Akromaster

Yea I know...was a 'dad' joke. Notice how he pivots in the air? I wonder if there's some thrust vectoring going on there. They talk of some computer controlled flight so you can "enjoy the view", so for example you could hit a button to enable hover mode. now that would be cool...

"Terminal" velocity is usually 0 kph?? Other info from google suggests a chute is part of the jetpack...Yves Rossi (aka jetman) has a chute so why not?

How cool is this: Related story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/aussie-inventor-flies-jetpack-around-statue-of-liberty/6929444

Ah...got it. Thanks. Was looking at all the text and missed the big "Pilot Zone" button on the right!

Any details available for flying in and out on the day? Couldn't find anything on the website.

We flew into the BB airstrip...maybe it was the Bonanza we parked next to. Beautiful days flying, beautiful place, beautiful food so didn't mind paying the price. It was such a nice day, we thought we should have sat outside on the lawn instead as we were walking out.

I was there on Saturday too?...what time were you there? Got there at 1pm for $134 lunch with my daughter! We parked next to a warrior. Ak

The fish market is worth a visit...watch them holler and throw fish around. Lots of shops to wander through. If you like Starbucks, Seattle is where it all started and you can go checkout the very first store where they sell Starbucks memorabilia. Check out Fries...it's a massive store of everything electronics and electrical goods.

While flying towards Lilydale from SE, I had a mil plane (not sure what it was) fly a few hundred feet underneath me going the other way. I probably only saw him because he was lower and his grey was easier to spot against the green terrain below.

...yep..I meant taxying. Would love to fly something like the DC3/4...ala Buffalo airways.

Re: steering wheel I found I kept wanting to use it like a car, instead of using my feet to steer! Just felt really unnatural. Re: heavy controls Not so much the 152, but I had to trim all the time in the Cherokee & warrior. First landing was kind of flat partly because of the heavy controls...and coz the panel was so high (compared to tecnam).

Growing mutated plants!..but don't worry, they're *safe*.

Any recommendations on hiring in Gold Coast area? Tecnam, Storch or Texan preferable...or in GA, I'm converting to RPL in c152 at the moment and hopefully will get checked on a Warrior as well.

Oh yea..first one that comes up on google search looks fantastic! Quick google search shows no videos of the CH200...lots of photos, but I wonder how she flies.

Was looking for Zenith CH200/300 pictures (coz there's a couple on sale) when I came across this radial powered Zen CH-200: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-Michael-Barrie/Zenair-CH-200/2047809/L/&sid=e4c54777571d633fabbe3184f7b6d852 Love that radial look...wish I had the skill and patience to build something like that!

Good point...I do a good walk around for a car hire and take photos of damage on my phone, so carrying across this practice to aircraft hire is probably a good idea :).

@FH....No, I would probably even expect a couple circuits in something I have flown. Was just wondering what folks had experienced or done before. You make a good point about knowing the area before hand though...I was asking generally, but later in the year I'm planning to holiday up at the Gold Coast. @Av...I'm doing my RPL conversion at the moment so interesting you mentioned hiring the c152. Depends where we go and what's available but I'm doing my coversion in a 152 at the moment.

Just wondering what's required for hiring something you've not flown before. If I'm on holidays somewhere and wanted to do some flying but the local FTF doesn't have anything I've flown before. Is it just a case of getting a check ride?

You are more correct about that than you probably realise. In security world, that might as well be literally an 8 character password. Sorry back to your regular channel.

If you're near Sunbury, head out to Penfield. No club or club house really but they're a friendly bunch and I'm sure, like anywhere, once they know you a bit I'm sure you could scrounge a ride or three.

Re: earmufffirkids.com I bought a set for my little guy so we could take him to my other children's school concert. It's basically a soft elastic headband with valcro at each end. The ear muffs themselves are clipped on so it slides along the headband for you to adjust (or fumble with). It seemed to work at the concert for noise coz the little guy slept like a charm, although babies will probably sleep through a metal concert if they're tired enough. Definitely need to fit them on at home and perhaps try it out in the car on a trip first. They're a soft fitting (tighten with valcro as you feel comfortable for bubs), so it's pretty easy for bubs to pull them off. It took a little while for my kid to get comfortable enough to leave them on

...let me just caveat that and say "I do not endorse it". But it was a cool video...especially the "man and his dog" thing. There'd be no chance for me and my lab...too fat and too excitable.

I've watched with interest a couple of the Jodels that have come up for sale. Interesting little plane and quite a lot written about it. Also seems pretty docile although sounds like you have to get approach pretty spot on otherwise you can float a long way down the runway. I like this video of a kiwi guy and his dog: Most planes I've flown have required very little rudder for coordinated flight (except the Topaz) and barely any more in full power climb...On the ground, rudder is coupled to nose wheel so it's a case of "keeping feet still" to keep plane rolling down the middle. I suspect most folks will be in the same boat. It's interesting to read some of your experiences...sounds like some "being thrown into the deep end" (ala dutchroll and the winjeel) to a more gentle build up like Kaz & Yenn.

Never even crossed my mind until Thommo mentioned it, but since then I've been watching a few videos and pics of the Cessna 140...What some folks have done with the interior, and especially the panels, are ace!

After I wrote that, I thought someone might reply as such. Didn't think I needed to explain, but a throat infection (and other nasties that go with it) don't go away very quickly either which is why I had to put the whole thing on hold. I've been out to Lilydale and I don't recall the instructor's name, but I did speak to him about it a few weeks ago. It's his plane I believe and while I wait for RPL paper work, I might go give it a go. I think DJPACRO is in VIC with his Pitts isn't he? :)... I'll definitely keep that one in mind...