Arnaud

We regularly use WD40 to remove stuborn stickers. There is a HUGE list of uses on their website where we found the info. Personally I'm scared, not of flying but of xylene, benzene, hexane,etc... I think it is right up there with asbestos, the silent killers.

Life is too short... Don't waste your time and money buying and reading Sunday papers, leave this task to Neanderthalers. Just relax and enjoy the feeling of being up there...safely if possible. Arnaud

Has anyone out there any experience with the following equipment ? POV1 Helmet Cam from www.launchhelmetcams.com Elmo SUV Cam from www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au The POV1 is not as good looking but has the following advantages over the Elmo: -Higher definition -Inexpensive extention cables between the camera and the recording device -Wireless remote control ready to be velcroed on the control bar. Christmas getting closer...

Thanks guys... Sounds stupid but I have problems with my thick gloves (right now it is freezing here), can't even properly adjust the radio. And with the visor in place there is no way you can look through the optical viewfinder of a SLR. I suppose purchasing a set of barmitts would be the first step required. Nice photo Alan, you're very brave to fly over such country with a two stroke ! Here it is mainly very large paddocks with canola, wheat or pasture. Ideal terrain for cowards like myself...but you still have to keep an eye on powerlines going almost everywhere. I'll look up the Ricoh R8; I like cameras with few gadgets but good wide angle lenses. For years I have been using almost exclusively 24mm lenses, it forces you to get close to the action. There is lots of potential for interesting shots with a Wizzard wing. Low and slow, like on a pushbike, gives you time to appreciate things. Arnaud

OK, it is not a specific Airborne subject but I had to post this somewhere... I've got nearly 60 hours solo on my Redback, low and slow, and have reached a slightly more relaxed stage of flying where I would like to capture quality pictures from my surroundings. My Nikon SLR film cameras are quite heavy which makes it a challenge to attach them to various parts of the trike, so now is the time to jump to digital. I have searched the internet for hours and visited the major photo shops in Perth and have not found one digital compact camera that could be remote controlled. On a skydiving forum I read that IR remote is not working very well due to lag time. The Olympus E-420 looks cute and light but I would prefer a high end compact for this application. Anyone willing to share a few tips and advice regarding aerial photography/video... Thanks Arnaud

The FFPLUM (the French equivalent of RA-Au ) publishes a neat little booklet with almost everything an ultralight pilot kneeds to know to fly safely. You can find it on www.ffplum.com. On page 19 the minimum height requirements are listed and, as usual, the French do things differently: Outside built up areas and/or gathering of people: 150m/500ft (all AGL) Free standing factory, Industrial complex,Hospital , above or alongside Freeways: 300m/1000ft Built up area not wider than 1,200m, gatherings of people or animals (beach, stadium, race course...): 500m/1,650ft Cities between 1,200m and 3,600m wide, gatherings of more than 10,000 people (Tour de France ? Protest Marches ?): 1,000m/3330ft Cities wider than 3,600m, gatherings of more than 100,000 people (Political Marches ? Public Servant Demonstrations?), certain buildings with a distinctive interdiction sign painted on the roof (I imagine things like Prisons and Nuclear Powerplants): 1,500m/5000ft Overflying Paris is prohibited since 20/01/1948, but if your aircraft is a Mirage and the engine emits blue, white or red smoke (NOT black) and it happens to be the 14th of July, then you'll probably get away with it !

So we've got that one sorted out... What about "built up area"; is "yellow patches on the maps or street lights " the defining factor ?

Got My RA-Aus magazine yesterday and spent some time exploring the CD, including the Operations Manual and the VFR guide. Lots and lots of information, some very useful and some that will never apply to my basic local flying but I couldn't find a definitive answer to a question I asked two experienced pilots and that got me two differing answers. I was under the impression that the lowest we could fly in an ultralight ( a trike in my case), except for take-off/landing or with the landowner's permission, was 500' agl and that we were not allowed to overfly built up areas. Built up areas being the yellow bits on the charts or areas were there are street lights. First , before some of you start yelling at me, I want to reassure you that I never have done low level passes over my country town and no intention to do so in the future ! I just want to be directed to a current document that clearly states where the legal limit lies for this type of activity. I am just too dumb to find this by myself amongst the mountain of information that hit me. Thanks for your help. Arnaud

My apologies... Terribly sorry to barge in...but it is the only way I found to talk to the Clear Prop Shop Manager. It is the second time I'm trying to purchase an item from the shop and after approx. one hour of trying to get there I had to give up. I am still OK with flying but I'm getting too old for this e-commerce ! Arnaud

Yesterday I picked up a bank cheque from my Community Bank...today I noticed on my statement that they took $100 for the service ! $100 is not what it used to be. Everything can be improved, but I am pretty happy with RA-Aus. I am however a little bit concerned about the push by some pilots to obtain more privileges, like controlled airspace endorsement, etc... I said it before: don't expect GA privileges at a RA price. PS Nothing against GA, I have a PPL licence somewhere in a drawer...

World Insurance Network Ph: 02 9409 5200 www.wininsurance.com.au I used the services of our Insurance Brokers: Central Insurance in South Perth www.centralins.com.au These guys deserve our support as none of the insurance companies with big glossy ads in the magazines will insure trikes.

On a Redback trike (and other Airborne models) ), how do you get to the fuel tap whilst in the air ?

Welcome to the 21st century reality: you have now to pay a premium to obtain what was standard quality in the past and the standard product of the day is rubbish. I am in the food business and there too this rule applies. Do not rely on laws to guarantee that you get what you thought you paid for as there are very few people available to enforce them; it is all "self regulation" nowadays. Ask your fuel retailer if there is alcohol in the fuel he sells you and see the look on his face ! The smarter ones will tell you what YOU want to hear. There is an interesting article on Fuel Life at www.kedronmowers.com.au Arnaud

If RA-Aus was getting too close to GA, you could well see "basic flyers" like myself drifting towards HGFA. The question is not if RA-Aus is capable enough to handle the additional responsabilities or if CASA or GA support the idea...the only question to be asked is: Is this what the majority of the RA-Aus membership wants ? Easy to find out: A couple of pages dedicated to both sides of the argument together with a ballot paper in a future edition of the RA-Aus Magazine. Democracy at work ! Arnaud

We are not particularly shy, but it is a highly controversial subject and whatever opinion you express some members will take it badly. There is also the very familiar feeling that no matter how valid your contribution is, somewhere in the stratosphere the decision has already being made so why waste energy on a lost cause... Anyway, you asked for my opinion and there it is: GA people should sort out their problems amongst themselves and RA-Aus should stay well clear of this issue. The lure of saving a few hundred dollars in various fees could tempt some of us but be aware you cannot buy real crab meat at the price of seafood extender. In plain English: don't expect to have the GA privileges on a RA budget. Pilots who would like to fly highly sophisticated gear ( including ADSB !) into controlled airspace should bite the bullet and get a PPL. RA-Aus is a lightweight organisation for ultralight flyers, lets keep it that way. Before I retire to the safety of my bunker I let you know that twenty years ago I obtained a PPL with hight rating and a few endorsements. After 150 hours I gave it away because it was too expensive, too complicated and not enough fun. Thanks to RA-Aus and a Redback trike the fun is back ! Arnaud