pylon500

There's lots of theories on how planes fly, and while the video may have it's merits, your comments have a couple of obvious flaws. CAA, FAA, CASA and so on, are in the business of proving planes DON'T fly, and spend most of their time making sure this happens! On the other hand, Boeing, Airbus, Beech, Piper, Cessna, etc know the other theory that it is really MONEY that makes planes fly, (something about how money continually inflates, so it rises naturally..?), that's why they take some much of it.

Ah, you mean all those nice PC people that think the Western world should help out all the less fortunate (developed) people, allowing them to come to more advanced communities to live in peace and harmony with us...? Some of them have been going to Belgium for that 'better' life, here's one showing his gratitude for the exposure to the freedom of open minded democratic society; <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OyoCDnqbg8

I would have thought a quicker answered question would be, 'which taildragger drivers HAVEN'T ground looped?' It's a bit like retractables, there's those that have, and those that are going to... I was lucky, I did it in a Blanik. Oh, and the ground loops?..., 912 lightwing, a couple of times. Usually from being a bit lax with a pilot converting to the GR912 from the GR582 (you've got to try pretty hard to ground loop a GR582).

Sounds like you're trying to own two or three trike under one rego?

Why couldn't you put together an assortment of parts for a two seater, and register it as a 19.xxxx? Conversely, what rules do HGFA use to register trikes?

Have just returned to Taree from a weekend of relatives and late nights (no news), to find this. I've only met Ross a couple of times, but after knowing each other here at Rec'flying, the first time was like meeting an old mate. A kindred spirit for flying and seaplane maintenance, and fellow Lightwing aficionado. Now, totally gutted, a hollow feeling within, and yet.. In three and a half thousand hours, and ninety odd ultralights, yes, I've had problems and I'm guilty of turning back at least a couple of times. It's that split second decision you have to make, and even with years of telling yourself and your students 'don't turn back', you know you can describe that point from where you can turn back, and even demonstrate it! BUT, it only takes a few minor parameter changes to lead you into the wrong decision. I look back on my turn backs, and always think, WHY? As mentioned before, I don't think Ross would want any of us to step away from flying after this, but instead look closer at our currency, planning and environment (airstrip surrounds and the like), and keep practicing, not just complacently joy riding. RIP Ross, and condolences to family.

SAABSKI?

All depends on the helicopter, if it was that big bugger in the background, I'm surprised it didn't blow away a few hangars as well!

I'd be wary of balloons... Regularly used to go for dunny rolls, then figured maybe balloons would go down slower, typical dunny roll goes down around 600fpm! (until unravelled) Tossed out a balloon one time, it bounced of the wing twice, could swear it came through the prop arc once, but finally I hit it with the prop, AND IT DAMN NEAR STOPPED THE ENGINE! This was in my old 503 powered Cricket. Hint; Don't streamer cut using super soft multi ply toilet paper, it doesn't break, it just sticks to everything!

Well I'll be buged, bugded, bugled, buggered! Yah lerns som'tin every day. Thanks for that...

Well I'll be buged, bugded, bugled, buggered! Yah lerns som'tin every day. Thanks for that...

Once the medically unfit ex-GA pilots convince RAAus / CASA to go to 750kg, and we start registering all the ancient corrosion clunkers with their dinosaur engines, the Ultralight, Recreational, Small GA aircraft will have all the problems, costs and governmental interference that the former GA pilots were trying to get away from. Naturally the next thing they will want will be controlled airspace, night VMC and IFR. Might as well create a commercial endorsement and start carrying a paying passenger (or two after not too long) The only good thing is that it will leave an opening to restart an Ultralight movement. ps, anyone know how to get that 'strike through' to work?

Once the medically unfit ex-GA pilots convince RAAus / CASA to go to 750kg, and we start registering all the ancient corrosion clunkers with their dinosaur engines, the Ultralight, Recreational, Small GA aircraft will have all the problems, costs and governmental interference that the former GA pilots were trying to get away from. Naturally the next thing they will want will be controlled airspace, night VMC and IFR. Might as well create a commercial endorsement and start carrying a paying passenger (or two after not too long) The only good thing is that it will leave an opening to restart an Ultralight movement. ps, anyone know how to get that 'strike through' to work?

Interesting, even complete strangers know the name of your dog, at least they call his name every time he gets out....

Interesting observations; •Unlike most crashed/crashing choppers, this one avoided doing the chicken dance for quite a while, just spinning stably on the ground, •The fuel system, rotor head and transmission seemed to take some abuse and keep going, •The first camera man seemed to sense something even while the pilot was still trying to land, as you can see him get behind a wall and even start heading further away just before the tail rotor strike, •It looks like the pilot got thrown out just after impact (and killed by the rotating chopper), and the passenger was either incapacitated or did not know how to shut down the engine, •Unlike most chopper impacts, the tailboom stayed attached for a long time, it's separation finally bringing the crisis to an end. The above video shows how far the wreckage travelled before finally stopping.

No, it's the all new TRON Zodiac

Without actually trolling all the rule changes from the early eighties, I would say that for every Kilo extra (above our original 'ultralight' status) that we ask for, it adds another 'hoop' to the training, certifying, building, operating rules from what we had back then. On the other hand, if we are going to divorce ourselves from ultralights and actually become 'sporting and recreational pilots/builders, where's our aerobatic ratings, rotary wing, multi engine and mini gas turbines?

Very sad indeed. Was flying at Gloucester that weekend, and weather not good at all, had to leave plane and drive home. Guess we'll have to wait to find out what happened as it seems unlikely for a twin jet helicopter with modern GPS and autopilot to succumb to weather...?

Definitely hopes this works out OK, I know the pilot having worked on his first helicopter here in Australia, an Aerospatiale Gazelle. He had a photographic exhibition up here at Taree about two years ago.

Bit hard to quantify 'fun'... Most of the things I call fun, have to be done when no-one is looking Most people that fly (and can land) a Pitts would give it an 11!, but until you are capable of this type of flying ability/experience, most average pilots are concentrating too hard to give a Pitts a high fun factor. From a sales point of view, maybe people could rate an ease of flying, or most relaxing to fly, rating on their plane. Of course then you have to avoid getting into the 'too easy' category, whereupon the aircraft just becomes boring. Not sure how to set up charts, but will try from things I've flown; Aircraft____Fun___Relax/Easy__Boring___Frustrating Lightwing____8_______5_______3_______1 Gazelle______7_______9_______9_______3 Foxbat ______9_______9_______4_______1 J230 _______6_______7_______5_______8 Drifter ______8_______6_______3_______1 GT400/500___7_______8_______6_______2 Piper Cub ____8_______7_______5_______6 Savanah______7_______8_______7______3 I'm not going to comment on all 90 odd types I've flown, just the more common ones. Edit; site wont support multiple spaces...

I'm a bit confused...? The local flying club is going to become the 'regional' local flying club? The airfield used to have a reasonable parachuting community, and there are discussions to start a parachuting community? I wonder if the local council knew it was promoting the airport in the media?

Yep, reading too fast, missed the capitalisation... "THIRD BASE!!!"

? See #28 and 32....

Do you know something about the spars I don't? The stub sticking out of the fuselage IS the spar. This aircraft follows a lot of the Jim Bede designs having tube spars in the wing panels, which slide over a heavy tube spar carry through in the fuselage. The little Grummans (Yankee Trainer, Cheetah, Tiger, etc) use the same system, mainly because they were derived from the BD-1

Wonder if he gave hand signals? Guess he only turned left...