Soleair

It's all been said about the nearby attractions of an airborne nature. For refreshment afterwards, I heartily commend the Triple fff brewery tap at Alton (opposite the station), about 10 miles down the road. Very basic pub, brilliant beer. Bruce

Great, loved the pix, envy you the trip! Did you see any of these? http://fineartamerica.com/featured/jdt-mini-max-1600r-eros-single-engine-propeller-kit-airplane-7d11189-wingsdomain-art-and-photography.html Sorry, tried to upload the pic but couldn't. . .

Language is very flexible. It can describe the most subtle of nuances or the most basic facts. As such everybody can communicate, but some will do so more clearly or fully. Rogue apostrophes piss me off, though. Bruce

Yes. And a rotating engine just has to be better for props & simpler than a recip. Devil's in the detail!

That Norton rotary engine was one of three engines considered for the ARV Super2. I wonder how that might have turned out. Bruce

Great little plane, the Taylor. But for an easier - and no less satisfying - route to a very similar concept, why not investigate the Mini-Max range? I'm about to take delivery (driving to Sydney tomorrow) of a kit for one of these. My budget is under $15k. They're also supported by one of the best builder forums on the web - have a browse here I'm planning to fly mine off a farmers paddock, so minimal overheads. In my view, a really attainable way into flying a proper little aeroplane. Good luck! Bruce

Instead of dinosaurs. . .

As regards that specific point, if I register as a 19 xxxx under section 95.55, what would my annual rego fee be? Are you saying that I'd pay more if I go with RAA rather than SAAA? I assumed that if my aircraft satisfied the 95.55 minima, then it would cost the same annually to register. As to the annual membership fee of RAA, yes, $210 is a lot as a builder (though I understand I can join as a non-flying member up to completion). But the 200 odd bucks with RAA does include 3rd party insurance while flying. Does SAAA offer a similar scheme? I can understand that it would be great to attend regularly a local SAAA chapter meeting, both for socialising and for practical assistance with the build. But my nearest chapter is 150km away, and a round trip of 300km is quite an ongoing commitment. There is the further point that SAAA have not replied to my initial enquiry, which does not bode well for future enquiries should I join them. I'm looking to convert my lapsed UK PPL to whatever I need to fly locally. I'm not interested in flying beyond my local area, though I would like to fly to Narromine for Ausfly next time it's held there. So only looking for minimal licencing & aircraft rego. I'm told as a sub-600kg MTOW with 36 mph stall & 27kg/sq.m wing loading (anyone spot the mixed units there?) I can modify & maintain the aircraft myself, which suits me fine. If I have this wrong, could someone kindly explain the difference in initial registering & ongoing operation under RAA & SAAA? Many thanks. Bruce

Thanks to all for your replies. What I didn't say in my original post was that I had mailed both organisations asking various questions regarding my build. This was partly because I wanted to know what was/was not required, and partly to gauge responses. RAA responded, and I had a very useful telephone conversation with Dean Tompkins about how I should progress my Mini-Max build. So full marks to RAA and many thanks to Dean for his friendly help. No response so far from SAAA. So I will be going the RAA route, and registering under 95.55 (19 reg), when I eventually finish my build. All I need now is my box of bits from our Merkan cousins - just the 5 weeks behind advertised delivery schedule so far. Cheers Bruce

Back to the OP. . . I started flying hangliders in 1975. Went on to microlights in 1979. I got my PPL in 1984 (flew mostly in an ARV Super2), then took up paragliding briefly. I got to solo standard in an AS K13 a few years ago - stayed up 1hr 20mins on my 2nd solo and only landed because it was getting dark Gliding certainly taught me how to use a stick and rudder, and was excellent for honing landing skills (no go-around option!). I really enjoyed it, despite the ratio of hanging around/assisting to actual flying. Highly recommended to any jaded powered pilot, or indeed anyone looking to broaden their aeronautical skills & experience. Bruce

The SAAA says it exists to assist in "building, maintaining and operating sport aircraft". In light of this, would they be a better organisation to assist me in my amateur build and equally important, to guide me through the regulatory nightmare to registration that follows the build, than the RAA? I'd particularly welcome comments from members of both organisations. TIA Bruce

Hi Hasse Re the HVLP, no, I haven't sprayed with polyurethane. But judging by the minimal overspray I've seen when spraying other paints I would think that a good quality cartridge type facemask would be adequate. Maybe try a test? Bruce

HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) is the way to go. No problems with overspray and paint vapours. Bruce

" Interestingly, I didn't realise that it was so much more to do once the fuselage and wings were done." There is a phrase current in the homebuilding fraternity that sums this up. You've reached the 90/90 stage: 90% completed and 90% still to go! I'm at the 1/99 stage . . . Bruce

I would strongly recommend doing a bit of time in gliders before starting powered training. Having done it the other way round, I can only say how much the gliding improved my flying. Particularly good for teaching rudder, co-ordinated turns, and judgement for approach, flare & landing. You can't gas it up & do a goaround in a glider! It's also cheaper as a way of getting airborne. But however you train - persevere. It will be worth it. Bruce

Welcome, Hasse. Good to hear of your project. You are much further ahead than me! And hey, if it was easy, everybody would do it :) I'll follow your progress on this forum with interest. Good luck Bruce

Excellent sentiments. I'd just like to add one small (tongue in cheek) comment: Australian pilots fly aeroplanes; they leave the airplanes to their American cousins.

Thanks Dutchroll. I'll get in touch with C&H first thing tomorrow. Bruce

Thanks for all the replies. I was rather afraid it wasn't going to be that straightforward. Dutchroll, I would be most grateful if you could let me know the contact details of the agent you used. Seems the first step is to find out from the agent what documentation is required, and what is likely to happen. Nothing's easy, is it? I just want to build my plane. Bruce

I have ordered a MiniMax kit from the 'States (more accurately, a box of raw materials & a set of plans). It is being shipped by air to Sydney Airport. Apparently this is cheaper than surface carriage. The nice man over there said all I had to do when collecting it is to turn up with i.d., sign for it & pay the customs dues. Can it really be this simple? Has anyone done it & would let us know how it went? My 'kit' is mostly untreated wood. Will anyone in an Official Hat get excited about importing voracious pests into our fair land? Any help much appreciated. Bruce

One for which I can personally attest: "The only way to make a small fortune out of aviation is to start with a large one"

Also, is there a supplier in NSW? (With apologies to Paul for piggybacking on his thread)

What about two MiniMax's? Then you can have one each, fly with a 2-stroke, and still save money!

+1 on the weekly lessons. You'll learn much quicker & save money, as said. Learning sessions are such fun, you'll be hooked anyway. You'll fly many more hours if you manage to own your own plane. There's lots around. I'm building one of these. Flying doesn't have to be expensive! Bruce

Come for a ride on the back of my old Gixxer....... I'll second that. Had my VFR up to 245 kph once. That took nearly an hour's run up!