Kev

John (Crezzi) You beat me to it, but I was also going to mention the BMAA method of reporting incidents/accidents. I always read them and think 'could that happen to me?' and if so, would the result have been the same? It helps to keep you focused on flying safely at all times. It is a shame there is nothing similar over here (as yet?) Safe flying Kev.

Alan This website was great - exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again for the information, very much appreciated. Regards Kev.

Thanks Alan. I checked out their website but couldn't find any vertical doors at all, just horizontal bi-folds. Have you motorised any vertical ones at all? Safe flying Kev.

Great - thanks Ian. Safe flying Kev. ...er, just looked at the members list and could not find a Camair at all. Any clues? :confused:

Just a general enquiry to see if there is anybody out there that has, or uses, a hanger with bi-fold doors (ones that open up vertically). If so, would appreciate any information, such as pros & cons, cost, source etc. I am thinking of building my own hanger sometime in the future and bi-fold doors seem like a pretty good idea. I am thinking in terms of manuallly operated as opposed to electric or hydraulic. Safe flying Kev.

John, Thanks for the info - wasn't aware of that. Safe flying Kev.

GawlerMicro Hi, Just thought I'd give you some extra imformation on the Brian Milton 912 engine failure. There were four factors leading to the cause of that particular failure, of which the side panniers affecting the airflow to the radiators was one. The others were: Hot & high - Middle East and Summertime; Overweight - The trike was well over the MAUW at the time; Incorrect coolant mix. So, although the panniers were a factor, all other things being equal they should still be safe to use. I know that the Quik has special slimline ones endorsed and supplied by P&M. Safe flying Kev.

Time for a smile [ATTACH]5288.vB[/ATTACH] Put your passenger at ease...;)

Thanks for the advice Paul. My transmissions appear to be clear, and I'm not sure without some help, how I would turn down the power output on the Xcom. What is a VXA220? I have seen photographs of the Rabbit Vee antenna, and think that it would introduce problems when de-rigging the wing, so would prefer to avoid going that way at this stage. After saying that, I don't rig & de-rig very often, so it wouldn't be that much of an issue. My current antenna is a Lynx one, and appears to be installed and grounded adequately. Regards Kev.

Thanks Perry, I'm kind of partial to the Xcom, if only for the dual watch facility. The interference is not too bad at the moment, but could certainly stand improvement. I might try putting the in-line noise filter on the power supply to the radio instead of the comms and see if that makes any difference (space is becoming limited around the area of the radio, though). Safe flying Kev.

Great photos Matt ...............the last photo (CT4 banking right) gets my vote! Safe Flying Kev

LJS I imported my new Quik 912s from the UK last year, and can give you any or all details. If it is a UK Trike it will be certified to Section S, which is acceptable here in Australia. There was no duty payable, but we had to pay GST and this was added after all other costs i.e. freight, insurance etc. Obviously a lot depends on the exchange rate at the time of deposit and final payment but it still worked out comparable to the locally manufactured equivalents for us. Not sure what would be involved if you are after a 2nd hand Trike but I don't think I would buy one unseen and untried. Safe flying Kev

It was strange reading your post as I contacted OAMPS re insurance for my Quik 912s a while back. The letter that arrived from them (June 2007) had all the details of my Edge X 582 and stated that they currently provide members (HGFA) with a limited transit, Fire & Theft coverage. They gave the cost as $22 per $1000 sum insured plus a flat $55.00. On the other page was a HGFA Members Microlight Questionnaire to complete and return asking if you would be interested in obtaining insurance for either of the following: Limited Transit, Fire & Perils Full Ground & Trailering Full Flight, Taxying, Ground, Trailering So although the Flight & Taxying cover weren't available, it looked as though it was something they were considering for the future. Seems strange they said no to you, unless it is only for HGFA members? Safe flying Kev

David, No, my mike is not voice operated. The Rotax engines, in particular the 912 series are known for having a 'dirty' electrical supply. I am assuming that this is the problem, and that I just haven't found the correct way to eliminate it yet. Kev.

Perry, I am currently running an Xcom with Lynx comms and a 912S engine. I have the required (by Xcom) 22,000 mf capacitor on the radio power supply, and a locally purchased noise suppression filter on the power supply to the Lynx and am suffering with noise on reception. Apparently my transmissions are clear. On the ground and with engine at idle, reception is clear. Do you think the Airmagic power box would help, and would I be better connecting it to the radio or comms? Any help appreciated. Safe flying Kev

Mick, sounds like a really good way to ensure the engine ignition system stays good. I assume the 912uls's was a typo and that you meant 912UL which has a 200hr plug life. The 912ULS only has a 100hr plug life. Safe Flying Kev

I would be looking for: 1) somewhere where the scenery would be good to fly over (used to coastal views). 2) be able to build a brick home rather than live in a converted shed. 3) small set-up. Not bothered about facilities on-site, as I think if you share a strip with like minded people you would make your own facilities i.e. BBQ at your house etc. 4) shops not too far away (for necessities) and places within driving distance to visit (when the weather stops you flying!) Kev

Derek This airpark (Yengarie) sounds good to me, where can I find more information? Regards Kev

Taree are also trying to get an airpark together. First stage though will be to develop just hangars and strip, with an airpark over the other side of the main strip in a couple of years. Tenders have been in for a while now, but no more news as yet. See below for the council plans: http://www.gtcc.nsw.gov.au/webcomm/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=1265 Kev

Mike, No problem - feel free to disagree or challenge an opinion at any time. Some opinions will be more or less qualified than others, but the main thing is that they are free and you can take them or leave them. The short answer to your question is yes, the other ignition circuit should get you home, unless of course the other plugs/plug caps are in the same condition and about to suffer the same failure. Assuming that all of the plugs were serviced/replaced at the same time, this is probably more likely. I personally know of at least a couple of trike flyers who use the screwtop plugs on a 582 quoting something like 'Iv'e used them on my trail bike for 15 yrs and never had a problem', and indeed as far as I know they haven't had problems, but there is something else worth considering - You, or whoever is doing your servicing is signing for doing so iaw the Rotax servicing manual. Fitting the incorrect spark plugs would contravene those instructions. If you were to have an accident under these conditions, would you still be covered the HGFA/RAAus insurance? Safe flying Kev.

Bill, I would advise you to not even consider inspecting the trike on your own. If at all possible, take somebody with you who really knows their way around a trike. If this is too difficult, it would be worth paying your instructor, whatever his going rate may be, to accompany you. That aside, the whole trike - engine, wing and trike unit - is subject to a 25 hourly scheduled service cycle, which must be carried out and signed for by qualified person. If the trike is 400hr or five years old, then it requires a full overhaul of the engine. The seller should be able to produce all servicing documents for you. The aircraft log book should (but most of the time doesn't) also list any rectifications or unscheduled servicings, along with any modifications done to the aircraft. Minor mods can be carried out by the owner. Any major mods should be carried out by a qualified person and more importantly be authorised by the manufacture. Basically Bill, in your position I would be looking at the general condition of the trike, including cleanliness. Also rubber hoses, propeller for correct repairs (expect some damage on any prop), signs of coolant/fuel/oil leakage, spark plugs (not screwtops) and whether wing has had any repairs or UV degradation (Bettsometer test or if not available, fingernail scratch test). Check also for corrosion on wing wires. If you have any reservations about the trike, it would probably be better to walk away and get a second opinion. Best of luck Kev.

Mike, Be aware, corrosion and ends coming loose are not the only issues with the aluminium screw top plugs. The main issue is aluminium dust created from the plug cap spring wearing on the screw top, collecting in the plug cap and causing tracking of the current - in effect, bypassing the sparkplug. This is more prevalent with the old metal shielded spark plug caps, but is still relevant. My advice is, if it's not a steeltop and the correct number, don't use it. The correct plugs may seem an unnecessary expense, but consider how much an engine failure could cost you. Bertfloods can normally get most things to you by express post - usually next day. Fly Safe Kev.

All same day - great flight! Liked Darren's cloud shots. :thumb_up: Decided to stay with the theme. [ATTACH]5062.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5063.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]5064.vB[/ATTACH] Kev

Markendee, Pauln is correct. The reason for turning the 912 by hand is to ensure that the engine is fully scavenged (ie that all the oil is in the tank) before you check the contents on the dipstick. Otherwise, you could get a false reading (ie low) and add oil unnecessarily. Kev

Rosco, Concur with Crezzi. The rotary shaft/valve is in its own little oil-bath and should use little or no oil under normal operations. If it starts to use oil, then this would indicate a leaking seal. A minor amount of leakage/topping up is acceptable. Regards Kev.