FlyingVizsla

It is indeed Pacific Haven, Qld -25.23999, 152.54349 An airport with lots of friendly residents between Maryborough / Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. Explaining the cryptic clue : Why firstly Park Air Craft at this Peaceful Sanctuary if not an Airpark Y (first letter of) P A C Peaceful = Pacific, Sanctuary = Haven The clue is 'Airpark' or airport = YPAC Pacific Haven. Who's up next? Sue

Yes, it is an Airpark. Clues:- 1. Qld with runways 02 / 20. Now a cryptic clue: 2. Why firstly Park Air Craft at this Peaceful Sanctuary if not an Airpark Sue (Cryptic crossword lover)

CASA have just announced the next Certification Flight Testing Seminar for Adelaide for 19/20 November 2014. Further details on the Events calendar. Sue

Hi Richard My first in a Drifter was with a cowboy who took me down low chasing the roos, clipping the tree tops He was also a Commercial pilot and ended up losing his licence and all for pushing the envelope too far and too often in GA. Next was with a friend trying to perfect his spot landing technique. I was watching the ground and dropping a little chalk dust where the wheels touched, so he could get confident & judge distances etc. Great fun. Wait till it all becomes second nature and then you will enjoy the ride. Always good to have experience in other "types" My regret is never actually having flown a Drifter. Sue

Welcome Hairy one! Lots of Drifter Drivers here. Tell us about your first flight ... loved it? Sue

Here's one - Qld 02/20

Overview The Certification Flight Testing Seminar aims to acquaint participants with the flight requirements associated with the aircraft type certification process. Included is a general review of this certification process and a description of the flight test techniques and procedures pertinent to an applicable airworthiness standard. The flight safety aspects associated with certification test flying are emphasised. Target Audience CASA Engineering and Operational Staff Aviation Industry Pilots, Engineering Staff and Managers involved in the Aircraft Type Certification Process Duration 1 ½ Days 26/27 Feb 14 Brisbane* CASA Offices, Brisbane Airport * Date and venue to be confirmed. Costs The seminar is free of charge. Morning and afternoon tea provided. Bookings Places are limited. Please email [email protected] for a reservation.

A range of AWPA Awards, Trophies & Scholarships for 2014 are closing 31 January. Open to male & female, non-members & members - check the eligibility criteria & the application forms:- http://www.awpa.org.au/scholarships-and-awards-2/scholarships-and-awards-2014-debs All the best! AWPA = Australian Women Pilots' Association Sue

CASA Aviation Safety Advisors will be delivering the new AvSafety Seminar series Safety Matters around Australia in 2014. Seminars this year will include; The latest information on Regulatory Reform Information. Topics relating to the latest safety trends identified by CASA, Airservices and ATSB (Where possible, Airservices or ATSB personnel will also attend) Information about the new interactive education programs and resources available online to help you keep safe in the air and on the ground. Aero clubs and other aviation organisations are welcome to run Aviation Safety Seminars with ASAs presenting, however CASA will not be financially supporting the events beyond reasonable operating costs. It will be an opportunity for shared discussions on operator and individual obligations and opportunities to ask questions and raise issues relating to regulatory change. Registration for AvSafety seminars is through the CASA Learning Management System, AviationWorx. http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_101474 Attendance is free. These seminars will be listed (and kept up to date) in Events Gawler SA Feb 5, 2014TBA Bathurst NSW Feb 5, 2014 Bathurst Aero Club Goondoowindi QLD Feb 5, 2014 McIntyre Aero Club Bunbury WA Feb 5, 2014 Lighthouse Beach Resort Yarrawonga VIC Feb 11, 2014 Club Mulwala Temora NSW Feb 11, 2014 Temora Aero Club Albury NSW Feb 13, 2014 Quest Albury Albany WA Feb 19, 2014 Albany Aero Club Sunshine Coast QLD Feb 20, 2014 Maroochydore RSL Esperance WA Feb 21, 2014 Esperance Aero Club Rockhampton QLD Feb 25, 2014 Rockhampton Aero Club Nowra NSW Feb 27, 2014 TBA Bendigo VIC Feb 27, 2014 Lakeview Motor Inn Innisfail QLD Mar 4, 2014TBA Jabiru NT Mar 4, 2014 TBA Cooma NSW Mar 5, 2014 TBA Katherine NT Mar 5, 2014 TBA Mt Isa QLD Mar 11, 2014 Tba Port Macquarie NSW Mar 18, 2014 TBA Derby WA Mar 18, 2014 TBA Broken Hill NSW Mar 19, 2014 TBA Coffs Harbour NSW Mar 20, 2014 TBA Point Cook VIC Mar 20, 2014 TBA Broome WA Mar 20, 2014 TBA Deniliquin NSW Mar 25, 2014 TBA Townsville QLD Apr 1, 2014 TBA Maryborough QLD Apr 1, 2014 TBA Hervey Bay QLD Apr 2, 2014 TBA Bundaberg QLD Apr 3, 2014 TBA Mudgee NSW Apr 9, 2014 TBA Jandakot WA Apr 9, 2014 TBA Moorabbin VIC Apr 10, 2014 TBA Camden NSW Apr 15, 2014 TBA Lismore NSW Apr 15, 2014 TBA Ayers Rock NT Apr 15, 2014 TBA Bankstown NSW Apr 16, 2014 TBA Ballina NSW Apr 16, 2014 TBA Goolwa SA Apr 16, 2014 TBA Lilydale VIC Apr 23, 2014 TBA Merimbula NSW Apr 23, 2014 TBA Moruya NSW Apr 24, 2014 TBA Tamworth NSW Apr 29, 2014 TBA Armidale NSW Apr 30, 2014 TBA Kununurra WA Apr 30, 2014 TBA Tyabb VIC May 1, 2014 TBA Richmond NSW May 5, 2014 TBA Moree NSW May 6, 2014 TBA Aldinga SA May 6, 2014 TBA Inverell NSW May 7, 2014 TBA Glen Innes NSW May 8, 2014 TBA Parafield SA May 8, 2014 TBA Kalgoorlie WA May 9, 2014 TBA Launceston TAS May 12, 2014 TBA Wollongong NSW May 13, 2014 TBA Archerfield QLD May 13, 2014 TBA Alice Springs NT May 14, 2014 TBA Gold Coast QLD May 14, 2014 TBA Hobart TAS May 14, 2014 TBA Redcliffe QLD May 15, 2014 TBA Dubbo NSW May 20, 2014 TBA Kingaroy QLD May 27, 2014 TBA Scone NSW May 28, 2014 TBA Gympie QLD May 28, 2014 TBA Geraldton WA May 28, 2014 TBA Cessnock NSW May 29, 2014 TBA Shepparton VIC May 29, 2014 TBA Caboolture QLD Jun 10, 2014 TBA Toowoomba QLD Jun 11, 2014 TBA Griffith NSW Jun 11, 2014 TBA Wagga NSW Jun 12, 2014 TBA Parkes NSW Jun 18, 2014 TBA Darwin NT Jun 18, 2014 TBA Cairns QLD Jun 18, 2014 TBA Longreach QLD Jun 18, 2014 TBA Mildura VIC Jun 18, 2014 TBA Latrobe Valley VIC Jun 18, 2014 TBA Karratha WA Jun 18, 2014 TBA Cowra NSW Jun 19, 2014 TBA Horn Island QLD Jun 19, 2014 TBA Bairnsdale VIC Jun 19, 2014 TBA Mackay QLD Jun 24, 2014 TBA Warrnambool VIC Jun 26, 2014 TBA ACT - No Seminars Available

They are on this site too - under Pilot Tools - Tutorials. http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/ I seem to remember Ian saying that the ones here have more than the RAA site. Also discovered the old AUF.asn.au site has been taken over by someone else. Sue

The Council will decide what contribution you must make to road improvements. I guess this is an "objection" to the subdivision made by neighbours in the response to the Public Notification. Don't get into negotiations with them, leave that to Council; it is their road, their decision, and they will have guidelines regarding road works contributions or work you will be required to undertake on their behalf. Most importantly, don't get the neighbours off side while giving them extra ammunition about airstrips - or it will end up with wild accusations about turning it into a busy airport, frightening the horses, chooks off the lay, fumes, fuel & noise threatening human health and starting bush fires. It is common for neighbours to "object" - it may not be aimed at you personally. I did development applications for a rural council, and the objection process was used to request a better road, even if it was only a boundary reconfiguration. Keep the airstrip idea out of the subdivision process. I was trying to find the Take Off & Landing Charts for a C172 similar to the charts in my C152 Flight Manual. These charts have pressure height, slope, surface type, temp, wind, distance & weight, to give you an idea of the distance needed on your strip. The C172 table (for a sealed level strip) notes for a dry grass strip to add 45% to the landing distance and 15% to the take off. This is based on a new aircraft. In reality there are many factors that introduce degraded performance as aircraft age and we hang more things off them. Sue

If the strip is to be used by others (friends, crop dusters etc) then you have an obligation to make it as safe as you can for the aircraft you approve to land there. CAAP 92 (1) (1) is a good place to start http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/download/caaps/ops/92_1.pdf As an unlicensed strip it is up to the pilot to determine if it is suitable to land on, in which case they will most likely rely on your description, so record height, gradients, length, width, surface (grass, short/long wet/dry) and likely wind strengths & direction - erect a wind sock or other reliable wind indicator. The pilot can then work on his Take Off & Landing charts to determine if it is suitable. Delineate your strip - old tyres painted white are a cheap solution - your local tyre shop has to pay to have them taken away - so they will gladly give you a pile. Contact your local council about any requirement from them for the establishment of an airstrip - they may have a process, or they may not - in which case make sure your neighbours are agreeable. Your Council may require a building application for the hangar; gone are the days when a farmer could do what he liked on his land. We have looked at many properties to build an airstrip. Our criteria: No approach or departure over neighbours' houses, horses or power lines Standard approach & departure area clear for recommended landing profile & 50' obstacle clearance Safe for; go-around, precautionary search, area ahead for engine failure, run off area for brake failure The C172 has a performance chart in the Pilot's Operating Handbook. I will try to find the charts so you can determine if your strip will suit. Sue

Backs on to Old Coach Road (which is gazetted but not formed) and Young State Forest on the other side of it. Wilsons Rd has a row of properties facing it that back on to our place (south of us). We have about 20m frontage to Balandinas Dr. Our house is the one nearest the road on the curve. The boss went to school in Tiaro, so he is going home. We have only seen it once, in September, and have not been able to get down to have a second look. The owners are staying on till we can start moving down. I have yet to survey it for airstrip location. It has crops & cattle. Sue

Just down the road from you - Owanyilla near Tiaro Qld -25.69728 152.62074 Over 1km on the east/west fence line with possible cross strip over the 36acre dam next door N-S on the cultivation. Could be 2-3 years before we are operational. Will keep our hangar at Childers. He wants to keep working for another 2 years up here & have to sell our house in a depressed market. So I have to renovate & tart up for sale. Looking for part time work to fund the move. He wants to move by taking a bit every trip - given the amount of junk we have (he never throws anything out), that could take years. Sue

Merry Christmas everyone! Loved reading the forum over the year. Finished a demanding job on Friday and now have time to catch up and contribute. 2014 is going to be a year of change for us. We have bought a property with room for an airstrip and will be moving in over the next year or so. Sue

I had the local policeman's young daughter on board - she asked what the speed limit was. Sue

Don't forget things like Depreciation (about $50,000+) which are not calculated until the end of the year, and Provisions for things like Long Service Leave. These come off the bottom line at the end of the year. Sue

Isis Flying Club run the Childers Qld Airstrip, which is owned by Council. It is a distance from town. The Council recently enlarged and renewed their lease over land beside the airstrip where they have built (and continue to build) hangars. The Club keeps the lease mowed and tidy and also mow the strip and tie down area. They did minor works - eg Council supplied a new windsock and gates and the club members erected them, spread grass seed and crusher dust. They got a grant to buy a ride on mower and they were cleaning the public toilets at the entrance to the airstrip. Council provides consumables and does the major work - removing saplings, grading the drainage lines for example. Once a year the Club hosts a "Fly-in, Walk-in, Drive-in" event for everyone - car club, visiting aviators, tourists, locals with help from other community groups. It proves the airstrip is a valued community asset which does not require a lot of $$ to maintain. They also have, as members; Council staff, media, community minded people & other non-aviation club people. It pays to spread the love rather than appearing to be a minor, self centred, demanding group. Sue

Nev, I can see where you are coming from. Experienced pilot teaching a relative to fly, with some kind of licence test at the end. We certainly came across students who had learned their flying skills from Dad or older brother off the farm strip (this is back in the 1990's) by flying with them since knee high to a grasshopper. We heard stories that said son had been flying & mustering and Dad said, next load of cattle we sell and you're off to properly get your licence. Son would arrive, cashed up, to do the requisite hours. We would tidy them up, teach them legislation, airmanship, fly into unfamiliar strips and get them tested for the PPL. In those days the requisite hours had to be flown off, regardless of skill level. Now, I guess these lads get their licence quickly as they can demonstrate their knowledge & competency. Not kosher, but it happens. I assume you are not advocating people teach strangers and mates from the pub, or as a business. Sue

8 November - phone call from RAA for payment and they emailed completed 12 month Rego. Now due in Nov next year. My guess is that because we exceeded the 90 day grace period, our aircraft's registration was then cancelled. When we completed all the tasks assigned to us our aircraft was then returned to the register for 12 months (new registration). On the RAA site the graph of average times to process renewals is a little misleading ... no renewal will exceed 90 days (it is cancelled), and I assume not counted. Or was ours counted as one day? We still have the more complex task for the Karasport ahead, but will try asking if they will adopt the plans and data set for similar aircraft already on the register (as per Ozzie's advice above). It too will be a new rego as it was due April. Sue

The ultralight club I was with did an annual lolly drop. Lessons we learned: have a passenger do the dropping as it is too high a work load for the pilot. Be aware of the wind and what this means for the trajectory. Choose wrapped lollies because they can end up anywhere and kids will grab them with a handful of grass, dirt and shove in pockets. No kids on oval - organisers should let little kids out first or they miss out. Have someone on the ground with radio to co-ordinate with organisers - pilot. Be very organised with lolly supply as it is very cramped in the air. For distribution I rigged up a pod & chute and fastener so it would not accidentally fall out. The best one had a circle of wire at the top to keep it open while tipping the bucket or bags of lollies in to it with a neck strap or some other way of holding it up to fill. The chute was about the length of a long sleeve, was hung over board with enough length to direct lollies below the fuse with a strap to pull it up while refilling and landing. Take an experienced passenger - one year they took the publican's wife because she had never been flying (kill two birds with one stone...) she turned the bucket into the wind and it peeled the bucket apart and blew most of the lollies back in. The lolly dropping stopped when it was done by the club cowboy who didn't bother with rules or safety, wouldn't co-operate with those on the ground. Today I would be questioning "lollies" - maybe we should be dropping little boxes of sultanas, packets of nuts, fruit, rice crisps, little toys. Sue

Well, we posted the latest bits they requested on our 19-rego this week. Rego ran out in May, so we hope this is the very last (apart from payment). Next is the far more complex data set & plans (there were none) for 10-rego built more than 20 years ago; that ran out in April.

I have read the Page 29 article Flying Online. Mid way it says "Making it a requirement that all our flight planning be done on an RA-Aus app or website? Submitting our flight plans to NAIPS through RA-Aus itself. That way RA-Aus would know at a glance where we are all going and whether or not we are doing it safely and legally." I can't see the pilots I know doing the computer thing, some because of remoteness, others because of lack of technology or knowledge of it. Then, whose full time job will it be in Head Office to monitor and collate (and chase up the recalcitrant pilots) and reconcile to reported hours flown at renewal time? So far as data mining goes - have a look at p.25. My first reaction was that there surely was more than 90 pilots in SA! Studying it again, I think SA is actually NT, or perhaps SA is SA+NT and the 90 pilots are Overseas or Other. Sue

A few years ago I was bombarded with those "they will sue the pants off you" letters sent to people on the GA register (our names & addresses are public) including "personal" letters from affected aviation people, a couple of those people claimed they never gave permission. In the end AOPA published an article (by Spencer F?) detailing the pros & cons of these schemes. The thing to remember is that if you gift your assets to a family trust or other alternate scheme, you no longer 'own' them. There are a whole new raft of rules & implications. Best to talk to a specialist in the area first. Sue

We did mark to be shared and email. Maybe it is only going to certain aircraft categories? No idea really, but we have only one on the register and two in the expired, waiting for input from us before renewal, pile. I checked our junk mail - nothing. I don't think I am missing much. Sue