Methusala

IGNORE TROLLS!!!

Maj, I think that these people who want to excuse Big Brother are trolls. They have, most likely, some personal reason for boosting the regulator and confusing those whose interests are being attacked. Like the members of RAA who just want to fly reponsibly without all of the crap (such as, "Oh, I don't like the fact that your numbers don't have a HYPHEN between the type number and the identifier!" If wishing to be SO pedantic, why not require the implied O before 393? NO, it is all petty games indulged by a regulator who plainly doesn't like us. They probably in private discuss us as some toy train mob. Don't be distracted by their trollish arguments, I think what you say makes a lot of sense. Don

....and the new recreational licence is not a stalking horse for a take over of what will qualify for possible transfer to VH registration and if we continue to jump through hoops and if people who are frustrated with the plane in their shed being unusable and maybe get caught flying it illegally. Then CASA may have a dirty dossier to take to the minister's office, throw their hands up in the air and bleat, "Honestly minister, what can we do with these pests?". Call me cynical or delusional, the proof will play out in its own time. Don

I think that those on the forum who repeat the mantra, "Yep, we got it wrong. Its all our own fault so shut up and take the punishment. " ( as I am hearing it) are conveniently disregarding the strong evidence that CASA has developed a dislike for us. When the nitpicking descends to matters such as missing hyphens (for god's sake!) on a recreational a/c or the fact that your passenger warning card mentions 95:10 on a 19 series plane... how does this add up when CASA ignored airframe weaknesses on Nomads for years and the same with exploding fuel tanks on helicopters. I recall the ominous words of the then new head of CASA ,"I'm a regulator". I also recall a publication about safety in airspace featuring the image of a Drifter in a not so subtle context. (These things are the problem... I simply am more convinced by Maj's argument than any other that our recreational pastime will become far less fun and far more sweat inn future. Yes this is a rant but I'm over the whole thing. Might just as well play with r/c models..

G'day Maj, was in at RAAus yesterday re-registering her for another year. Best wishes from us Canberra mob, Don

According to a mate, ATC in Canberra has no difficulty in picking up a Sapphire at 30+nm.

I am gratified that my original post has excited so much interest and thoughtful comment. There is food for thought as to our responsibilities as owners and operators of aircraft. I always feel that it is a great privilege to be able to fly. And I am reminded that you can rue the day that small details ceased to be important. There is still a distinction between those that matter and those that are mere distractions. Don

"SAFE SKIES FOR ALL" It seems to me that a few of us on this site have fallen for the "big lie" strategy. The motto quoted above is from the home page of CASA's web site. I would love somebody to explain to me how including an hyphen in vertically arranged ID numbers (BTW this is the accepted manner of displaying when the fuselage is a 150mmm round tube), how this is going to contribute to flight safety. My point is that we are being led around like a pack of dumb sheep AND LOVING IT! Don

To Neil - (yes that is an hyphen!) I think that when replying to posts on this site you could show some manners and keep the provocative language for the pub. Some members should learn the art of nuance and reflect on exactly what is being highlighted in these events. Thank you, Don

I think that respect for regulation is engendered by regulation being appropriate and proportional to the expected outcome. Some wish to operate in a framework where all discretion is absent and so, "just follow the rule and you'll be safe!" is their mantra. I hope that we can have the self discipline to act safely and operate with some independence. By the way, I never implied that the workers at RAA in any way are at fault. Don

I suppose that in responding positively to pettifogging behaviour we may ignore far more serious issues such as Gazelles being left inefficient and under performing by the requirement to only use the original specified propeller. This undoubtedly helps keep the fleet and those who fly in them safe! Why are we required to affix in a prominent positition a label stating that the aircraft does not conform to airworthiness standards when we are, in fact, over regulated by dolts? Don

No spring on the aileron circuit of our Kitfox! I would be surprised if there was. The rudder springs only keep the pedals upright. I don't think the springs exert any force on the rudder. Don

Yesterday I visited RAA Headquarters to hand over photographs of the panels of 2 aircraft displaying the yellow warning stickers attached. I was astonished when it was pointed out that the one on the 19 registered aircraft had CAR 95-10 printed in small type. This apparently made the aircraft unable to be registered until the sticker was exchanged for a generic type! Then when the file for my 25 registered Thruster was examined, it was pointed out that the large rego numbers arranged vertically down the rudder were missing a hyphen which again made that aircraft non-compliant. How do we win against such pettifogging nonsense? I can only wonder at the mind numbing pettiness of bureaucracy. Don

In discussing the merits or not of authority's surveillance of our activities it should be remembered always that we are compelled to display a bright yellow notice stating that people fly in our aircraft (entirely) at their own risk. This is the way that we want it and I believe the way it should be. The dead hand of bureaucracy has caused the cost of GA flying to ridiculous expense and we should be the alternative. That is we should be adults and do our utmost to ensure that our activities will hurt neither ourselves or the public. Regards, Don

When viewed from the ground , looking upwards, tree cover looks a LOT LESS dense than when flying over it at one or two thousand feet and looking down! Don

Well I've never lived in Canverra! He he he! Don

I had a VW engined VP-2 for 12 yrs. Grafted Bosch multipoint EFI on and had NO issues with engine during the time. Used to run 3600 rpm for 2 min on take off and would cruise all day at 3200. Never an icing problem flying from 2500ft all seasons in Canberra area. Have a friend with an 1835 who has done 600 hrs without issue. Cooling is the most important issue. Don

Heard of someone(?) landing on the dam wall at Talbingo but don't know who it could have been. Sorry, don't know whether you can use the strip. It is pretty short, about 600m having been designed for Beavers and later the Pilatus Porter. Don

Only wooden aircraft that I've ever seen in natural finish was a Messerschmidt ( I think it may have been a racer) in the Deutsches Museum in Munich. It looked fantastic, built in the early 30's I reckon. Don't know of any others. Don

I think that almost all discussions about accidents are good. Sometimes points are made that are disagreeable to some. In this case, use your critical talents to ignore them as one does with alot of rubbish found in the media. We have a wide range of experience in this forum group and valuable ideas are shared. I think that to ignore the truth that this is a deadly serious activity would be a mistake. Don

Aviation by its nature attracts people who dare to "push the envelope". Without such people we would not have CASA because everyone would be so scared to death of flying. I hear them all the time and say that if they want to try something really, stupidly dangerous, try riding a motorbike on the city streets! I think that in a forum of pilots this type of discussion should be conducted at a more thoughtful level. Don

Over a million ways that an aeroplane can kill you ---- WATCH OUT! Don

The ABC scandal sheet "Australian Story" has recently featured a famous radio personality. Their view presented was at variance to the views of a number of others who may have worked with this person. Don't believe media claims of "factual", "unbiased", "Fair and balanced"...etc. I don't. Don

Tripped heavily over the space bar and alighted daintily on the piano keys. These had acquired a striking similarity to the rat's gold toothy grin. Ahlott was mesmerised and gushed excitedly....

At least 1,000,000 ways that an aircraft could kill you. Watch out! Don