crazy diamond

Can anyone tell me what level of engineer I should get to do an inspection on the aircraft I'm looking at, I'm quite happy with everything so far but want an engineer to look at it, I think the RAA site has L3's listed, are they suitable to do a pre-purchase for me? Also how can I find out how much life might be left in the skins of the plane?

Hi All, Well I've found an aircraft that suits my needs now and into the near future, may decide to upgrade to a two seater T500 or X-Air in a while but just wanting to get back into the air. Have found a Chinook WT-11 out near Orange that I'm quite keen on and am looking at making an offer, the current owner bought the aircraft with the intention of flying it but apparently did not like the smaller a/c and prefers conventional G/A aircraft and has decided to part with it. It is very dusty and the log book shows it last flew about 4 or 5 years ago. At one stage it suffered a forced landing but the only damage was a bend in one of the landing legs which the owner has since repaired. It is without an engine and has mounting bolts for a 377 but was originally fitted with a 277 (Which I have found I can get if needs be - Rotax 277 that is). Just wondering as I'm a G/A flyer converting what I should look for specifically and if there would be an engineer or someone I could get to look over the aircraft to give me an idea of any potential problems. Please give me your advice, I'm hoping to go back to the owner in the next week or so, whether it be asking if I can have an engineer look at it or an offer.

Reminds me of a story I heard a while back about a number of aircraft operating at Bathurst using the rego of Dick Smith's old jet in the hope that he'd pick up their bills :devil:

We've all done landings like that, I know when I did it in a PA28 it was just to ensure the structural integrity of the landing gear...

Kinda hijacking the thread but whats the diff between sweetapple props and bollys??

There's a place near me in Western Sydney called Penrith Bolt Master I think, when I've had car's and bikes and all sorts of weird requests they tend to be able to locate them, could try them, failing that I've had them fabricate stuff for me in the past, not sure if that's an option...

Anyone got any hints for me as I will be driving out just for the Friday? Whats the road traffic like? And is parking hard?

I just love the early morning air, pre flighting and blasting off to somewhere exciting in that crisp cool air... Though I will never forget descending into Brisbane at 6000 FPM in a Westwind on a night freight run through an enormous thunderstorm, lightning, all the turbulence in the world concentrated around us, and popping out the bottom of the storm over the ocean nicely lined up for approach with a glistening Brisbane City in the background, that is an experience you don't get on FS X!

G'day Darren sorry I didn't get down there, was at BK with some mates for the day instead :-( How was the oaks flying? I think I'll start another thread for aircraft nicknames, do you know what the BAe stands for? "Bring another engine!!", I also think the Aerostar copped Scareostar among other things...

Although totally unrelated to the main topic other nicknames for the Metro have included the San Antonio Sewer Pipe, Swearingen Sweat Pencil (I would imagine for those flying in Darwin etc with little or no working a/c in the aircraft), there are numerous others. I think the only other aeroplance that is more commonly referred to by it's nickname would be the Ted Smith or Piper Deathstar otherwise referred to by it's manufactured name of "Aerostar".

Thanks for the warm welcome Peter and Chris, Chris you look to do some great flying, I might be out at the oaks todayto see how it all works so if you are down there I'll say g'day.

Well guys it might be a bit of a pipe dream but can't blame a guy for trying !! ;-) Darren I note we live somewhat close to each other, I'm at Penrith, and we also have a mutual friend in Bob Bell, a very passionate man!!

Hey guys, these are the BEST forums on the net I have yet found for anything related to aviation or aircraft (that I am interested in anyway)... Look forward to sharing the air with you all sometime and in my own (to be) Thruster T500 or X-air in about 9 mths or so.

It's a good topic and I'm new so to bump this back up there I'm a Sales Account Manager for an I.T. company and my role see's me on the road 5 days a week often travelling anywhere from the CBD in Sydney west to Cobar and north to Ballina, so I'm hoping acquisition of an aircraft will mean long cross country navs!

Can anyone do something like the cost breakdown done here or point me to some for the X-Air, or Thruster T500 with a purchase price of between $15,000.00 and $25,000.00???

Good god why the hell would you want to go that way?!?!??? I'm coming FROM GA because it's up the paddle without a creek!

In my GA days I tended to use something similar to Dave C's, BUMFISH or BUMPFISH for aircraft with CSU's. The "F" tended to be fuel and meant both pump on and on correct tank.

Hi there, I've been looking around and have decided I'm after something two seat, enclosed or at least semi enclosed within reasonable price range for purchase. So far I've thought about the X-Air, and the Thruster. I like what I see with the Thruster and there is alot of info on the net performance wise etc, but just after some information from owners/current pilots in the aircraft on ongoing running cost's, hourly costs etc and prices to register and insure something like a T500? I've done a bit of a search but thought it might be easier to address it this way, thanks all.