Piet Fil

Guys, Coming from the military (non aviation) I've always known pilots have egos (and fairly huge ones most of the times) but seriously, watching some of the threads on this website ..... RELAX!! Just because someone does something different from what you do doesn't make it better or worse .... just different. There are enough anti-aviation lobbies around without us beating up on ourselves, let the infighting drop. You have driven me to sound like some sort of hippie Aviate in peace:thank you: Phil

David, This link says there were two of them in micro-lights, I so hope we are wrong and its not someone you know. http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-58-dies-in-aircraft-crash/2585188.aspx My thoughts and condolences are with family and friends Phil

I'm charry enough at the best of times, but that was the utlimate "eye's right"! They would have felt ten foot tall and bullet proof and have been chuffed with themselves after that one, and rightly so! Loved it, such good flying Thanks for posting Phil

Well done Puddles, sounds like you have had a lot of fun in your journey, Enjoy

Pud, Well done, that must rate up there as one of the best feelings, the sharing of something you love with your best friend. Great stuff! Phil

Paul, thanks for a quick true version rather than the normal speculation and rumour. Very glad no-one was injured Phil

hi ya Timbgy, Deep down you know you want to ................. its just a case of thinking back about how it feels and remembering the joy it brings. go on .... do it Phil

Thats very cool Doug, Thanks Phil

Well done Boingk, It looked like a lovely day for it, from my office in Canberra. The gazelle is a nice stable little aircraft indeed. Phil

Nice set of pictures Tex, looks like a great group outing. Good stuff. Phil

Congrats Thomo, Can't wait to hear how she flies. Looks very tidy and I like the mobile hangar. What is the setup time for rigging her from teh trailer to flying state?? Phil

Well all 32 Ribs are complete and have been trimmed on the router table. Just going to spend the evenings after dinner sanding them all over the coming week(s). Then I am going to jig them on the compound mitre saw and trim the nose angle all to the same cut and then sand. Then after we move house mid June It will be another spruce order and on to the empennage. Till the next operational pause! Phil

Reg 25-275 shouldn't be too hard to identify

Placed some new photos in the Gallery. They're of the Wing tip ribs and the Root Ribs. Currently - Rib 31 is in the jig drying, leaving the last rib (Rib 32) to be jigged up tomorrow. With the extra fiddly bits around the aileron quick connect blocking, I should be in a position to trim all 32 ribs on the router table next weekend and then a final sanding to finish them off.

Alan, Flying is flying, no offence should be taken by any aviator. (personal view is it shows someones insecurity when they claim their section of aviation is better than someone elses) I like the artwork, there is a real sense of speed and airflow in your first piece. Great stuff and welcome Phil

DJ, Thanks for that, a good read. the quality was fine btw Phil

Great read, thanks for the link. Phil

Do you reckon you could scan and post the 'bouncing to an accident' article?? I'd be interested to read it. Phil

Good work Mike, I do like the drifters, a very nice machine. Tailwheels on my list of things to do (after finishing X-Country). Just gotta find one around southern NSW thast all. Phil

I'd guess that as you descend into the slower boundary layer of air near the ground, from your faster moving parcel of air above this layer, your inertia will keep your momentum up hence your airspeed will increase (ie your plane is moving faster relative to the outside air), then the increase in airspeed will increase lift therefore the longer float. I passed fluid dynamics many years ago so I hope I am remembering correctly Phil

Soloman, Great news and well done. Keep enjoying, keep learning and keep flying! Phil

Same as the others, I always do full checks on every start no matter how long, or short, the shutdown was and check the mags at idle prior to shutdown. I am disapointed that any instructor would let anyone get away without doing this. Phil

Gareth, Congrats and well done, its an awesome feeling and one you'll never forget ....... Enjoy Phil

Eric, Good stuff, I wouldn't worry about the narcissism, when you think about it, we fly because of the feelings it inspires in us, the sense of freedom, the excitement, the joy, the satisfaction. As soon as you try and describe these feelings to anyone else, they either: a) understand entirely (they are a fellow aviator) or b) they'll have no idea what you're on about (non-pilots). Those that understand will read anything to do with flying, hence ........ thanks for sharing your diary. Keep up the good stuff Phil

Scooter Hi and welcome, Lots of good info, advice and help available for the asking. Good luck in gaining your cert. Phil