Matt

Good work, it's in English on the other side and says "Moscow Aero Club" and it's a YAK52.

We'll be keeping the flying kangaroo, the 'new' paint scheme will be the original RAAF scheme - Orange, White and Black with the ARDU flashes...and yes, we're very proud of our new baby. Cheers, Matt & Kaz PS: Here's some more pics as requested CT-4A and baby brother the AirTourer Temora today, in company with some other warbirds My brother at Temora today Pilot's view @ Goulburn yesterday

Possibly one of the shortest delivery flights ever completed, today we picked up our new (well new for us) CT-4A, Air Force serial number A19-046 / GA VH-MCT. The trip to her new home was about 10nm from Hall ACT to Canberra Airport, although we did spend a fair bit of time up at Goulburn doing famil flights most of the day - good day for it too with 30kt winds all day! This is when it's nice to have a bit of extra weight and a high wing loading, the CT4 handles the strong wind and turblence without much drama, in fact I was surprised at how easy it was to fly in the circuit and cruising in todays conditions. Cruise at 23"/2600 (manifold pressure/RPM) was 130KIAS burning about 42L/hour...not quite ultralight numbers for the fuel but it does weight 1110kg fully loaded. Max groundspeed today was 165kts heading from Hall to Goulburn, nice bit of tailwind there. Also tested the 20kt crosswind component quite a few times, it's very solid in a crosswind this strong without any real vices...in fact made me look pretty good for my first few landings, can't be a bad thing. We clocked up about 3 hours and 15 landings today as well as a bit of airwork with stalls etc. Off to Temora tomorrow (Sunday) to spend some time with her ex-Air Force family...oh, and one current one...big brother F111! Here's some pics from today...no GPS tracks today, haven't quite got all the toys sorted yet. Some cockpit familiarisation at Goulburn, there was also a very nice Yak52 out and about up there today. New home, on the grass at Canberra The best wife in the world! :big_grin: Who's a happy boy then?! :big_grin: Some 'artistic' shooting from Kaz Skippy's always with us :)

G'day Doug - agree with the guys comments about understanding the fundamentals before engaging technology to help...just like at school learning maths when calculators were available...not sure what kids these days do - maybe calculators are the 'old' way now with PCs on every desk. Once you're proficient and comfortable with the fundamentals, then make use of anything that's available to help you in the cockpit. I use Command Flight Planner for all my flight planning and a Garmin 196 and PDA/GPS with OziExplorer in flight - why 2 GPS's, well as the guys mentioned, one might fail. The trick with using technology to assist is to be proficient with its use before you take it into the cockpit - you need to know how to use it quickly and effectively otherwise it'll be a distraction. Being proficient with your GPS/PDA or whatever you use will make in-flight planning, diversions etc. as easy to deal with as using a map, compass and wizz wheel...in fact a lot easier at times, let's you focus on flying the aircraft...that's my experience at least. All that being said...we still have the printed flight plan, map and wizz wheel in the aircraft and track our progress on the 'old' map...wizz wheel for me is a backup if the GPS and PDA fail me. I think technology should be embraced to make life easier for us...whatever it is we're trying to do...probably why I work for a technology company!

Which reminds me, I really need to update that website!...anyone after a CT4 checklist as well :)

It's up at Hall until the paperwork is finalised this week but we hope to have it at Canberra Airport on Saurday. We plan to take it for it's first 'real' fly to Temora on Sunday...

Hi Mike, Here's one we used for 3978 - had a variable pitch prop so has some checklist items for that. Has all relevant speeds as well. Will print to have a double sided A5 check list. The speeds we had separately attached to the dash. Cheers, Matt. Evektor SportStar Checklist 1.0.zip Evektor SportStar Checklist 1.0.zip Evektor SportStar Checklist 1.0.zip

Try Tasair at Devenport...not sure if they're in Launceston as well.

Yep, it is real. I know Tori, and she's a mad keen pilot like most of us. The BD lives in Terry Snow's (very nice) hangar at Canberra airport...not flown yet though, still under construction.

They do indeed, all 210 of them! The test flight last Saturday was on a pretty typical Canberra autumn day - about 23 degrees with pressure at 1024hp. Strip elevation was 2000' and two up with full tanks we easily maintained about 1500fpm at 90kts with cruise at 130kts. The engine in this one is sweeeeeet.

There was an article about this the RA-Aus magazine maybe about 12 months ago. My last BFR (now known as AFR - Aeroplane Flight Review) was conducted in the Sportstar - it covered my PPL and RA-Aus flight reviews in the same flight as the Sportstar was certified for controlled airspace and the instuctor was a GA CFI and RA-Aus CFI. We could carry out all the necessary GA flight review components i.e. controlled airspace as well as the standard airwork everyone does i.e. forced landings, glide approaches, emergency procedures etc.

Would you believe the Aviation Trader...there were 3 CT-4s in this month, plus a Winjeel and the usual Nanchangs and Yaks.

Thanks for all the feedback. Our LAME was a tech in the RAAF when the CT-4s were being operated and apparently they actually had a pretty easy life at ARDU. One of the many positives about the aircraft is the condition the airframe is in, despite the paint being a bit faded and patchy in spots, there's no corrosion anywhere on the airframe. One other 'unique' feature she has is an inverted oil system, it's the only 360 powered CT-4 in Australia with an inverted oil system, something ARDU were testing...good for aerobatics apparently :) Can't wait to start putting together the scrap book and find out all about her past. We're heading down to Point Cook in June so will be popping in to see the folks at the RAAF museum to see if they have any info on her. Did anyone see the dark blue CT-4F at Avalon or in the latest Australian Aviation mag? Full glass cockpit and 300HP engine...hmmmmm...now I wonder how we can upgrade her :) Regarding the "LIMITED" category, this is a CASA category applied to all ex-military aircraft which don't have a civilian certification. The B, E and F model CT-4s all have civilian certifications, the A model doesn't. Presently the limitations are to the conditions i.e. day VFR ,and to CASA's liability i.e. because they're not certified, it's a 'fly at your own risk' approach...sound familiar. As with 'ultralights' which are administered by RA-Aus following CASA regulations, ex-military aircraft will be moving (as of next week) from CASA administration to that of the "Australian Warbirds Association" who will administer LIMITED category aircraft following CASA regulations. You can get the A model certified for Night VFR or full IFR, apparently it just requires some minor changes to the airframe and the necessary avionics. Something we'll probably look at in the future.

Hey everyone...so when we sold the Sportstar and we were a bit sad , someone said to cheer ouselves up we should buy another aeroplane...well, we did...and it worked :big_grin: Some of you may recall last year we were thinking of selling the Sportstar to buy a CT-4 as they have a bit of a special place in my heart having grown up around them as a kid at Point Cook and my first flight in a small aircraft was in a CT-4. It didn't work out last year, but through a chain of events starting with a bit of hail in Canberra in February, we've ended up with a bit of a gem. Ok, so she's not exactly a 'warbird' as such, but the official regs state that any ex-military aircraft are classified as a 'warbirds'. So for a bit of background: Built 1975, delivered to the RAAF at 1FTS at Point Cook then allocated to ARDU (Aircraft Research and Development Unit) in Edinburgh (SA) Spent all her service life at ARDU and was never used for ab-initio training Sold at auction in 1993 with only 1800 hours on the airframe and only has 2050 now Only one owner and only flown by him (not very often!) since then She's the only flying CT-4 never used for training...there was another (also at ARDU) but that one crashed a few years back and was written off The paint isn't in the best condition as she's lived in a farm shed for the last 14 years, but mechanically she's faultless having been maintained by one of the folks who also spends a lot of their time working at the Temora Aviation Museum. So a new paint job in the next year or two is on the books to get her looking like new again. There's also quite a few spares with the sale...like spare flaps, ailerons, canopy, tyres...need to buy a shed now, not sure they'll fit in the apartment :) We should be flying her away sometime next week and will definitely (depending on weather...) be attending the fly in at Camden Haven in June...plenty of wing to camp under...or curl up in the back of the cockpit! Here's what she looked like when 'new'...we'll get her looking like that again soon

Non-ASIC card holders can be escorted by an ASIC holder - they require a Visitor Identification Card. From the DOTARS website: " Visitors who need to access the airside area or any landside security zone of the airport need to wear a visitor identification card (VIC) and they must be supervised by a person displaying a valid ASIC until they leave that area or zone." Some useful links: http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/factsheet/fact13.aspx http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/security/aviation/legislation/overview/idcards.aspx If your nearest and dearest is a regular passenger and you regularly visit RPT airports, get them an ASIC too. Like Scott, I'm not sure what the big fuss is about ASICs.

Well, it's done, SportStar 24-3978 (now to be known as "Dimples" - for those who have seen her, you'll understand!) is in her new home at Port Macquarie...and it was a bit of an adventure getting there! Forecast looked reasonable so we departed Canberra just before 9AM on ANZAC day, headed direct Bathurst at 6500' above some broken cloud which was sitting on the hills. Made it to Bathurst on schedule, topped up the tank...so far so good. The next leg was Bathurst to Maitland, again planning on getting up high to get over the hills and the cloud sitting on them. The forecast for Maitland was broken cloud at about 2000' and passing showers in the area. We took off and climbed to 5500' heading for Maitland, as we neared the range the cloud got higher so we climbed to 7500'...then 8500'. After about 20 minutes above what was about 7/8ths of cloud that appeared to be about 6,000 feet thick, we turned around and headed back to Bathurst where we knew the cloud was sparse enough to be able to get back down. On the way back to Bathurst we decided to divert up to Mudgee as the cloud bank was sitting on and to the east of the range and at least by heading further North we'd be getting a bit closer to our destination. GPS track...the long way 'round to Maitland We made it to Mudgee with no dramas and caught up with a few other "west of the range" travellers trying to get to various places along the northern NSW coast. After a bit of discussion, phone calls to locals at various fields and much finger pointing at charts, we decided to head up to Scone and see whether we'd be able to make it down the Hunter Valley to Maitland from Muswellbrook. Our fellow travellers had various other plans and we parted company wishing each other well. NOTE: Just like to give a plug to the Mudgee Aero Club who are kind and trusting enough to have all their club facilities open to those flying through - very much appreciated. So off we headed to Scone. As with our trip from Canberra to Bathurst, the cloud was broken about the hills and getting a bit higher as the day went on. As we neared Muswellbrook the view down the Hunter Valley was quite welcoming, the cloud base was pretty solid around 2500' but not looking too menacing so off we headed down the valley...again, so far so good. About 5nm from Maitland, with the field in sight, it started to drizzle then rain lightly with not much beyond the field visible...about time to land I reckon! Straight in approach to runway 08, landed, waved at the 20+ Kangaroos lining the runway and taxi up to the fuel bowser in time for the heavens to open and bucket with rain for the next 30 mins...looks like we won't be making it to Port Macquarie today. Apparently that was the wettest day for the Newcastle area for years...just our luck! We phoned Gregg from Maitland to let him know that we'd be staying the night due to the weather and give him the bad news that he'd have to wait till tomorrow before we delivered his new baby to him...no worries, better to be late than in the news. Next day arrives with a bit of sunshine and blue sky thankfully as we're heading from Maitland to Taree via the VFR lane through Williamtown airspace. Despite the bit of blue sky, the cloud base was again pretty solid at about 2500' but good enough for the terrain following run that was to come. Having not flown the lane through Willy airspace before we weren't quite sure what to expect...other than we'd be spending all our time below 1000' in what looked like a pretty hilly part of the country! Take off from Maitland and enter the lane closely following the railway line...hoping not to meet too many other folks heading the other way! Gotta say that this route is fantastic! With a solid cloud base above, the sensation of flying through the valleys and ridges and between hilltops at 110kts was awesome...wanted to turn around at the end of it and do it all again! As we approached the end of the lane the cloud base lifted and cleared a bit and the trip across to Taree and then up the coastline to Port Macquarie was quite a contrast to the flying and terrain through the VFR lane. GPS track - Willy VFR lane...looks a lot like Darren's straight and level tracks New home for Dimples... About 20 hours late but in one piece we arrived at Port Macquarie with Dimples' new owner waiting ever-so-patiently for our inbound call and arrival who greeted us with some other keen onlookers. Proud new dad :) Why am I looking so happy?!?!?!?!? The 'handover' flight... Ironically, in all of my 400 odd hours of flying, this was the first time I've ever had to divert for real and the only time we've never made our planned destination. I'd like to think we made good decisions along the way and, despite having a desire to get to our destination that same day, we had also planned in the event we couldn't and had "what if" options for each leg of our journey...some of that training actually pays off, the old buggers were right (TIC of course )

I like the idea of a Port Mac fly in on the QB long weekend...maybe get up to see how my...I mean Gregg's Sportstar is going :)

Not sure you'd get a Herc into The Oaks...probably get a Caribou in there though :) Sorry about you missing out on a flight Emma, the speed of the sale was a bit unexpected. We will be back to The Oaks though, just in something a little heavier...maybe Kaz and I can be the "2 Amigos" and fly a Warrior up from Canberra

Hey Mike, Got a couple of options at the moment, going through an Air Force pilot application process (just waiting on a date to go to Tamworth for Pilot Selection course) and if that doesn't come off then I'll be expanding endorsements and ratings on my PPL and probably end up buying something GA that's IFR rated for those days when you need to fly but can't. Cheers, Matt.

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a new username as Sportstar3978 will be going to a new home this week ...any tips on how to deal with the grief of selling your baby would also be appreciated. 2 years to the day we first picked up Sportstar3978 we will be delivering her to her new home in Port Macquarie...a bit of a sea change from the hustle and bustle of life at Canberra International Airport :) Will put a post into "Great Trips" later this week after our final flight :;)4: Cheers Matt (formerly Sportstar3978)...& Kaz

This could have been a "Canberra to Merimbula" story but a few things came up (mainly the very thick smoke haze between Canberra and Merimbula) so we ended up at The Oaks instead for what was another great day with the gang up there. The weather was perfect except for a bit of haze but this disappeared during the afternoon. Met some new folks there including Bruce who becaome another face and name on the ever growing "right seat" list for SporStar3978. Had to twist Darren's arm to get him to go up again...you can tell by the look on his face that he really didn't want to be there Sunny kept us company in the calm blue skies...when he could catch us :) And coz I know Darren loves these so much :), here's some GPS tracks of the days antics This one's Bruce's flight This one's Darren's flight...and no, there were no drinkies before this flight, just having fun chasing Sunny around the sky :) And here's the "there and back" track from Canberra...via Mittagong & Goulburn...fuel stop at Goulburn on the way home. Next week will be "Canberra to Merimbula", we're due for a service!

Sounds like a plan, we'll be there...and then a couple of weeks later there's an open day & airshow at Nowra...we'll be there too!

Here's another one

Canberra to Narromine Same day (Friday), different departure point. We headed out of Canberra at about 8.30, departed between MSU (Beech 200) and RRJ (Warrior) all headed for Narromine. There was a bit of broken cumulus cloud around Canberra at about 4500' but we got above it easily and tracked direct Narromine at 6500'. Quiet on the radio except for RRJ (IFR at 6000') getting regular traffic updates on us as he was very slowly overtaking us...having departed Canberra just after us, we joined crosswind at Narromine just behind him - not much speed difference between the old Warrior and our Sportstar...about 20L/hour difference in fuel burn though :). Arrived Narromine just before 10.30. As mentioned in another post, spent the few hours we were there catching up with friends and making some new ones. We left Narromine at about 3.30, stopped off at Dubbo to fill up the tank and then direct home to Canberra. Headed home at 7500', dropped down to 5500' just after Cowra due to a bit of cloud - bit of a bummer as we had a 10 knot tailwind at 7500 and ran into a 10 knot headwind at 5500. Touched down at Canberra just before 6...our unofficial travelling companions from Canberra RRJ and MSU arrived just before and after us respectively. Seemed to be a few others from Canberra up there on Friday...funny how we all fly to the middle of NSW to meet up :) Here's a pic of the GPS track from the day...sorry about the size and quality of the pic - limitations of the forum.

Better than one? :) I use the PDA for OziExplorer moving map VNC/VTC charts and the Garmin for route planning and tracking etc.