Jeff Gordon

Yes, you are right djpacro and rankamateur. I have moved on. After 230 fantastic hours in the Maule, I had to make some decisions re family and life, so I posted an ad in Aviation Trader and Bingo, Reg Hamblin from Urella Downs in Corner Country NSW rang up and bought it. So with a heavy heart I delivered the Maule to Broken Hill with my friend and fellow Maule driver Ben Jaensch alongside. I bought a 1974 Landrover with the proceeds (bit of change there) and drove back, via Lake Mungo. Quite and adventure with my 11 year old son. I have now joined MAG, (Melbourne Aviation Group) operating out of Morrabbin, with a 182S Cessna CXZ and an Archer 111 OKY to choose from. So keep an eye out for me in the skies folks.

Not yet, and yes the presumption is Innocent until proved guilty. But should that stop other pilots ruminating over something that reflects on us all.

My condolences to the two aviators and their families. I was at Temora on Good Friday and flew out at 1545 for Moorabbin. I am studying for my NVFR at the moment but do not yet have the rating. I was due in at MB at 1814 according to my GPS but didn't want to risk last light at 1832, having to be on the ground 10 minutes before hand. So opted for an O'night stay at Mangalore. I could have risked it, but decided not to. To fly or not to fly? That is the question!

Don't know if anyone is interested but Stawell Aviation are holding a 14 day Kimberley and Broome Tour commencing August 26th. I am hoping to tag along in the Maule.

More news here http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-27/two-die-in-vintage-plane-crash/3797490

Two Dead in Maryborough plane Crash. http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/breaking-news-blog/two-dead-in-maryborough-air-crash/20120127-1qlgq.html My deepest condolences to the families concerned.

A friend has organised me to go up at Benalla in the not too distant future. I hope I don't disgrace myself

Would need my brown underpants on for this type of flying. You can tell he is stressed, but he handles it very well.

I forgot to say, (just in case there is a misunderstanding) that after being teetotal all day, both pilots really enjoyed a beer after landing at Moorabbin at the Royal Vic bar.

Didn't see anyone in town that looked like you Pud, so guess you are off the hook!!

Flew to Brown Brothers Winery at Milawa last Sunday together with Debra's Tri-Pacer and Peter's Jabiru. Flew from Moorabbin over Coldstream, Taggerty, Eildon Weir (very full) and Mansfield. Six of us sat down to dinner at the Epicurean Restaurant to wonderful lunch and some of the passengers tried the local wines. Afterwards we were provided bicycles to go to the town 500m away to shop for Mustards, cheese and olive oil. Just a great day out. Interesting take off with plane full of goodies on a hot day, grass strip, 90 degree crosswind @ 5 - 10k. Took a longer ground roll than the Maule is used too. But once in the air climbed to 4500ft easily for the trip home. Highly recommended! Five Stars *****

Fantastic footage of an unbelievable flyer. The use of the Ospreys wings to get vertical takeoff from the water is amazing.

Got up early yesterday to fly to YGTO in Tasmania from Moorabbin. Could not log in on my "blasted" PC for weather, W&B etc. So did all my flight planning on my iPad 2 using Air-Nav-Pro App. and NAIPS. I use Oz-runways for inflight information as they have the ERC Low charts etc. Uploaded my flight plan from the NAIPS App. and took off at 1130 but only an hour into the flight turned back at Wilson's Prom with a diversion due to low cloud. Could not get above 2,500ft and not prepared to go over that expanse of water without some serious air below. The route I use is via Wilson's Prom keeping close to Flinders Island and then turn West along the NE coast to Georgetown. I have spoken to Eugene Reid (President of RA-AUS) last time I was there and he has made many flights across the Strait (direct). He has a great facility at the strip and is very helpful and friendly.

Welcome aboard Eddie. Happy Recreational Flying. Difference between flying a helicopter and a fixed wing. One thrashes its way through the air the other flies.