PapaFox

There is mention in Jill's Pilot Talk section about the trike accident. Regarding the awards, the way that I read the categories, the VH aircraft that got one of the awards was in the VH award category... "Most outstanding... [for] VH registered aircraft". No problems there. The Bolly Props awards on the other hand. I had our aircraft in for judging, and in hindsight, it was a waste of time, as it really didn't fit into any category offered: 2-seats, non-tecnam, metal wings, non-jabiru, no flight into temora, not an innovative design, rotax engine, not a trike, and it wouldn't win concourse anymore. Won't bother entering that again.

After a bit of trawling around, it looks like it might still be up in Darwin, but hasn't been on the register since at least 2000

One thing we have noticed in having 4 wind socks @ YTEM is that you can get 4 different wind indications. The yellow one down near the threshold of 36 is generally the most unreliable. Curiously though, that is the one that is closest to the Wx station

Didn't the front come through Friday night/Saturday morning though? Saturday evening had no significant Wx. Clear sky, full moon, not much wind.

Should have mentioned it earlier, but in an on-going tradition, we have a pest-of-choice sharing the airfield during NatFly. Grasshoppers, mice, and this year is the turn for the MOZZIES! Big ones! Bring insect repellant if you can. You have been warned!

Although any of the gauges that have an audio output mean that you can keep your eyes looking where they should be, yet still know what your AoA is. Realistically, I don't ever look at mine, but every so often, while manouvering, I get the occasional chirp, which still has a large buffer before stall.

What are you using for a trim servo? Ray Allen electric motors, which are common for trim servos, have a built in position sensor that can be wired up to an indicator

Did anyone else notice the figures on the half-yearly financial report for ASIC cards... ASIC Fee income $44086 ASIC Card expense $29919 I'm sure there would be other expenses to be factored in (postage, admin time, etc), but a nice earner otherwise

I've just filled in the paperwork for a renewal.... . Only ever needed it at YSWG. First time, was just coincidental that the ARO was just finishing their inspection, and from several metres away, after seeing a red card with photo (doubt he could have seen much detail) let me continue. And again, at YSWG, on phoning the ARO to get the gate code, he asked for my card number. Probably could have told him anything. Lot a crap and $$$ too frequently, for something that was just to be seen to be doing something.

Lithium-ion and lithium-iron are different batteries. Lithium-iron are a type of lithium-ion battery, but the cathode is made of LiFePO4, hence the new sub-type of iron. The lithium ions that form the electrolyte, depending on manufacturer, can both be the same lithium-perchlorate liquid. Confusing details, but significant none the less.

Quite possible the glider involved hadn't switched to CTAF and was still on one of the glider chat frequencies. Can happen if people only think of a CTAF area being a set distance from the airfield, not allowing for the faster aircraft.

I have heard of some one years ago whose plane copped a dose of hail dimples, quite possibly a Mooney. Anyway, they thought it flew better after the damage and didn't want to get it repaired.

http://www.worldaircraftco.com/zh/sentinel/ (Planechaser just beat me to it)

Best advice I've heard is, if you're faced with an off-field landing at night, turn your landing light on. If you don't like what you see, turn it off!

One of the guys where I work had to do the same years back, and if I remember, it was also in a 310. He wasn't that close to Hawaii though.

Except that Mooney looks like an older C model which would have had the manual undercarriage, not electric. Looks like one bump too many and the u/c managed to unlock.

The maintenance manual spells out that: Avgas is the culprit at play here

I've actually got a bag of those courtesy of CASA

I'm guessing that would have to take top place in the overpriced LSA rankings? Do I hear any advance on that???

Was a great excuse for a fly, even though there were only some 4 visiting aircraft left on the ground when we got there. Made for an interesting time inbound with what seemed like a mass evacuation!

Except that Pawnee was only 150hp O320 powered. Used to be the glider tug here many moons ago

Sounds like you just need someone to push you over the decision line. I'd say go for it... I did, and it is definately worth it. Couple of suggestions. You have to have the right motivation. Some people build in order to get a cheap plane to fly. Others like to build a project, that can also fly when finished. I take it you are more toward the later, otherwise just buy 2nd hand. We built from a kit, but scrap scratch building is certainly another level. I'd recommend to make up a 'kit' first, and then start to do the construction.

I agree that visual/audio alarms are an important addition to the fuel system. We have both on our Dynon, and it definately provides a good level of backup just in case we forget to change tanks. I've set alarms for 8L in each tank, and another IIRC at 2L. With it beeping away, alarms showing on both screens, and a big bright flashing LED, there is basically no way of inadvertantly unporting the pickup. It does, however, scare the bejebus out of me when I perform am exuberant turn on the ground and slosh the fuel away from the sender!

Ha, yeah, the gate code. Nearly caught myself at MIA last year. Landed, taxied and parked, jumped out busting for a pee. Of course I left the phone and pen in the cockpit, but didn't want to couldn't go back:jive:. As I'm standing there doing my business:whistling:, the code started rolling through the head. Was it this way or that way? Luckily, got it right on the first go. Lesson learnt

I know with the XL TD, a full stall 3 pt is not possible, however at normal CoG, it doesn't like wheelers either (needing a fast and flat approach). Not a problem, as it lands perfectly in the 3 point attitude without a tendancy to bounce or do anything nasty. Touchdown speed is the key though