numptie

I'm not too sure. The good thing is that going through RAAus, the ASIC doesn't take nearly as long as CASA (in my experience). It might pay to ring the aero club on 02 4474 2182 and see if they have any special arrangements in place for that day.

I taped it and watched it last night. Fantastic story, a very inspirational man. Reminds me of my instructor who was in a bad industrial accident. He has an amazing outlook on life and will tackle anything and fly (just about) anything.

For anyone interested, Moruya Aero Club is having an interclub competition and fly in on Saturday 7 July. I believe there will be three or four competition events (including ribbon cutting) and aerobatics display. For those who don't want to hang around the airfield, Moruya township is about 5km away with a few nice pubs or you can pack a rod and go fishing (and perhaps teach me how to catch a decent sized flathead). So anyone who wants sonething to do on that weekend, come down and have a look-see.

Bob

I haven't got mine and I live in Canberra. I could've dropped in and picked it up.....perhaps I should've.

I'm not sure if you have to use a particular battery but if not, it may pay to have a look at optima batteries. They seem to have better capacity (AH) than most other batteries and also have excellent CCA rating (some as high as 720 @ O degrees C. They can be charged by an alternator that runs up to about 15V and they generally weigh a little less than an equivalent wet lead acid or gel cell. Only problem is ... $$$$$$.

Anyway, if you're interested , have a look at them.

Bob

You could use these marker cones we used to use for touch football. The one's in the picture are only 4 inches but I'm sure you could get larger ones. They're available in bright colours and they are soft so they won't damage aircraft if you run over them. You could hold them into the ground with small tent pegs. And the best thing is they're cheap and available from any good sports store.

Bob

I got my books from Rycroft Aviation Services http://users.vic.chariot.net.au/~rasbooks/services.htm

They are basic books but they pretty much cover what you need for the BAK test and they supplement your experience enough to get you by.

There's no practice tests in them though. It might pay to get a copy of the GA BAK book that normally comes in the student pilot package. Having studied both I believe the latter gives a much better understanding and also has practice questions after each chapter.

Bob

Fantastic. Another plane for me to look out for on my way to work. No doubt you'll have a great time in that. Might be time to think about aerobatics hey?????

Bob

Congratulations on your new addition.

Do you have the aircraft in Canberra or is it yet to be delivered?

Bob

Congrats, glad you went back then...obviously.

I was there yesterday. I was the one in the aero club shirt who had the cast of thousands turn up when you landed. A friend was going for an aerobatic joyflight then I had a lesson in JUD.

Well you certainly picked a fantastic day to get back into it. The weather was just brilliant. Now all you have to do is get the wife and the young fella into it too.

See you down there some time.

Bob

I often think 'what is it about flying that I love so much?' I talk about it all the time (I'm sure my friends are sick of it) and I just can't wait until the next time I can fly.

I think part of it is just the feeling of 'hey, that's me flying this thing, I never thought I could but I can.'

But I also love seeing the looks on people's (passenger's) faces when they experience a smaller aircraft for the first time, especially kids. I remember the first time I took my kids up in a Gazelle. The look of sheer terror because 'it's such a small plane' changed to some of the biggest smiles I have ever seen when we were in the air flying over the NSW coastline. It's priceless. So it not only gives me pleasure, it also provides fun and excitement for passengers.

Bob

Now don't quote me on this but as far as I knew ASIC checking was to be taken over by AusCheck (or something like that). Not sure if they are a Govt department or not but if they aren't that would be why there's going to be an increased cost ... the function being outsourced.

I've worked in communications for a lot of years and although I'm probably not totally up to scratch with the airband radios, I would have to say that ICOM is well up there amongst the better of the ones on the market today. I guess it all comes down to the $$$$$

Bob

Good on ya Flash, you'll love it down there. I did my RAAus training there and now I'm doing my PPL training with Graeme. I'm there almost every second weekend so hopefully I'll catch up with you some time.

Enjoy!!!!

Bob

Seems like I'm bucking the trend here. I've already got my RAAus license and am currently doing my GFPT/PPL. Even though I've done a number of solo flights in a Gazelle, I got to do my first solo in a C172 today and it was scary but absolutely brilliant. There's nothing like the first time ..... especially when you get to do it twice (if that makes sense to anyone).

Bob

Congratulations. First solo is scary ..... but fantastic. And I bet you just felt like getting straight back in and going again.

Bob

I think the thing you need to do is look not so much at the overall price but to find a school that has a good reputation, good instructors and ones that you are comfortable with. The $8350 would be based on doing it in minimum time and, as I'm sure just about everyone on the forum will tell you, hardly anyone does it in minimum time. The instructors will guide you and they'll know when you've progressed well enough, not when you've reached your maximum price.

To all of you folks who were waiting on me to get a copy of the manual, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but unfortunately I couldn't get it. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up.

Bob

OK. I'll see what I can do.

Jason, have you ever flown a Gazelle? I did my training in one and it's what I've done most of my flying in since. They're an easy plane to fly. I can't wait to get into our club's new one, the old one was starting to get a bit tired.

Bob

Woohoo!!!! Someone moving close to Canberra who wants to build an airstrip, that's great. No-one comes here to do that.

That's exactly what I want to do, the only thing I'm missing is the land......oh, and the aircraft.

Bob

Are you guys still after the Gazelle manual? I'm going to our aero club at Moruya over easter. I know we have one because we've just bought a newer plane to replace the one we had. I may be able to copy it and email it to you. Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Bob

I think it was around the $145 mark but I do recall an article in the magazine when the new Prez took over and he mentioned there was an increase.

Bob

Have to agree with you all, they really do things quite quickly, especially when compared to CASA who managed to take the aviation medical fee out of my account on the same day as I rang them, but only managed to get my certificate to me three and a half weeks later. Well done RAAus!!!

Bob

If I'm somewhere where there's two runways (eg 18/36 and 05/23) and I land on say 18 then turn and taxi along 23, when I turn I make a 'backtracking 05' call. I was under the impression when you backtrack, it's the runway you are going against. Isn't this something we should get someone like TOSGCentral to answer. It's something we should all know and need a difinitive answer on, not just opinions.

Bob

1. Use it on the seat so short people can see over the dash.

2. Strap them onto the bottom of your feet so you can reach the pedals.

3. As stilts so you can reach the fuel cap without using a ladder.

4. Ballast - for correct weight distribution.

Bob