.Evan.

If there was a way to produce money without working so I can go flying I'd be set...

Wow! A Jabiru with a Rotax... That's unusual! Did the owner do the changeover or did he/she purchase it like that?

Hey Col,

How are you finding the J170? I'm flying the J160 at the moment, but could possibly have the opportunity to fly the 170 as well!

Let us know how you go with your training and your decisions!

Great to hear, Ben!

My Dad let his flying lapse for over thirty years! (Hmmm, about as long as I've been around!) He is back and loving it again. He's also thinking of joining me and all of you in the RA club!

Sorry to hear about that, BP (on both counts)!

i wont tell u what would happen if i was a dictator...........

A little while ago, I purchased those cheap Chinese rudder pedals from eBay. Like these:

When they came, I was disappointed to find that each pedal are both on separate axis. Not much help for flight sim, which wants one axis.

I don't want to take funds away from actual flying, so I decided to mod them so they wouldn't be wasted. So I went down to the local hardware store and got an offcut MDF board and put screws in around it so it doesn't move. Then I put an eyelet in behind the pedals and drilled a hole in each pedal. I had some nylon string-type-stuff sitting around, so I figured that will be slippery enough to easily move through the eyelet.

The trick was to get the right tension on the string so the pedals would only return to the middle of their throw. Because they're individually sprung, they return (close) to centre by themselves. The down side is that I have to remember to lift the non-operating foot when I'm using them (something which I do naturally, anyway!)

I set the flight simulator up to only care about one axis, and it actually works pretty well! I'd love a Saitek or a CH, but that's a couple of hours of real flying that I could be doing! Maybe one day...

Just thought I'd share...

I know the Jabiru well - it is generally just behind me on the last landing of the day. :) I'm flying on Monday afternoons at the moment until I get my permit. Any excuse to leave work early.

Thanks! I've spent most of my life watching "the activity" having always wanted to be a pilot (I'm only 39 - you can't hurry these things). This year my wife told me I should go and do it - and now I'm addicted. (I bet she regrets that decision! I just won't show her the bills for the build)

Hi Pookemon! I'm in Ballarat too!

I'm flying the little Jabiru from Inbound Avation. We've probably heard each other on the radio!

I have been a few hundred meters from Simpson for the last 52 years

Thanks Andrew!

I think the maintain runway heading until 500' rule applies to non-controlled situations. Is that right?

ATC can ask you to do things that you wouldn't normally do at a Class G aerodrome (within reason!).

I am also a Muso ..... seems to be a trend

A Recreational Flying Band at Natfly sounds like fun, though!

Looks like great weather!

Love the comment in that video Tomo: "It'll land eventually!"

There is all sorts of possibilities... I just took my first Passenger for a 40 minute local flight... Very enjoyable and this is what it is all about. I am fortunate in that the airstrip is only 20 minutes drive away so only need a couple of hours to nip out. And for $90... !!! You would be crazy not to love this...

I'm looking forward to being able to share costs, too!

The Lightwing Speed seems to be the most GA-ish aust built aircraft around. ......... They aren't often mentioned in discussions lilke this one. Are they unpopular for any particular reason?

Could they be in the need of some new marketing or something?

I think a couple of people around these forums own them. Maybe they could chime in with some thoughts?

Glad I'm using autogas.

I have given my Wife the first option. Unfortunately, the weather has been s:censored:t recently so I haven't been able to take her up!

All the best for tomorrow. Please let us know how it all goes!

These are the recently dropped piper sports????

These are extremely beautiful in my eyes...

http://www.aerosport.com.au/

Not sure exactly how much they're going for here in Aus...

Interesting read, Russ! Thanks for sharing.

Hey Matt, firstly:

I would say buy a new RA and rent a VH when you want more than one other person on board.

I know you're not thrilled with the J170, but I'm a big fan of the J230. Ample room in the back and excellent access for luggage, etc. 120kt cruise. You could order all the bells an whistles and still have cash to spare (to put into more flying!)

Edit: the other posts came in as I was typing this (slow typer!) Sorry!

I'd say go RAA and fly often!!! That's my 5 cents worth

Looks old-skool cool!

Would love to go!

Congratulations Winsor! Who's going to be your first pax?