex parts to make or a kit suppliers drawings were not that good an inexpensive 3D template would be very helpful and assist with build accuracy. Designers could use 3D printed parts to check their ideas before committing to CNC machining etc. As I understand ABS plastic is dimensionally stable and reasonably tough. Sounds like there is some potential business there for you for a whole range of times.