Virago

Check with Garry Morgan at Morgan Aeroworks, Taree.

The Morgan Cheetah/Sierra was designed without an antiservo tab. I have not heard of this being a problem at this stage. There is a Cheetah in the west which has been flying for a couple of years with an R.C.Allen servo/tab and the owner is quite comfortable with that.

Lookin' good Gareth and Craig!

The Icom ICA-200 was an excellent radio but I have heard that the ICA-210 require removal of the front panel to unlock the unit from it's mounting tray. If this is true, (as a retired avionics LAME) I consider it a real negative. Perhaps Kyle could enlighten me on this. I have bought an MGL V-10 for my Morgan Sierra project. A friend has had one in his RV-6 for several years and loves it! John.

Full marks for thinking outside the box Gareth!

OME, are we talking about "Falcon" instruments here or are there other more dodgy brands around?

I did my taildragger endorsement on an Auster. I was taught to iron out ANY bounce with throttle and then flare again ... or go around. My first solo in the beast took three circuits to get it safely on the ground. Flying the Pawnee was a dream after the Auster ... but flying the Callair is yet another story!

Hi Gareth, thanks for your reply. I'm thinking I'm going to be stuck with using a Jab 2200 as my fuselage construction is much too far advanced to consider shortening the nose. My plan is to go with liquid cooled heads and the TBI instead of the Bing carb. I think you have made a good choice of engine. I'm sure it will work out well for you! John.

Hi Gareth and Greg! Interested to read about the UL Power engines you both have chosen. Question: Are your respective projects built as for the Jabiru 2200 or 3300? There are differences in fuselage length between the two. Mine is built for the 2200 engine (longer fuselage forward of the wing). I am interested in looking at alternative engines as I would like a bit more grunt than the 2200 Jab provides but have to keep weight and balance considerations in mind. John.

A twin engined Cessna huh? Looks more like an ultralight to me. Glad the crew injuries were only minor scratching and bruising and that no children were involved..

Cessna 210? That would have to be a gear up landing I would imagine! Never did like that hydraulic system.

Yes, I fully agree ... very well handled and a best possible outcome. John.

There are sometimes slight differences between mic plug dimensions. It could well be that the mic socket in the aircraft needs it's contacts adjusting. It could be just making contact with the aircraft's own headset but just missing out with your Bose headset plugged in. A long shot but certainly worth looking into. John.

Just saw this on Yahoo 7 news: http://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/latest/a/-/newshome/15776368/student-pilot-lands-aircraft-after-losing-wheel/ Oleo leg scissor links are a weakness on PA-28's. They crack through at the bolt holes. John.

I had the main door open on rotation in my Beech Debonair. Biggest problem was that it was a night flight from a relatively short runway (Serpentine, W.A.). Aborting was hardly an option and I had to let training kick in which meant ignoring the wind and noise and flying on instruments to 500 feet. Fortunately, I had read up on "door open" flight characteristics (both Baron and Deb/Bonanza) after reading of a family of five who perished in the UK after having having the main door open on rotation in a Beech Baron. The pilot had radioed that he was trying to shut the door and he lost control of the aircraft. It wasn't fun but I flew to Jandakot (about 15 minutes) and shut it late in the landing roll. The cause of the incident was that I allowed myself to be distracted after closing and locking the door. A club member had come over to tell me something and I had opened the door to converse and had then shut the door without latching it. Distractions are dangerous. John.

My Virago XV1100 sounded pretty good with a set of shotgun pipes!

That must have been when that type of plane got it's nickname ... the Bristol Frightener!

The rear of the plane is the best place to be ... I never heard of a plane reversing into a mountain!

Congratulations Runway! You've obviously enjoyed the construction journey ... now enjoy the flying! My Sierra 100 project is coming along nicely but will still be a year or two before it takes to the air. John.

Back when I had my Beech Sundowner, a good friend (and excellent instructor) taught my wife to fly circuits and land. It was fun watching them because she got real good at it! Unfortunately, she declined to be taught to land the Debonair so that was the end of her flying.

There is a Morgan Cheetah at our local airfield which has an electric trim tab on the flying tailplane. I am planning to do the same with mine. I haven't heard of any Cheetahs being grounded.

Hi Kevin, I am still working on the fuselage. It is at a stage where I could skin the sides (the bottom skin is on) but I am presently fitting wiring looms and other fiddly bits while I have easy access. I have also done the mounting brackets for autopilot pitch and roll servos. I have done the instrument panel layout and have cut all the required holes. When I work out how to post images on this site I'll do so. Keep up the good work mate! John.

Hi Kevin, I never cease to admire your workmanship. Your setting a high standard to which I am trying real hard to attain. John.

Ayavner, that clip where the 747 skims over the beach is a daily occurrence at St. Maartens. There are plenty of youtube clips about this very strip. If you are fortunate enough to have a go in one of those airline flight simulators, they can set you up for a St. Maartens landing. Better take along a fresh set of underwear though ... lol!

I'm guessing Apple will include the retina display in next years mini iPad. As my Morgan Sierra project still has at least a year before completion, I'll wait and see what happens with the mini. BTW, the Morgan Sierra instrument panel centre section is ideal for the mini iPad. The Dual bluetooth GPS seems like a great way to go too. I would envisage mounting the iPad with velcro strips ... don't know if this is legal or not. John.