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

This could be useful info for someone out there... I recently purchased a brand new Redback trike. To keep the price down (and not for technical reasons) Airborne doesn't fit the oil injected version of the 503 Rotax on their base model. My CFI/L2 has just retrofitted the oil injection on my trike. It took 8.5 hours to install, with the design and manufacture of the bracket holding the oil tank above the engine requiring a few hours. There is no Rotax bracket available for the 503 and the 582 version is not suitable. The cost of the parts was $655 to Bert Flood for the pump, tank and bits and pieces and $356 to Airborne for a standard 582 throttle cable assembly. I'm happy now...

So the new 503 I just purchased (on a Redback trike) will be discontinued soon... Doesn't worry me too much as one day I'll be discontinued too ! Apart from the TBO bit, not much difference between a two stroke and the human body: feed it proper food, don't be afraid to work it hard and you're likely to get extra mileage. Mind the bus though !

Hello Mike, I've almost given up on syndicates; lots of talk by interested parties but no action.Last monday I paid a $5,000 deposit on a new Redback. If you're really keen, I'm sure that the production slot could be put on hold or amended to a 912 but we would have to be quick. WIN Insurance is willing to ensure the trike, including ab-initio training of a partner. Having flown the two aircraft in question, I would go for a new 912 Outback with disk brakes. The drum brakes are shocking. I haven't won Lotto yet but I am sure the Redback will provide me lots of joy. Ring me on 0429 412 200 or email [email protected] if you want to discuss further. Arnaud

I am not happy... I just spent over an hour typing my contribution to this topic and when I clicked "Submit Reply" I was informed that I was not logged in. After again logging in my original message was gone ! It is not the first time it does that to me. Why is modern technology so user non-friendly ? I hate to waste valuable time so that was my last attempt at participation. From now on I will be a silent observer as no doubt the majority of us are. Arnaud PS: I will be in a better mood this afternoon as the weather looks ideal for a local flight in the 912XT

It is a very common but annoying problem. As soon as the magazines come off the press they get distributed to the newsagents to maximise sales. The copies destined for the membership are distributed at the bulk rate and are therefore classified low priority. It is not just the RA-Aus mag, they all do it. The solution would be to hold back the stock for the newsagents a week or two whilst the members' copies go via Australia Post but that would be poor business practice. Anyway, we are a captive audience with little bargaining power.

As citizens, shareholders, club members, etc.. we all have to delegate our authority...sometimes with disastrous consequences (did I mention Irak ?). As for reading the fine print and agreeing to it: ever gone through mortgage documents or insurance policies ? We have to rely on RA-Aus to make what is the best decision at this particular moment in time. I trust my fellow aviators and support them even if some small bits and pieces I would myself handle differently.

I hope this won't upset too many people... I noticed the urgent request from RAA to be involved in the process. I took the time to read the whole document; didn't really fully understand what the consequences could be in the near or not so near future but voted YES for the whole package as recommended by RAA. Having recently joined RAA and with very little experience in Recreational Aviation I have to rely on their leadership and good judgment; I also have to give them my support when requested to do so. As the owner of a small business I often have to rely on expert advice and trust the people I consult. If my plumber says the boiler is beyond repair and needs replacing, I'll tell him to go ahead. If in the future the plumber proves to be incompetent or untrustworthy, then I'll look out for another one. So far I am quite impressed by the RAA performance so there is no need to look elsewhere.

I didn't want to upset anyone so didn't mention that my two emails to Glenn have remained unanswered so far. Is this trike insurance challenge particular to Australia?

Hi guys...and ladies. I'm trying to bring together a small syndicate (2~3 pilots) to purchase a new or near new Airborne trike. Full hull insurance seems to be essential to avoid tears down the track. I have contacted ALL insurance companies/brokers advertising in the RAA magazine and Pacific Flyer and either they don't respond to my emails or say "yes we do insure microlights, but not trikes". Can anyone out there point me in the right direction, please. By the way, the XT 912 (almost brand new and only 50 hours TT) I am using now has got the same problem of mismatched engine/gearbox. Arnaud

The XT 912 Outback is a beauty... I've done all my training on it and now that I have my unrestricted certificate my instructor kindly allows me to fly it whilst I sort out my ownership options. When taking off solo you have to watch it as it climbs like a rocket ! I flew an 582 Outback with a Wizard wing and it seemed easier to fly (I'm talking circuit work here) than the 912 with the Cruze wing but now that I a have a few more hours experience I can control the beast. Fuel consumption is far less on the four stroke engine. If money was not an issue or if I could somehow use it as part of a business, then the XT 912 Outback would be the obvious choice. Who knows, if I can get a syndicate of two or three people together, then it will be a 912. If I have to go on my own I'll choose a 582 Outback S with a Streak wing. Arnaud (having lots of fun)