FlyingVizsla

Hi Neptune,

 

My husband lost his first wife nearly 4 years ago, so I know a little of what you are going through. He was building a plane at the time, and that and the dog kept him going. I met him the week he had decided that he had better get out, meet people, start dating and get on with life. Two years ago we got married. I was the spinster of the parish having reached my 50's without getting caught and finally met someone who wouldn't want me to sell the plane and give up flying. We now have 4 planes. Flying together is fantastic.

 

We are a little mismatched - he is well over 6 foot, and I can stand under the wings of a Jabiru. Fortunately he has altered rudder pedals, joysticks, seats etc to accommodate my small frame - a very handy man to have around.

 

I found this forum about 4 months ago - they are a friendly helpful bunch where you can talk about nearly everything.

 

Good to have you on board.

 

Sue

 

 

Thanks - could you PM me with his contact etc or we could send ours for you to pass on. Husband is away until Tuesday and usually takes his time with these things.

 

He has been toying with retract design for a while, did a bit with RC models and now wants to do a full scale job. Loves improving on things. The Rans took 6 years, so I am not rushing out to get my rectractable undercarriage endorsement just yet. I haven't asked him if this will fit into the RAAus or GA.

 

The photo in Leisure Aviation Directory 2004-2005 is different to the one I found and linked to in my first post. I am hoping the design has not been changed - he particularly wanted the sliding canopy rather than the bubble canopy.

 

The plans are available through Sylvia Littner in Canada but she has no control over the designer's charges and these have recently gone up - should have ordered them when we first decided on it!

 

Sue

 

 

Have been looking at the Asso Aeri Whisky (or Wisky) IV - nice retracts. Unfortunately the price of the plans has gone up from $450 US to $935 US including postage. We were originally going to buy the plans mainly to look at and consider, but at over $1,000 AU we are taking a breath first.

 

Has anyone else any more information on this aircraft? Designer G. Vidor. Ease of build, handling etc?

 

Sue

 

Photos: Asso Aeri Asso IV Whisky Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

 

 

Forget Emerald Qld - you need an ASIC (so the public can only look through the fence), car parking is charged by the hour / day, aircraft parking charges, landing charges, restrictions on fuel carriage and refuelling and it is 6km from town.

 

As President of the Springsure Progress & Tourism Assoc Inc let me offer Springsure - no ASIC, right on the edge of town, no landing, parking or any other fees, 2 all weather bitumen strips, toilets, fantasic views from the highest point in town. Right next door is the race track with dining facilities, on the other side the showgrounds (with camping, caravaning, pavillions, dining room, arenas - I'm the Treasurer), the other side the Gun Club who are very good at turning on a weekend with something for everyone. Cheap accommodation - caravan, cabin, hotel, motel, "backpackers" all within 1km of strip. Refueller happy to attend the strip - has everything from Jet A-1 to ULP. Lions & other charities can do catering etc. A number of pilots live in or around Springsure and would love to have a house guest. Plenty for partners - we can turn on scrapbooking, gun shoot, Mt.Zamia National Park look-out, local entertainment, doll museum, if we can swing it a mine tour, other places of interest - feedlot, award winning gardens, Wills graves Massacre & living museum. Or just spend some time in a friendly country town pop 830.

 

Enough self advertisement! I am thrilled we are having something in Qld.

 

Sue

 

 

Hear, Hear!

 

As a RAAus member who was feeling a bit disengaged - the forums have certainly given me a better insight into the new RAAus and where Recreational pilots and aircraft are going. Enjoying the RecFlying site too.

 

Thank you Ian

 

 

In plain English - does this mean no drugs or alcohol while airside? Do we need an ASIC at Temora?

 

Sue (teetotaller & security threat:blush:)

 

 

I'm still confused about the need for an ASIC. The FAQ on the CASA site only help to confuse Civil Aviation Safety Authority - ASICs & AVIDs

 

Are pilots still allowed to fly without an ASIC?

 

Yes. Pilots only need to have submitted an application for an AVID or an ASIC to operate an aircraft. The application will be processed and appropriate background checks undertaken prior to the AVID or ASIC being issued to an eligible pilot.

 

Do you then attach your application to your outer clothing above waist height while waiting for your ASIC?

 

I have spoken to people who "should know" and read the usual aviation magazines. My understanding was I didn't need one unless I visited an airport on the Secured list. Even then I didn't need one if I was under the supervision of an ASIC holder and according to some airports didn't need one if I was not passing from airside to landside (ie just landing and taking off - not using the terminal).

 

I got the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 - 66,500 words. From Section 6.55 Exercise of privileges of flight crew licences etc (page 242 of the Word version)

 

(1) A person who holds a security designated authorisation must not perform a duty that is essential to the operation of an aircraft while the aircraft is in Australian territory if the Secretary:

 

(a) has determined that the person has an adverse aviation security status; and

 

(b) has given a copy of the determination to the person.

 

Penalty: 20 penalty units.

 

Note A pilot licence, a flight engineer licence and a special pilot licence are security designated authorisations — see regulation 1.08 and the Act, section 74G.

 

(2) Subject to subregulation (4), a person who is over 18, and holds a security designated authorisation, must not perform a duty that is essential to the operation of an aircraft while the aircraft is in Australian territory unless:

 

(a) his or her aviation security status check is current; or

 

(b) he or she has requested an aviation security status check.

 

The Regulations can be found here:

 

ComLaw Legislative Instrument Compilations - Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005 (SLI 2005 No. 18)

 

This seems to say you cannot fly an aircraft without "a security status check" - is this the AVID or ASIC?

 

For those of us who are dual citizens (PPL/RAA cert) the CASA FAQs are confusing:

 

I am a CASA licensed pilot but I fly under a sport or recreational aviation organisation such as Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus). How can I apply?

 

 

 

If you fly with one of the sport or recreational aviation associations such as Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) and you don't use your CASA licence, you should obtain your new or renewal ASIC from one of the other ASIC issuing bodies such as AOPA, RA-Aus or Aviation ID Australia.

 

So what happens if you want to fly GA again - is the non CASA ASIC unsuitable? Am I only able to get my ASIC through CASA if I am flying GA?

 

I'll leave the AVID for another thread.

 

Confused as ever

 

Sue

 

 

Have just looked at Pylon500's photo gallery. Hangar & home, plus planes - Arthur did you get time to sleep??

 

We have been dreaming about the "retirement" home with hangar & airstrip. Can't wait for the boss to get home on Monday to show him someone who has made it a reality. Good onya!

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Crashnburn,

 

Have you heard anything about the progress on the Gemini diesel engine? We have a Gemini 100 on order and last heard they were in endurance testing phase a few months ago. The 125 turbo was supposed to follow. I guess the Global Financial Crisis put them behind schedule. That's Powerplant Developments in the UK. Tim Archer is their rep in the States.

 

Sue

 

 

Husband and eldest son are into designing and ultimately building. We have those phone calls and emails with aerofoil designs, controls, concepts, mechanics etc. He has 3D design software and bought design "test dummies" to keep testing the ergonomics in the virtual world. Did a mock up fuse and sat the family in it for a couple of hours to test comfort and ease of use. The whole family are into radio controlled models and the two boys are into building & designing them - have won a few comps and competed overseas too.

 

I'm the "consulting engineer" - at least I get asked about the more complex formulas. There's lots of good stuff on the internet for designers. The following link provides nearly every wing shape there is - in pdf or down loadable to 3D design software. Have fun!

 

UIUC Airfoil Data Site

 

Husband has finished his RANS S7 and the son has a Sonerai kit going. I have dreamed of building a plane that will fit my 4'7" but now I have married someone over 6' that's going to be a bit of a challenge.

 

Happy to talk planes any day.

 

Sue

 

 

Hi All,

 

We had a student, over 6' 3" and solid, wanting to learn to fly last week. He could get into our RANS S7 but not the Lightwing.

 

Do any of you know what he might be able to do his training in?

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Duncan,

 

I fly tricycle u/c but my husband flies taildraggers and believes they make you a better pilot because they can come back to bite quickly and you learn to keep well ahead of the game.

 

Unfortunately taildraggers and instructors experienced on them are not as readily available. You may need to shop around to find a school and instructor(s) that suit you. We all learn differently and an instructor who is comfortable with your learning style and whom you like will get you there quicker.

 

Regards

 

Sue

 

 

Thanks for all your help / encouragement.

 

The smashed models including an empty cigarette packet were taken to the police station just before rain swamped the place. The padlocks were cut with what we believe to be a battery operated grinder with diamond wheel. The cladding on our hangar door had the rivets drilled out and an attempt to lever it off. We have tank bolts on the joins so that it makes it harder to remove, so they gave up.

 

There were vehicle tracks to the roller door which was levered up and then distorted with a jack under it until it came out of the tracks. The new one was also well bashed. Now the dust has settled and people have discovered what they thought was missing they had actually put somewhere else it appears only models and modelling gear has gone along with some old VHS recorders (out of date).

 

The family is heavily involved with the Maryborough Model club so they are keeping the ear to the ground.

 

We have increased security including video and micro dot identification. Can never stop them but will at least slow them up.

 

One lesson - every month or so - take a picture of your hangar as a memory jogger for what was there and now missing. A dab of micro dots or engraving id helps police identify gear when they find a suspect.

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

Sue

 

 

Recovered today from the bush about 1km away - the remains of two model aircraft (one yellow & white in my photos) smashed to pieces with the engines removed. The blue one was safe at home but the others are still missing.

 

We have been out at the airfield today - nothing of ours taken or damaged, but a friend's camera gear (old and out of date) that was stored there has gone. Some others had covers and lids removed but nothing taken. Others have lost tools and mostly model aircraft, engines, radio controls etc. One theory is that the thieves were familiar with model aircraft as they selected the correct wing to go with the fuse and recognised the value of engines, servos and the flying box.

 

Significantly the hangars with dead locks - too hard to get into to cut through were left alone. On others the padlocks were cut off with something like a cordless grinder and one wooden door jemmied open. The poor bloke who lost the most has had his 2nd new roller door rammed. Most hangar keepers have been to remove valuables and we are considering video surveillance. Our fear is that the lads will return, get frustrated at finding nothing and start into aircraft.

 

Not our best moment, but at least it doesn't appear to be fellow aviators.

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Ted,

 

Will probably work out cheaper (and you get your licence sooner) to go with ultralights - the RA Aus pilot certificate. The General Aviation (GA) planes - Piper, Cessna etc are dearer to run and you can use your RA-Aus licence and the experience there to get the GA / Private Pilots Licence (ppl) cheaper - using less hours on the expensive planes.

 

It all comes down to where you want to end up. If a career pilot flying charters or airlines, then the ppl is a must, if just for private transport / fun then the RA-Aus licence will probably suit best. There are limits on RA-Aus - no night flying, smaller, lighter aircraft which usually means less fuel, less endurance - it all depends on what you ultimately want.

 

But don't stress - if you decide after getting a RA-Aus certificate that you want to fly something bigger all that experience counts for something.

 

Go for it! And Welcome to Rec Flying Ted.

 

Sue

 

 

I use 10 NM markers as we have 4 planes scooting along from 65 to 95kts with fuel capacity of 15 to 150 litres. I was taught to rule the track and then drift lines with degrees, cumlulative miles and then to write in the projected time to each, then the adjusted time - in chinagraph. It didn't leave much map visible, so I cut it back to track, 10NM markers and noted the time, given weather, to the first 3 (after noting time of departure over the field) and then recalculated to significant terrain and ETA.

 

I loved the cellosheen coating on WAC charts, but Airservices has discontinued this. It was easy to wipe off the chinagraph pencil and use it again. I still have some WACs that Laurie Curley (deceased LAME) had drawn, in thick texta, his favourite routes making it impossible to use them for anything else. I've gone back to covering with clear contact. The draw back to Chinagraph pencils is that they melt if left in high temperatures so I use biro caps on them. They come in many colours and I found it much easier to do planning in brown, recalcs in another colour, and scrawl other info (call signs, levels etc) on another part of the map that can easily be rubbed out when not required. I also had a printed laminated A4 sheet that I used for ATIS info. A word of caution on colours - if you do night flying make sure you can still read the colours under red light - some of the detail on WACs fade out of existance under the red cockpit and torch light.

 

For those who don't know - a chinagraph pencil has hardened wax (rather than lead) and is sometimes known as a grease pen. It is a bit like a crayon in a wood pencil but softer. It doesn't need much pressure so it does not make indentations in the map. It wipes off with a soft cloth, tissue, metho or any number of grease cutting household cleaners. They are useful for marking glass.

 

Sue

 

 

I've only had short conversations with one hangar owner, and a lot of second hand info - will know more when we get down there in a few days. The problem with everyone having their locked hangar is that it is hard for someone else to know what was there and is now missing or to have photos. Fortunately I have photos of the model aircraft that were stolen from one of the hangars. We did have someone living on site in a bus but they left before Council determined a temporary accommodation permit and one hangar has been fitted out as a weekender, so there was some presence there. But it is easy for someone to drive through, check out cars, lights, activity and keep going or just do it at 2am.

 

The model aircraft - contact Crime Stoppers if you see any of these.

 

Sue

 

 

 

 

I rather like the idea of the student / mentor forum as I have noticed that a straight forward question often gets off topic quickly or people chime in with unsubstantiated opinion - "Yeah, sounds about right ..." when a reference to the relevant chapter and verse would be more accurate and helpful.

 

It also helps people find answers quickly when searching the forum - no need to trawl through lots of spurious wavering threads to find the gem hidden on page 4. There is always the option of using General Discussion to get a broader range of views.

 

The other thing I have noticed is the confusion between RA Aus pilot certificate and ppl requirements. In a lot of cases the answer will be the same, but there are times where a poster has asked a question and it hasn't been clarified or considered which stream they are in. An example would be a student asking about what ratings / endorsements are available once the licence has been gained. For ppl there is NVFR, IFR etc, but for RAA it is Pax endorsement, X-Country. At times the wrong question has been answered.

 

Overall the forums are well organised and I am enjoying the interaction. Well done to all!

 

Sue

 

 

Over the last few days most of the 8 hangars at the Childers Qld airstrip have been broken into repeatedly. A number of items have been taken, model aircraft, engines, tools, electronic equipment, aircraft gear etc. As most hangar keepers live away from the area a complete list hasn't been compiled - we have yet to check ours. The attack was quite brazen - the padlocks were cut off Friday night and nothing taken, then over two more nights vehicles were driven in, alarms smashed and gear trucked out - the last was Tuesday night (last night).

 

So if you get offered something that fell off the back of a truck it might be from Childers.

 

Sue

 

 

Hi Rodger,

 

Welcome to Rec Flying! We have been bitten by the bug for many years and can't imagine life without flying. We have built our own aircraft and also own some "factory built" aircraft. For the biggest fun factor for the dollar recreational flying is best - the RA Aus aircraft - ultralights would be my choice. Building your own can become an all consuming passion and a cheap way to get exactly what you want to fly.

 

There will be others along in a minute with better info on costs etc.

 

Go for it!

 

Sue

 

 

Covers & temporary hangars

 

We had covers made for our RANS to protect the fabric etc from dust, light, etc. They were made by Punkin Head. They are separate pieces with plastic eyelet tabs sewn into the hems so that they can be held taut with bungie cords to stop flapping, or with webbing into clasps, and velcro strips to hold it all together. There are parts for the wings, fuse, rudder/elevator, windscreen/roof, engine. Extra touches - special soft fabric against the perspex and heat resistant over the engine. Most of the time the aircraft is in a hangar and it keeps the bird poo, dust and geko tracks off the surfaces.

 

We also use them when it is parked outside. Can't comment on hail resistance as we have not had a hail event with these covers, but it should dissipate some of the impact forces.

 

I don't have a photo with the covers completely on - these are half on/off.

 

We also have a "portable" hangar. This was also made to our specifications to suit an existing tarp and to accommodate my C152 being our largest plane. It was fabricated by Shady Characters. The whole thing comes apart into pieces that can be transported by ute or trailer to the airstrip and reassembled. It takes two people but has been done by one. The whole contraption has to be tied down somehow. Our plan was to get a driller to sink holes so we can construct footings, other ideas would be fixing it to the existing tie downs or providing guy wires to screw-ins. Depending on the strength of the ground fixture, the quality of the tarp and the cyclone rating of the structure you bought, it could provide very good protection.

 

We erected ours in the backyard to see how it goes together - now it has become too useful and we are looking at buying another to actually use for the planes. Ours cost about $2,500 - $3,000 but somehow we/they got the height wrong and it ended up about a metre higher than planned, so we cut it down - so the cost might be more like $2,500. Plus tarp(s). The company can provide a solid cladding but we preferred it to be portable. It has survived one serious blow that uprooted a couple of our trees and one light hail event.

 

Happy to give more details.

 

Sue

 

 

 

 

I also found Easter difficult due to work & distance. In previous years it was not possible to get Thursday off (we were road building and had to get the road open and break camp), then a 17 hour drive to arrive late Friday (to find half the action was over).

 

We had been planning to fly an ultralight to Narromine this year, but now it has moved to Temora it has become a little too marginal in the time available.

 

The advantage of Easter is that everyone remembers it, whereas waiting for a weekend to be announced might turn a few off. The disadvantage is that accommodation is usually under pressure from people travelling and visiting family.

 

It's one of those things - what suits one, won't suit the other.

 

Sue

 

 

Read it for yourselves - Qld Summary Offences Act 2005. Acts and Subordinate legislation - S

 

Scroll down to Summary Offences Act and click - a 51 page pdf will open.

 

Sue

 

 

I'm not so sure about that. The majority of horse riders are girls and that is a pretty dirty smelly sport.Maybe it just isn't considered as an option? Parents might think of taking daughters to a riding school, music lessons, ballet, netball, but they may not think of going to the airport for flying lessons.

Girls wanting ponies is somewhat hardwired, parents don't take them there with pleas of "Why don't you try riding?" It is usually nagging by child that ends with ridding school and pony. I guess girls are looking for something to love and care for - if it smells they enjoy mucking out, washing the beast, brushing, grooming.

 

Australian Women Pilots Assoc have been pushing programs in schools, careers booklets, scholarships, to encourage girls to consider aviation careers.

 

Back when I got my licence kids were not brought in by parents for tuition. Students were either young workers, older blokes returning to flying or had been flying on the family farm and now wanted a proper licence so they were legal.

 

Women weren't queing up either. I was the first female at the flying school. I became involved with the school for a few years providing aircraft, accommodation, mentoring, tutoring, bookkeeping etc. We had a few more women start, but none finished the ppl.

 

Going forward to a RAAus school, I was the only active female member (and therefore got to do all the catering, bookwork, newletter, treasurer, like work). There were women who won a TIF, or started lessons, but none who finished. Our instructor's personal hygiene left a bit to be desired and the plane was usually a mess, something our guys seemed to accept, but our women didn't.

 

Women were looking at aviation as a quick convenient way from A to B, blokes were looking for thrills and machines. I know I have used a very wide brush, but that's my general observation. Now back then, instructors, planes and clubs catered for what the blokes wanted, so the cowls were usually off, the guys were, tinnies in hand, spruiking about ECG, gascolators, cylinders and how I nearly bought the farm. They would take the plane up after work to "throw it around" for thrills and to show off to girls in town.

 

Now I think those serious about an airline career go straight to Uni. I don't know what the numbers are like, but I hear a lot more women studying.

 

I'm not sure what our present male/female ratio is in GA and RAAus, but if I find out I'll post it here.

 

Sue

 

 

I am involved with Australian Women Pilots Association and I am Secretary of the Local Group of Engineers Australia - another profession that had about 4% women. That group researched why women didn't like engineering - they saw it as dirty, so the clean orange vest white hard hat, roll of white paper became the uniform of the young engineer in our advertising. Anna Bligh (love her or hate her) has done wonders by turning up on construction sites in all the clobber. Boot manufacturers now make fashionable steel caps, the salary is roughly the same for male / female and it is pretty good. Females are now over 10%, but we are still losing older women (my vintage) only 15% of us are left - the rest changed career or dropped out. I guess that is because the older men gave us a hard time and women may have done family and not returned.

 

Now look at flying - dirty, smelly, oil grease avgas - at least that's how it was - an ancient Cessna, drack upholstery, smelling of ringer's armpits, instrument panel warped, holes where things should have been etc. Now we have those magic new aircraft that look sleek and I think girls relate to that better. I wasn't taken by flying - it was a way of getting from A to B quickly but later it grew on me and I will occasionally fly just for the fun of it. As a career the salary isn't great and there's still 'discrimination' in smaller companies, but I think we are picking up momentum with women in aviation - especially those with a larger disposable income who can use it as a 'sport' or adjunct to career or business.

 

Sue