nomadpete

I found (to my cost) that ethanol in e10 dissolved pinholes in my Lightwing fuel tanks. There is a Good article in boatus website - (link is in my post under Lightwing threads) describes some research into the process. Note the main problem was associated with polyester resin but they also did a test on 'ethanol resistant'epoxy and found it lost tensile strength after a month or so of exposure to E10. In summary, they say the ethanol molecules penetrate the resins and collect styrene, which is then in solution- so straight through filters, into engine, not burnt properly, deposits black gunk on exhaust valves until stems jam, and engine stops.

Yeah, Phil, I thought you were going to tell us something funny! But government spending has never been funny (even when it looks like a joke)

Welcome. Wow, sounds like a great project Mike. Please keep us posted with Ventus progress. I like the idea of compact propulsion. Peter

Recently, NASA's space probe, Curiosity, landed on Mars. It found no traces of Beer, Porn, or Footy. This makes it very clear that men are NOT from Mars.

I became confused when I heard the word 'service' used with these agencies: Banking 'Service' Postal 'Service' Telephone 'Service' Pay TV 'Service' State & Public 'Service' Customer 'Service' Bureaucratic 'Service' This is not what I thought 'Service' meant. Then I visited my uncle, he's a farmer, and he hired a bull to'Service' his cows. Suddenly WOW!!! It all came clear. Now I understand what all those agencies are doing to us!

Turbs, I guess you might call an Australian Capital city a "local town" but I expected better integrity from some of the larger dealerships in these "little" capital cities. Although I am referring to automotive engine and transmission problems the comparison was all about achieving motivation to imrove a product. I still say that the basic principle of risk management leaves consumers on the back foot until the risk of litigation loss exceeds the cost of fixing a problem. Until then, manufacturers and their agents frequently continue to snow their clients. Further, I am happy to see that you feel that CASA don't need to become more constructive in their actions. Seems though that the Forsyth report doesn't agree with you on that. Hopefully things are improving on that front. Peter T

Regarding those who are comparing things with the automotive industry's record of fault rectification My experience with Australian purchased vehicles is that it is true that the responsible service provider (after all, we don't have much manufacturing here) has been really responsive (with recalls, etc) when a safety issue has arisen in their vehicles. However, I have been repeatedly treated with contempt by numerous different brand vehicle companies when I have complained about mechanical problems. The most common treatment is that I am an isolated complainer, and nobody else is complaining about XXXX issue. Then I find that everyone else is hearing the same story about the problem. So, it seems that the automotive industry is really only responsive when the risk of litigation exceeds the trouble required to fix the problem. Does this sound familiar with regard to our thread? I have flown Jabiru aircraft. I would not hesitate to fly one any time. I have no affilliation with the company. However, I have seen enough evidence to convince me that serious action should be taken to get Jabiru to improve their engine. They still have the potential to be a world class product, if only they address the motor issue. My only gripe about the CASA instrument is that it will only punish the owners, when it should be directed forcibly toward the only place that the problem/s can really be rectified - and that is the manufacturer. That is why many of us are trying to get political interferance to make CASA act constructively for a change. PeterT

Another reason to go gliding - two flights, two hours - $150.

I doubt that RAAus has accurate forensic information on all REPORTED engine failures. At least, the mag only gives scant info. For instance, in a thru bolt failure, do they know which particular bolt/s failed? Were the bolts seated properly? Did anyone inspect threads for stress raisers? What was the state of combustion chambers? What about all other moving parts? Who did an analysis of fuel or oil? Without honest specific info, the reports are not going to help solve problems. All we do get is distressed operators. Just on the subject of fuel (and a lot of folk have concerns), in the past, I sent an email to Tech Manager asking if RAAus could please find a lab that would analyse my fuel samples. I got no answer, but that was in the bad old days. Does anyone here know of a lab?

I think that CASA are still working in their old 'ignorant bully' mode. Just as was identified in the goverment's own Forsyth Aviation Safety Review. I wish they would stop penalising the Jab users. I think CASA really should just focus on bullying Jab into some quality control and honest, meaningful statistics and R&D so the product can be sorted out. So far there has been a poorly arranged knee-jerk reaction based solely on skewed statistics and anecdotal stories.

Gliding - I hadn't had a gliding fix for aver three months. So I went out to Jondaryan last Friday. Friday flying is good because there is no waiting list to get a glider. It was a nice warm day with a little breeze to get the thermals to kick off. After a check flight I was set free. At first it was a bit scratchy but the thermals were working pretty well once I got some initial height. Then it was a lovely couple of hours chasing the good air. Didn't go far - didn't need to. had Airspace clearance to 8500 so kept a safe margin below that. Nice and cool up there, so I doodled out to Dalby and back. Gliding is a great adjunct to noisy little aeroplanes. There should be more people doing multiple disciplines as it helps one to learn so much more about the habits of the air we all fly in.

OK Bex. The time is ripe for you to release your certified, drop in replacement for the Jab motor.

Ian, I know it's late, but please wish Corrine a Happy Birthday for us. I'm sure I speak for all forum users when I say a big thank you to Corrine for her support of your work on this valuable resource for us. Peter

Gliding is a great adjunct to ultra lighting. It allows tuition in spinning and I think we all should know about that. Also, you get frequent safe practice making slow turns on the edge of stalling - the ability to instantly recognise and correct a wing drop might one day save my life in an ultralight (by not letting it happen in the first place).

Phil, Good one! Please visit Australia soon. Please drop in to our club. You will be welcomed with open arms (and open fridge) I promise to table an esky filled with our finest humour lubricant. The way this world is going at present we need all available jokes to help us through these tough times.>

No, Brisbane is a genteel place. I clearly recall Joh telling the media that there's none of that licencious behaviour going on in Brisbane. Queensland is a nice god fearing place and there won't be any bare bits displayed. Ever. And the place hasn't changed much since then ....

Dafydd Can I suggest that you allow space within your metal encapsulation for the air to be drawn across the back of your IPAD? Logically, a charging source should reduce the heat generated within the device. Avoid the cheaper chargers. Also, avoid using a car type cigarette lighter socket. These are not reliable.

Fortunately the mobile device folk are quite cautious about the negative sales implications of their devices setting fire to the proud new owner's handbag (or whatever) so they have put a lot of thought into controlling the battery charging within the device. There is still the remote possibility of a problem. Therefore: Risk assessment 1 0 1 : Probability of the hazard - LOW Consequences of hazard - Fatal Control of risk available to operator - LOW Actual risk is assessed as HIGH I don't even have one in my bike. (and I would at least be able to walk away from the fire if it eventuated)

PS Further to my post, your Ipad, mobile phone etc is unfortunately vulnerable to battery failure (websearch it for details). Fortunately, however, these devices have the advantage that they are much easier to jettison than the system battery in your aircraft.

My understanding is that Bruce didn't actually simulate the Rotax or Jab charging regime.. The brute force "regulator" used here allows unregulated charge CURRENT to be absorbed by the battery until the SCR's in the regulator decides to cut off the pulses. It isn't a proper pulse width regulator in the true sense of the words. I suspect that the superior low internal resistance of these new Lithium batteries would take in more charge current than the good old Lead Acid types. This would account for a mere 6 amps not setting fire to the battery in spite of the battery failing in other manner. Note that the ROTAX charging system is a Ducati motorcycle system (is branded so.) Since most motorcycles have the identical regulator design, there will likely be more than one motorcyclist walking home (to buy a new bike) after fitting a lithium battery. In any event, these new batteries are a serious hazard.

Solo? Aaah...... no eggs required!

Ouch ! My worst nightmare - inflight fire. Very fortunate to have so much water available when he needed it most. Very lucky and good to hear that there were nil injuries.

So, is she for sale?

I thought that all of Queensland was north......... (since I moved to Tasmania)

We had an incident with our glider tug - Cessna- which highlights the possible serious outcomes of a starter malfunction. The starter jammed engaged. Nothing obvious happened on the takeoff run. The aircraft took off normally but at about the end of the strip, a burning smell filled the cockpit. Instrument chech looked normal except for high battery voltage. Then the cockpit filled with acrid smoke. What happened was the starter, When run at speed was generating uncontrolled power. The risk was of cockpit fire. I'm glad that my Lightwing has a battery isolator. Note that an turning off the start solenoid source may not save you from this scenario. Peter