dlegg

Cruising @ 8000 but oat was about 16c

Celsius. Just how deep is that lip? Mine is 50mm but that looks to be more.

Any details you can share here I'm sure will be warmly received. Mine runs on average 150 at cruise but would like to see if lower is possible.

406 kg. Read all here:http://recreationalflying.com/threads/rv9a-registered-raa.26984/#post-158774

Vija aircraft engines- up to 160hp. Adapted from motorbike straight 4 cyl.... http://vija-engines.com/images/2010/ENG%20Produits-2010.html

According to this article, sportstars(evector), Remos and Piper Sport (czeck? aircraft works) are the most dangerous LSA in the USA. http://flightdesign.com/files/Media/The%20Aviation%20Consumer%20-%20LSA%20Accidents.pdf

There was major discussion a while ago about pistons being in the wrong way around, and being bandied about as the cause of bolt failures. Do South African dealers turn these pistons around on new engines as rumoured? They have an excellent run out of their Jabs.

First step in fixing a problem is admitting a problem is actually there...... Looks like we're at step 1

Jabiru is the only engine manufacturer that uses loctite so lavishly that I know of. Cat, Cummins and other mainstream diesel engine engineers would have a fit if they knew the extent of loctite glued in bolts on crankshafts to flywheels etc. If these bolts break they are extremely hard to remove and replace. Cat gear for example only use flat washers under the heads and say that if a bolt is tensioned correctly nothing else is required. Loctite should not be applied IMHO and a regular torque check should be maintained to check for irregularities.

Also, if the numbers were narrowed down to just Jabs in training schools with failures, that percentage would go sky high.

CASA is responding to a high, and increasing, rate of engine failures among aircraft that are powered by engines manufactured by, or under licence from, Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd (Jabiru). Such aircraft are referred to in this document as 'Jabiru powered aircraft'. The issues appear to be the result of several failure modes, which require separate investigation. CASA has formed the view that its functions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 require it to mitigate certain risks to passengers, trainee pilots and persons on the ground. Accordingly, while CASA works with Jabiru to identify the causes of these engine failures and to implement appropriate corrective actions, CASA proposes a set of operating limitations on Jabiru powered aircraft. The last para says it all. I would be very surprised if things aren't sorted out in the next few days, no doubt intense discussions to follow in a CASA office.

My Zodiac 601 weighs 352kg empty. With 600kg mtow can carry 2 90kg bodies and 90 ltrs fuel, 5hr range no reserves. Look for a cheap second hand 601XL B model, built like a tank.

Install is now complete and just waiting for it to be filled with avgas.....hopefully by end of this week:wave:

So in hindsight would it be wise to use a stainless funnel to refuel an aluminium aircraft with a plastic gerry?

Jabiru website has no mention of this....

He had already used up some of his lives: THE man who died after his homemade light plane plummeted into a suburban Melbourne home on Tuesday had survived one of modern aviation’s most terrifying and avoidable disasters. John Stephenson, 77, was on board United Airlines Flight 811 with his wife when an issue with air compression caused the cargo door to break open during the flight. The plane had taken off from Honolulu Airport when, at 23,000 feet, differences in air compression caused the plane began to break apart. http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/light-plane-victim-john-stephenson-survived-one-of-modern-aviations-most-terrifying-disasters/story-fnizu68q-1227092580169

Wow, what engine do you have now?

Better get a bigger mower, or let the roo's back in:drool:

I have spent a lot of time flying through the Alice to the Tanami desert and can report that it can actually rain a lot out there. It doesn't just rain, it POURS down. So there's your red dust and moisture Maj.....Mojave without the red dust and rain is a far better location for aircraft storage. Just snakes to worry about.

Because then these pilots couldn't display their intrinsic deeply rooted aviation retractable knowledge and just prefer to jump to conclusions anyway. It WAS mechanical failure.....

Daffyd, you make a very valid point in that in considering an aircraft purchase it must be designed from the outset with safety in mind. There aren't any homebuilts or LSA varieties that I have seen that really can claim this. New certified "safe" aircraft are simply priced too high for us recreational pilots. I.E new 172 is close to $500k, and just how robust and safe is it really? Granted, a lot safer than a RV, Zenith, Tecnam etc, but a high impact accident I think is a hard thing to survive regardless of aircraft design. Clearly, operating a Drifter or Thruster carries a higher risk than a 172, protection wise that is. But the pilot must be aware of this and operate them accordingly. Is there any recreational aircraft available, for a reasonable price, that has a higher crash worthiness inherently built in, that is readily available?

Seems that latest car technology relies to a degree on air bag safety. Can this be adapted to low wing aircraft successfully? I mean incorporated into the construction, rather than just the add-on seatbelt type that is for sale.

Thanks, will certainly give it a go!

So just dip you in a river and a better model shows up eh......

My wife helped a great deal in constructing my current plane, envisioning a safer aircraft than my Thruster, which she flatly refused to fly in, and has in fact come for a couple of short flights, but unfortunately succumbs to motion sickness so my 2 seater is a long range 1 seater (until medical science catches up) But the will is there.....