HeadInTheClouds

And why have you never done this when I've been there!

Moved to Armidale for uni so only in Coffs sporadically now

I think I have to agree with you there. I spent about 5 hours in the Jabiru after finishing up with flying the Foxbat and only just started to feel like I would be able to manage solo and now I'll have to get used to something else. I definitely don't enjoy flying as much as I used to actually, it seems like in the LSA flying was more of a chore as you always had to be focused on what the plane is doing, keeping the ball in the centre and making sure it is actually doing what you want it to etc, especially doing circuits. Hopefully when I eventually come back to flying to finish of my cert I will be able to find a school with a bit more user-friendly aircraft, and one that is more stable so to speak so the risk of having to suddenly change planes will be lower.

Yes that was me, got one for 1k. Ended up using it just getting used to the Jab, and in trying to go solo which involved flying to Grafton first due to the tower at Coffs. Didn't even end up going solo, wasn't feeling up to it on the day.

Nope it is Jabiru powered. All I know is the model of engine in it is not the same as what came from the factory, don't know if that means it is a more powerful one or not.

There was no other traffic in the circuit, on the ground, or inbound when we lined up that first time, plus the wind was around 10 knots right down the runway so we did the checks quickly then, rather than at 90 degrees to the wind. And yes it did stop after the last landing - probably because it was such a rough landing I assume.

Filmed this months ago, only just got around to editing it and putting it on youtube yesterday. Didn't know it at the time but this is my last lesson in the Jabiru LSA 55, and last lesson with my instructor/flying school before they closed down. Decided to take a break from the flying now, probably for a few years until I have the time and am actually living in the one place. Have been considering putting it off for a while now and the fact I don't have a flying school now made the decision for me. Plus it would be expensive seeing as I would have to spend money getting used to a whole new aircraft again, then I would need to build the 5 hour solo I need. I will probably still fly sporadically every now and then, but nothing regular.

I'd be interested in hearing what the flight test involves, hopefully it will be time for mine in the next 6 months!

I was just wondering if GA solo hours would count towards the 5 hours solo I need before attempting an RAA flight test? At this point all I need to do is the 4.4 hours solo I have left, as well as some lessons on more advanced skills before I can do the test. Thanks.

Thanks for the long reply there! I actually flew the LSA 55 again recently and will bea gain tomorrow (Hopefully with some solo too) and felt much much better about it to be honest. The first two landings were crap, with the second actually being a go around due to me totally buggering it up but after a demo landing I seemed to pick it up quickly and thought my landings were rather good! I flew with a few knots of crosswind and seemed to get the hang of it and manage it fine. I do still find it feels powerful though, but after flying a Piper Warrior from an airport at 3500'MSL everything feels powerful in comparison. My main dislike with the LSA 55 is actually the flap speed, it is quite easy to wander back above the white arc if you don't pay attention on base and final. I still don't appreciate the small cabin size either! Carb heat is also my mortal enemy and I keep forgetting it but I have been reviewing it in my head and I think I have it now so every time I pull back the throttle my first thought will be carb heat. Haven't done any stalls yet but I have heard that it just doesn't want to stall. Still not entirely sure if I'll be doing my RAA test in it or not but I wouldn't actually mind, would also open up more options for hiring. Here is the most recent video of me flying it:

The following video was my first lesson on a few months, and also my second lesson on the Jabiru LSA 55. It is a bit more difficult to fly but once you get used to it there are less issues. My first landing was pretty dodgy, second was even worse - It resulted in a go around, the first time I've done this. Basically I flared to high, started sinking to fast and went to put on a bit of power to slow the sink rate, however I put on too much power and climbed about 10 feet. By this time I was too high, and the slight crosswind had pushed us way to the left so I figured this landing wasn't going to get any better and so went around. After a demo landing from my instructor the rest of the landings I did improved dramatically. Now I just need to get over my allergy of that centreline....

I actually don't come to think of it.... I'll find out next time I fly but I'm sure someone will post with the answer before then.

After not flying for ages I came home and will be doing some lessons while I am on holidays. Last time I flew the LSA 55 I did not appreciate it but knew I needed to get used to it. It took me a while to get used to landings, my first was crappy and second resulted in a go around (I flared to high, started sinking and put on too much power the stop the sink resulting in climbing about 10 ft, I probably could have landed in the runway left but though it best to go around and try again). My third landing, after a demo from my instructor was much better and I was quite happy with it. Overall the LSA took a while to get used to but now I enjoy the challenge flying it provides, and will hopefully be doing some solo in it soon! As well as moving on to advanced training techniques, getting ever closer to that 20 hour mark!

Loose screws on the plastic cover that covers where the landing gear strut attaches to the body of the aircraft. Not a structural issue as it is only a cover for cosmetics and for improved aerodynamics but still

It can be done in a Foxbat at 500 feet with a bit of wind blowing to. This was demonstrated to me by my instructor who has many thousands of hours and was extremely familiar with the flight characteristics of the Foxbat. Would I ever try this? No. Never. Not ever. Should anyone else ever try it unless they were in a similar position of thousands of hours experience and many hours on the type? Absolutely not. Land straight ahead damn it.

The Warrior I flew a couple of weeks ago had a throttle that didn't have the twist function, but still had the button which you needed to press to move it in or out. It would be easier once you're used to it, but I wasn't really a fan of having to make sure you push in the button before you make any sort of power change at all.

I still enjoyed it though!

Hey everyone. Been a while since I have flown due to me living away from home for uni but today I decided to indulge a bit and took a flight with the local GA flying school, in a Piper Warrior or Cherokee 140 to be specific. It was an interesting flight, you can definitely notice the difference when the type you are most used to is the Foxbat. It was the first aircraft I've flown with more than 2 seats, even if you need to be a contortionist to get into the back seat. Startup seemed a little more involved, and loud with those gyros spinning up. Taxiing was also a bit harder than the Foxbat as I found it easy to let the speed build up. The strange thing was that the trim was in the roof and you wound the lever around in circles to adjust trim. We backtracked and lined up, then I applied full takeoff power. My immediate thought was "Is that it??!?" as we slowly picked up speed. I couldn't believe how much runway it used to get off the ground! But then again I am used to the Foxbat mainly where you're airborne in about 5 or 6 seconds. Even the LSA 55 had a much shorter ground roll than this. In the air was nice, seemed to sit very nicely, not need much rudder and I was liking the view with the whole low wing setup. After a bit of a flight we returned for a couple of circuits. Another major difference is the necessary use of power on approach - on my solo flights in the Foxbat it worked out that I would pull the power to idle turning final and not touch the power lever again all the way down. A powered approach was definitely needed in the Cherokee and power needed to be left on right down to the flare. I actually found landing fairly easy, a lot of back pressure needed but it seemed to land nicely with minimal effort involved. Overall I enjoyed flying the Cherokee, and would love to fly it again but I think I'll focus on trying to get my RAA cert in the meantime! It is actually within reach now!

I have the experience of flying an LSA 55 and a 170 (Both for very short amount of time however). I found it hard to fit in the LSA too mainly because I am tall, had to sit a bit forward in the seat which made for damned uncomfortable flying, I noticed it was narrow too. The J170 is much bigger inside, seemed a bit wider and the throttle seems to be in a more logical place. I can't comment on the flying characteristics of the J170 too much as I only flew it on a TIF, however I think it would be a better aircraft to learn in than an LSA 55...

That last one...

Virgin and Qantas guys tend to eliminate the concept of base leg when landing on 21 at Coffs, they get to the end of downwind and make a steepish 180 degree turn straight onto final. Well they have all the times I've flown at least. Edit: An example

How can I not contribute my first solo video I was happy with my landing (Bit to the left of the centre-line though!)

What do they tow hang gliders with? Wouldn't need to be that big/powerful I would imagine?

Hmm just had a look back at my first solo circuit video, just about 5 minutes from takeoff to touchdown. Strikes me as incredibly short given the above times but then again with 1POB in the Foxbat it climbed like a crazy beast, and I tend to fly slightly tighter circuits where final is more or less done at completely idle power, if I'm too high then a mild bit of sideslip solves all problems.