Piet Fil

Congrats Jim (Spriteah), All the best to you for stepping up to the plate. Hopefully you can bring some balance to some of the onesided discussions on this site. Good luck Phil

A good read, I can appreciate the one step forward one step back feeling at only one lesson a month. (and I feel bad if I hit the 3 week mark!) Keep it going, I'll be reading (and try not to focus too hard on the solo, it'll happen when it happens) Phil

Rolf, The timber in the aircamper should be well sealed by a epoxy varnish (min 2 coats) prior to putting on the fabric. The epoxy varnishes are very strong and so it should hold up to the top end. Just make sure she has lots of drain grommets and they are clear. Are you thinking of buying one out of the US or have you found one for sale in Oz?? There are a few builders of Pietenpols lurking on this site apart from myself (bubbleboy for one). I've finished all the wing ribs and will be buying more spruce and getting on with the Tail feathers come christmas break (mid DEC). If you search out the Peter Johnson website (http://www.cpc-world.com/) he has built one Pietenpol (and then sold it) and has just bought another one from the US, so he may be able to advise on the rough costs and logistics for importing one. Hope this helps Phil

Craigos, The attached is something I picked up from somewhere off the web (could even have been off this site). Take it as it is ....... guidance ........ and then apply your own safety logic to it. If all your planning comes off and the weather lets you go, take lots of photos and video and post it here with a lessons learned essay (so we know how much fun it was) .... Ta Phil Crossing Bass Strait.docx Crossing Bass Strait.docx Crossing Bass Strait.docx

Hi Maxnett, The smartypants in me will have me asking when any of us will finish flight training? There's always something more to learn, so I'll take it to read gain your licence/certificate. Its a real case of just bite into the joy and do it. I missed a lot of years because it was just not quite the right time, when in all likelihood I could have managed to have fit it in had I really tried. Best of luck with your endeavours and tell us about them as they happen. Lots of people smarter than me here to help with any question you come up with. Enjoy Phil

Welcome and enjoy, Let us know how your learning experience goes! Phil

ExDragNut, Glad to hear you're enjoying the experience. I agree its a fine thing to aviate the RA way. Keep enjoying and learning. Phil

I am only going to assume this guy doesn't have a full time 9-5 job! (apart from kite flying that is!) ha ha ha. That is quite 'awesome' in the full meaning of the word. Nice

Does that mean late at night when you leave the nightclub/bar you get to practice forced landings??

Welcome Bandit, Where do you fly out of in the west?? Phil

You have me torn... the Commer van or the auster? I don't know which one is cooler .. I'm just coming down on the Auster's side at this stage! Phil

Just 'stretching' the through bolt story out to increase the 'strain' on jab owners ... ha ha ha

Ha ha ha ... Thanks Pete.... made my day!

now you have me looking to the mailbox even more expectantly! Not only am I waiting for the latest EAA Sport Pilot issue, I also have the maintenance magazine and bonus booklet ...... awesome. I can't wait! Phil

Compulsion, Is this what you meant?? Phil RAA Maintenance Record.pdf RAA Maintenance Record.pdf RAA Maintenance Record.pdf

Excellent work and it only keeps getting better. Enjoy and keep posting as you progress. Phil

Good work BF, Its interesting that each person feels similar yet different regarding how they found their first solo. To some its less of a monumentous event at the time but comes on slowly. Ultimately the important thing is you have commanded an aircraft by yourself in a safe manner. I think it's this that keeps the flying fires burning. Enjoy the rest of the journey. Phil

Well done, Compulsion, Now you get the joy of learning to aviate and that fine thing the first winged local area solo! Enjoy Phil

i thought you could have contoured the top of the seat back to fit neatly under the front hoop for the turtledeck. A nice close fit and it would look dead sexy! Phil

Good Stuff Dave, Well done on your second first solo??? Enjoy Phil

I'll echo what Peter says, A) Your instructor won't assess you unless you are ready to do it, B) What is the worst that can happen, you stuff up the assessment, You will have identified any weaker areas in your training so now you know what to review and concentrate on and you've had an hours flight with an instructor! I remember that most of the pressure I felt in the assessment is self imposed, just try and relax and all you've learnt will come to you as required. Good Luck Phil

Do kind of agree with you 80kts Phil

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Bozz, Sorry for the delay in replying, under 95.55 Sect 1.2(e) the only inspection required is the builders pre-flight final inspection which is witnessed by an L-4 inspector. Note the inspector is only signing to say he witnessed the builder conduct the checks, the builder remains responsible for the airworthiness of the build. Having said that, its is hgihly recommended that a pre-covering inspection is done by an L-2 or higher to inspect worksmanship, fittings, construction etc. This is covered in the RAA Tech Manual Sect 3.3.1, also in a couple of docs I can PM you if you want (I scanned them but they are to big to post here). Phil

From my reading of the regs it would be just as easy to go under 95.55 sect 1.2(e) and have a 19-reg plane. that way you have all the way up to 600kg to play with Phil