Thirsty

Yeah I've already started to get the hang of it so it can be done. You'll be right, just need to stick with it. As for the syndicate, I'm not looking to purchase in the near future either unless the right aircraft came up.

I'm going again on Monday so we'll see if it sticks! I'm already getting good at pushing the rudder - and as those of you that have flown Cessna's know I've never had to do that before :)

Latestarter - I posted a while ago about anyone interested in a syndicate. This is where 2 or more people own an aircraft and share the costs. I was looking at the Skyranger with a jab 2.2 which I worked out would cost around $40K to build. If you're interested in sharing the cost of an aircraft maybe we could talk at some stage. I'd be happy with a tail dragger as well - top speed around 80Kn or so would be cool with me. Maybe a Lightwing or something?

Not knowing you mate I reckon you've done nothing wrong. I can't see how others could think you had. I don't know the CFI in question but if what you say is true about him then I reckon he was being very unprofessional and should maybe take a look at the way he deals with people. As far as I'm concerned your flying/decisions all seem very reasonable and the action you took afterwards seems reasonable as well. Keep up the good work I say!

Well done mate! I've done a couple of hours at RPA now as well (With Di) - she is a very good instructor. I'm doing some work with James so I can get my L2 authority and the Lightwing is in my sights to get flying as well. I'm keen to do the taildragger thing also. There's not really that much to do - the main thing is for James to find an engine for it and then tidy up the wiring and get it painted. Shouldn't take too long. Drop in some time and I'll show around the Lightwing if you're interested. I'm planning on being there Monday thru Wednesdays most weeks.

Had my second flight in the LSA55 today. Went much better as the weather wasn't quite so bumpy. Got in about 5 circuits and I was pretty much flying the whole circuit and was partially in control of landings at the end :). Feeling a lot more confident now.

Seems like ATC were pretty helpful when needed. Do you write down all those freqs along your course when flying just in case?

Thanks for the informative reply David. I find I learn much more actually doing than studying. Having said that I enjoy learning and read a lot including the nav stuff at the link I posted above. My school won't be running a formal training course until next year and I'd like to start my navs before then so I need to get as much info as possible. I think I'll try and absorb as much as I can from this site and see how that goes. I'll also have a chat with the CFI and see what he reckons. Tony

Understood, however, on this very site there is this Nav tutorial - Flight planning contents (xhtml w3c 01/10) It seems to me just about everything I would want to know about navigation is there - am I wrong? What puts me off buying texts is that once the exam is passed and the endo is completed it'll probably never be looked at again.

Thanks for all that guys. Next question then - do I really need a text? There is a lot of info on the web including this forum on navigation. What will a text give me that isn't already out there in the collective wisdom of the www?

Thanks for that Jack. I'll check that out if I have any interest. Of course, if there is no interest I may end up with a syndicate of 1 :)

I have a restricted PPL hence I need to do the navs. Thanks for the advice though - I didn't think PPL as I figured there might be specific RAAus texts.

I realise this has probably been answered a thousand times but I can't seem to find a definitive answer. I'm going to be doing some navs soon and would like to study at home rather than do a course. What I'd like to know is this: what study materials would others suggest I use? Are there practice exams so I can see the type of questions that will be asked? Any other info you guys reckon I need to read? Also, because I have a PPL do I still need to do the HF exam? Thanks Tony

Hi All, I'm just testing the waters here and am just gauging interest in a small syndicate of 2 or 3 people total. I'm interested in something like a Sav or CH701 or possibly something else. Depending on hangerage costs I was thinking of something with folding wings so it could be taken off the airport for storage. Maybe an Aeropup? I've heard good things and there are a few for sale presently. Anyway, I haven't really thought out all the details but I was thinking of a setup where just the fuel costs were paid by whoever flies it and when any major work comes up the cost would be apportioned between the syndicate proportionally based on hours flown. SA guys/girls can PM me or post here if there is any interest. Tony

Is there a link to the requirements of LSA vs other methods? I know the AUF web site has links to the various CAO categories - is one of those LSA? It's a bit confusing :)

There's a Erostar here - FSnordic.net - for FS2009 and FSX. Not a Sportstar but pretty close.

Hey Doug. I flew with Michael - very cool and knows what he's about. The whole experience was just a huge shock as I figured it can't be too different from GA but it really is. Anyway, I'll perservere and see how it goes. I might try and pick a calmer/cooler day next time. Going up there early next week to talk to James about doing some L2 stuff so I can get my L2's as well. Saw the Lightwing sitting there looking a bit sad so might see if I can get that back flying.

Yeah nice videos! I did my training in Cessnas - 152 and 172. Just did a few hours in the Robin. The Jab was weird - it's like I was pushing the rudder pedals but nothing was happening! I see the later models have a much larger rudder so I guess that would make a difference. The elevator was fine, no complaints. The ailerons didn't work very well though. I'm flying this type because it's the cheapest flying around and others can do it so I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually :) Just a huge difference coming from GA. I was thinking before I flew that I'd have no probs 'cause flying the GA stuff was so easy but I've now learnt that it's not the same and I will take a few hours to get the hang of it. I'm looking at ti this way - if I can fly this wild little thing then when I transition into something a bit more modern I'll probably have no issues at all!

I can't believe how jumpy and twitchy that thing was! It was quite warm and very bumpy today so maybe not the best time to have a go. The main thing that struck me about the little Jab was the lack of response from most of the controls. The only control I really felt comfortable with was the elevator - the rest seem pretty innefective. I was moving the ailerons and and kicking the pedals and nothing seemed to happen! Very disconcerting! At one point on VERY short finals we hit a large air bump and we needed virtually full aileron input to correct it. I know it's doable and I need to perservere but it was a little tough out there today. My instructor was very nice and reckons I'll get it in about 5 hours but it didn't feel like that to me! I have a PPL but I haven't flown for about 18 years and the last time I flew was in a Robin 2160 aerobatic plane. That thing sat beautifully in the air. I can see it's gonna take a little time to adjust :)

3 times the kit price to complete including everything? Engine/instruments etc? I guess I'll have to research some more and try to get to a final price. Can someone enlighten me as to what inspections are required and by whom?

Mortgage the house?? I don't think my wife will let me do that :) No, for me it's saving and maybe selling a motorbike or two! I understand what you say about all the extra tools etc as well. The main reason I bought this up was that I had a quote from Jabiru and in that quote was a statement to allow $15K over the cost of the kit/engine etc for other stuff like inspections/registration/painting/upholstery and so on. Well I'll be doing virtually everything myself without paying someone else so I thought that figure seemed a bit high.

Thanks guys. So what inspections are required when building a kit? I'm guessing RAAus inspectors do these? Looking around the kit that has caught my eye is the CH650 from Zenith. Seems to be very reasonably priced and seems fairly complete.

Hi All, I'm thinking about the future when I intend to build a kit LSA and was wondering what the extra costs are above and beyond the actual aircraft/engine. What I mean is extras like inspections/registration/painting etc. For example if I were to paint an all metal plane myself what sort of costs are there for the primer/paint etc. Thanks in advance, Tony

Hey Derek, are you sure you've posted this question in the right forum topic mate?

Yeah fair enough. The rates in MB seem pretty damn good!