hjubm2

Well with only 50 days until the start of the RFDS Outback Air Race 2018 I thought it would be good to start logging the build up and the race. Before I start, if anyone wants to help out our team in raising donations and help support the RFDS out can donate to our cause at www.TeamSkippy.com.au.

So a bit about the event. For those that have not heard of it before the Air Race is a GPS-based navigation time trial where each team elects the time it will take them to fly between two visual points. They are then scored for how close they are to the elected time and how close they pass to the two visual points.

This year the event is covering approximately 2125nm (3940km) from Archerfield in Qld and finishing 2 weeks later in Broome WA.

Currently there is 39 aircraft and 96 participants entered into the race with most from WA. Sadly it's looking like we are going to be the only competitors supporting the RFDS Central Operations (SA & WA).

For the event we will be flying my Thorp T18 nicknamed "Skippy" (Hence Team Skippy). Skippy was build in 1977 by Ben Weidemann in Victoria. Even though Skippy is over 40 years old he has only flown just over 1000 hours. He's powered by a Lycoming O-320 with a cruise speed of 140 knots @ 32 L/hr. Sadly that only gives us about a 2.5 hours endurance with reserves so it's going to make for a very slow trip back from Broome via half of WA.

Hopefully you will all follow along with us throughout this event and cheer us on. I will update this thread with more information as i get time and as things happen. Again if anyone wants to help us out, you can find more information about us, the event and Skippy plus support us (and the Royal Flying Doctor Service) at www.TeamSkippy.com.au

So how's everyones planning going? Only 6 months until the race!

So who's put there entry in for the OAR2018? Entries have been open for about 2 weeks and are now about to close with over 35 teams already signed up for 30 positions!

Well entries are officially open! Now just need to find someone to enter with and start fundraising. Can't wait!

I'm looking to enter in the Thorp when entries open. Been watching it for the last few events so be great to enter it.

Give Alan at Cummins Spinners a call, I am pretty sure he could help you out.

Is there anyone else in Australia that makes Aluminium Spinners? All my searches are coming up blank. Failing that does anyone know of anywhere that I can get a custom Fiberglass or Carbon Fiber spinner made?

Just wanting to try and get it all fixed up without having to pay around $1k to get one from America that I then need to find someone who can drill the required holes and do the cut outs for the prop. I never thought this would be so hard.

Thanks all

Give Alan at Cummins Spinners a call, I am pretty sure he could help you out.

I'm predicting that the spinner will need complete replacementbeing the owner to have that prediction shows you are aware of a possible failure I personally would replace it now before the sheet hits the fan

happy flying is not having to wonder when that spinner is going to cause your arseee to contract eyes looking for safe landing place and no insurance claim

 

Ps just read your other post going by the photos your prop I am assuming would have been out of balance to cause your problem from the start neil

I'd be interested in what your mechanic will say about the prop installation.

Thanks for the advice. I've looked all over the spinner etc and can't find a single part number which is why it's causing me issues and not knowing where to turn.

Cheers for all the tips everyone, it looks like I've found someone... Now just to find a replacement spinner.

Thanks

So it appears that when it rains it pours. Took of the spinner on the Thorp today because of a crack and found out that half the screw holes on the backing plate have cracks through them and one has actually snapped completely off (See Picture). The crack in the spinner will be easily fixed but I think the backing plate is past repair. Does this mean I will need to replace both the spinner and backing plate or is there somewhere that just the backing plate is available? I am unsure of the models etc for the spinner but if it helps the propeller is an Australian Performance Propeller and it's mounted on a Lycoming O-320.

I feel like I'm relying on these forums too much atm but since I am new to the whole ownership part it's been a big help. Any advice I greatly appreciate.

Thanks all

I can recommend Tony at Horsham Aviation Services-About Us he was my mechanic when he was at Moorabbin.

Hi All,

So that time of the year has finally come and the Thorp is due for the first round of maintenance since I've owned it. Since this is the first aircraft I've owned I'm looking for advice from the knowledgeable users on here. Firstly is there any other Thorp T18 owners on here that knows of a decent maintenance organisation that has dealt with a Thorp before?

Failing that does anyone have any good recommendations of a decent maintenance organisation within 2 hours flight of Adelaide? (Approx 300NM, so out to Mount Gambier, Echuca, Hay, Broken Hill, Ceduna)

I'm looking to fly it back to Qld for the annual inspection but for the more minor or larger problems that do not make this trip worth while or do-able i need somewhere a bit closer that will offer a decent service for a decent price. As with most people the Thorp is my pride and joy so I want to find someone that can give it the care it needs.

Hopefully someone can point me in a decent direction over this large area.

Cheers

Check out Adelaide Soaring Club. They take oxygen with them when doing gliding at altitude.

Cheers

Try a scuba shop. They use pure oxygen for the enriched gas diving and rebreathers that are getting more common these days. Some will fill cylinders for use in gliders.

For welding or for breathing in an aircraft?

Does anyone have any experience getting an oxygen tank refilled in SA? I can't find anywhere that will fill a tank at the moment, it looks like most places will only do swap bottles so if anyone can help me with any leads, preferably on the northern side of Adelaide or better yet close to the Barossa, then that would be a big help.

Thanks all

GAFA: Can you provide a link or reference text name/number for these changes?

Thanks everyone for the replies, it's all a big help in molding the direction I choose to go, please keep all the info coming.

I saw the figure of $125+ a hour quoted further back in this thread, does anyone know how long a 100 hourly etc should take on a 172? I'm just looking for ballpark figures to use, nothing exact.

C182's are not cheap to operate. It depends on whether you plan to use a Continental 0-470 powered 182, (pre 1985), or a Lycoming IO-540 powered model 1997 onward. Fuel consumption is similar - but maintenance different. The older aircraft will all need SIDS to be completed. They also have engines which experience cylinder glazing unless flown hard - not what you'll likely do on scenic. Low hours pilots also have more accidents with C182's - many hit nosewheel first and firewall damage is common.If it was me choosing the aircraft, I'd be inclined to opt for a 180HP conversion of a model C172N or P, (probably costing you $80-120k), or go for a C172S with 180HP (much higher cost of course... perhaps upward of $150k?). These will give you the ability to lift 3 pax in most conditions, and achieve 110kts around the scenic. These are simple to fly, cheaper to operate, and on short trips - the flight times are not that much less than a C182. The TBO is also higher, and the fuel burn considerably less (10-12 LPH).

 

These are simply opinions, although I did own a C180 for 5 yrs and a C182 for 12 so am reasonably conversant with costs.

 

happy days,

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'm looking at this from a commercial point of view, the aim is to use the aircraft for scenic flights so I'm trying to work out as any of the hidden costs etc as possible to work out if it's viable at this stage or not.

Hi all,

I'm looking for information from the more knowledgeable people on here as to the costs of owning and running an aircraft. I'm looking into either a Cessna 172 or 182 at the moment but I can't find too much info about the ownership costs in Australia. More specifically I am looking for rough costings for 100 hourly maintenance etc, basically any information people can offer. Hopefully someone on here has had experience with one of these aircraft for a few years that can help me work out all the costs.

Thanks

There's plans for them all over the net.

Sorry about bringing up an old thread but I thought this was as good place as any to ask about the Cri-Cri. Did anyone look any further into building one of these to 95:10 regs? Seems like the wing loading would be the main problem but I'm unsure what effect increasing the size of the wings would have on the rest of the aircraft, especially with the added weight. This little plane has caught my attention and I would love to build one.