Jump to content

nomadpete

Members
  • Posts

    901
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    6

Everything posted by nomadpete

  1. What is all the fuss? We lost our TM due to unsuitable qualifications (or something like that) which could have caused liability issues if anything went wrong. RAAus requires a TM in order to operate. We have a GM who is following 'Due process' and has announced that he intends to advertise for a new TM. We have a capable temporary TM until that time. That seems to be a reasonable process that will ensure transparent appointment of a new permanent TM. Yes, we obviously need to have more resources for the job, but that is another issue, and hopefully the board are taking steps in that direction.
  2. Some time ago, I was told of a 6 seat WIG that (about 10 - 12 yrs ago) was doing promotional 'flights' on Port Phillip Bay (I think) at the same time of the F1 racing. The operator was trying to raise interest / backing to bring the machine to market. From the description, it could well have been the Cairns WIG.
  3. There is a kit in the US for a single seat WIG which uses hovercraft method to get up off the water, then uses stubby winglets to 'fly' up to a metre off the surface. Looks like a fantastic fun device but would need a lot of space to play with it. (Google 'hoverwing')
  4. Welcome to our new age of clear and transparent communication..... (wearing my sarcasm hat)
  5. analyse that, Bandit....
  6. KG, Have you offered your audit process experience to our Board? I'm sure they need some guidance in developing this area.
  7. Wow ! Don't forget that our defence forces also practice low level ground following flight. Hope never to be a bug on their windshield.
  8. Well I am sorry. I did not expect so many folk to fire up so easily from my Rotax remark. I do not personally take sides on the engine preference debate. I believe that all power plants work reliably if you look after their particular care and feeding requirements. Anyway, Ollie also sometimes employs Subaru power plants (is there a Subaru bashing group too?) and if this A/C had a belt reduction, the failure of that could account for all prop blades broken if it was freewheeling, or maybe it was a partial loss of power. All just speculation but the curiosity is stirred up and it would be great if we could get a definitive explanation (unbiased and without prejudice or blame) Obviously a nice strong airframe, that and the fact that the U/C leg gave way surely contributed to the wellbeing of the occupants.
  9. Oh.... I hope this doesn't start another Rotax bashing spree by certain biased individuals
  10. How to Tell the Sex of a Fly This is the cleanest E-mail joke I've come across in a long while! A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter 'What are you doing?' She asked. 'Hunting Flies' He responded. 'Oh. ! Killing any?' She asked. 'Yep, 3 males, 2 Females,' he replied. Intrigued, she asked. 'How can you tell them apart?' He responded, '3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone.'
  11. So now you're only looking at the pictures?
  12. There seems to be a shortage of research into the problems caused by various fuel additives ( or other petroleum component chemicals). After my GRP fuel tanks in my Lightwing developed pinhole leaks I did some web crawling and found this informative link: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp I had been using 98 RON but I suspect that I my have settled for a brand of 95 that has Ethanol in it. Although the article is from a boat magazine, it seems that they have actually done some research. It is important to read right through the article because it starts with a talk about polyester resins (which are not generally used a lot in aircraft). Further down the article refers to a test done with "Ethanol resistant" Epoxy. The test showed that it lost a significant amount of its strength after only a short period of immersion in E10 petrol. Even if you avoid Ethanol contaminated petrol, there are almost certainly other potential problems lurking in the fuels also. Worth a read just to become aware of some problems. Peter T
  13. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A couple were lying in bed together on the morning of their tenth wedding anniversary when the wife says, 'Darling, as this is such a special occasion, I think that it is time I made a confession: Before we were married I was a hooker for eight years.' The husband ponders for a moment and then looks into his wife's eyes and says, 'My love, you have been a perfect wife for ten years! I cannot hold your past against you, maybe you could show me a few tricks of the trade and spice up our sex life a bit?' She said, 'I don't think you understand, my name was Brian and I played rugby for Wales . . .....'
      • 4
      • Like
      • Haha
  14. And RAAus also moves in mysterious ways... But not in very god-like ways!
  15. Please, Please,,,,,, Stop this aerial posting business. Especially stop saying how nice it is in the air. It's making us all jealous.
  16. Reading the altimeter and checking the time taken.... In a glider you might get away with losing that 100 feet in the 15 seconds that it took for the maneuver. When I did glider training for this, we didn't try it under about 300 feet. My Lightwing or the Drifter loses at least 400 ft for the turn. And much more if I don't react absolutely instantly to the loss of power. There is also added risk from the increased stall speed due to higher G's in the tight turn, meaning that they are going dangerously close to stall on the way around. Not a option that I'd be putting in my takeoff checks for anything less than 500 feet. Even then only if the trees were really thick at the end of the strip.
  17. Speaking as a member, I am more than just concerned. I am very frustrated to see all this continued poor behaviour by the very people who are claiming to be the most motivated to act in our best interests. I feel so very disempowered (if there is such a word). Any attempts that I have made to ask board members has only added to my frustration and anger because I can only get dismissive (if any at all) response from some board members, and from those board members who are trying to get us on track I get echoes of my own frustration because they are also unable to get communication, or fair debate within the board itself. Thankfully there are a few individuals who have been open with the membership but even they are not keeping us fully informed. I would be happier if I got regular updates even when they are only telling me that 'issue this or that' has made no progress due to...... whatever. Even a quick list of dot points would help. The registration update is the first good step in the right direction, but even that doesn't tell me what the longest awaiting renewal is. What about progress updates on other things such as the Member and aircraft database? It is a vital tool to reduce rework (and therefore administration costs) in the office.
  18. Notice something about this thread.... There is no heated debate, very little passion, much quieter than some other threads. So far I just get the feeling that there is not all that much to be said about the resignations. I am waiting with baited breath for the next development.
  19. If we do have to comply with the AQTF, then it looks like we will have to get all instructors to get a Cert IV in Training and Assessment. This is usually a three to six month course one full day a week plus extras, and costs between $1000 and about $2000 depending on how and where it is done. I would like to hear whether this will be part of the new training regime for RAAus? Peter T
  20. We've all had enough of the 'board bashing'. Now is the time to work as a team. Back to the thread."Training Compliance" Are you all aware that there is now a "Federal Education Board"? (my name for it) this mob requires all training to be done in accordance with the "Australian Quality Training Framework" There is actually a federally approved training module called "How to land an aeroplane" and a list of many others, of course. Unfortunately whether we like it or not, we have to conform to this training format just like all the schools and TAFE's do. At present, we don't use any of the approved training modules, or use the correct new processes. Also, under AQTF, that training shall be presented by a holder of Cert IV in Training and Assessment, (or above). the rules require tracable training and assessment carried out as per the strict process. Until we start following these new training rules it is unlikely that CASA will be happy with our concept of training compliance. This is what Myles is ultimately (I think, but nobody has actually confirmed it) tasked with bringing to RAAus. Peter T
  21. Relevant to this thread:- Did anybody notice in the minutes of the 28th March Board meeting - that SR raised an "Urgent business without notice" item: "Recruitment of a Training Safety Officer" The result of which was "to be put on the board forum for further discussion". (ie no real action) I find it disappointing that he had to raise it as business without notice (considering how long it has been a smoldering issue). However, at least he recognised it as URGENT and he was trying to push the board to take action. Now that I know this, I am prepared to accept that Ed saw no easy way to get action from the board. Peter T
  22. My license renewal just came and I didn't send a pic of my last BFR. At no stage of my renewal process was confirmation of BFR requested. I hope we are all being treated equally.
  23. MEN socialise by insulting each other, but don’t really mean it. WOMEN socialise by complimenting each other, and they don’t really mean it either.
      • 4
      • Like
      • Agree
×
×
  • Create New...