FlyingVizsla

I got September Sport Pilot from the ISSUU website and uploaded it to Mr Vizsla's iPad where he has been reading it for a couple of days. It is a bit confusing as one email from RAA said ISSUU was now the permanent home of Sport Pilot, then another refers to alternatively picking it up from the Facebook page. I have not had much trouble downloading it from ISSUU provided I pick my time (low traffic for higher speed), however I am having trouble downloading the latest upgrade for the iPad - it keeps timing out - an hour or so and it gives up.

Not off topic - it is about planes. I watched this episode too. 27 planes in one hangar! The house was a bit avant-garde and looked worse in the flesh than on the plans, but it did have a fantastic glassed lounge / kitchen area to watch the airfield and a glassed section in the roof to view them flying over. My husband doesn't like "calamity Kevin" so he missed out on a bit of plane porn. I like watching Kevin to follow the mistakes people make and see the innovation. So glad I live in Qld after watching so many "snowed in, iced up, fogged in" episodes. Sue

The Australian Women Pilot's Association's annual event has a "partners program" and has for as long as I can remember (been a member for about 20 years but don't go to every one). It is not limited to partners as I use it as an alternative when the official itinerary isn't my cup of tea. Tour operators picked us up (as they normally did for other groups) and knew how many as we either booked in advance or let them know in the morning for the afternoon. Some things were walking distance or at the venue. The focus was on tourism or entertainment, not a tent offering creative spanner arranging, but things showcasing the area or allowing social interaction - most had a fee attached. AWPA moves their event every year to another State (known years in advance) and that State is responsible for arranging things. This year is South Australia - Victor Harbour - 30th March – 3rd April, 2016 and no doubt Victoria 2017 planning is already under way - WA 2018, Qld 2019, NSW 2020, Tas 2021 etc. Perhaps the National Fly-in could move between the major players - SAAA at Narromine, RAA etc. I wouldn't expect SAAA to host an event at other than Narromine because their headquarters and staff are there.

Unfortunately hubby wants his old magazines preserved, so no time saving to be had cutting the bindings. I accept that the scanning will be slow and boring, but it is a finite stash, and I have the time and patience. We live a long way from "civilisation" so services are thin on the ground. Our local library has two F/E employees and relies on volunteers like me to index, preserve and catalogue their non-core materials. They have one simple photocopier - it makes b&w A4 copies. So folks, me doing page by page scanning is a given. How to process the scanned image is more the question. I have Adobe Reader, which means each image remains as one file. I could put the bite on RAA to provide a short term copy (licence) of Adobe Pro; or do you know of a better platform to manipulate images etc. The aim is to keep the cost to the members as low as possible. I am presently looking at other software. Remember I have woeful internet speeds, so downloading and uploading to a website will take HOURS. rhysmcc - the CEO says they don't have digital copies prior to Sport Pilot. This goes back to 1986 with a typewritten newsletter - remember those wax sheets you typed on, fixed errors with pink waxy goo, hooked to a screen, inked up and turned the handle? AUF also had the "great server failure" where they lost everything because no one backed it up. I hope to have each magazine as one file, but also have it able to be searched without having to download every magazine. For example, if you were researching Accidents & Incidents, then only that article, but from each edition would be displayed. Similarly if you were searching for "Chinook 10-003" you should get every mention in all magazines. I do a lot of work on the TROVE digitised newspapers correcting the OCR text and like the way it works. Any ideas? Sue

My husband has all his old AUF magazines back to the 1980's, so I have volunteered to scan these for RAA. The CEO says the prior editions of Sport Pilot will be available on their new website - all 44 of them. I will do the rest. I have yet to talk to their website developers, but I am looking for any suggestions. I have an A3 scanner and OCR software. I am going to do a test run to see what I can produce. I would like the whole library to be search-able, rather than having to open each magazine to search. Maybe a choice between HD or smaller files; keeping in mind people with slow internet. Any ideas? Sue

When a major fly-in is combined with a major town event there have been issues. This one was the same days as the annual Show (probably so Warren Truss could attend both) which put pressure on accommodation and services - catering for example. Monto was another example, where it was held in conjunction with the Dairy festival - no rooms in town, we slept in the plane trailer, it was below zero overnight so people left a day early. I can understand the organisers thinking that another event might give the non-flying partners and children something to do, but I think the lack of accommodation, overstretched catering and volunteers out weigh that notion. The first Ausfly we attended was brilliant. I don't think there was another major event that weekend, the food was fabulous and plentiful, lots to see, many displays and well organised. Sue

I was just reading the AUF magazine from January 1994 - the cost of the Magazine was an issue back then too. Editor Peter J Lewis wrote: "The Editor has heard a number of rumours that the cost of the magazine being produced in the office is much more expensive than when it was being published under contract. At May 1, 1993 (my first mag) the cost of my duties as Editor was approximately $1,040.00 per issue and has remained consistent. (Remember I am also the Assistant Executive Director whose duties are costed separately). The contract rate with the Holbrook Publishing Group for April 93 was slightly (Approx. 1%) less than that. Not only is the costing about the same, I also do all those "in office" and other duties - paste up advertising, liaise with printer, arrange inserts, etc. which were not part of the Holbrook duties and until my appointment were done by the Executive Director at a much higher rate. So in fact this editor is saving AUF (you) money." In 1993 there were 12 issues, membership was 3,300 and the magazine was 40 page black & white, a full page advert was $168, members market $7. In the same magazine there were complaints that Lightwings and Skyfoxes were not ultralights, and Notes Re Crop Spraying - by the National Flying Coach (apparently it was approved).

Pud, So sorry to hear. Wishing you a smooth transition. My thoughts are with you and your family; and your flying friends. Thanks for your input over the years, it has enlightened and enriched our lives. I will miss you. Fly free. Sue

Husband and I both got it (separate email addresses) - note that the link has unique codes - his was not the same as mine. I filled mine in, but trying over 2 days, can't get his to connect "Problem loading page - the server is taking too long to respond" which is usually a product of my slow internet connection (it happened twice before I got mine). The other suspicion is that it won't respond to two requests from the same computer. I was hoping to let him at it as his experience and views are quite different to mine. As for the questions - surely they can work out your age after you just told them how old you were when you joined and what year? So you have to chose your current age. Several questions I had to answer "other" as the pre-selected responses were not applicable to me. I guess they are trying to discover how to turn around a slowly dying membership base in the face of competition from RPL and other sports. Sue

The quote on my C152 is $16,500 for the initial inspection including NDT & MPI, but excluding Eddy Current inspection which requires a specialist to be flown in. Cable installation, 100 hourly and any repairs at $110/hr. This is a special rate due to the financial stress of the drought and economic downturn. This aircraft has spent the last 20 years in arid areas of Western Qld. Sounds like $25 - 30k for an aircraft only worth that, but I doubt you could ask for $60k resale, particularly competing with aircraft that are not required to do SIDS.

The quote on my C152 is $16,500 for the initial inspection including NDT & MPI, but excluding Eddy Current inspection which requires a specialist to be flown in. Cable installation, 100 hourly and any repairs at $110/hr. This is a special rate due to the financial stress of the drought and economic downturn. This aircraft has spent the last 20 years in arid areas of Western Qld. Sounds like $25 - 30k for an aircraft only worth that, but I doubt you could ask for $60k resale, particularly competing with aircraft that are not required to do SIDS.

After waiting in vain for the Dynon agent to supply us with a unit, we started shopping around. We ordered a Dynon from the advertiser on the back of Sport Pilot (Mendelssohn) at the advertised rate - when we phoned they said the price was $200 dearer, we paid that accepting that prices on US stock probably went up with the movement in the dollar, however next month and the months after the advertised price remained the same. We particularly chose this supplier because we thought we were supporting RAA. They were very prompt on delivery, but they haven't got any repeat sales from us. Clear Prop shop is pretty prompt and affordable, but Ian does have his "off" days, but we understand, and support it because it keeps this site going. We had another experience trying to get a fuel tank out of the USA from RANS. It took a fortnight between email and answer, which was usually "ring us" and when we did (after 10pm and before 7am) they couldn't find emails and had to go through the whole thing again. In the end the fuel tank was in stock $213USD and they would get back to us about freight; about a month later $700USD! We could get freight much cheaper, all they had to do was confirm that the package was ready to be picked up - after 3 months chasing them each time the freight company gave up. The whole process took a year. We ended up repairing our old tank. Sue

TWO people have been injured in a plane crash in Maryborough on Thursday. A police media spokeswoman said two people had received minor injuries after the crash at Beaver Rock. The crash happened about 12.15pm on Dimond Rd. An ambulance spokeswoman said crews were called to a light aircraft crash at 12.18pm. She said both patients were assessed and one was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition with a laceration to his leg. The other person received treatment on the scene. http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/two-injured-light-plane-crash-beaver-rock/2707643/ I have no more information apart from this article in the local paper. Sue

To download the higher resolution copy from ISSUU, first you have to set up an account, log in, then choose the magazine. Under the magazine click "Share" then "Download". Worked for me, but have not tried it on my husband's ipad yet. Sue

I used the link to download the pdf (the low res option for slow internet) and it took me to the members portal with the only option the ISSUU site. I later visited the RAA members portal to find the pdf. You have to click on the 'members portal' on the breadcrumb (near the top RAA -> Members Portal -> subscription) this takes you to more options, click Current & back issues of the digital Sport Pilot, chose the edition. It took 5 minutes to download, and my connection is slow. I also got it through ISSUU which took 15 mins. This is a higher resolution version. By opening an account with ISSUU I could download it (no extra time). Anyone can go on to ISSUU and read. In fact I spent some time looking at various other flying magazines and other interests of mine. The pdf is poorer quality in the printed word, but you can zoom in on an article by using the +/- % keys at the top. I am quite happy with the ISSUU version. As for printing, perhaps they could come up with a 'one page per page' for people who don't have A3 printers?

I think the trophy is the points awarded as you reach certain milestones - eg first post, 100 posts, 100 likes etc. Click on the Menu (three bars), choose Members, then "Notable Members" (on my laptop it is on the LHS, but sometimes appears elsewhere on the page if I have a faster connection) and chose the points tab. Most of us are stuck on 113 points. To see the trophy point system, click on Terms at the bottom RHS, then trophies. By the way - There are a few of the aero medical & RFDS fraternity on here too, as well as some pretty knowledgeable types, as well as some scallywags. Enjoy your stay. Sue

From the Fraser Coast Chronicle:- http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/pilot-who-flew-too-low-wont-fight-suspension/2686852/ --Snippets from the article -- A RECREATIONAL pilot, who has been banned from flying for three months after he was filmed flying his aircraft too low along the Hervey Bay foreshore, says he will not challenge the suspension. The light plane, which was seen flying level to the Torquay pier, appeared to be well below the minimum height requirement of 150m from the ground in a regional area. "Recreational Aviation Australia adopts an even-handed approach to our members and want to remind all members to ensure they operate within the boundaries of the rules of our organisation," Mr Linke said. "We employ an open and fair reporting culture and encourage members to self-report where breaches occur. "This way we can work with members on education and training to ensure the continued safe operation of our member and the aircraft they fly." ------- Unfortunately the image attached to the article, in the summary of news items, shows a twin (?!!) I heard from another pilot that he was filmed by a commercial television station while doing work on the foreshore.

Video captures moment stowaway cat emerges on wing of plane in French Guiana http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-23/cat-hitches-ride-on-plane/6565588 A stowaway cat gave a South American pilot the surprise of his life when it emerged, clinging to the wing of a plane, mid-flight. ------- I didn't have the patience to watch the video as it takes about 1-2 mins to do a one second spurt (due to my slow internet) but it does say it all ends happily.

And on this website too - go to Menu - Resources.

Here's the ABC report (with picture) for those of us who are not subscribers to the Advertiser) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/plane-crash-mallee-highway-elwomple/6534412?section=sa

Sport Pilot June 2015 - Page 37 - the Assistant Ops manager is looking for the real 10-0001. See The Search for Number 1 http://issuu.com/michaellinke/docs/sport_pilot_jun_2015 Would someone like to respond to him pls? Sue

June Sport Pilot is available - http://issuu.com/michaellinke/docs/sport_pilot_jun_2015 I am reading it now; in Springsure on a better internet connection - seamless and easy. Just finished Letters to the Ed and the President's column. Sue

There are a number of current RAA Board members who have flown 95-10, if not the majority. I don't know every one, but I guess Middo, Eugene, Michael Apps, Rod Birrell, Major Millard, Trevor Bange, Ed Smith and others who have been around a long time, started on 95-10s. The 95-10s are not forgotten, they are just disappearing. We have a Scout. My husband is now too heavy to get it off the ground (although I still could) but it is hanging up in the shed with little will to pull it out and re-cover the wings. Same with the Turbulent also hanging from the shed roof - all the glued joints are suspect due to age, and little will to do the massive job to get it airworthy. The Karasport is operable, but requires re-rigging and a lot of paperwork (plans, dataset etc) before RAA will allow continued registration. I can't see how allowing 2 seaters; kit or factory built modern aircraft is stopping the 95-10s - I think we bought our demise on ourselves. 95-10 is one of the most complex segments of RAA. It is easy to register mass produced planes, but by their very nature (scratch built, own design, plans built, tweaked and altered, one-offs etc) each 95-10 has to be individually assessed. Flying has also become more sociable, people wanting 2 seats to take a mate, to go places, women also want to participate; wives and girlfriends wanting to savour the experience their partners find so attractive. People are less likely to make things these days. They want the instant solution right out of the box, and have the money to do it. Sadly, that means less 'minimum aircraft'.

The constitution requires 2 face to face meetings. No matter where you hold them, the Board have to travel. There are 13 of them. Given the distance it is not possible to fly in & out for a one day, over-nights come into it. We expect the President to be up front & centre on issues such as Jab engines, CASA liaison, media interviews and meeting the people. Most of the Board have jobs or businesses and have to take time off to attend. As Maj Millard says, they don't get the red carpet treatment, nor do they want it, as they are aware it is members' money being spent, and they too are members. If you want to reduce the expenditure, the constitution would have to be changed, the geographic spread of Board members has to change or the number reduced. That is in the hands of the members. If you want an alternative 'minimum aircraft' association, it could only survive if it did not issue licences and therefore oversee FTFs and I suspect there being so few of the 95.10 types left that it would be a very small club indeed. Setting up an alternative body is not as easy as it sounds. It could not exist without CASA's Sport Aviation Office approval as a Self Administering Organisation, and that would require a good deal of paperwork to show safety & compliance (think Ops & Tech manuals) and management. If you think you can run a national organisation with only volunteers who fund their work out of their own pockets, then you are going to be very disappointed. Sue

Go to the Members only area of RAA website - Financials - every month's expenditure is there. You can see the breakdown as follows: Board Expense:- Accommodation Travel Reimbursement Other Expenses Meals & Beverages Secretarial - Expenses Elections Telecards Meeting - Expenses Treasurer Expenses President Expenses Meetings RAAus AGM RAAus Speical Members Meeting Other Meetings/Conferences The current Board has also put an end to spouses' expenses being covered for meetings, fly-ins etc. The Board members don't receive a stipend for their voluntary service - if they are required to attend a meeting in Canberra from their home in Perth, Darwin, North Qld, Tasmania; it is only fair that their basic expenses are covered (accommodation, travel etc most of which is organised by the RAA office). Have a read and then start an informed discussion. Sue