planesmaker

How do you know how much your paint weighs? I would like to suggest it is not that much, having stripped a skyfox of its fabric and paint I was interested to see how much it weighed, 6.5kg for the whole aircraft including fabric and coatings.

Just on the cost of the 2, jabiru is not really cheaper when you factor in 1000 hr life compared to rotax 2000 which generally they have no problem attaining. Having talked to jabiru they say most operators put a new engine in at 1000 hrs

Unbiased thoughts from the internet? If I gave you my opinion it would definitely be biased.

Send the photos and rego to the tech manager, he'll be right on it. You just might save a life, if it is still in use. I would not hesitate to call attention to such a poorly maintained aircraft. Perhaps though it is just sitting in a hangar rotting away. Did you see if it is registered or not ?

I won't hold my breath waiting for CASA to change the medical. Maybe 12 months or more,maybe before the next medical in 2 yrs?

RAAus pilots have been operating aircraft on a self declared medical for over 20 years quite successfully. most private pilots are not likely to do more than100 hrs a year or 2 hours a week ( probably more likely 1hr). That translates to 2 in 168 hrs fairly low risk wouldn't you think. Any responsible pilot knowing any medical condition that would affect their flying, would ground themselves until fit again, nanny state not required.

Geoff, lots of different aircraft to choose from with varying performances. What budget limits are you looking at ? Some RAAus aircraft appear quite expensive to buy (especially new) but are reasonably cheap to maintain if owner maintained. Older aircraft such as skyfox or lightwing can be had for around $30k, newer Foxbat, savannah, are about $50k upwards. Jabiru have come down in price lately ( really good low maintenance airframe but engine requires extra dilgence and higher maintenance ). Do you have access to hangar? Single seat aircraft can be had for a song with some around $5-10k. Really up to your mission and budget as to what you buy, perhaps renting from local club may work for you. Probably a good idea to go to a few RAAus flight schools and try a variety of aircraft and get a feel for what might fit your purpose. Tom

Maybe a Cessna doing skids compliance

You will find that the only reservoir is the master cylinder itself. Best to bleed from the wheel cylinder up, being careful not to make a mess inside. There is a small cap scew in the top of master cylinder

Rotax is the same wt as the 3300 or close enough. No ballast reqd. Good for j 230

Mike, consider a j430 with a rotax? A few of them around now, good performance with a good strong airframe. I have a 914 powered j400, what a good aircraft. 115kt@ 17lt/hr. It will lift more than a c172, flies faster, much better climb, all on half the fuel! PM me if you want to know more. Tom

There are a few more jabs with rotax engines now, heard of 2 more in the last few weeks, and another wanting to fit one to a j230. But still Jabiru refuse to consider the possibility and the success that could follow.

Extra 5 to 10kg for yellow paint! I don't think so. Out of interest I recently stripped the fabric off a skyfox and weighed the lot including the paint, 6.5 kg for the whole airframe paint and fabric!

You may have fabric but do you have all the products and skill to apply it? I would remove elevator and recover the whole thing, doesn't take that long to do.

Jetjr 912s will go very well in a J230.

You have no idea how glad I am I fitted a rotax when building my j400. Only did it to be different and because I could. I do feel sad about all the troubles befallen jab and Camit and hope that both will somehow survive, they have done a great service to the aviation world and I am thankful for that.

Want to know where the extra inspections came from? Talk to the tech manager. However it is the board who passed it in its present state, I sent emails to all the board, the CEO, and the tech manager, before the board signed off on it, asking for reasons to justify the extra regulation, the only response I received was a phone call from the tech manager, who still gave no justification for its introduction. Not one person bothered to email me in return! Acceptable behaviour?hmmm I don't think so. So much for contacting our representatives.

Tom,I don't claim expertise in this area. You would get a better answer from Tony King or Trevor Bange.

Personally, if my life were to depend on an aircraft I had designed and built or just built from a kit or plans I would absolutely want somebody to do stage checks of my work - preferably a L4 but almost any other set of eyes could see things I had wrong..

 

Don't SAAA require stage checks?

 

Don

no stage inspections though it is encouraged to have others look over your work. Neither Tony and Trevor or you replied to my email.

You have missed my point that extra regulation and cost has been imposed on builders for no valid reason. Tom

Don

CASA does not require stage inspections, so where did that regulation come from? nobody can give a good reason for it.

Tom

Aldo I understand what you are saying, however the constitution has to mean something, if it can be disregarded you won't have much of an organisation.

Just read Enews from RAAus which said ' We’ve got an update for you on the Technical manual which is being well received by our members. '

Maybe I am a bit thick, but reading on I could not see anything they have updated!

$100m ? Wow they must be planning to make it a small fortune!

Stage inspections is definitely not a CASA requirement! It was added by tech manager I believe. Why?

I really don't want to be arriving in the 1hr 45 min gap between airspace closures. What were they thinking?

May have to come the day before or not bother at all, I will have my family onboard so no need for additional risk.

Wrote to ozkosh info, this is their reply.

Yes there is an air display. It takes placefrom 10am to 1pm on the

Saturday. The airspace will be closed from 15 minutes prior to the show

until 15 minutes after the show. There is also a Pylon Racing event on

Saturday morning between 7am and 8am

In regard to access to your aircraft during the air show, this year due to

the relocation of the air show axis you will be able to access your aircraft

during the air show. Please be aware that this may need to change for

operational reasons. Please also be aware there will be a crowd line

limitation that will be in place as set by the rules promulgated by CASA

which will be adhered to for the show to proceed.