kaz3g

I share a hangar with a couple of Kitfoxes which are pretty similar and they seem very popular with their owners. I like the folding wings (they pay half the rental I do) and the STOL characteristics , I'm just not very keen on 2-strokes especially for touring purposes.

How well equipped is the aeroplane?

kaz

In all these vids of TW incidents the pilots have had a nice big airfield, often sealed with wide grass verges, but they all try to do their x-wind landings on the centreline.

In my view, there is nothing wrong in landing at an angle across the strip if conditions allow (and warrant it).

On one particularly bad day arriving at Mildura from Broken Hill with a howling nor'-westerly behind me, I landed on the grass on the lee side, tracked across the bitumen, then continued onto the grass to windward in order to land safely. A very low stall (28 knots) helped considerably. I do however remember the refueller shaking his head when I pulled up at the bowser...

kaz

I am looking at buying a plane in Victoria & have to get it back to Queensland, Any suggestions on the route to get back & what airfeild in each leg that I might be able to pick up fuel,food & accomadation would be appetiated.Pete

You haven't indicated what sort of aeroplane you are considering but I would generally counsel against taking the scenic coastal route, at least until you are confident in your purchase, for several reasons, including:

• less options for fuel or forced landing
   
   
  
• less stable weather
   
   
  
• more CTR issues to be navigated
   
   
  

When I purchased my Auster I flew it to Victoria from Watts Bridge and stuck to an inland route. That big north-south rain shield we call the Great Divide funnels a lot of weather down its south-eastern slopes at this time of year and the season has already begun to turn down here.

If you are flying out of the Melbourne area, I suggest you refer to the Melbourne VFR Guide and look at taking the inland VFR route out of the Yarra Valley - say YMMB-YCEM-SGSV-KMG-YLCS (beware the Puckapunyal restricted areas R350-352) and then stop at YYWG for fuel, food and a pee.

From Yarrawonga go straight through to YTEM and take a break before heading onto YNRM. I managed to rent a hangar space overnight at Narromine from the guy at Airborne Avionics on the aerodrome and I stayed in the on-field accommodation (cabins) run by the gliding club. Also had a great night at the aero club there... very hospitable and some grand characters.

From Narromine I'd head to YNBR-YMOR-YGDI and refuel at Goondiwindi, then YWCK-YGAS.... from there you can take your choice but watch out for Amberley MIL CTR.

Wish you the best of luck with your purchase and a safe trip

kaz

AOPA's Country Airfield Directory is a good investment... I was going to throw in Amberly if you live on adrenalin :-)

Why are you after sealed strips? Good grass is awfully kind on your aeroplane.

kaz

UL: where is the country airstrip guide available from?

http://www.flightace.com/airstripsonline.htm

kaz

...take a look at CASA rules on who may operate the controls of an aeroplane.

So (in GA at least) you can't legally get your wingless boyfriend to do the navigating while you fly; you can't let your tricycle undercart endorsed mate fly your taildragger; and you can't use your RA licence for GA activities or vice versa.

kaz

hi Kazour savvy has great range... 6 hours before she goes quiet...<snip> its a shame you couldnt come along this trip... but we intend to make many many more...

Rach

I have to confess that my bladder level seems to be inversely proportional to the fuel level these days so I generally need to be on the ground after 2-3 hours, anyway!

I look forward very much to hearing about your plans and your trip when you return.

kaz

That DR107 is just an engine with wings, Andrew. An extremely demanding little aeroplane for a very specific purpose and more than I would want to try alone. DJP is sure to be able to offer some wise words...

kaz

hi mattwe are planning to head out to Uluru at the end of May. Plan is to take 2 weeks, there and back. flying via broken hill, coober pedy and on to uluru. obviously with other stops along the way yet to be worked out. we will be flying from YWOL. would love to hear your thoughts... all company on this trip welcome! my email is [email protected]

Rach

I'm not sure what endurance and TAS you plan but the Auster gets awfully quiet after about 3hr20min at 100 knots TAS. This makes it a bit of a headache working out refuelling stops for avgas and I get to thinking serious thoughts after about 2.5 hours.

I came back from the Alice via Oodnadatta, William Creek (Lake Eyre), Maree and Broken Hill in August 2009 and the weather was good. Pump avgas available at each except Maree where I had to buy from a drum. Fortunately, I found someone there to split it with. You will buy ULP at all of them but I'm not so sure about PULP.

May should be a good time for you to go... a little warmer than August. I'd love to go with you as I'm planning a big trip out through Alice and across the desert to Wiluna then north-west to the Upper Gascoyne where I had a station many years ago, and perhaps up to Broom before coming back home around the coast. Unfortunately, I have to sell my home and buy another before I go so I am planning on August again this year.

You should have a fantastic trip but stay safe and take plenty of water.

kaz

Nah, I have no concerns about having my privileges usurped and I enjoy the company of woman, my other half included.:big_grin:...<snip> ... - truth be known most of them are too sensible to blow their time and money on something like flying for fun. My wife has no aviation background, but thoroughly enjoys an outing in good weather. She has said straight out though, that she has no further interest in flying and wouldn't give it a second thought if it weren't a passion of mine.

I feel quite sure your wife would not attempt to answer for all women even though her husband seems to :peepwall:

When I was young, few women got to go to university because money was generally scarce. Men were the breadwinners and where such opportunities were available they were limited to them. Women were expected to stay at home, anyway, or become nurses or secretaries. Once they became pregnant they actually had to give up their jobs! That was both a public service rule and the general expectation. Only very few got the chance and the backing to fly and hardly any got to do it commercially.

And Spin, it took a landmark discrimination case that was appealed all the way to the High Court before an Australian airline would employ a female pilot. Deborah Wardley (nee Lawrie) took Uncle Reg to court because her candidacy was rejected in each intake despite her having significantly superior qualifications than the younger and less experienced men who were successful.

As well as having a commercial licence with instructor and charter experience, and 2600 hours flying experience, Debbie had degrees in mathematics, science and teaching. But even in 1976 the boy thing was keeping her from her dream of flying the big ones. Reg Ansett and his senior managers contrived to keep her out and used every trick of law and the threat of huge legal expenses if she lost in the process.

Things have changed since then but it has been a slow and difficult process for women to move into the world of flight. Debbie is just one of many who found their every attempt frustrated and one of few who succeeded in those years not so very long ago.

Ponder a moment, Spin and you might perhaps come to see that flying is still very much regarded a boy thing and those women who do it still have certain attitudes to overcome. Would you still be able to afford to fly if your wife took it up with the same passion as yourself?

kaz

Hi Spin... I have my own shed, too!

Women are slightly more than half of the potential market on a straight population basis. They are significantly more if you consider the relative health of the sexes with age.

At present, women are seriously under-represented in general/recreational aviation and it seems pretty obvious we need more people doing it if we are to arrest the loss of airports, the closing of fuel facilities and the ever-escalating costs.

Think of it as achieving economy of scale rather than usurping your privilege.

kaz

Seems this goes back to 2006 when Steve hart was convicted of a number of matters by the Commonwealth and his assets were confiscated. My understanding is he has been serving time.

http://www.aircentre.com.au/aircraft/news/2006/apr06wk3.htm

kaz

The problem with proceeds of crime legislaiton is that it negates what used to be the basic principle of our justice system, that a person is innocent until proven guilty. Under such reverse onus of proof provisionsm a police officer has only to reasonably suspect that the goods/cash/etc are proceeds of crime and they can be seized.

Even if years later, no crime is proven and the alleged reasonable suspicion is found by a court to not have been reasonable at all, at best you get the stuff back and no compensation.

kaz

WAC's, VNC's and VTC's may not show you all of the info you need for a safe flight. I suggest you should also have the relevant TAC which will help you identify and steer clear of some of the R zones not shown on the others such as R251A and R252 north of Whyalla, SA. TAC's also show you the IFR routes that may be populated with people who aren't expecting you, especially if they can't detect you on their collision alert screens.

If VFR above 5000, it's good manners to give an all stations to let traffic and flight service know what you are doing and again when you are leaving. VFR levels are mandatory above 5000.

kaz

Try phoning the airport manager or LV Aero Club -- see, http://www.notams.com/Airports/Australia/YLTV

The Club does charters and LTV is a security controlled airport but the RPT services ceased in May 2006 and I don't think they have recommenced.

kaz

Great to see these two excellent magazine articles from Brian and Dave for us all to learn from.

And thank YOU for your informative and heart-stopping contribution.

I did my initial spin training in a Blanik and then years later followed it up with an endorsement in old Sharpie's Decathlon, BIK.

I had a full session with Andrew Temby in the back seat of his 52TW a few months back when I borrowed a headset from you. What a blast; sitting behind the wings you really get to feel the motion!

I've just grown another year older which is good and bad... good because you handle the "g" better with hardened arteries and good because the alternative is much worse, and bad because the years left for flying have diminished again and because my reflexes aren't near what they used to be.

The Auster should be back soon.

Kind regards

kaz

It is tight, and I'd not try it, but he has obviously done it many times before.

Small, light, low stall and highly manouverable plus good stick and ruder from the pilot.

kaz

Yep she made my 230 cover and I am stoked as well.

kaz

If you can't sort out entry to YPAG, you might try phoning the Flinders Ranges Council 08 8648 6031 to inquire about facilities at Quorn.

If you can't get fuel at the airfield, it's only 4 miles into the town and I guess you can get PULP there.

All the reports suggest the desert is blooming better than ever before and I'm hoping to get back through there around August on the way to WA via the Alice.

kaz

Hi Jeff

Welcome and best wishes for success with your flying aspirations.

I fly out of Coldstream and hangar my Auster there. It has a combined GA and RA school currently run by RVAC, an independent flying club of happy aviators called the Coldstream Flyers with clubroom, and an RA maintenance facility which is also home to the MAF. Dick Gower is the CFI (GA and RA) and he has a wealth of experience to share with students.

The airfield owners have had a very long family association with aviation and are committed to growing the facility. The current development plan includes a number of new hangars and amenities.

We are a happy bunch.. come and join us.

kaz

OUCH! I think?

kaz

Hi Hildy

Welcome ... it's not all blokes here. What are you learning in?

kaz

I don't remember seeing that, although I reckon that caption might apply here too[ATTACH=CONFIG]20589[/ATTACH]

That is an Antonov AN-2 12 seat biplane with its massive 1000 hp imitation P&W radial upfront... quite an aeroplane.

http://www.classicwings-bavaria.com/html/biplane.php

kaz

Many years back, I had three parallel scratches across a Blanik canopy when a Wedgie took umbrage at me trying to share his thermal with him over the Strathbogies in Victoria.

kaz

I have third party insurance (person and property) with a $2mil limit as an integral part of my VH aircraft's insurance policy (insured for two seats) and that seems to be the norm at present. If I do more than $2m damage in a single incident I'll most likely be dead and no longer able to be sued, anyway.

The insurance for VH registered machines runs with the aircraft so the only reason I can see TPLL insurance would not be available would be if an aircraft itself was uninsured. I suppose some people are prepared to take the risk but I don't know anyone who does.

That said, I like the RAAus system where TPLL is carried by the pilot rather than the aircraft he is flying at the particular time but can't see how it can be reasonably made mandatory and applied to CASA crew licences which do not have the same sort of regular renewal process and associated cost. Perhaps they plan to screw us on this next?

kaz