PapaFox

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!

I'd say rego search has the engine information from the prior VH-SFG which was a Piper Pawnee...

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

There's been trouble at Temora??

This is an example of where RA-Aus should be applying muscle and helping the local club with professional advice.[/Quote]Exactly. All you have to do is ask. We have just gone through this last week at Temora. Steve Tizzard can certainly write a hard-hitting letter

The Temora club Tecnam Sierra is $115/hr wet

One of the worst offenders recently appears to be the Cirrus SR22. Man do those thing develop a howling scream.

A little bit of 'A' and a little of 'B'

There are quite a few different combinations at play here, but the prop does make quite a difference. Fixed pitch vs Constant Speed... CS will just about always be noiser, due to the higher power output of the motor and higher prop RPM.

IIRC, Cessna's also generally don't have as much in the way of mufflers in comparison to the Pipers.

Couldn't have said it better Powerin . One catch might be that when it first opens up, the whole airspace group might be collapsed. Clicking on the plus symbol on the left side bar will reveal the classes and individual areas.

I just find it handy for the pre-planning stage. You can get a good feel for the terrain, can easily see any airspace that needs to be avoided, can measure distances and bearings, etc. Particularly good when you would otherwise have to handle multiple maps.

These files have now been revised to the latest airspace changes (2 June 2011).

I've attached the network links here, seeing as though the downloads section has been removed. Just save these files and change the extension to .kml

Australian GE Airspace.txt

Australian GE Area Forecast.txt

Australian GE FIA.txt

Australian GE Airspace.txt

Australian GE Area Forecast.txt

Australian GE FIA.txt

Australian GE Airspace.txt

Australian GE Area Forecast.txt

Australian GE FIA.txt

Don't think we ever weighed ours, but it is rather heavy. I'd rather that than it being too fragile, though. It should be possible to work out the mass by it's dimenstions, not that I have them here with me either. Not much help am I:cheezy grin:

btw, I think all the bloodied rat fur was to be found in my hangar... discovered after the feral thing ceased to survive an encounter with a 5.00x5

Overall, the project spanned over 4 years, but there was probably a realistic time of a little over 2 years, if you take the breaks out, and combined with quite a few customisations that will always blow out the build times. Total flying cost, with the 912S and dual Dynons, paint, etc, was somewhere around $70k, though with the AU$ so strong now, that would be significantly less than that figure.

Hi Darren. Well building is over, and I'm having a blast flying. The XL's are certainly a sweet plane all round. I noticed there is an XLB and two HD's for sale in the latest RAAus mag

I've got a NextG phone and also a USB modem. Both work out at the airfield, apart from inside the club house... still is a total black hole for phone coverage

Prop RPM perhaps?

I've got two completed but not yet flying KR2 a/c , wings off and stacked in a 6m x 9m garage workshop. I have room, but only just. I am reparing wing dings etc and can only work on 1 wing at a time because the exit from the garage is blocked by my caravan and one or other of our two cars ..... so I can't temporarily remove one of the a/c to make room ....Re the lounge room solution, IMHO thats a short term solution that rapidly leads to separation poverty!

AFAIK the Wren mod was only performed on 182. A lot more work than just replacing a few stock parts... double slotted flaps and ailerons, which also extend with flap movement, come to mind first.

Inspected and signed off on completion prior to any testing. Still advisable to have an "inspection" by anyone knowledgable or otherwise, just to get another set of eyes over the project several times throughout the build.

Most aircraft (apart from those with single piece wings) can be built in a single car garage... technically. This relies on completed parts being able to be stored elsewhere (suspended from roof, lounge room, etc). Things can get very tight, but it is possible. I've seen others errect a temporary gazebo type structure in their back yard and build in there. Heck, I've even seen pictures of people building their fuselages in the middle of the lounge room... of course, no significant others are involved I dare say.

These aspects should already be covered in the Nav endorsement. As we all know, there is more to cross country flying than just being able to arrive at the right destination on time.