jcamp

A spectrum analyser would be essential, not just for the main frequency and 3rd harmonic but also the other odd stuff that seems to appear for no apparent reason.

Lunch @ 1230 I assume. If there has been some drastic change in the last couple of weeks I will be hungry

Just bear in mind that the testing at the link above was done a few years ago now (2005) when the concept of the digital 406Mhz beacon was newish and real EPIRBS were thin on the ground. Its like comparing the first DVD player to market with one that has come a number of years latter. On the GME website they talk about some of the problems the early 406 Beacons had with excessive battery usage due to a crystal oscillator temp controlled oven etc. Andy

Things were going on then, when we looked at it AusSar had some very optimistic stories about how quickly sub $500 units would be available. Rumour has it the French for some reason held up cheap chipsets for some years.

I am looking to get a second one as I go to some fairly remote areas and have more trips planned. The choice for pocket size units is somewhat wider than a year ago with the GME unit available and the KTI unit apparently close. It seems to me that the type should be looked at fairly critically as there appears to be some variation in performance.

http://www.equipped.com/406_beacon_test_summary.htm

http://www.equipped.com/406_beacon_test2_toc.htm

Is it wothwhile considering some form of testing?

Mine is fully painted and I don't want to bend the trim tab, thinking its aluminium only to find its fibreglass and doesn't want to bend.

"and it STILL took me over 2 hours. arrrhhhgggg!! $@@ It's because of my wheel spat backing."

Try using an Allen Key - grabs better and no need for pushing in.

http://www.fastener-express.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=324

Note these are 82deg not 100 deg and need the appropriate washers.

Where should the sensor go in a Bing Carby? Does anything sticking out between the slide and the butterfly cause problems.

Given the temperature, vibration and electromagnetic environment in the engine bay, cheap domestic grade electronics may be problematic.

Got mine Tuesday - wife's not seen yet?

If we compare the current RAA accidents as per the press with the private GA situation in the 70's it's probably about the same with the only difference being some of the weather stuff being replaced with low level.

Lots of stuff here

http://www.ultralightmarket.com/

The way to get that sort of information is by measuring the distance an electron beam misses a target, when you accelerate the whole contraption at right angles to the beam, is that the idea?.

The gyros have tuning forks rather than spinning wheels and are made the same way

All this stuff is widely used in cars hence are quite cheap - Putting a system together can be a bit tricky. For more info:

http://www.analog.com/en/cat/0,2878,764,00.html

100 mile out of Birdsville the GPS shut down (remote aerial being dodgy we were using the normal one with the GPS bluetacked on the dash and it overheated)

No real problem, known position, wind etc nailed down, topo generally like WAC (assume rain has made details being mainly lakes less reliable) 4 hrs daylight 6 hrs fuel so:

1 - Revert to normal compass card (bit different with GPS next to compass)

2 - Turn right 10 degrees to intercept the Diamentina upstream of BDV (always consider line features)

3 - Pull out hand held GPS

4 - Update plans C D & E

ALWAYS have options

Think that RAA is treading a fine line here:

Kits and plans are for a/c that claim to meet the requirements for RAA rego re weight, stall etc.

Kits are approved as meeting the 51% rule

I don't think they are approved as such (in the form of a psuedo certification) - remember these are EXPERIMENTAL aircraft.

Have a talk to Jabiru first

My wife is having problems with the rudder pedals being too high for comfort in a J160C. Obvious solutions are:

Some type of downward extension bolted (or clamped) to the bar - requires Reg 35 approval.

Some sort of heel extension for her shoes

A pad fixed to the floor which could be removed when she is not flying it - awkward and probably still needs reg 35.

Has anyone had this problem and what was the solution?

A related query - I was trying to find the min design strength for rudder pedals for VLA ie how hard can you stomp on them. I have seen figures for IIRC FAR23 but can't seem to find them - any clues?

Early Jabs had plenty of power but were rather draggy

Requirement appears to be a business card these days.

Many years ago I browbeat my way in free with a CPL with documentation about access to airfields (it was Commonwealth then), wouldn't work now.

my main piority would be storage room. i want to be able to transport my model helicopters with me.... and as far as the j160 goes i dont think it has alot of room. the streach has a fair bit though but now the dollars start to play a big roll...

please help

IIRC the night bit has to do with the bugs (a technical term for creepy crawlies). Apparently they are under cover during the day and spraying at night means that less whatever has to be used.

"they are painted that way so as to make them hard to SEE"

I think the Roulette scheme has a different objective.

Gas and other flamable substances are a no no and if you get caught by the wrong people you could end up with a please explain.

I, and a number of of others I spoke to, had issues with the invstigation and conclusions.

Loss of control leads to a spin or spiral dive (the two stable states for an a/c). In either case impact is at a high angle with reasonably concentrated wreckage unless there is an inflight breakup.

This crash indicated low angle of impact with a slight bank which is a lot more indicative of CFIT with possibly a last second visual attempt to avoid rising terrain. From the presentation this was not addressed and mixed VFR/IFR is a guarantee of trouble even for experienced instrument pilots.

The one I attended covered the asking for assistance but not "If the area frequency is busy, then they will ask you to change frequencies " which would not be helpful for someone sweating blood to maintain control.

The most serious "hole in swiss cheese" lesson was brushed under the carpet. The radically revised area forecast was issued 8 minutes before the departure call and the pilot was critised for not obtaining it. The fact is that 8 minutes is within the time frame for walking to the a/c, inspection and loading and other a/c were presumably in a similar situation working with the previous forecast. While no pilot should consider a forecast as anything more than a horoscope with numbers these sort of changes should be notified via area frequency.

Unable to comment on syndicates but an a/c online is NOT yours, all you get is a lower cost when you are allowed to fly it by more important people (like the student who failed to turn up for the last lesson). My experience was financially rewarding but that was in a different era.

my prefered insturent cluster would be Compass ,ASI, ALT, AH, DG, VSI,

Have been fairly impressed with the mapping GPS to do things like crossing ranges by wandering from field to field while still maintaining some semblance to following the desired track