gregrobertson

Hi Johno. All light aircraft are effected to some degree with adverse yaw, most GA light aircraft have an inter conection between the ailerons and rudder to reduce this. However a Skyranger with lots of adverse yaw will have the ailerons set too low, if they are raised a little it makes a marked difference. Regards Greg

If any one is interested in reading some real Australian flying adventure stories get hold of "Flying Doctor" by Clyde Fenton. Clyde was one of the original flying doctors and opperated out of katherine in the NT. He didn't have a lot of time for regulations either. A great read. Greg

Hi Jimbo. The Jab has a reputation of being one of the more difficult aircraft to fly (deserved or not I make no judgement) the Skyranger is at the opposite end of the scale, very easy to fly with excelent slow speed handling and manouverability. I have 450 hours up on mine and whilst David does a lot of low and slow work I use mine more as a tourer, with trips as far as the Kimberley region and Birdsville. The Skyranger will perform either of these rolls with ease. The ease of maintenance would be a bonus in your application also. I could be accused of bais but the Skyranger would take a lot of beating as a light station aircraft. Regards Greg

Hi Jaden. If you build the kit yourself under the experimental category you will have a maintenance authority for that aircraft. SAAA are conducting Maintenance regulatory courses and I believe you will need to complete one of these. You will first have to join SAAA and purchase a building kit which contains all the information you will need to complete the project, I believe it also includes the inspection fee for the CASA approved AP (authorised person) to issue a certificate of airworthiness. I am not sure what costs are involved as it has all changed since I built my aircraft 4 yeats ago. Try the SAAA web site (not easy to navigate) or call one of the SAAA tech advisors. You will find them very helpful. Hope this helps. Greg

Hi Dan. I hope you are enjoying your holiday. I am happy to take you for a fly in a Skyranger, it is only a small diversion on your way back to UAE. Failing that I can easily set up something in the UK (hundreds of Skyrangers there) for you. Regards Greg

Hi Sloper. Can I suggest that you include the Skyranger in kits you consider. We both come from similar backgrounds in clasic cars, I built my Skyranger in 2006 in my garage in Box Hill and had a ball. Since then I have done nearly 450 hours flying all over Australia.

I have to agree with JG3. I have been to Birdsville a number of times and any route you take to get there is good. Last year our route was Latrobe Valley- Bendigo- Mildura- Broken Hill- Arkaroola- William Creek- Birdsville. Arkaroola is a must, Doug and his staff go out of their way for thier visitors. It is a wonderful area to explore and generally for a small donation to charity a 4X4 vehicle (Dorothy) is available for you to get around. Plan to spend a day at least (if you have the time). Arkaroola- William creek will take you over Lake Eyre South and a small diversion will put you over Lake Eyre, there should still be water there in September.Av gas is generally avialable at William Creek but check the status of William Creek, we were there in April and there were plans to rip up the strip and seal it later this year. William Creek- Birdsville will have you tracking over Lake Eyre and along the Warburton creek at the North end of Lake Eyre, briliant. Last year we returned via Longreach- Charleville- Lightening Ridge- Narromine and Narandra. It's a great way to see the country. Enjoy the trip!!!

Hi Rocketdriver. I built a Skyranger 4 years ago, it took 3 months from delivery to ready to fly. I had a ball, it is the best way of getting to know your aircraft. Just go for it. Greg

Hi Octave. I,m not sure just what the protocol is here, as being the Australian agent for Skyranger and Nynja (see Suppliers and Services forum of this site) I am biased. However let me assure you there is a lot more to the Skyranger than just a good price. The Skyranger has won more design and performance awards than any other aircraft in its class. It has not done this by accident. Your observation as to low cost easy assembly and low on going maintenance cost is correct as this was the principle aim in the original design. You can expect a cruise speed of a genuine 90+ knots from a Skyranger Swift with a 912 ULS engine. I am happy to provide any information you would like, or to refere you to other Skyranger owners but they will not be unbiased either. To fly one is to appreciate their qualities, To own one is to love them. Regards Greg

Allow me to introduce myself. my name is Greg Robertson and I took over the Agency for Best Off Aircraft in March this year. I began flying in 1985 at Latrobe Valley and have flown most single engine Cessna and Piper models as well as Trinidad and Air tourer. I also have 200+ horus on trikes. I have a current PPL and RA Aus Pilot certificate. My company offers the range of Award winning Skyranger aircraft and the new Nynja which has now completed its flight tests in the UK for certification to British section S. Operating this company is not my full time job, I do it because I love flying and I love the product. If in time it makes me a small profit so much the better but that is not the primary aim. I am happy to answer any enquiries or arrange for a flight test, either through this site or direct contact. Regards Greg.

I have spoken to Phillipe Prevot the designer of the Skyranger and the new Nynja about the winglets. They did indeed spend a lot of time in the wind tunnel perfecting the design of the wing tips, it seems it is not a simple matter of just putting something on that looks good, as some of the designs they tried actually increased drag. The winglets on the Nynja do reduce drag but they will will not turn a Skyranger or a Savanna for that matter into a high speed machine. The Nynja is about 10 knots quicker than a Skyranger but the winglets are only a part of the improvement package. cheers Greg

I have just returned from a trip to the Kimberleys. Before I left I tried to get a Shell Carnet, only to be told that all Shell 24 hour bowers have been converted to credit card opperation. Not true. $35 call out fee at Coober Pedy $50 call out fee at Tennant Creek. The only Shell bowser I encountered with credit card facility was at Charleville which didn't work, the agent said that more often than not it wasn't working. They are really fed up with it, but Shell don't seem to care. From my experience a BP carnet seems to be the best one to have. Available through SAAA if you are a member, save 6cents/litre too. Greg

Hi Bones. Also my experience with Shell Aero Sport. On a trip (32 Hours) up to Birdsville, Longreach and back to latrobe valley last year I burned 3/4 liter of oil. I have changed to Shell Advance VSX 4 and had no further problems. VSX also seems to hold slightly higher oil pressure. Greg

To swoop and turn and dive and to play amongst the clouds, To watch the sun glint on the wings above the earth bound crowds, To gaze down upon a flattened earth laid out in miniature below, These thrills, these pleasures,and such contentment only birds and pilots know. Greg Robertson 93 Writen for a girlfriend who wanted to learn to fly.

Speaking of i-pads I was down at our local camping shop and came across an i-pood. A high tech camping aid. Consists of a folding shovel with a toilet roll holder attached, it didn't have a USB port either. Regards Greg

According to the application store it is $7.99. I would give it a try except that I don't have an i-phone and to prise my wife's i-phone from her would be grounds for divorce. There are all sorts of disclaimers as Turboplanner has mentioned but it might be a bit of fun and might be surprisingly accurate although to rely on it would be courting disaster. Regards Greg.

Too much time on my hands, came across this. A glimps of things to come. Check it out...... www.i-hud.com Regards Greg

Hi David. The Major is correct. Quote from the information that came with my KievProp." The propeller blades have a nominal life of 4 years, irrespective of the number of hours flown. There are KievProps with over 1,500 hours on them, and still in excellent condition. After 4 years you should ideally replace the blades- however, if you have less than 400 hours on the prop, and the blades are free of any significant damage,it is acceptable to use the prop for a further year or up to 500 hours, which ever occures first." Sadly it seems that the time has come for your prop, I don't know if there is still an agent in Australia but they are available is the US. Regards Greg

Hi Milton. Do yourself a favour and have a look at a Skyranger Swift. Similar in many ways to the Savannah in that they are high wing with a useful load of about 270 KGs with a Rotax 912 engine. A very easy aircraft to fly, very good short field performance and a little faster than the Savannah in the cruise. Mine cruises at just over 90 kts at 5000 rpm and at 97 kts at 5250 rpm. In Europe they have won the world ultralight championship something like 6 times in the last 10 years and there are good reasons why. Regards Greg

My brother and I are in the process of planning a flying trip to the Kimberleys in Early May, flying my Skyranger. The rough plan at present is to fly Latrobe valley -Mildura -Arkaroola -Coober pedy - Alice Springs -Tennant Creek - Hooker Creek -Kunnanurra. Return via Mt Isa - Longreach and down through western NSW. We are open to any sugestions as to route and what to see around the Kimberleys. We will have just over three weeks. My brother is responsible for providing great weather and tail winds.... yeah right. Thanks in advance. Greg.

Welcome hatter. You are further confirmation that we regret most, the things we don't do. I am glad you have rectified that. Live the dream. 65 is the new 45! Regards Greg.

I may cop some critisism for this, but I would be very careful about any move to include GA type aircraft Cessna,Piper etc. into RA AUS. It open up a huge can of worms regarding maintenance of these aircraft, some of which are in excess of 50 years old, and have all the problems that go with this age of craft. I wouldn't mind betting that this is precicely the reason 750 kg was knocked back in the first place. I have to say I agree with MaJ Millard, keep it simple. The more complex, the heavier, faster the aircraft is, the more regulation is going to imping on our privilages. If you want to fly complex aircraft, if you want access to CTA, if you want to fly IFR or night VFR, get a PPL. If RA AUS persists with attempts to win privilages in these areas you will be all burdened with tighter regulations which most don't need or want. Regards Greg.

Just a thought but you could do no better than a stopover at Arkaroola. Avgas is usually available and the hospitality is without question the best you will experience anywhere. Accomodation is cheap and clean. We were up there a couple of weeks ago, can't speak highly enough of Doug and his staff. Regards Greg

Hi Travis. Thanks for a great offer, however the route at present is out to William creek and Birdsville. Returning via Longreach (at Leigh's sugestion) and down through central NSW. I will keep thoes contact numbers if I may as you just never know what may change. Yamba station sounds like a good destination to fly to just because we can. Thanks again Travis. Regards Greg