frankmcm

Just a thought. Is there an optimum angle to position the prop, to assist with starting in marginal conditions? My jab rarely fails to start, the only episodes due to condensation on a cold foggy day with sub zero temps... However I use an electric start on model aircraft engines, and it is noticeable that the starter motor will fail to swing the prop if it is engaged late in the compression phase. I ensure that the prop is " wound back" so that the first few milliseconds of rotation is not trying to compress anything. Once rotation is established it is easier to maintain. Don't know if any of this would translate to a 4 stroke 4 cylinder, but in marginal conditions anything that can help initiate rotation and take some load off the battery should be useful..

Time to sign out, so you can all relax again. Heading back to snow and real weather in UK, with power outages due to snow and high wind. ;-).

Thanks to all who made me welcome. You have a great place for flying, so don't waste it. Sorry especially OME that I couldn't take up your invite because of other calls on my time.

My original offer still stands, so don't be shy.

Now that's better! Yesterday at Caboolture had a joyride with Al Harford. No problem once we had cleared the kangaroos from the strip. Never had that hazard at EGAD ! Could get used to this. Today beach combing, in fact next week beach combing,

Thanks for the invite OME, but I can't get clearance for today, and tomorrow we head north for 2 weeks. Maybe after I get back we could find an opportunity to say hello. Thanks again.

Back from HARS today. Too bad the main flying attractions were elsewhere. Full marks to Russell and Tony who took pity on us and gave us the full special consolation tour. Excellent day out.

Are you 100% positive that the engine hasn't seized?

T600 I think . Not completely up to speed on all the details, but I believe that Jab UK mandated replacement of bolts every 500 hrs following the first event 2 years ago. GKYLE had the specified bolts changed, and the failed bolts were way short of 500 hours. I dont know what prop was involved, except that it was 2 bladed composite. Both events I understand were similar, no warning sudden departure of complete prop. Neither prop retrieved incidentally !

And again ...........

Lets see if I can post some graphics. Advise if this doesnt come through..

Last week I helped a friend retrieve his thruster from a field. Prop separated at 2300 rpm as he was climbing to join the circuit. He was fortunate to walk away, but wrote off the thruster. This is the second such event at our airfield with this combination of jab 2200 & composite prop. Sheared the bolts connecting the prop boss to crank i believe. I am sticking with wooden blades henceforth.

Finally got here! Went for a long bikeride along the Bondi coast yesterday. The rain kept me up last night, so I feel right at home ! I get my campervan next Tuesday so should be on the road so long as it hasn't washed away.

I notice a flyin at Wisemans Ferry. So might look in there if permitted. Melbourne is too far, and might have trouble making Caboolture.

I now understand the reference to shopping in OZ ! Deep pockets needed in Sydney at least. However you guys are more than compensated by the toned and tanned supermodels jogging round the streets all day. In fact everyone here looks well maintained. Roll on the good weather again.

I keep getting a "Hell NO! " from my 86 year old mother when I offer her a ride. I would just love to give her the chance to see her world from a different perspective, but I doubt that she will change at this stage. Credit to your dad for going up.

Everything north up. last time my GPS battery died and defaulted to track up I couldn't cope.

(Comment removed - mod)

North up for me. Didn't think I would be in the minority though. I will have to try track up and see.

OME

Wow ! Getting better and better. Will certainly take up this offer too !

Local flying today is barely VFR, though I managed an hour yesterday round Strangford Lough. I imagine its not great conditions for flying in England this week.

I can pick presumably pick up an aviation chart at one of the airfields on arrival.

In the UK you could do worse than download Skydemon Light, a freebie navigation program, which allows browsing and shows all the significant airfields and airspace.

Valerie is not the shopping centre type, but I am sure we can come to some arrangement for her amusement. She will be happier on a horse, so I will look for a dude ranch to drop her off.

Frank

Frank,I'll be back home from England by the time you arrive. I can arrange for you to have a good look-see over Camden Airport, and drive you out to The Oaks. I can show you how to get to Albion Park (Wollongong). It's not much use going to Jaspers Brush. Nobody with any class goes there!.

 

When you come to Camden, we can drop your wife off at one of our shopping centres and you and your son can have a good look, touch and sit in several interesting airplanes we have at Camden.

 

I have found that it is essential to have an aviation map like a WAC chart to locate airfields as you travel around. I've had the Devil's own trouble trying to find them while I've been in England.

 

OME

This is beginning to take shape. I have been browsing the map, and can now pin down a few place names. I once did a primary school project on Australia, maybe 45 years ago, and I read "The Fatal Shore" more recently. That's where I picked up whatever tiny amount I know about Australia . So this is a great learning opportunity for me. My baby brother travelled a bit and finished up in Sydney. He is rebuilding his house somewhere in central Sydney, which fits well with his building career. Until now I never needed to locate it, but will be gathering data as of now. I can PM contact details as soon as I get hold of him online.

I find the indigenous place names in Oz very exotic, and am looking forward to seeing them first hand. Hope they are not too mundane. I am travelling with my wife and 10 year old son, so might not have complete freedom of movement.

Thanks for the offers from several people. I will certainly follow up.

Have a google maps link http://goo.gl/maps/4dgoX and http://goo.gl/maps/YAsOoThe Oaks strip, YOAS, is not in ERSA but is quite close to the Camden inbound reporting point which is over the top of the The Oaks township.

 

If you go to the 'gong (wollongong) enjoy HARS and the restaurant in the old terminal. There are some Jabirus at Wollongong as well. I trip to the gong on a regular basis to brush up my circuits in Jabs on a bitumen strip.

 

Where is your brother?

 

Enjoy

 

Col

Thanks for that summary. I now have some names to google....... Now just where is The Oaks.

By all means let me know when next you are in the Oul Sod ! I spent a lot of my youth holding a camán, though the joystick has taken it's place nowadays...

So far as I know the flying club will want to see a PPL or better before they rent you a plane. Not sure how they regard a RAA certificate, but I can find out next time I am there. Or you could email the cfi yourself. Google ulster flying club.

EGAD has enough runways to cope with most wind directions, so yes, we are spoiled ! The main problem is rain and cloud.. We routinely cross the local Belfast and Aldergrove control zones, though they must be a lot quieter than Sydney airspace...

Best regards.

In Sydney go to The Oaks Airport any day except Monday to see Jabirus (and on the weekend, Foxbats) in flight. The Oaks is about 70Km south west of Sydney and is not in controlled airspace so no probs flying ultralights with only RAA certs. Check with Daves Flying School 0414 740 766 - 955 Burragorang Rd, The Oaks and always good for a cuppa. The Oaks is a grass strip.In the Sydney basin we also have 2 Class D General Aviation 'dromes: Bankstown about 20 km SW from the city and Camden about 60K SW from the City - both have Jabiru flying schools but seem to be much constained by regulations.

 

Wedderburn about 60k SSW is a locked strip with a lot of planes and managed by NSW Sport Aircraft Club.

 

Further out from Sydney there are a nuber of GA/RAA strips at places like Warnervale, Wollongong, Rutherford, Bathurst, Orange, Goulburn, Jaspers Brush, Morooya etc Most of these are asphalt strips

 

Perhaps I should include Egad on my next visit for the Hurling finals and a quiet glass of Beamish. Looks like you have a nice strip. What are the licencing requiremnts for people with RAA flying certificates (not Private Pilot licences) as most of us can't fly in controlled airspace.

 

Enjoy your holiday - maybe we will catch you at The Oaks

Here's a shot in the dark to see what comes back.

I'm heading to Australia to catch up with my brother, who emigrated 30 years ago and now is settled in Sydney. This is my first visit !

I thought it might be good to know what the flying is like there. All suggestions welcome. I have a notion it may be possible to visit a few small airfields where there aren't too many turbos, see some aircraft, smell the exhaust, book a joyride, maybe even put a face to a forum member known only from posting online. Also interested in pointers to interesting stuff that I might include in my plans, such as aviation museums ect. My brother will know the usual tourist stuff, but he is not a flyer.

In Sydney from 25Feb, leave 23March. Hope to have wheels and a campervan (or should that be a ute), and make a 2 week circuit within maybe 4 or 5 days drive from Sydney.

So where should I plan to visit ??.

As a reciprocal offer, totally unconnected with the above, should any forum member happen to pass near EGAD , I would be more than happy to offer some air miles in my Jabiru microlight. The Mourne Mountains and the Glens of Antrim are especially pretty at the moment with their white coats..... Did I see OME somewhere in the neighbourhood?

Sorry to learn of David's passing. I know him only by his postings on the forum, and clearly he was a gentleman. He will be missed.

Hi Poke

Thanks for your comments.

Microlight license. Jab 450 is 2 seater tight squeeze microlight, I don't have any other license.

I posted and read recreationalflying because it came up when I was browsing and seeking relevant information. Don't intend to cause confusion, and I reckon the cockups and learning are probably universal.

I came late to flying, and am pleasantly surprised to find the "flying" is not beyond my skills. The big next step is to learn airmanship. That probably includes decisions about turning back and consideration for others. I believe you were referring to this in your post.

I hope I can improve somewhat in the airmanship department. In contrast to learning to fly, when an instructor can observe and comment, ones airmanship probably is beyond the reach of an instructor.

Original post is nearly 12 months ago, I think he is in another country and the whole point is he screwed up and lived to tell the story and had the guts to tell it here so others can learn. No one made excuses for his actions.

No excuses, just an effort to reinforce the safety issues that I failed to take sufficient account of. I have had plenty of advice on the subject since the episode, so I'm no longer as sensitive as I was.... I would like to think that I am not the only one to benefit from this learning experience.

I am a lot more cautious now.... On a recent outing I had to make 2 weather diverts, and in the same area where I had my problem with cloud I spent a whole day trying to get past a weather system before succeeding on the 4th attempt. On that event I logged 36 hours in 7 days, making around 25 landings.

There are plenty of exemplary pilots out there; those who never make mistakes. But not every pilot is so perfect, and a short browse through the literature on aircraft accidents will reveal a fair number of poor decisions in experienced pilots. And despite every effort, there will continue to be poor decisions.

One way of increasing awareness is to encourage reporting of mistakes...., but this can be a painful process, after all who likes to admit that they cocked up?. Any reaction which increases the pain will discourage reporting, and with it the learning.

Yes I think every 50hrs where can it be positioned better, but without going into the engine bay its fairly tough, Ive redone hoses so its as close to the firewall fitting as it can be, its still a PITA. Im thinking about mounting pump onto the floor so at least the cover can come off easier.Around the time these were built Jabiru were using Gascolators and no header tank, AC had "sharks fin" in centre of roof which housed vents. After some issues this setup was removed and header tank setup as currently sold was introduced. Initially under PAX seat then moved behind rear curtain for less lead needed in tail for W&B

Plenty were converted from one setup to the other - before the header tank install, the position behind the seats would be ideal for filter location.

It has been suggested that I get rid of it and just rely on the single forward filter. Tempting.

I just spent an enjoyable few hours over the past week preparing our Jab for annual inspection.

Inpector wanted a few things fixed, like a frayed air intake hose, and the UC bolts replaced, and an improved mounting for the oil cooler.

For the first time I got inside the workings of the aircraft, and the experience left me much more knowledgeable about how it is held together, and more confident that I can keep on top of any problems that may develop.

One unexpected finding was a fuel filter buried between the tank and seatbacks, out of sight and forgotten during the past 4 years, and not changed in that time because we didnt expect there would be one there. There is another filter plainly visible in the forward footwell.

The fuel system schematic shows a " finger filter" at the tank outlet, just upstream of the electric pump. I am not sure I would recognise one if I saw it, but I am glad to have located this one as it was pretty discoloured internally. I will make sure to replace this annually.

Any thoughts on the design?

I have just returned from Florida, where I attended first 2 days of Sun n Fun. On the second day the flight displays were postponed, then cancelled becaused of tornado warning. First days display was truly awesome, so I brought my family on the second day to enjoy the spectacle, and I was disappointed that the show was cancelled.

As we left the site there was some heavy rain in the distance, but I reckoned that the weather fronts had mostly passed. However I had an impression that a fair few light aircraft were leaving the airfield at the same time.

Next day was solid rain, electrical storms and wind.

I didnt return to see the damage, but my memories are of a wonderful spectacle, with loads to see and enjoy, and learn. I have never seen such a display of light aircraft and warbirds. I hope this doesnt inhibit future airshow sponsors or visitors.

My thoughts in particular go out to the ultralight flyers who came to camp by their planes in that vast exposed flat airfield..... having to watch their planes take such a beating.

Lots of useful advice coming through. Right now I'm in Florida for a few weeks. I see a couple of airshows locally, where I will be carefully scrutinising the cockpit arrangements of anything they let me close to.

My engineer favours separate mag toggles, as occasionally there may be a need to have both off but the avionics on.

As you point out, rapid switchoff can sometimes be essential.

I think I am looking at better shields, like Farnell...

thanks for suggestions.