Never too old!  Our oldest student was 69yrs, and one of our Club members is 92yrs and still going.

Flying the plane is "if possible" according to the Form

RECREATIONAL AIRCRAFT CONDITION REPORT  TECH FORM 013

If possible a flight demonstration should be performed by the owner, or a pilot nominated by the owner,
in the presence of the inspector. The experience of the pilot should be taken into account when assessing
comments as to the handling of the aircraft.
The pilot should conduct a normal full power take-off at maximum takeoff weight, climb to 1000’ AGL,
reduce throttle to cruise power, perform a left and a right 360 degree turn with at least 30 degrees angle
of bank and carry out 2 or 3 circuits and landings.
On this or a subsequent flight, not necessarily in the view of the inspector, the pilot should climb the
aircraft to a safe height and perform a number of straight stalls.

Pilot seriously injured after charter plane crash near Derby - ABC News

WWW.ABC.NET.AU

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One person has been seriously injured after a light plane crash near Derby.  

A man has been seriously injured after a charter plane crashed in far northern Western Australia.

WA Police said the aircraft, with two people on board, was coming in to land at Derby Airport when it crashed about 3.20pm on Tuesday in the state's Kimberley region. 

The plane came down on Derby Highway, about two kilometres south of the town site, with police, DFES personnel and paramedics still on scene.

The pilot, a man believed to be in his twenties, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries while the passenger is believed to be uninjured.

The two men have been taken to Derby Hospital for treatment. The passenger is stable, while the pilot remains in a serious but stable condition.

Main Roads WA has advised motorists around five kilometres south of the Derby Airport Access Road to take care with emergency services on site.

The spokesperson said the matter would likely be referred to federal authorities for further investigation.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said the circumstances surrounding the crash would be investigated.

"The ATSB will investigate the forced landing of a Cessna 310 aircraft on the highway south-east of Derby on Tuesday afternoon following a reported double engine failure," he said.

18 hours ago, old man emu said:

What is your current C152's call sign. I'm wondering which DC-3 it came off.

My C152's VH call sign used to be on a DC3 Airlines of NSW in the 1960's.  There was a recent CASA appeal to de-register any call signs for planes not in use, to free up existing call signs, but there's no incentive to do that (no annual fee to save etc) and a big dis-incentive if you decided to re-register - eg go to RAAus and then try to go back to VH.

Yes, still for sale, a few interested, but we have to get some questions answered on the engine.  It is a little older than the installation date.  Does time start from manufacture, purchase or installation?  It was zero hours when it went in.  Waiting for Tech RAAus for guidance.  PM me if interested in looking as it is in Childers and we are only an hour away.

Yes, there are "bargains"; we have our Lightwing for sale with a 912 with 86 hours on it, 55 rego, so it can be used for training.  Asking $20k.  A new 912 is $33k?  We've had a little interest, but not a sale.  It's on the Lightwing forum (Classies were not working when I listed it)

Update - both deceased & named.  The article has just been updated with the news.  RIP

Search underway in North Queensland for plane missing from Bloomsbury, near Mackay

www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-03/small-plane-missing-in-bloomsbury-near-mackay/102178366

The search is continuing for a light plane that took off from a North Queensland cattle station and failed to arrive at its destination.

The plane is believed to have two people on board and took off from Natal Downs Station, near Charters Towers, about 2pm on Sunday.

It was due to arrive at the Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury, north of Mackay at 5pm, with air traffic control raising the alarm at 6:30pm.

CQ Rescue was tasked to search the area last night, and despite several sweeps over the area, has found no sign of the plane.

This morning, a specialist aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) left Cairns and arrived in the Whitsundays about 7:30.

A spokesman said the search would be concentrated on an area west of Proserpine.

The Queensland Police Service said its officers were on stand-by but AMSA was coordinating search and rescue efforts. 

CQ Rescue has again joined the search with other aircraft likely to be called in later today.

I can see the AMSA Dornier circling an area of rough ground to the west of Bloomsbury at 9am today.

Hayden is flying around Australia to show others living with autism that the sky's the limit - ABC News

Highlights:

When Hayden was just a boy, his grandfather would take him flying across the Nullarbor and Flinders Ranges, introducing him to a world beyond one he'd ever known.

It inspired a love for aviation that has seen him travel thousands of kilometres across the rocky outcrops and salt lakes of WA's Goldfields-Esperance region on his own.

After gaining his recreational pilot's certificate at 17, Hayden began the process of applying to become a professional pilot on his final day of high school.

Before long, an email arrived in his inbox: intention to refuse medical.

"I quote: 'This is because your autism spectrum disorder represents unacceptable risk to aeronautical navigation,'" he says.

In his quest to challenge "assumptions about capability", the 21-year-old is set to solo circumnavigate regional Australia in September.

But as he prepares to embark on his journey around Australia, his message is simple:

Further from the ABC News

Mackay pilot Peter McDougall faces court for alleged manslaughter of Gerardus Miltenberg - ABC News

Police arrested Mr McDougall at a Halliday Bay home on February 28.

It's alleged Mr McDougall continued to pilot flights unlicensed up until February this year and failed to properly maintain his aircraft for nearly a decade.

Prosecutor Ruth Whisker told Mackay Magistrates Court yesterday Mr McDougall was an "unacceptable risk" of not meeting bail conditions and committing further offences.

'Sovereign citizen'

Ms Whisker said Mr McDougall did not acknowledge that Queensland legislation applied to him.

"He doesn't accept the Queensland Police Service," she said.

"If he signs bail, if his views are that deep that he says that his bail is not a legal document in Queensland, then don't sign it … you can stay there for the year as far as I care," Mr Dwyer said.  'We'll see how deep your beliefs are."

Mr McDougall accepted and signed the bail conditions.

He will next face court on May 10.

20 hours ago, facthunter said:

There WAS a different Ethos.   Nev

Lovely days - the L2 was some guy who built an aircraft, who offered his services for free to keep planes in the air.  You could walk onto the airstrip without security and chat to pilots.  The instructor was some bloke who did it in his spare time, often for free.  Myles & the Bunny Farmer would visit each year.  GA was expensive - LAME, certified Flying School etc.  Mr FV started on the Wheeler Scout (still got it, not flying), had to get a licence, did that on the T500, then went to the single seat KaraSport about 200 flights, then built the RANS and flew that ever since.  Naromine in the tent was great fun.  Last trip we drove and stayed in a motel - must be getting soft! or old!

Our Lightwing 55-0646.  Mr FV's son has advertised it on Facebook Marketplace (I assume) and has some interest.  So you may see it in more than one place.  We are not on Facebook, so can't look at what he has said, but I think its a higher price.  We don't have time to fly all our planes & maintain them, and our hangars, everything is getting old!! including us!  Hope it goes to a "good home".

@Arron25  Here is the old girl!  That's Lennie Fitzgerald, who learned to fly at 69(?), our oldest student.  Unfortunately Lennie is long gone.  The plane started with Gympie Aero Club (you could still see the lettering from inside on a sunny day) where Mr FV flew it.  Barcaldine Aero Club bought it and trained a number of students.  I did my conversion on it.  Then it was a rash decision (to my mind) to do a fire sale, with the loan nearly paid and a new engine in it.  It ended up with Keith Page, but a few years ago he bought a Jab and I have not heard of it since.  The Barcaldine Club folded just after selling the plane.

Old photo albums can be so depressing, all those lovely people & planes gone.  Hope to pass some of ours on to people who will enjoy them.

10 hours ago, BrendAn said:

price

Well, want it to go to a good home, someone who is interested in flying it, rather than someone who just wants to sell it on (we had two looking to buy everything for nothing & Mr FV got the irrits and ended negotiations).  So Last I Heard ... $10k with old engine, $20k with present 912.  Others have asked for engineless price, or price for 912s only - no idea. 

It isn't for a novice as it isn't the best that Lightwing produced.  Needs some future fabric work on the wings, elevators recently done, flying condition, but hasn't been taken up this year.  Hobbs 1624.  One buyer asked RAAus about using an "On-Condition" 912 with this plane, and there is a fee and inspection required.  I flew a similar Lightwing GA with the Barcaldine Aero Club (and Mr FV flew the same aircraft at Gympie Aero Club - small world!) and it was an issue for novice pilots.  So many in the Barcy Club nosed over or ground looped, that the Club kept a spare prop and ordered a new one.  I was one of the very few that didn't do either.  Land slow, taxi slow.

I've been lurking on the Forum nearly every day, but haven't posted much.  Still have the C152, RANS and Karasport, but doing a bit of hangar clear-out to sell one of our 3 hangars.  Flying Club keeps me busy (Secretary/Treasurer) & Mr FZ on the committee.  This life of retirement seems far too busy and hectic.  How about you?  Want a cheap Lightwing?  It was bought so his boys could learn to fly, but they never did.  Sue 

Selling on behalf of the son.  Sonerai kit (no engine, no avionics etc) purchased 2008 with the intention of building, from a group who had built 3 (this is the 4th).  Still in crates & boxes, never opened, didn't start.  In our hangar at Childers Qld.  Any offers.  Photos - fuse frame, wings in crate.  There is another plastic box of parts and instructions.

Having a hangar clean out.  Lightwing GA, 450kg, 2 seat, hangared at Childers Qld.  Has a new 912 with approx 80 hours, also available 912 (on condition) which it replaced.  L2 maintained until recently, suitable for training.  We've owned it since 2003.  Rego paid till Feb 2024.

66yo man charged with manslaughter over plane crash on Ball Bay beach

66yo man charged with manslaughter over plane crash on Ball Bay beach - ABC News

A 66-year-old man has been charged more than a year after his light plane crashed on a North Queensland beach and killed his 83-year-old passenger. 

The crash occurred on Christmas Eve 2021, shortly after the plane took off for a private leisure flight around nearby islands from the Ball Bay airstrip. 

The two-seater plane made an emergency landing and crashed on Ball Bay beach. 

Ball Bay is a tiny coastal town located 35 kilometres north of Mackay. 

The passenger, from Kuttabul, died at the scene, while the pilot, a man from Halliday was discharged from hospital later that day. 

The pilot is due to face court today in Mackay charged with one count of manslaughter, as well as flying an aircraft without a licence, and failing to carry out maintenance and satisfy safety requirements. 

Yesterday, Mackay Detectives and the Civil Aviation Authority executed a search warrant at a Halliday Bay residence and finalised their 14-month investigation. 

More to come. 

An update:

Emergency services have rescued a man who was trapped following a plane crash in the Buckland Valley, in Victoria's north-east.

Police said the plane took off from Porepunkah airstrip about 4:40am before crashing into trees. 

Emergency services were not called until just after 11am when the Canberra rescue coordination centre noticed a plane had not checked in and raised the alarm.

Pilot rescued after being trapped in plane crash in Mount Buffalo area

Pilot rescued after being trapped in plane crash in Mount Buffalo area - ABC News

Emergency services have rescued a man who was trapped following a plane crash in the Mount Buffalo area in Victoria's north-east.

Police said it was understood that the plane took off from Porepunkah about 4.40am before crashing into trees. 

They said the male pilot, believed to be the sole occupant, was being treated at the scene.

Ambulance Victoria said its crews were called to reports of the accident just after 11am, with paramedics on the scene assessing the man.

"A man believed to be in his 50s is stable with upper and lower body injuries and will be airlifted to hospital," a spokesperson said.

We do the 75yr + Qld licence.  We combine the annual eye examination with this one - I think Medicare only pay for one consultation a year.  At the same time do the Commercial truck standard (if you want to) which involves peripheral vision test - as the optometrist said, its proof you are not a blind tunnel vision oldie causing accidents.  The Doc is happy because he doesn't have to get his receptionist to line you up in the passageway and set up the chart and walk back and forth getting you to read with each eye while the patients line up at the desk.  Optometrist is no charge, but if new glasses are needed then we pay for them.  Doc adds $30 for receptionist to do eye test, but bulk bills licence, unless it is Commercial Truck ($100 for tests + $110 appointment) and you MUST see an optometrist first.

Think of it as a birthday present - Optometrist, glasses, doctor, Dept of Transport.  In Qld our licences renew on your birthday.

Can't find a news report that isn't behind a paywall.  What was conveyed to me third hand - one of our Club members had an undercarriage collapse on landing in his ultralight - other members were there to assist - he was taken to hospital.  I can't add much more than that.

In the 1990's there was a product available - a thin band of foam that slid over the arm of the glasses that had tapered sides to form a seal between headset foam seal and skin/glasses.  The headset gel seals are much better at conforming, so I have not needed them for years.  The product was very simple, but expensive for what it was, simply because of the small market.

Bogged airplane recovery at Rockhampton airport continues five days after sinking in soft ground - ABC News

A Qantas spokesperson said flight QF1798, travelling into Rockhampton from Brisbane, landed normally on Monday night.

But while taxiing at low speed to the parking bay the pilot "inadvertently guided the aircraft across soft ground and became stuck just before the terminal", the spokesperson said.