Ben Longden

Thats why I aborted the flight as soon as it happened... I would prefer to practice my forced landings in my OWN time... ;) Nice to know the issue is under control, and that its a dodgy sender. Ben

One of the biggest sources of media errors is due to a lack of knowledge on the reporters behalf. The latest classic is calling a Metroliner a "light aircraft". Talking with a CFA captain the other day (at an incident) he was bemoaning the same thing with reporters and fires. Most of the problems are made when new and inexperienced reporters work on a story... education is the only answer. Ben

I kept an eye on the CFA indicent web page... and nuffin. If it was a hoax, then I hope the b'stards get a dose of the trots for a month and a half. Ben

Darren, All the best for Monday. Ive had feral neighbours and ended up having to sell and relocate thanks to their sociable behaviour. The local plods were on a first name basis with him as well, and could not give a rats about the problem we were having at the time. We had our house firebombed as well as the usual things; vomit in the windows, pee on the door, eggs and the like. Even video evidence was not enough for the local plods to stop the 16-year-old-twin-bitches-on-heat having wild parties every Friday and Saturday night. Funny thing was we never rang the plods until the firebombing. The next morning we went to the police station and gave them the petrol containers and such. The AR$%ole behind the counter just threw it at us and told us to get out of the station. I'm STILL waiting on an apology from this cop. No wonder I have little time for the justice system. Ben

Just make sure you frame a copy of the mag... Ben

5159, Mike. The funny thing was the problem was not there at startup.. Just saw it start to happen when in cruise. Needle fine, then she started to flicker. Gut feeling is a dodgy sensor and or connection. Ben

During an inflight check of the panel yesterday, I noticed the oil pressure gauge needle flicking wildly. With power applied, the needle was buzzing in the green, but I decided to abandon the flight and head for home. Turning base with power back, the flickering became fairly wild, with it falling into the red, and going up into the yellow. Engine temp was normal, sound was normal and behaviour was normal as was the smell. The engine oil was checked twice (once by me before fuelling and again by an instructor after refuelling) and was... well... normal. Another check of the dipstick after parking, showed the level was.. still prefectly normal. Any ideas? Ben

I just want to run this past a few of you, for comment and hopefully nice ones to improve my skills. Yesterday, I was commencing takeoff roll on Runway 36 at Shepp, when I heard a twin from a nearby flight school announce his inbound at five miles to the east. As is my habit, I gave a Rolling runway 36 call to give him a heads up, because I knew we would be in the vicinity of each other fairly soon. My takeoff was normal, and in accordance with my intruction, flaps up at 200AGL, then as I was preparing to switch off the fuel pump at 500AGL I looked to my right, and at about 45 degrees high, about 300ft above me was the incoming twin. I could not see the cabin windows but I had a good look at the oil stains under the cowlings as he went overhead. I was to have turned crosswind at that time, but considering the view of the stained aluminium, I decided to abort and continue with the runway heading to 3Nm north of the strip, and I made a left turn to Undera - with a departure call, I might add. What I want to know was did I stuff up? Did I cause the breakdown in separation? Ben

An open question to Techman and any RAA exec member. Ive just renewed my membership, and I noted on the accompanying letter that there IS a Controlled Airspace endorsement written on it. Does this mean that we can now train for operations in CTA, and receive endorsement from RAA? Ben

Excellent outcome. The above quote from Rex is worry.... does this mean they don't listen to the CTAF? Ben

Adelaide Advertiser 8.4.08 AN Adelaide man who was one of the first people in the nation to be prosecuted for shining a laser at an aircraft has been jailed - and told he could have caused a disaster. Lanfranco Baldetti, 23, of Highbury, was sentenced to two years and three months' jail in the District Court today after pleading guilty to prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft. The dangers of shining lasers at aircraft has gained national attention recently with attacks on planes in Sydney. The Federal Government has moved to ban the importation of laser pointers, restrict their sale and crack down on who possesses them. Baldetti shone a green laser at a helicopter being used by police looking for illegal driving activity in the Port Adelaide area in June last year. The court heard the pilot saw the light flashing around the cockpit and was temporarily blinded for several seconds by two flashes to the eyes. A police officer on board the helicopter, which was not a marked police helicopter, said the light was "extremely distracting" and he had to squint to protect his eyes. The court was told that the flashes were dangerous considering the low level the helicopter was operating over a residential area. Police on the ground were directed to Baldetti's vehicle and he gave them the laser he had used against the helicopter. They searched his vehicle and found a rifle, silencer, ammunition and knuckledusters. Baldetti said the firearms were for shooting feral animals on a relative's property while the knuckledusters were left by a friend. The court heard that when police put to Baldetti it was an offence to shine a laser at an aircraft he replied: "What about him shining a big f...ing torch at me." Asked if he was aware of the dangers of shining a laser, Baldetti told police that "he started it". Baldetti faced a maximum sentence of 14 years for his crime, which Judge David Smith said "must be regarded as a serious example of this offending". "What occured here was a disaster in the making," he said. Judge Smith said the court had to send a message to others that the "potential to create such a serious risk to public safety will not be tolerated". Baldetti also pleaded guilty to weapons charges and had nine months added to his laser sentence. Judge Smith reduced the total sentence by two months to take into account time already served in custody and ordered Baldetti serve a non-parole period of 10 months in jail. Aviation safety authorities and pilots representatives welcomed the sentence. Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said the sentence would send a message to those contemplating shining lasers at aircraft that they could go to jail. Australian and International Pilots Association general manager Peter Somerville said he knew of two pilots who had been temporarily disabled by lasers being shone in their eyes and one had suffered permanent damage. Last week NSW Premier Morris Iemma said anyone who shone laser pointers at planes was carrying out an act which had the potential to commit mass murder. "These fools think it's a joke - it's not a joke if you end up blinding a pilot, bringing a plane down, and potentially killing dozens, if not hundreds, of people on the plane and on the ground," he said. "This could be mass murder. I'm not exaggerating, this has the potential for mass murder. Bringing a plane down is

I would be lodging an incident report with RAA, so that an investigation can be made to see if there is a problem endemic to that series Rotax, or if it was a one off. That way, we all benefit. Well done on handling the emergency professionally. Ben

Actually the shortest plod there is 6ft6....... Ben

Not to mention the brown shoes... Ben

The pilot of a light plane walked away with only a bruise after his Jabiru J160 crashed on landing at Echuca earlier this afternoon. The pilot, who was the sole occupant said it was a normal approach in light conditions. The low front edge of the nosewheel fairing contacted the bitumen which stopped the nosewheel turning, which in turn caused the plane to flip onto its back. Ben [/url]

Just one of those little things called "lifes little mysteries".....:confused: Seriously, it just reflects how active you are on the forum. Ben

Thats three abreast in the front seat.... and twin, overhead fox tails? Sold!! Sorry for hijacking the thread.... Now back to the story. Ben

Left hand stick, right hand throttle (so its an easy transition between Tecnam, Gazelle, Cessna and Piper), Toe brakes, full retract, and an espresso machine in the back. Ben

HA! You think thats cheap.... Mine doesent have anything written on it at all. Its just painted yellow. Ben

Could'nt find the car thanks to the dust storms here.... Ben

http://www.flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_Various_Aircraft-Airline_Various_Airlines_Aviation_Video-10178.html One of mine.... Ben

If you dump the seats and use milk crates, will it solve the issue? Ben

Bloody hell.... I'm NEVER going to get any work done now..... Ben

Whaddaya mean Sometimes...? You surely mean most of the time? Ben

THHWHAAAAKK!! :devil: Do they make much sound as they travel through the air? Ben