jakej

OK,OK I'll bite & hopefully give some more informed detail to dispel some of the myths & misconceptions re Mode S & ADS- B. my input is only to help, not inflame so please don't take offence

Mode S is needed for ADS-B - can't have one without the other

The easier one first - ADS-B (out) - unless the plane is going IFR AND has a Navigator like Garmin 430W, GTN (ie TSO 146) etc , AND HAS a Mode S (with ES = Extended Squitter) Transponder, this requirement WILL NOT apply. End of story

Mode S Transponder - in the case of VFR only aircraft. This document says it all http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2012L01739/Download however Para 9 has more relevant detail.

Basically, as I read it (I will contact the 'man' at Airservices on Monday to clarify), this is the situation -

If you replace your existing Transponder, on or after 6th Feb next year, or your aircraft is first registered after that date you will ned a Mode S type BUT only if operating, for our purposes, in C or E airspace or above 10,000 ft in Class G. To simplify - if you go into C airspace eg SY or ML etc, then you will need Mode S. However if you go into Class D ie Bankstown, Parafield or Moorabbin etc then you DO NOT need Mode S.

to recap - forget about ADS-B for VFR aircraft, there is no requirement despite the input from some well meaning 'experts' on forums. Also ADS-B is totally different to Traffic aareness from products like Zaon, it picks up ome Transponder output from other aircraft only. From my experience I'd rather 'look out the window' as there are too many not bothering to turn on their transponders, mark one eyeball is safer IMO - like radio calls, how do you really know if the message is getting out - better to look as well IMO:cheers:.

Mode S Transponder - if you want one or have to install one as per above then please --

1. Do not connect a non TSO'd 145/146 Gps to it - it won't work and creates issues that you don't want to know about.

2. Buy the ES version to future proof the install, do not buy any other type

3. Get the Hex Code, in the case of RA Aus from the Registrar of Aircraft (CASA) or from the RA Aus office ( I think they organise this now but I could be wrong) the Hex code has to be entered into the Transponder menu for it to work.

4. The Transponder installation will have to be tested IAW AD/RAD/47 (this applies to ALL Transponders fitted) by a professional with the correct test equipment.

5. Do Not turn the power on or use the Mode S unit until it has been tested.

For those that are not aware there is a possible penalty by CASA of 100 points for aircraft that don't have the AD complied with, just saying as I'm figuring that some surveillance may be done after the new reg comes int effect.

If you are buying a new Mode S Transponder then a cost effective option for Dynon Skyview owners is the Dynon unit, made by Trig for approx $us1800 (even better value than a Mode C type) or the Trig TT21 panel mount at approx $us2200 however the Garmin GTX330 is approx $us3900, go figure.

Hopefully this is useful to you & if I find that I've written something incorrect I'll fix that mistake.

Jake J

I

This statement will quickly become inaccurate if it hasn't already in that come Feb 2014 all new transponders being installed will need to be Mode S.

Jake J

Ballpoint

Not quite correct CASA issue binary codes with all GA aircraft which you then covert to a Hexidecimal combination of numbers & letters, total of 6 !! RA aircraft have the Hexidecimal code issued on request.

FYI The Dynon & Trig mode S transponders are approx the same cost as a mode C unit & will ' future proof' the aircraft.

Interesting to note that all the transponders I've installed in the last 18 months, GA & RA, are mode S.

Jake J

Okay! Okay! Let's stop the China bashing and get back to the topic. Crickey! All I wanted to do was to warn people that buying cheap instruments may be a false economy. I'm sure that the Chinese can make good quality instruments. Has anyone pulled and altimeter from a Nanchang and had it serviced? I'm sure that you would find that an instrument in a military plane was top quality. OME

We're talking RAA & experimental here -the Altimeter topic was bought up ages ago, no one seems to care as long as they're cheap many will continue to buy them & whinge when they prematurely fail

I always find it funny how people will complain about landing fees, airport maintenance etc. to the point of avoiding airports to save themselves $10 but in the next breath whinge about all the airports closing and there is nowhere to keep an aircraft within easy driving distance etc. etc. Some places may be cheap, some way over the top but I suggest to those who think it is all too expensive, go buy a couple of hundred acres, prepare a few strips, build some toilets and an office, put up fencing, buy the machinery to maintain the place, work seven days a week and listen to all the people whinge about how much you charge and how they are never coming back etc. etc. Maybe go look up the costs for keeping a boat at a marina, or the fees for living on a golf course.

You conveniently missed my point ....... I agree with airport charges if appropriate, for ALL users - I had asked the question in the past about why isn't a landing fee applied (for everyone) instead of 'hitting up' the captive few.

I always find it funny how people will complain about landing fees, airport maintenance etc. to the point of avoiding airports to save themselves $10 but in the next breath whinge about all the airports closing and there is nowhere to keep an aircraft within easy driving distance etc. etc. Some places may be cheap, some way over the top but I suggest to those who think it is all too expensive, go buy a couple of hundred acres, prepare a few strips, build some toilets and an office, put up fencing, buy the machinery to maintain the place, work seven days a week and listen to all the people whinge about how much you charge and how they are never coming back etc. etc. Maybe go look up the costs for keeping a boat at a marina, or the fees for living on a golf course.

I have no issue with paying a landing fee, actually prefer that - I personally built & owned the 2nd largest hangar at YSCB so don't lecture me about costs as I had to pay solicitors & valuers every 2 years (rent review) to 'put a lid' on the exhorbitant rates they wanted. I'm led to believe the hangar cost is around $1000 per month now .When the airport was privatised the rates went up 100% overnight.

My 'whinge' is the inequitable way it's done at ADG because they are too lazy to collect landing fees so they make aircraft owner tenants pay & everyone else gets off scott free. Hangar owners pay half that amount.

Charge what you think you need to but it's unfair to charge a minority & the majority pay nothing as they can come & go as often as they like without paying a cent.

P500

Gee that's cheap, at Aldinga they charge $803 per year now for an "airfield maintenance fee" - cleverly not called a landing fee, so if you want somewhere to land FREE you can there. It's only 'captive' aircraft that pay. Interestingly boats, heaps of cars, motorbikes, caravans & those wanting to store anything don't pay - must be a consumer law being busted here, will have to check it out.

More than 50 aircraft flew in to our biennial fly in and hanger dinner last Friday and Saturday.A great crowd of spectators inspected the vast array of machines on display. The weather was perfect too.

Full marks to the club members who put a lot of effort into making this event one to remember.

 

I only managed to catch up with one rec flying member which was not what I expected, perhaps we should wear a rec flying cap to identify ourselves. I had a look at Ian's store but nothing there???

 

A great thanks to all who participated

 

Phil.

What a great event, in addition to catching up with friends the Sat evening dinner was on our 'not to be missed' list, we weren't disappointed. We have been to many Fly In events over the years however this one had a real good friendly 'feel' to it, you guys at Loxton rock !!

Jake Jansen

An observation - I wonder how many 'qualified professionals' would pass the MPC ? & why aren't they now required to do it too ? Maybe the uproar would make CASA re evaluate, on second thoughts I must be dreaming:im stupid:

Having flown Beech's for a long time and with most of their types having sprung out of the 50's and 60's, I don't know that they are the leaders of ergonomic design. But if it's your own aircraft then having something that you are comfortable with is half the battle!

Sorry Jake, I don't understand your comment (late evening after a long day of stalling and circuits). Will kaz's Garmin Glonass and iPad be approved per that TSO??

"CASA has no interest in it, not being TSO approved."

David,

Are you sure ?? There are some there talking about TSO 199 http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/tso/

Jake J

Suitably corrected Jake, Im confusing the ifr transponder provisions with the general carriage provisions you list.

2014 date is for aircraft newly on the Australian register or replacements of existing units. I guess the important thing to consider is that mode A should not be fitted any more.Be careful with the nprm, most of the provisions apply only to aircraft operating under IFR

If you have any other definitive info then I'd like to hear it because that would indicate confusion within the regulatory ranks, then all bets are off - that situation wouldn't surprise me

PM me if you like.

A 'heads up' - CASA had notified of an NPRM (was mooted for fitment by Feb 2014) for fitment of Transponders (mode S or C ) for Class D airspace - this may now be later than that IMO however it's better to be forewarned in case your panel needs space for one. There are some remote mount units on the market too if panel space is an issue.

Jake thanks for that info......The new set of J supplied 6ply's lasted almost no time at all on mine and it was for that reasons that I went, as per forum advice here, to the 10 plys. If you can do the same by using a better compound then that is good to know.The 10 ply's do weigh more than the 6's so there may well be some impact on the airframe as the tyres go from 0 to 55kts at touchdown, but if so as yet I havent seen anything.......

 

Andy

Hi Andy,Owning a 24 rego aircraft has its draw backs in my humble opinion and this is one. I can only assume that if I fitted 10 ply tyres despite Jabiru I would risk not being insured. I can only hope that I don't get a puncture in the middle of no where.

My guess is 10 ply is way overkill & probably makes the touchdown much harder than necessary on the airframe.

Phil

aarh yes, but we have a 'test schedule' to follow which allows you to find out the 'performance of your plane. IMO the LAA has TOO MUCH control over what you guys do & they have prevented IFR in homebuilts as well & charge heaps of fees etc & you have to go through their approval process anytime you want to do a mod. An example of how much out of control they are was the case of an RV owner who was required to get engineering justification from DYNON re the Auto Pilot install brackets.

Talking of IFR, my Glasair was built under 101.28 (certified, but I was not allowed to sign off the maintenace release annually) & flew for 10 + years (including 2 'big' trips over water to NZ etc). Then I changed it to Experimental category, plane doesn't know the difference & is still IFR. Why is is so difficult for the LAA to allow IFR there especially given the high numbers of VFR aircraft having CFIT fatalities ?

With regards to test flights as NEV said earlier, it IS about ATTITUDE which covers just about everything. We don't need more regulation but just for pilots to think seriously of whether they are really up to the task of flying a generally high performance, low inertia, extremely responsive (adepending on aircraft type) aircraft that they haven't flown before. From my observation most pilots are too emotionally (& financially) involved with their plane to be able to make cool calculated decisions on their first flight.

From what I've heard in the USA a lot of builders conider it much smarter for someone else to do the first flight, whereas some here probably think they'd be called a wuss if they didn't test fly. Go figure.

We don't need more regulation & just use our head more rather than our heart . Off soapbox now

Early in the flight testing of experimental planes is the danger period I believe and he reasons are lack of currency, due to building rather than flying and not being familiar with the plane.I am just about ready to test fly my RV4 and will be doing some training first and also I have kept current in the corby Starlet.

Time will tell how how current and ready I am. Wish me luck flying into Coolangatta while I retrain.

You have the right attitude however you are also probably better prepared/capable given that you fly the Corby - what worries me are those who haven't flown anything other than GA or airlines, IMO they are, generally, not ready for the handling & performance characteristics of a 'sport' aircraft.

Well what is interesting (in my opinion) is this report only covers VH registered aircraft. i.e aircraft built under 101.28 and supervised under the SAAA.

As Nev says (I think) it's more to do with recency/experience IMO too. Then there are some who insist they do the test flight although they don't have any experience on type, why ?

Ian,

I don't see the need portable Gps's disappearing for a while despite iPad use & Gps 'pucks' as used by Dynon. 1. Portable is useful for other purposes, is a backup for an onboard EFIS & if OZRunways or iPad fails then you have another Gps source & 2. A Gps is needed for all aftermarket Autopilots & Fuel flow systems like the JPI FS450.

Jake

You may be right. In any case, the Drifter pilot would be a lot more weather beaten after 500 hours, so he would definitely look more experienced. rgmwa

Hi all,The name is Karl and I am from Adelaide, fly out of Strathalbyn and am a new pilot, fly a x582w. Am a member of the southern districts flying club.

Jake J - I fly out of Aldinga

Hi JakeJ,Reading your post about Tempur, can you tell me what Tempur product you use?

Always looking for something to make the seat in a Jabiru more comfortable, this may be the answer?

 

Thank you....

Jake J

3300, Cht are all 100 to 120, egt 650 to 700 cruise, oil temp max 90 cruise 75 ( bit low), cruise 2850-2900, 26 lph.............cht only fitted on coolest head. ...............

Why ??