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Methusala

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Everything posted by Methusala

  1. Methusala
    G'day C Scott Henry, You are correct about the strategy to move the "left" towards the "centre " as a ploy to harvest conservative votes. I saw the same thing happening under Hawke & Keating and forsaw that this would only give the "Right" room to shuffle even closer to their ultimate destination. It in fact gave them "cover" to put forward an agenda which would have been seen as extreme previously. The question of LGBTI(Q?) whatever only resonates with me because I believe that individual freedom is the only correct way to go. The cynicism of representative democracy is obvious. Today, following Newspoll detecting that the Lying Negative coalition will probably win, the government announces that they have other (unspecified) plans to cut programs (I call this "leaving the door open"). BTW the ABC has not highlighted polling results since they started going bad for Turdball, now they change tack! Yes, I am very wise to the ways of our politicians. Don
  2. Methusala
    Perhaps it is timely to reflect on the actions of a conservative government who culpably chased nationalistic voters with the offer of this referendum. It was a solution that lacked a problem. It makes me shudder at the prospect of a national "plebiscite" on whether to allow LGBTI couples to marry. It is within the power of the national parliament to decide. The "Campaigns" launched to convince electors to vote one way or the other will use the normal tricks to inflame emotions and obscure the simplicity of the choice. Damage to our society is bound to result from this cynical ploy. Don
  3. Methusala
    G'day. I did have a chance to fly the B1RD at Holbrook back in the early 90's. It was with the Holbrook ultralight club and on line for about $42/hr. It would levitate from the strip and in any reasonable headwind seemed to take off vertically. It had a Hall airspeed indicator and would not fly faster than 40mph even with WOT, forward stick, on the Cuyuna 430 2-stroke. From memory the ailerons were quite effective and it was great fun but not for going anywhere. As you mentioned, the prop was 72" and the reduction was by toothed belt at about 3:1. At idle you could almost count the revolutions. It was produced by Robinsons who I think had a thriving business building wing tip performance accessories for GA aircraft. The build quality was exceptionally good and featured custom cast rudder pedals and a high level of quality fittings. I don't know what happened to it, it could be an exhibit at the museum down there. Don
  4. Methusala
    Lithium ion
  5. Methusala
    I could believe many things but, no I don't think that scepticism is your problem. The Americans have not won a war since the West vs Germany thing. The thread that currently runs about "Can't turn, can't....etc" is all you need to know about the US type of technology. The Russians declared their own "No fly" zone over their Syrian operation and US was held in check. The Turks under the lunatic Erdogan will pay heavily for shooting down and murdering the pilot of the Russian fighter. As I have alluded to in my earlier post , the Russians play the long game. Chess players win against fools. Don PS: I don't know what you mean by Da.
  6. Methusala
    Vlad taught dem yankees a lesson in Syria Boy!
  7. Methusala
    6mm Goss will do
  8. Methusala
    I think it more plausible that the Russians woke up from their "magic spell", deciding that following the crazy Americans was a sure road to madness and ruin. The Amies continued with this mode of transport , costing increasing torrents of dollars and a few lives. The US shuttles are now also abandoned junk in museums while the Russians provide the only viable transport to the International Space Station. Don't "always" be sucked in by Western propaganda. Don
  9. Methusala
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/two-dead-after-plane-crashes-in-victoria's-north/7243236
  10. Methusala
    I forgot to add that they are so Safe they can only just kill you.
  11. Methusala
    G'day Charlie, I fly a T300 with a blue head 582. I don't think that power off approaches are anywhere near as bad in a fluid cooled 2-stroke as with, say, an air cooled 503 for example. It is important to do full glide approaches to practice for an engine out. You will find that the landings are much more challenging than in your Drifter, an aircraft which will virtually fly itself onto the deck with little trouble. Wheel-on landings are most advisable initially till you learn to judge the flare correctly. They are a great aircraft and with power at idle they won't exceed vne almost regardless of the nose down angle. T-300's have an open cockpit and the T600 was a nose wheel a/c built to UK standards in Britain. Don
  12. Methusala
    Could help with a Kitfox out of Lake George. PM me if interested. Don
  13. Methusala
    Mitchell Wing B-10 or U-2 for more streamlining. Don
  14. Methusala
    A further thought is that I have definite and very strongly held views on religion. Have I bothered viewing the thread on this site which just about holds the record for no of posts? No. Do I mind that it exists on this site? Not at all. What could be causing all the fuss? If it is a purely technical reason that Ian thinks is quite important then, by all means, administer the site as well as you can mate. All I wish to do is give my opinion as asked with no rancor and with all good will to Ian. Thanks Ian, Don
  15. Methusala
    Life is (quite naturally) not a single road. People who are interested in flying are also involved with many other interests. There appear on this site many opinions of a highly political nature around CASA and RAAus policies which I find very woolly and ill conceived. But it goes with the territory and I wish it no other way. Equally, some of us posters will find a topic that is not necessarily aviation related but thoughtful and relevant to most of our lives. Why... if you are not interested, breeze on to a more acceptable thread. It's similar to a newspaper where I will cheerfully leave the sport section to wrapping fish guts. Not every one thinks alike and a little tolerance is a good life skill. Please, no censorship unless opinions expressed are plainly against broad standards of decency. Don
  16. Methusala
    I bought a pair of his wheel pants from him at Narromine - it must have been the same year because he was selling the Sparrow kits. I paid the money and he promised to send them to me in "a few weeks". This turned into months so I phoned him to ask about the delay. He apologised at great length and when I got them in the post he had included a video of "Chris Conroy's World of Aviation", or some such title. It included some spectacular sequences of aerial ballet by Guido Zuccoli in a Spit and then a Mustang. Wish I still had it but lent it to someone who wanted it so bad he never returned it! I think that CC was a gentleman. Regards, Don ( I ditched the wheel pants when I found they did nothing to improve the 60 knots cruise.)
  17. Methusala
    Hey James,Had a Pterror years ago. still have a brand new wing covering. In Vietnam for next few days. Could reminisce sometime. Regards Don
  18. Methusala
    Especially the Murdoch tabloid type of filth...
  19. Methusala
    I have discovered that the black valve material in the choke plungers may crack over time. I know that the chokes are "enrichers" and should only bleed fuel when the throttle slide is shut. Never the less it is something to be aware of on Bing carbies. Don. (And by the way have a happy, family friendly and safe holiday.)
  20. Methusala
    Normally carburettors are set up to run slightly rich on WOT, then to lean out a little for cruise power. This is to give some evaporative cooling at high power settings. Ergo, not too clever to back off slightly while climb power is set. Just my understanding though. Don
  21. Methusala
    As for oil congregating in inverted engines this problem is easily solved. Use an old set of plugs as minders and swap your good plugs when about to go flying. I had a 582 that was run on Penrite "green slime" for 300 hrs and the stuff accumulated in the ring lands and side of the piston on the exhaust side. Not pretty! Don
  22. Methusala
    I recall vividly the accident posted on You tube showing a Beechcraft light twin. He tried to correct an overshoot of the centreline by applying rudder. My strip has a hanger to the r/h side of the strip. I noticed that on final sometimes the ball was skewed to the right. I have since rationalised that this was because I was attempting the same manoeuvre. I now know that it is alright to fly a ? shaped approach if there is sufficient room to stabilise the approach. Otherwise , go around. Just saying. Don
  23. Methusala
    "Arrogance" is demonstrated by one's actions. A close friend of mine who has been flying ultralights since the early days recently suffered EFATO. He was the sole occupant and elected to turn back to the field from a height of 400ft. He landed successfully with no damage to his aircraft or himself. In similar situation, being the sole occupant, Ross did the same thing. Who can say whether, in the same circumstances, any one of us would be able to overcome the natural reaction to avoid crashing into seriously threatening vegetation? I've been around aviation for 40 years and many highly accomplished pilots exhibit characteristics of arrogance. It may be a quality that goes with the territory. Let's not judge too quickly. Don
  24. Methusala
    My favourite aviation novel is "Fate is the Hunter", by Ernest K. Gann. In this memoir of the early days of transcontinental and then intercontinental aviation , his message was that many of his colleagues, highly talented aviators, had died tragically as a result of factors beyond their control. Our passion with flying is both majestic and fateful and we accept the risk for the magnificent obsession it is. RIP and we salute you Ross Millard. But for the sake of unknowable fortune we may join you. Don
  25. Methusala
    I am filled with sorrow on hearing this dreadful news this morning. We met Ross at Monto a couple of years ago. He was the most open and friendly character. Always willing to help. Sad, sad day. Don
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