Rotorwork

Add to the fact that ICON are building a composite airframe factory for the A5 in Tijuana Mexico, Mr Trump will put a charge on the components coming back into California to pay for the wall., so the price will go up again. I received the survey, also finding the questions weird. I was hoping that there would be one on display at Avalon Airshow. Maybe in 2019 Regards RW

Damm those afterburners

Only last night I was looking at a photo of myself with Bob, he was signing my log book. So lucky to have witnessed his Aero Comander "managed energy" routine at Sky RaceTasmania. Blue Skies Forever. Rest in Peace R W Edit posted at the same time as Marty D Great minds think alike.

I contacted icon a couple of months ago and asked if they were going to be at Avalon Air Show in 2017. They replied saying they wouldn't be represented at Avalon. The email went on to say there have been many orders for the A5 from Australia. I have worked hard and saved, I can afford one now. My shed has been built to fit the icon. 10m X 15m I really appreciate dleggs post, and the following thread discussion, I didn't have any knowledge about the buyer agreement until reading it here tonight. Are there many forum members that have actually ordered an A5? I may look at the amphibious Foxbat and a 2017 Ford Mustang instead of the A5 Fly Safe RW

Billy also wrote a book called the Bush Pilot, an excellent read for anyone interested in aviation. RIP Regards R W Story about Billy's memorial service from the Advocate. http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/3882036/a-legend-of-local-skies/?cs=87 A true bush pilot who could land just about anywhere was remembered fondly at a memorial service in Smithton last week. Harold Gordon ‘Bill’ Vincent OAM died on April 20 at Smithton aged 84 years. Flying legend: Harold Gordon 'Billy' Vincent was a legend of the air and recognised with an Order of Australia Medal for his services to search and rescue. Picture: Supplied Mr Vincent was born in Burnie on October 2, 1931, just before midnight, and the delay in paperwork saw his birth registered as October 3. His niece Sharalyn Walters presented the eulogy at his memorial service and said that as was tradition in the family he was assigned the nickname Billy by his grandfather Burgess, and was known by it ever since. From his early years he had a passion for flying, and would gaze skyward at anything from a tiny Tiger Moth to a Lockheed Hudson bomber which landed at Redpa in 1941. “A defining moment in his life – young Bill was hooked. He realised his dream to fly in 1949, gaining his private pilot’s licence in September 1952,” Mrs Walters said. “Bill’s yearning to fly coincided with meeting Brenda Edwards who also showed a keen interest in flying – and Bill Vincent. They were married in 1953 and their honeymoon was a circumnavigation flight of Tasmania. Who did that sort of thing in 1953?” He quickly established himself as a talented pilot. It was often said that he could land a plane on a ‘postage stamp’ or drop a parcel on a spot the size of a ‘dime’.” Mr Vincent’s extensive local knowledge led directly to his involvement in search and rescue operations from as early as the late 1950’s. Over the years he devoted long hours in the air to assist in searches for missing fishermen around the islands and in Bass Strait. Over the years he serviced the island families of Bass Strait, and with his brothers “Doggy” and “Toddy” built a mutton birding business. In the early 1970s he married his second wife Susan, and with her and their three children moved to Queensland for a time in the late 1980s. In 1980 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recognising his contribution to search and rescue in Tasmania and services to the Circular Head community. It was while in Toowoomba he found ultra-light aircraft, and continued to fly until 2003 logging almost 20,000 hours in the air.

Sad to see Tasmanian legend Billy Vincent passed away on the 20th of April 2016. Sympathy to Billy's family. I will post funeral details when they become available. May you find peace as you fly through eternity. Regards R W.

Noticed this video on the local Mercury website. http://www.themercury.com.au/video/id-pnbHVqMjE6HPJtLxd8iUGtjMa4ZKWl1I/Tesla-V-Plane-Which-is-faster

Sadly Search Ends http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-22/light-plane-search-ends-lismore-airport-byron-bay/7266682 Print Email Facebook Twitter More Light plane search ends after pilot fails to return to Lismore airport Updated 10 minutes ago RELATED STORY: Light plane fails to return to northern NSW aerodrome MAP: Lismore 2480plane took off for a short flight from Lismore Aerodrome about 4:20pm but failed to return as planned. Only the pilot was on board the Cessna when it disappeared and it was last in radio contact north-east of Byron Bay. An AMSA statement said the search had been called off "based on the water temperature and sea conditions in the area and expert medical advice". After the alarm was raised on Monday, a rescue helicopter was called to the site about 9:00pm and searched the area without success. Pilot 'could not have survived in water beyond midday' The air search operations continued this morning, involving five helicopters and AMSA's Cairns-based Dornier search and rescue aircraft. AMSA also tasked a NSW Police vessel from Coffs Harbour and a Volunteer Marine Rescue boat from Ballina, to conduct a search of waters near Byron Bay. The AMSA said the search for the missing pilot ended at 1:00 pm and police would now take over the investigation. "Basically, it's been called off based on an assessment of surviving and in this case considering water temperature, sea conditions and the time and that sort of thing," AMSA spokesman Dan Clover said. "It's been decided that the pilot in this case could not of survived beyond midday today." Overnight, AMSA's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre reviewed air traffic services radar information from the area, provided by AirServices Australia. The information confirmed that the last contact with the plane occurred six nautical miles north-east of Byron Bay about 4.50pm. NSW Police Marine Area Command will stay in the area and conduct further investigations.

Very lucky Wonder if the 182 was SIDS Compliant? Cause it's not now. Fly Safe RW

Once again, like last month, February was almost fatality free. Hopefully March will be a good month. Sympathy to family and friends. RIP Rod Fly Safe RW

Yes you read right Interesting to see if it had drugs on board. From ASN http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=184172 The Cessna 337 Skymaster appears to have had a landing gear problem. The 68-year-old pilot elected to carry out an emergency landing on "Sea Lane 4-22" a runway reserved for sea planes. The pilot was rescued uninjured, but the plane subsequently sank. Officials are looking at recovering the aircraft. Fly Safe RW http://www.kitv.com/story/31123525/cessna-lands-in-water-off-lagoon-dr-pilot-ok

Thanks Rastus, We almost made it through January without a fatality, Very sad RIP Fly Safe RW

Occasionally I spend some time looking at flightradar 24. If your aircraft has ADS B with mode S, and if you had a phone / iPad with flightradar 24, it would be possible to click on your aircraft and look at the 3D view (in app purchase pilots view) I realise that vfr pilots should not be ifr, just wondering if this could save a life or two. It would also take longer than 178 seconds to set up in the heat of the moment if you didn't have the app up and running. Can someone with ADS B tell me if this would work and if the pilots view would let you know what your aircrafts attitude is. (Not the pilots attitude) Fly Safe RW

The day after his wife disappeared in a kayaking accident, a Brisbane man answered his door to find two grim-faced Police. "We're sorry Mr. Wilkens, but we have some information about your wife", said one of the police. "Tell me! Did you find her?", Wilkens exclaimed. The police looked at each other. One said, "We have some bad news, some good news, and some really great news. Which would you like to hear first?" Fearing the worst, Mr. Wilkens said, "Give me the bad news first." The officer said, "I'm sorry to tell you, sir, but this morning we found your wife's body in Morton Bay." "Oh my God!", exclaimed Wilkens. Swallowing hard, he asked, "What's the good news?" The police officer continued, "When we pulled her up, she had 12 twenty-five-pound king crabs and 6 good-sized Mud crabs clinging to her, and we feel you are entitled to a share in the catch." Stunned, Mr. Wilkens demanded, "If that's the good news, then what's the great news?" The officer replied, "We're gonna pull her up again tomorrow."

I must be a veganlamb I love having peas & potatoes with my lamb.

Happened at Bankstown. It was mentioned that it was tied down. There was a fuel spill when it flipped, hope that's not the fuel on the ground in the photo. Fly Safe RW From ASN http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=183519

The Italian Lover. A virile middle aged Italian gentlemen named Guido, was relaxing at his favorite bar in Rome when he managed to attract a spectacular young blonde woman. Things progressed to the point where he led her back to his apartment and, after some small talk, they retired to his bedroom where he rattled her senseless. After a pleasant interlude, he asked with a smile, "So, you finish?" She paused for a second, frowned, and replied. "No." Surprised, Guido reached for her and the rattling resumed. This time she thrashed about wildly and there were screams of passion. The sex finally ended and, again, Guido smiled and asked, "You finish?" Again, after a short pause, she returned his smile, cuddled closer to him and softly said, "No." Stunned, but refusing to leave this woman unsatisfied, Guido reached for the woman yet again. Using the last of his strength, he barely managed it, but they ended together screaming, bucking, clawing and ripping the bed sheets. Exhausted, Guido fell onto his back, gasping. Barely able to turn his head, he looked into her eyes, smiled proudly and asked again, "You finish?" Barely able to speak, the beautiful blonde whispered in his ear..... "No, Norwegian.

Teacher asks the kids in class: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Johnny: "I Wanna be a billionaire, going to the most expensive club, take the best bitch, give her a Ferrari over a million, an apartment in Copacabana, a mansion in Paris, a jet to travel through Europe; an Infinite visa card, and make love to her three times a day". The teacher, not knowing what to do with the bad behavior of the child, decides not to give importance to what he said and continues the lesson: And you, Tanya? Mam, I have no doubt, I want to be Johnny's bitch..

Ha ha, the Vegans are complaining http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-11/vegans-lodge-complaints-over-lamb-ad/7081706

There's a bit of flying in it Australia Day lamb add, enjoy Regards RW http://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/the-iconic-australia-day-lamb-campaign-ad-is-back-with-a-bang/news-story/4abb60036d4348aca0e23b67a4dc3265

Felix, a Newfie logger, travels across Canada to see the Pacific > Ocean. > > He arrives in Nanaimo and likes it so much that he decides to stay. > But first he must find a job. > > Felix goes to the local MacMillan-Bloedel office and fills out an > application as an 'experienced' logger. > > It's his lucky day. Mac-Blo is looking for an experienced logger. > > The personnel manager asks Joe, the grumpy bush foreman, to verify > Felix's logging experience. > > Joe drives Felix into the forest, stops the truck on the side of the > road, and points at a tree. > > He says, _"See that tree over there? What is the species and how many > board feet of lumber does it have?"_ > > Felix replies, _"Dat dere's a Sitka Spruce and she got 383 board feet > a' lumber in 'er."_ > > Joe is impressed. He drives a mile down the road and stops. He points > at a tree and asks the same question. > > Felix replies, _"Lord tunderin'jasus b'y! Dat's yer Douglas Fir and > she got 690 board feet."_ > > Joe is really impressed. Felix answered quickly and got the answers > right without even using a calculator! > > One more test. They drive a little farther down the road, and Joe > stops at the side of the road. > > Joe points to a tree and asks, _"And what about that one?"_ > > Felix replies, _"A Yeller Cedar, 242 board feet at most."_ > > Joe spins the truck around and heads back to the office. > > He is annoyed because Felix is smarter than he is. > > Then he stops the truck and asks Felix to step outside. > > Joe hands Felix a piece of chalk and says, _"I want you to mark an X > on the front of that tree over there."_ > > As Felix runs towards the tree Joe mumbles to himself, _"Idiot! How > would he know the front of a tree?"_ > > Felix reaches the tree, walks around it and looks at the ground. > > Then he then reaches up and places a white X on the side that faces > the road. > > He runs back to the truck and hands the chalk to Joe. > > Felix says, _"Dat's da front a' dat tree fer sure." _ > > Joe laughs sarcastically and asks, _"How in hell do you know that's > the front of the tree?"_ > > Cleaning the toe of his left boot in the gravel, Felix replies, _"Cuz > someone took a s**t behind it!"_ > > Felix got the job.

From ABC A passenger rescued from a light plane which crash landed near Lake Eyre in the remote South Australian outback says he feels lucky to be safe and well. Ben Francis and pilot Darryl Koch were returning from a scenic flight over the lake when engine failure forced the sudden landing. Mr Francis said there was no time to make a decision and they needed to ditch the plane. Not knowing whether anyone knew we were out there was probably our biggest concern. Ben Francis "All it was, was getting the plane on the ground in a safe formation and to his credit, Darryl did that," he said. "That was the biggest thing I think, the fact that we were both not injured and yeah, able-bodied." Mr Francis said it was a slightly bumpy landing but they were both safe. "[it was] just on a stony rise ... it was a little bit soft after the recent rains up here so it pulled up pretty quick," he said. "We jumped out because we thought we might have had a fire and thankfully we didn't. "Then after that we went through the process of getting the ELT [emergency locator transmitter] to work, so they could find our location and went about making ourselves comfortable basically for the night ahead." PHOTO: Mr Francis said the pair had a bumpy landing. (ABC News) The duo spent the night sleeping on their plane seats, in between scanning channel frequencies. "Not knowing whether anyone knew we were out there was probably our biggest concern and also thinking about our loved ones back home," Mr Francis said. "Obviously there were going to know that we were out there somewhere and yeah, that was our main concerns. PHOTO: Marree's only police officer Tom Christley and Rebecca Turner from the Marree Hotel both helped with the search. (ABC News: Tom Fedorowytsch) "All night it was quite warm so we didn't have any exposure dramas or anything." As dawn broke Mr Francis said they heard some aircraft activity in the area and knew a search was underway. "We just kept scanning the channels for local frequency, every now and then we'd just switch it on and make a call," he said. The pair set fire to a tyre and the smoke was spotted by local tourism pilot Trevor Wright, who made radio contact with the helicopter that picked the men up. "Darryl was actually walking back from going to get some water ... so he was happy to hear the news when he got back too," Mr Francis said. He said given the circumstances, they were lucky to be uninjured and safe. "[There was] relief that we're all safe and well and our families all know that we're well," he said. Emergency highlights need for better mobile coverage Tourists have been flocking to Lake Eyre to see the usually dry salt pan filling with water. Mr Wright said the emergency highlighted the need for better mobile coverage in outback areas, and wants government to help with improvements. PHOTO: Downpours in South Australia's outback in recent days have led to Lake Eyre filling. Photo taken January 2, 2016. (Supplied: Trevor Wright) "We've had four search and rescues in four weeks. Two of them were [for people from] overseas, two were Australian. The longest one went for 30 hours," he said. "Had we had mobile phone coverage or towers with data, the chances are with the communications, we would have picked up a lot of them quicker and made the exposure to risk a lot less." But Mr Wright praised the efforts of the pair, saying they had done everything by the book. "They did a great job. When you have a catastrophic engine failure at 2,000 feet you don't have a lot of time to think about things," he said. "They went through their checks, they landed in an area that was safe." Rebecca Turner from the Marree Hotel said while the region was remote, people would be safe if they came prepared, which the duo had done. "We always encourage people to travel with lots of water, make sure that they've got appropriate communications, there's lots of different devices you can use to track where you are," she said. "[We're] always relieved when we know people are safe and well and it's the best outcome for everyone concerned." From other news sites:

Not sure. From the ABC report above A passing airliner picked up a mayday call from the men on the ground," said Dan Glover from the authority

Hope for positive news Fly Safe RW From ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-06/search-outback-missing-small-aircraft/7069854 Outback search for missing ultralight plane in remote Lake Eyre region Updated 7 minutes ago PHOTO: The scenic flight disappeared in the remote Lake Eyre region on Tuesday. (ABC News) MAP: Marree 5733 A search has started for a missing single-engine ultralight aircraft in the South Australian outback. Two men were on board the scenic flight which failed to arrive at Marree before sunset on Tuesday, police said. Authorities said the search would focus on the remote 5,000 square-kilometre Lake Eyre region in the state's north-east. About six aircraft were expected to join another already searching the wide region. Star Force police also are heading to the area to assist with the effort. Local charter pilot Trevor Wright said a helicopter had now arrived at William Creek to assist with the search. "A plane left Marree to go over Lake Eyre apparently on a scenic flight and I got a call from police around midnight chasing it up," he said. "We've just had the retrieval helicopter come into William Creek and we're just about to refuel him so he's ready to go."

Looks like a Siai Marchette SF 260 Regards RW