gregrobertson

Your first solo is something you will never forget. Congratulations!!!!! Greg.

You and Owen do very nice work. Looks like a clever Oil cooler and radiator mount. You should be airborne very soon. Great Job!!!!!!! Greg.

The previous aircraft were a 1927 Travelair, C3B and Speedmail, and a Ford Tri motor I believe. This lot. Douglas Skyraider, Stearman, Citabria on floats, L39, Mt Hood, On final in the Speedmail, Stearman Lineup, Stearman, Stearmans over Spokane, T6 on Final and Yak55M [ATTACH]15741[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15731[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15732[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15733[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15734[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15735[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15736[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15737[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15738[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15739[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15740[/ATTACH]

A friend in the US sends me pics of planes he has photographed here are some.[ATTACH]15730[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15728[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]15729[/ATTACH]

I have had the same problem with my 912 ULS. I spoke to Wal at Bert Floods about it. His advice was to check the float level but not to change the needle position in the slide and let the engine get a few hours on it. I now have 148 hours up and it now seems to be getting better fuel economy. Wall also suggested to try BP Ultimate and see if it made a difference. It seems to. Greg.

Thanks for the wrap Ken. Nynja cruise speed 100 kts at 80% power. 95-97 kts at 5000 RPM Rotax 912 ULS. Stall 34kts with flap. Ken's Nynja at Watts Bridge.

Australia has some of the best flying conditions in the world and plenty of room to fly. The down side of this is that our distances are vast. Just where to hold a fly in when our population is so spread out. Australia's population centre is somewhere around Narromine and Temora is not that far from there. One of the disadvantages of holding a flyin close to any of our major centres on the east coast is that all are on the coast with the Great Dividing Range behind them. If it were to be held somewhere around Sydney for example and the weather was bad then attendance would be very poor. Two years back almost nobody could get out of Sydney. At least out on the plains we all have the opportunity to fly in. I sympathise with thoes who have to travel by other means and I don't have an answer for that. The other advantage of an air show in a country centre is that there is no problems with airspace. I am only glad I don't have to make the decision as there is just no way to please everybody. I also sympathise with Scotty. The last two years have not been up to the mark particularly last year ( I have been to the last 7) Hopefully this year will be turnaround time. It is our fly in and we all need to make it a success. If enough people stay away because they think it is not worth attending is just a guarentee that it will fail. Lets hope for fine weather and make it a great time. Greg.

I have alredy booked my trade site. So the Nynja and hopefully a Skyranger will be on display. The organisation this year seems to be a great improvement on last year. There is a new layout for trade sites this year, in some ways similar to Narromine in that the trade area is much more compact and not just strung out along the runway. Hopefully there will be lots of exibitors and the event well attended. It is still by far the biggest light aircraft display in Aus. if Ra Aus members want it to continue we all need to support it. Lets hope for good weather. Greg.

I haven't been in there since 1987. We were flying down the coast and got caught by some weather flying a 182P. I couldn't get into Rocky and ATC asked me to divert to GKI. We (4 blokes) had to stay several days due weather. Try convincing your wife you are stranded on GKI. The place was buzzing back then. Anset (I think) were running twin Otters into the place. Sad to see it in decline. As I recall you need good brakes if you land on 30 it has quite a down slope. Thanks for the video Doug, brought back some memories. Greg.

See Jim the fuse fabric wasn't too hard after all. Looks like you have done a nice job. Give me a call before you cover the wings there are a few little tricks that are handy to know. Greg.

The problem as I see it is that what started out as an organisation catering for low powered single seat aircraft has quite quickily changed. The organisation now caters for a wide range of aircraft from 95-10 right through to very sophisticated LSA aircraft. There is also a constant push from some areas to extend the weight, add further privilages (eg access to CTA) etc. All of this comes at a price i.e. more and more regulation from CASA. More regulation means greater cost for members in administration. None of us should be surprised by that. I can understand that thoes who want to continue to fly 95-10 aircraft and the like would be upset at the cost escalation, in that they are paying administration costs that they could argue they do not need. I don't have the answer, maybe a seperate organisation is worth consideration. We have all seen the result of less than profesional administration. Expect costs to increase in the future. Greg.

I had the honour of test flying Mal McKenzie's new Skyranger today at Watts Bridge. It flew very nicely as expected. Mal can now fly off the test hours and enjoy the fruits of his labours. Congratulations Mal!!!!!!!!!!

Some aviation images from 1942. I just hope I can upload them OK. Greg Unbelievably sharp 4x5 Kodachromes taken in 1942 by Alfred Palmer Wait for them to load as these photos are astounding! What a view of the early 1940’s. Notice the nail polish on some of the women and that no one wore protective eyewear! 4x5 Kodachromes May 1942. Langley Field, Virginia . YB-17 bombardment squadron. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer 2. October 1942. "Testing electric wiring at Douglas Aircraft Company. Long Beach , California ." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 3. October 1942. Engine installers at Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach , California . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 4. October 1942. Experimental staff at the North American Aviation plant in Ingle- wood, Calif. , observing wind tunnel tests on a model of the B-25 ("Billy Mitchell") bomber. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 5. April 1943. Schoolchildren in San Augustine County , Texas . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by John Vachon, Office of War Information. 6. February 1943. Working on the horizontal stabilizer of a "Vengeance" dive bomber at the Consolidated-Vultee plant in Nashville . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 7. Long Beach , California . October 1942. "Annette del Sur publicizing salvage campaign in yard of Douglas Aircraft Company." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 8. October 1942. Workers installing fixtures and assemblies in the tail section of a B-17F bomber at the Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Long Beach , California . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 9. October 1942. "Lieutenant 'Mike' Hunter, Army test pilot assigned to Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach , California ." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 10. October 1942. Inglewood , California . North American Aviation drill operator in the control surface department assembling horizontal stabilizer section of an airplane. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 11. October 1942. Assembling switchboxes on the firewalls of B-25 bombers at North American Aviation's Inglewood , California , factory. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. 12. October 1942. Inglewood , California . "Young woman employee of North American Aviation working over the landing gear mechanism of a P-51 fighter plane." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 13. October 1942. Kansas City , Kansas . "B-25 bomber plane at North American Aviation being hauled along an outdoor assembly line." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 14. June 1942. Engine inspector for North American Aviation at Long Beach , California . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 15. June 1942. Inglewood , California . "Punching rivet holes in a frame member for a B-25 bomber at North American Aviation." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 16. 942. Inglewood , California . Riveting team working on the cockpit shell of a C-47 heavy transport at North American Aviation. "The versatile C-47 performs many important tasks for the Army. It ferries men and cargo across the oceans and mountains, tows gliders and brings paratroopers and their equipment to scenes of action." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 17. June 1942. Crane operator at Tennessee Valley Authority's Douglas Dam. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the OWI. 18. June 1942. Army tank driver at Fort Knox , Kentucky . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 19. June 1942. Fort Knox , Kentucky . "Infantryman with halftrack. A young soldier sights his Garand rifle like an old-timer. He likes the piece for its fine firing qualities and its rugged, dependable mechanism." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 20. Fort Knox , June 1942. "Light tank going through water obstacle." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer, Office of War Information. 21. October 1942. "American mothers and sisters, like these women at the Douglas Aircraft Company plant in Long Beach , California , give important help in producing dependable planes for their men at the front." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 22. March 1943. Yardmaster at Amarillo , Texas , railyard. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano, Office of War Information. 23. February 1943. Lucille Mazurek, age 29, ex-housewife, husband going into the service. Working at the Heil and Co. factory in Milwaukee on blackout lamps to be used on Air Force gasoline trailers. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard R. Hollem for the Office of War Information. 24. October 1942. Glenview , Illinois . "Transfusion bottles containing intravenous solution are given final inspection by Grace Kruger, one of many women employees at Baxter Laboratories. When her brother left Baxter to join the Merchant Marine, Miss Kruger, a former life insurance clerk, took his place." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard R. Hollem for the OWI. 25. October 1942. Riveter at work on a bomber at the Consolidated Aircraft factory in Fort Worth . 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard Hollem. 26. October 1942. "Thousands of North American Aviation employees at Inglewood , California , look skyward as the bomber and fighter planes they helped build perform overhead during a lunch period air show. This plant produces the battle-tested B-25 'Billy Mitchell' bomber, used in General Doolittle's raid on Tokyo, and the P-51 'Mustang' fighter plane, which was first brought into prominence by the British raid on Dieppe." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer for the Office of War Information. 27. August 1942. Corpus Christi , Texas . "After seven years in the Navy, J.D. Estes is considered an old sea salt by his mates at the Naval Air Base." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard Hollem, Office of War Information. 28. August 1942. Mechanic Mary Josephine Farley works on a Wright Whirlwind motor in the Corpus Christi , Texas , Naval Air Base assembly and repairs shop. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard R. Hollem. 29. August 1942. Corpus Christi , Texas . "Working inside the nose of a PBY, Elmer J. Pace is learning the construction of Navy planes. As a National Youth Administration trainee at the Naval Air Base, he gets practical experience. After about eight weeks, he will go into civil service as a sheet metal worker." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Howard R. Hollem. 30. April 1943. "Mrs. Thelma Cuvage, working in the sand house at the Chicago & North Western R.R. roundhouse at Clinton , Iowa . Her job is to see that sand is sifted and cleaned for use in the locomotives. Mrs. Cuvage's husband works as a guard at the Savanna, Illinois , ordnance plant." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. 31. March 1943. "Santa Fe R.R. shops, Albuquerque . Hammering out a drawbar on the steam drop hammer in the blacksmith shop." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano for the Office of War Information. 32. June 1942. Truck driver at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Douglas Dam. Amazing 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer. 33. December 1942. A winter afternoon in the North Proviso yardmaster's office, Chicago & North Western Railroad. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano. Click here for a closeup of the poster on the wall. 34. December 1942. Three West Coast streamliners in the Chicago & North Western yards at Chicago. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Jack Delano. 35. Shulman's Market at N and Union Street SW, Washington. 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Louise Rosskam. Alternate view. In one of the many comments for this post, an alert FOS (Friend of Shorpy) points out the posters of Axis leaders Mussolini, Hitler and Admiral Yamamoto in the window. Along the bottom of each it says What do YOU say America? 36. June 1942. Lockheed Vega aircraft plant at Burbank, California. "Hollywood missed a good bet when they overlooked this attractive aircraft worker, who is shown checking electrical sub-assemblies." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by David Bransby for the Office of War Information. 37. October 1942. "Noontime rest for an assembly worker at the Long Beach, Calif., plant of Douglas Aircraft Company. Nacelle parts for a heavy bomber form the background." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency by Alfred Palmer.

Photographed at Watts Bridge by Rob Knight. Greg.

Another view of my fuel rig for thoes interested. The alumimium tube is 12mm. A later addition is a cable attached to the aluminium tube at the top which is earthed to the aircraft. This ensures that there is no difference in electrical potential between the fuel in the tank and the fuel in the jerry can. (hopefully no sparks). I cannot claim the idea is original just an adaptation of what others have done before, however it works well and certainly saves my back. Greg.

I made this up 6 years ago and am still using it. It will empty the jerry can in about a minute and does not take a lot of effort. I think the parts cost me all of $20. Greg

I have built aircraft through SAAA and RA-Aus. Both structures are esentially the same in that the builder is the one who actually does the final inspection, yes it is under supervision but the builder is the one with his neck on the line. The SAAA have been in the business for a long time and have very good systems in place to advise the builder on acceptable construction methods and practices. A TC (technical councilor) is generally in place to keep an eye on the build process and advise the builder, he/she writes a report for the AP which is taken into account when the AP issues the special C of A. and can impose flight and flight test conditions. The RA-Aus system is similar but is not as refined at this stage. The bottom line for both systems is that the builder is responsible for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Just as anyone who performs their own maintenance is responsible for the safety of that aircraft. Greg.

It is a great way to learn if you can afford to do it that way. In 1985 I got my restricted PPL in two weeks at Latrobe Valley. I haven't got my log book handy but I don't think there was a day I didn't fly. That included the exams for restricted as well. It took me another 5 months to complete my unrestricted licence. I have heard it said that doing it so fast you don't get to fly in all types of weather, that is not the case in the latrobe Valley. Greg

I have to agree with Bruce. Shipping is also my biggest headache. Shipping companies, customs and quarantine all seem to make their own rules, but it's not just here. It seems to be international, port and export charges have doubled in France over the last 12 months. I surpose they have to balance their budget somehow. Greg.

Hi Jim. Have you thought of using one of the new I Pad minis, 7.9 in screen with OZ Runways. There should be ample room on the panel for it, a lot cheaper than some of the other dedicated GPS units with a multitude of uses. Greg.

Have a look at a Skyranger or Nynja. Quick build, proven design, STOL capability, High wing, Float friendly. Good cruise speed (90-100 kts). www.bestoffaircraft.com.au Greg.

I have a number of hours up in a Trinidad. Pull the power off on final and they drop like a stone. Nice plane otherwise. My condolences to the families and friends left behind. Greg.

If you are looking for a kit which is quick and easy to build you can not go past a Nynja or Skyranger. Build time for both is around 300-350 hours. No special tools or jigs are required. It will cost you in the order of $62-65K finished and flying. There are over 1400 Skyrangers and 100 Nynjas flying around the world so the design and structure is well proven and strong. The Nynja will cruise at 100 knots with a 100 hp Rotax 912ULS, stall speed is 34 knots. I have an interest as I import the kits but I can put you in touch with many who have built their planes and are now very happy with the result. Greg.

I had to do the conversion on my Skyranger last year before I sold it. There is no problem just contact the people ar RA-Aus and they will let you know what is required. The biggest hassel is fitting the huge registration numbers RA-Aus insist on. Greg.