Blueadventures

Sue ,do you happen to have a copy of CA 21 flight manual, I recently purchased a skyfox which unfortunately has the flight manual missing

Regards

 

Tom

If you do not get a copy from Sue let me know and i'll send you a copy. Send me your email address if requesting a copy.

Cheers

Mike

Howdy,The flying school I learn at has a Gazelle that might soon be due for a new propeller. There's a bit of concern at the moment that none seem to be available that meet the criteria for use in a flying school.

 

Does anyone know with certainty where a suitable propeller might be available? The guy who used to make them decided to stop about 6 months ago apparently.

We will see TP, next time I'm at the hangar all things suggested here, if at all possible, will be tried. We will get to the bottom of the issue(s) sooner or later.Pud

Firstly I'm no expert on this aviation application of the engine. You may have done the following already, as the temp and rpm units may not be calibrated an electrical gremlins could be some of the problem; have you got temp readings from say a laser temp gun and checked rpm with a handheld sensor device (you would have to put a white or shinny marker on a prop blade to get a reading. (Even local aero modelers or drive shaft engineering people may lend you one, not likely, but may do.

What's the climb out and cruise proformance like, forgetting for thirty seconds, what the guages are displaying.

Hope this is of some help. Not being current with your replies totally, apology in advance for any confussion I have about this matter.

Cheers

Mike

Ross and I are at 2500 feet and 76 nm out of Narromine. Planning to check out "The Dish" on our way into Temora in the next couple of hours. This is the life.

Have fun. I'm envious. On Friday I hope to be at atleast 5,000 feet in the Blanik. She is the third to get airborne since the groundings excluding the Ruskies who are still flying, as I hear it.

Cheers

Mike

Maj and I are at Springsure... the Lightwing is tied down next to a certain forum members 152.

Enjoy.

Mike

Only a few more sleeps now !!......I'll be picking up winsor68 in Mackay in the morning, and we'll be heading South via the inland route. Weather looks perfect...see you all in a few days .............................Maj...

Look forward to hearing all about the adventure when your back. Got to go as cooking up some of the mud crabs that crawled into my tinnie yesterday.

Cheers

Mike

I just found out I have received a GYFTS scholarship While it won't get me to my cert it sure as hell will get me closer to my goal!!!

 

Can't wait to fly again over easter!

For those of you who are hanging out for some information about the L13 grounding here is an opinion from the factory. Unfortunately it in in Czech. Maybe someone on this board who speaks Czech can tell the rest of us what it says.

My Blanik L13A-1, VH-GPS, was back up in the air last Saturday. It was great to have her back up. I'm looking forward to many flights again this year and perhaps get the 300 kms done. I think this will be the third or fourth one back on line out of the original Llewlyn modified Blaniks.

Cheers

Mike

On a slightly lighter note, I have just returned from visiting our friends who were in the Bingo prang on Thursday. It's only been a couple of days but they are doing well, although still dealing with the immediate aftermath (pyhsically and mentally) of something like that. There's no doubt they were very lucky.Myself and another forum member will visit again tomorrow. I was in a similiar position after an aircraft accident many years ago, and I know too well the value of a visit and a friendly face at this stage of their recovery. ......................................................Ross...

Thanks for the update. Wishes of a best speed recovery for them. I visit on Monday when I'm in town overnight with work.

Cheers

Mike

Well... the whole thing if you could just stick a motor on top and limit it to single seat and fly as per Ra AUS?

Bert Persons at Cabulture has flown many aircraft as test pilot and there is a clip of a flight in a motorised Blanaik look through the Caboolture webb page albums.

Blaniks should stay pure gliders. You must come down for a flight sometime. I need my next trip down to finish its current form two list and get some time back under my belt.

Cheers

Mike

There isnt many blaniks that are still flying as far as i know. Caboolture has done the required modifications to allow theres back in the air, and i have been flying that one, but I remember them saying that not many people bothered. I think they are a fantastic glider.

The Blanik (VH-GPS) at Central Queensland should be back flying in two or three weekends time. It is lucky some had the wing spar modifications done years ago. I hear one is a current project. Best I can make out is that about seven can fly. I see on a google search recently that a Red Bull one is flying again with the european modification at gives approval to fly again. It not as an extensive modification and the life extension is much shorther then the llewlyn modification done in Australia.

Cheers and I hope to soon share the joy of a recent Blanik Flight.

Mike

Hi Exadios. Thanks for the article. I look forward to following Gregs tasks.

In September 2009 I did the xcountry week at Kingaroy that Greg ran, it was an excellant week. I did a three hour plus flight with Greg in the Duo Discus. It was also the time when that dust storm came through that year. The flight with Greg was a change from the Blanik L13A-1 I do most of my gliding in. Only did 1 glider flight last year and hope to do a weekend befor the end of January at Central Queensland.

Cheers

Mike

Does anybody have details of the Daffyd-Llewellyn-designed wing for the SkyFox? Was it just a design, or was it also built and tested? I'm quite interested in the Gazelle. It could probably be flown in the USA as an Experimental design assuming the new wing represents more than about 50% of the design - which it probably does.

Rob Stowe at Coastal Aviation will have some news in the new year as when I speaking with him last week he said he was finishing off a set of alloy wings on a skyfox (Gazzelle I expect). He said the wing is also aluminium skinned. I was speaking with him early evening and he was keen to leave work so did not press him for more detailed information. I'll wait until the test flights are finished. As I have a Skyfox and plan to re fabric the wings in about 15 months I'll be keen about performance, cost (built or wing kit) etc. I expect the engine will not work as hard in cruise etc.

Cheers

Mike

Can anyone suggest where to buy replacement bungees for gazelle and what price to expect to pay please

Cheers

Mike

I can't match the above, ut I did enjoy some time in the original Kookaburra at Cobar in 1972, but it was damaged before I soloed and I ended up doing a bit of maintenance on it. I then arrived at Narromine and managed to double my previous time after an aero tow and had to come down due to failing light. More recently I did about 20 mins at Dululu and had to come down due to lack of cash. I really ought to get back into it as it is great fun.

How's your RV comming along. Thanks for the hospitality recently at the airfield and your home.

I'm still taming the Skyfox.

When I get down to the Dixalea (via Dululu) club I'll finish the annual on my Blanik at then your welcome to fly over and join me in some gliding. I expect to get down in January and it'll take best part of a day to finish the remaining checks then I get her in the air again.

Cheers Mike

Got a Silver C and gold distance and duration, about 200 hours over 600 takeoffs (and landings) and an Assistant Instructor's rating but last flew one in 1987.I did 5 hr 07 mins with an 8000' height gain to get the Silver C in an Astir CS KYP, and I did 4 hr 28 Min and 250 km out and return in Blanik GOY to win the Rose Week Festival with Peter Johnson. Also quite a bit of time in an Rf5 Fournier MG which helped me with bouncy taildraggers later on. Mike Valentine, John Viney, Ingo Renner and Peter Johnson are some of the names in my log book... great pilots all.

 

A wonderful sport but it seems to have lost a lot of followers in recent years.

 

kaz

Isn't it great to get the 5 hour duration monkey off your back. When I did mine the launch point awarded 5 hours and 30 seconds. But the down load of the logger recorded 5 hours and 2 seconds (from release). I was so glad that when I landed and flew past the crew at the launch point I decided to hold off and keep flying as long as possible just off the deck. I knew that my total time was just under or just over the five hours so held off after rounding out as long a safely possible; too give it my best shot with no regrets. It paid off, luck was on my side. As you know when the fuel (lift) runs out you must land soon. The flight was in a Blanik at Central Queensland.

Cheers Mike

Just thought it would be interesting to see how many of us here fly gliders, or have flown them in your past.

Great to hear your enjoying the gliders. I have some gliding experience and presently enjoying learning to fly RAA.

Cheers

Mike

"Wings have folded on these aircraft, killing crew"Yes - due to internal corrosion of part of the airframe in one instance and over stressing of the airframe in another. Wings have folded on all kinds of aircraft.

 

"aileron torque tubes get so corroded they break like matchsticks"

 

Bad maintenance - and yet it's still part of the 100 hourly on the type and it has been for 8 years - and the incident didn't result in an accident - happened during preflight.

 

"the stupid design of having the ailerons dangling off bits of plywood that are GLUED to the trailing edge "

 

Actually they're part of the Ribs - and part of the daily inspection. They allow the aircraft to cope with upto 20kts of cross wind for landing and takeoff. And if required they can be repaired and/or re-inforced.

 

"Oh and that big strong "carry through" beam under your seats worked well until one snapped so they thought they better wack on another tube just in case"

 

When was the last failure? 2005? The original incident was in 2003 and was caused by corrosion. See my note at the bottom about corrosion.

 

"did I mention the phenomenal climb rate of 150 fpm and cramped cabin with windows made of lexan (corrodes and cracks with fuel contact)"

 

I get 500fpm plus at MTOW - and yes it is snug - it's an ultralight - it goes with the design. Flying something without doors doesn't mean you get to pick on something that's a bit snug. It actually HAS windows, and doors. Cracks in the Lexan are irrelevant - how does that make these aircraft any less safe than others? I don't know about you but when I do a fuel drain - it goes into a plastic receptacle and then in a tin. There's no spillage - even in strong winds.

 

Perhaps you should read this:

 

http://www.raa.asn.au/documents/airworthiness/DrifterBoomFailure.pdf

 

Talks of how the tail fell off a drifter. Fell clean off and killed the pilot. No high G's, no prior impact. It just snapped due to corrosion.

Excellant reply. I believe he has only done limited reseach (or perhaps alot but missed some bits) and less than total knowledge of the Skyfox aircraft to be posting his comments. I wonder if he is signed off for tail drag Skyfoxes as this could be a contributing factor to his opinion. There is no doubt the Skyfox tail wheel aircraft is a difficult aircraft to land at times, by comparison the drifter is pice of cake, walk in the park to land. (This comment is generalised, however accurate in my experience and I do not endeavour to take away the skills involved in landing either of the mentioned aircraft or any other aircraft for that matter.)

Regards

Mike:plane:

I must have missed you Mike.

We did, as I arrived I walked past you and you where talking in a group. I waved to attract your attention and then did not cross paths again. Next time. We'll have to catch up for a yarn in Mackay.

Cheers

Mike

Hi Doug. Welcome to the forum and good to catch up at lakeside today.

Look forward to more flyins and visits. Your at a nice airstrip up there. Nice visible paint job as well.

Cheers

Mike

The long awaited video of the test flight has finally been edited - thanks GayGirl, and uploaded to Utoob.Check it out here

 

Flying report to follow...

 

 

We are now taking the family by car and Savanah to Laguna Quays Resort for a weekend of fun and flying....

 

More photos to come...

Cheers

Mike

Hi. I did my first solo today (16 August)at Palmyra, west of Mackay. It was made in a Savannah which is a great aircraft. Looking forward to finishing off my time and getting around the local area.Today 15 September completed my certificate. Now have HP NW and it was great flying although a bit hazy at 0830. I've attached an image of the local area at Mackay for those who have not been up this way.

 

I look forward to getting in more experience and then getting my LP TW on a Skyfox.

 

 

Cheers

 

Mike

Creek .doc

Creek .doc

Creek .doc

Hi Paul

When were the aileron centering eye bolt, wire and spring setups fitted to the Skyfox and do you know why they fitted these?

Cheers

Mike

YESSS!!! :big_grin::thumb_up::thumb_up::thumb_up:I knew it was a good omen when I read all your good wishes this morning.

 

I now have 1.6 hours in MY airplane, and don't it feel good:rilla::rilla::rilla:

 

She flys very well with no unpleasant characteristics. It took me a little while to get back into the groove, seeing as how it was June last year the last time I flew a Thruster. Went with the instructor for a few circuits until he was satisfied I still 'had it'. I need a few more hours of circuit bashing to get real confident but I'm up for it:laugh:

 

I've got a couple of video clips I need to edit and I'll post the end result here if somebody tells me how to go about doing it.

 

One very happy puppy:thumb up:

 

Pud

 

PS The bloody gate takings were miserable!! A couple of old geezers snuck in the back way without paying and that was it!!

Cheers:thumb up: