youngster

Tie clips aren't too in right now. Cuffs links might go OK though. Maybe a couple of three blade props as the design?

Not sure if I should admit it, but I'm a political staffer for a federal MP. Also deliver catalogues on the weekend to pay for flying lessons.

CASA's draft rule 91.567 requires the passenger briefing to include, amongst other things, the safety standards to which the aeroplane is operating and insurance of the passenger. Interesting that if the passenger is not an adult then the briefing must be given to an adult accompanying the child on the flight! A lot of issues with these draft rules so I hope they will not proceed without a major rewrite and further consideration of recreational flying.

My reading of the draft rule 91.567 is that you must explain to your passengers that whatever compilation of sticks, glue, and tablecloths they are about to take off in may not have all the same safety features of an RPT aircraft. Just another example of the nanny state if you ask me. I'm pretty sure that any mildly intelligent person about to go up in an ultralight does not expect oxygen masks in the ceiling and a line of lights on the cabin floor to direct you to the nearest exit!

Surely there must be some sort of system at Airservices Australia which sets off sirens and blaring alarms when it senses an imminent collision?

Flying Dog, The report did indicate that there are still problems managing aircraft flying at non-standard operating levels. Apparently the Virgin 737 climbed to FL370 to avoid mild turbulence earlier in the flight, all with the blessing of Airservices, obviously not enough was done to manage what happened next.

Aussie airline wages (unless you are a Pilot and even then!) are down right insulting... and they have the gall to try to get it for a tenth of that overseas!!!So which single airline in Australia still uses Australian staff for its Australian services...?

It was also leaking "aircraft fluid". What exactly would that be?

I've read a build log the other day where a bloke built a single seat something-or-other from scratch, and managed to destroy it before even its first official flight. He was just doing some high speed taxiing because the weather wasn't great for test flying, he hit a bump, went airborne, didn't have enough space to bring it down and come to a stop, so he tried to power up and do a circuit, but didn't clear the trees, and turned his new baby into a pile of kindling. Twas a sad and abrupt end to his build log, but fortunately not his life.

I'll see you in your magnificent machine soaring above Coffs before you know it!

Thanks for the suggestions Youngster. I will take a look on the web at some of the places you suggest. I am not sure I could watch a cricket match (although I admit not having seen one before). Unlike most Canadians I am more a baseball fan than hockey. Isn't cricket like baseball but really really slow (grin)? What kinds of fresh food? Any specialties?

Around here, you can't go past the seafood. It's all super fresh and tasty. We also get great bananas, blueberries, and lots of good locally grown produce. The truth is, you will get great food in Sydney too.

Melbourne is fine - its the Victorians you have to watch out for! You definitely need to get out to a cricket match at either the Melbourne or Sydney Cricket Grounds.

Personally, I would suggest Coffs Harbour as a great base for relaxing, but I'm biased! The beaches are uncrowded, there is world heritage rainforest an hour away, we have regular commercial flights to Sydney and Brisbane, plus the train passes through twice a day. The fishing is good, the weather is perfect (according to the UN we have the best climate in the world), and the local food is fresh and delicious!

From my (very) limited flying experience, I had formed the opinion that there was just some magic capability conveyed upon experienced pilots to be able to understand mumbled radio calls, a but like Auctioneers! But it does appear that some people just need diction lessons.

I guess there won't be a "Youngster Flying Practice" line item in the budget tomorrow night! Thanks for nothing Swanny!

The short answer is no.

Is reimbursment by your employer for a flight considered unacceptable for a recreational pilot? My reason for asking is that my Government job requires occasional travel, for which I can be reimbursed at the applicable motor vehicle allowance rate. If I could negotiate to have motor vehicle allowance also paid for an aircraft which does the same trip, would that be unacceptable?

I've looked in the CAOs and manuals and can't seem to find a clear answer.

Having read the new regs, I am surprised that anyone can make head or tail of any of it. There are so many references to other regulations and legislation that you would need to have 15 windows open on your desktop in order to understand any of it. I work for an MP and deal with this sort of stuff all the time, and these regs take the cake for complexity. I thought rec aviation was about reducing red tape and complexity?

One query some of you experts may be able to answer: As a non-flyer (this situation is soon to be rectified), I do wonder why the stall speeds in the regulations are specified at MTOW, when it would be impossible to actually put the aircraft in a stall at MTOW as you would burn at least some fuel getting off the ground and thus be below MTOW by the time you are in the air. I'm happy to be corrected if I've missed something.

Travel insurance is usually the same way, ie, your travel insurer will not cover you for health care needed as the result of an accident involving private aviation

Here in Coffs Harbour walking to work without getting drenched is hard enough, let alone taking to the skies. I'm still trying to take a trial flight, and it's either been poor visibility or high winds or both. Fingers crossed for Saturday!

I'm not sure if there is an aviation equivalent, but blinker fluid seems to be requested of automotive apprentices fairly often.

Yes I took this flight due to shopping around (A bloody expensive shop around!). I was intending to be shopping around to see which aircraft I preferred, but that showed me both have their good and bad and would not mind learning in either. I really wasn't expecting to be so much difference in instructors though. I got the impression through the flight that the CFI was sitting there thinking "Thanks Christ I get paid for this".I agree with you on the staff at CHAC, have you done your TIF there yet? No doubt you had the same good experience as I did!

Thanks for the post Jake, saves me shopping around. I got the impression the CH Aviation Centre staff are rather thorough and fastidious, which, seeing as my backside will be on the line, are admirable and entirely desirable qualities!

I'm in a kind of battle with one of the local Camden papers. They are quite willing to publish complaints from airport neighbours about aircraft noise and low flying, but show a great reluctance to arrange for a reporter to so any sort of investigation into what goes on at the airport and what value to airport is to the comunity.In my last letter to the editor (which was published) I accused her of having a bias against the airport. I told the editor that she had my address, my phone number and my email address and to feel free to contact me for an interview. That was a couple of weeks ago, and I've heard nothing. I suppose I should let fly with another letter with stronger wording.

 

OME

It's a great idea to take a local journo for a fly - perhaps sell the angle about recreational aviation being a growing and enjoyable activity which is more accessible than traditionally thought. Particularly in country areas, journos have some slow news days and need a few non-time sensitive stories to use as fill material. You do need to have a "story" for the journo to cover - maybe a fly-in with some unusual planes, or the youngest or oldest pilot ever to graduate from your flight school, etc.

This would also have the added benefit of creating a local media contact who may ask you for comment on future aviation related stories.

Another story could be to take your local state or federal MP or mayor on a joy-flight to highlight the importance of recreational aviation, airstrip retention/maintenance, etc.

Where are you looking at training at? Aero club or the aviation centre place?

Welcome Jake,

I'm in the same boat, although a few years ahead of you - I'm looking to start training in Coffs sometime soon as well. I just need to save a bit of cash and convince the missus it's a good idea! You have the advantage of having no missus to convince!