Blueadventures

Hi Maj

Great airshow. Did not catch up, but will next time in Whitsunday. Caught up with Windor68 but you weren't around.

I flew in in the red drifter from mackay, what great weather and the flight home was great as well. It beat driving the Hilux up there and back. Ian's CavSav is a beauty.

I spent a bit of time with the Libelle glider that a mate had on display, the day went too fast.

Cheers

Mike

More information in the on going Blanik saga. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and read the FAQ to discover the cost and how many original hours are re-installed - 3750h. So, if your Blanik already has more than the original design hours, you are up sh.... well I think you know where you are.

Thats more good news.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Andrew

Have you looked at the 'Sportaviation' at Tocumwal web site. They do areo tow with a tail drag EuroFox K2. View their fleet details on the site. Should be able to assit you. It's 24- rego so RAA.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Aussie Carl. To add to matt's info. If you need alloy hangers to fit to the wings a source is Gymipe aircraft maintenance at $300 each therefore the full 10 are $$$$'s. Mine has the ply ones in good nick so if I do them I might do the strut and inner ones first (four in total.) as a progessive maintenance plan. However if recovering the wings I'd give serious consideration to doing all ten.

Cheers and safe flying

Mike

Hi Sue

Received the CD thanks very much for the information.

It is helpful.

Regards

Mike

Hi MicheL

The Sandy is my email replies. Thanks for the Avid info. I'm down loading it at present. I have the CA21 flight manual soon.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Geoff

I've just confirmed the flight manual for my CA21 is being registered posted to me tomorrow, when I receive it i'll let you know.

I don't think it will arrive before I leave for holidays so it may take two weeks to get the info to you.

Thanks again

Mike

Hi Geoff

Thanks very much for the copy it is a great help. I have rescanned it into one document so it may be helpful for your records. Hope to catch up some time.

Many thanks

Mike

Hi Andrew

This is my refresh notes for aerotow. May be of assistance.

It ensures that complancy does not give me a hard kick of lesson if I was to forget something as I mainily winch launch.

Cheers

Mike

Aero Tow Blanik airspeed - max Aero Tow = 76 kts

Emergency signals. (From Tug)

“Wave off” Definite roll of aircraft - Release immediately.

‘Rudder waggle’ Check that airbrake is not open.

Glider can not release tow rope. Fly glider out to the left side of tug and hold in this position. The tug pilot will feel the tug’s tail being pulled around. Next the tug pilot will give a wave to acknowledge the glider pilots predicament. Upon seeing the tug pilots wave return glider to the normal low tow position behind the tug. The tug pilot will then release the rope.

Double rope release failure. If a double rope release failure occurs the tug will commence a gentle decent. Sufficient airbrake is used to keep the tow rope tight and the glider is kept in the low tow position. During the landing roll the glider brakes the tug as well.

Kingaroy – After separation fly glider towards ground level do not remain in high tow position. Caboolture - At start be just above tail fin of tug, at about 300 ft AGL lower to low tow position; just below turbulence). Use a reference point on tug eg: mirror position and tail stabiliser. All releases glider turns to Right. Scan / lookout first to left, (any aircraft in tugs direction of turn?) then lookout to right and then release. Turn Right.

Two external signallers are used for aero tow launches. One at the wing tip of the glider and the other positioned forward and to the side of the tug. The wing tip gives the signals and the forward person relays the signals.

Think of the combination as a whole. Tow rope length 55 meters.

Talk to the tug pilot about speed – minimum and maximum towing speed.

Hi Andrew

I don't know exactly about this subject and the requirements; so I'd say start with printing the RAA glider tow application form, it lists the tick off checks (there is no mention of PPL in that and then print out the section, (3.04), in the Ops manual and it refers to the procedures [both on RAA web site].

Then get a copy of the Gliding federation Australia re areo tow. It will give you the signals between the glider pilot and the tug pilot, the emergancy procedures etc. [May be on the GFA site, if not PM your email and I'll scan you a copy from my GFA book.]

Cheers and happy researching the topic. As I said i'm not an authority on the subject so don't know anything re the PPL bit.

Great the pilot is OK. Re lightning can strike twice. Hope third time lucky, works for him.

Hi Geoff

That would be fantastic. I'll PM you my email address.

I have a CA21 and it was fitted up with a 912UL so its a bit of a hybrid. A sort of ca21 with 12 knot cross wind limit and the haul out performance of the ca22 with the 912UL.

Many thanks and will look forward to the copy. I really enjoy flying 606 and anly the constant rain and soggy grass airstrip has held my my solo.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks Andrew

Even just phots of the flight manual would be a great help.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Andrew

I'm after a copy of the CA22 flight manual and also the performance & specifications. Do you have a contact for the owner / operator of the one in Bigdoon or if you see the owner some time could you get contact details for me so I can ask him to scan a copy or post over a photo copy of the flight manual etc.

Thanks

Mike

Hi Would anyone have a copy of the CA21, Ca22 or Ca25 taildragger flight manual.

I am particularly chasing the CA21 & CA22 flight manuals.

Thanks

Mike

Well done Don, on Fridays Solo's and todays flights. Looking forward to the next excursion and the next visit to Bowen. (PS the pizzas at Matthews were a great way to finish of the long enjoyable day.)

0606 enjoyed the run up an back and the Rotax ran sweet as.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Mike

The skyfox TW is going great. Just the rain lately has made the local airstrip soggy and not suitable for doing a few ground runs. I've got lessons booked for Thursday and Friday and also the weekend is free so I should get plenty of training in. I want to do some ground runs to hone up my rudder work and need a few more landings and then things should come together. The flying is fine and the cockpit room is good.

When you get your TW give me a PM and i'll give you a list of things to overhaul (I'm new at this so get my comments checked out by your maintenance person), eg the tail wheel bearing needs to be perfect fit, greased and the springs tensioned right so it follows your rudder movements and if it has a maule tail wheel assy then the lock pin needs to be new, not worn, otherwise in my experience you'll have a "missbehaving" aircraft on the ground.

Any way I'm very impressed with the flying experience and vision of the Skyfox. The folding wings have been great for me as hanger space at present is realy non existant at Mackay. But in near future will have hanger space available as a small group are going to build one.

Cheers

Mike

Hi all.

The Llewellyn modified L13A1 Blaniks have been cleared for flight again (CASA 10/14335 dated 4/2/2011) subject to gaining an exemption from the EASA (AD) 2010-0185-E and subject to a couple of conditions. There are currently eight such modified gliders in Australia. This clearing is due to a lot of work by Dafydd Llewellyn and CASA who assisted the Gliding Federation of Australian in successfully gaining the exemption. Further details are on the GFA webb site.

Cheers and safe flying

Mike

Hi Bluey

I expect you have cleaned it and completed the oil change by now. Next time you do the oil change and undo the magnetic plug you could clean it in a cleaner solution like chain cleaner to remove the oil and then only the metal will remain on the magnet, alowing a better look at things.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks Dazza.

Thanks Dexter

The radio arrived safely. Not fitted at present as I'm still sorting some things.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Rick

All's good with 0606. Thanks again for the hospitality and having all the history a manuals ready when myself and Sandy first came down to have a look. Thanks also for the spares that you included in the deal. Look forward to having a fly with you in the Skyfox and also the Lambada.

I have some lessons booked next Sat and Sun at 6am so I am hoping for reasonable weather at least.

Last Saturday week (14th) weather was damp and the carby heat was a must.

All is going great with her; I've only done three flights totalling 2 hours ( 2 right hand on the stick and 1 left hand; no worries right hand but hopeless left hand at present.)

Engine, flight and control on ground all sweet.

Look forward to staying in contact and I'll let you know when I'm down at the gliding club next. The Blanik is still grounded as all the worlds fleet are at present. It's one of seven that have the Llewelyn modification and are still registered so its hoped that around April they may be the first ones cleared to fly.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks for the link. I followed 'GOT' in club, Steve must have lended out today.

Cheers

Mike

Thanks. No worries there is plenty of sky and room around Mackay. I'm sure the weather gods will be kind to Matt between 26th to 30th.

Cheers

Mike

yep a tail wheel. ca21 with a 912 fitted.