Harina

Finally, after jumping through what often seemed like endless hoops I today received my unrestricted CofA for my VH experimental registered CH701. Now I might be able to think about visiting all of you who fly from Kilcoy and maybe get down to Coominya also!

Hi, I was that friend,the communication was very confusing ,you hear the radio calls from the whole area and regularly it gets all mixed up and you can't hear anything.

Maybe we should get a designated CTAF only for Narromine when the show is on, starting from 10 mile out.

I agree with jetjr,one incident on 400 landings is not bad,but only trying to improve the system.

I really enjoyed the fly in,it was great.

Yeah it's for sure that I personally find airshows boring and annoying, but that's not the issue with my objection to them taking 4 hrs of the main day at our Narromine Fly-In. True fly-ins and airshows don't mix well - the airshow dominates and really screws up the fly-in. An airshow is a spectator event, while a real fly-in is a participation event, totally different game.....By closing the airspace for that long it forces all the rest of the recreational flying into the remaining time left. Just imagine, by the time the pylon racing is finished at 0800 there'll probably be several aircraft maneuvering around outside waiting to enter and then having to sort out their order of approach, meanwhile there'll be a que of aircraft on the ground waiting for a chance to take off. Then it's going to be a frantic two hours of dealers wanting to do as many demos as possible and flyers just wanting to have a fly, so the circuit area is going to be crowded and intense..... And it's not really a full two hours, cause you'll have to be careful how far out you go and keep a good margin so that you don't get caught out by the closure - (and then what do you do and where do you go to wait out three hours!) By the time it's open again it's early afternoon and not the best flying conditions and you don't dare have had a beer at lunch.... Traditionally at Narromine we roamed around the aircraft and met the owners and learned about different aircraft and often swapped rides to get the real feel of another aircraft. That has to be spontaneous with the freedom to go up when the mood is right.... Making an appointment for later is a real hassle cause both are liable to be involved in some other conversation and would need to break away from those visits.

 

I can't imagine anyone being inspired to take up recreational flying from watching aerobatics. They can see right away that the costs are so far beyond their means that it's not reachable. But I've personally inspired several newcomers to take up their dream of flying. When I see someone looking interested in my aircraft I engage in friendly conversation and ask if they're tempted to take up flying. The typical conversation goes as follows, and has been repeated many times:

 

Me - "Are you tempted to take up flying?"

 

He - "Well, I always dreamed of flying but family responsibilities and shortage of money didn't make it possible, but now the kids are gone and I have some time and money to spare, but I still don't know if I could afford it..."

 

Me - "Well it doesn't have to cost a lot these days. This aircraft cost me about $50k, about the same as a new 4wd, burns premium unleaded and gets about the same mileage as a 4wd, but goes 150 km/hr Xcountry with no doddering caravans or whatever in the way, and we do all our own maintenance which is easy with these engines these days. I built this one from a kit, really easy, just rivet it together, was lots of fun and very satisfying. There's lots of support and help around for beginner builders, and of course lots of advise...... If you do a good job, after a year it's worth more than it cost you, while a 4wd will be rapidly depreciating...... So it is really affordable and enjoyable and the best thing I ever did at this stage of life. Golf and bowls just wouldn't do it....."

 

He -"But where would I get training?"

 

Me - "Get online and go to www.raa.asn.au and there you'll find a listing of flying schools all over. Call one and arrange a Training Introductory Flight."

 

Me -"Would you like to go for a flight right now to see what it feels like??"

 

If they're really are interested of course they grab the opportunity. I explain what I'm doing all the way and insist that they take the stick for some gentle turns, and then I can feel their excitement! Well now, I reckon that's introduced several, if not many, new flyers into the game, over the years that I've been doing it, many of those times at the old Narromine Fly-Ins , and at many other venues:. But I wouldn't want to try to fit in that hectic gap between airshow activities in the morning, and at lunch I want to have a sit down to rest the weary feet. and a beer. and swap stories with old friends for the rest of afternoon.

 

I reckon one hour of aerobatics late in the afternoon would be all that a good fly-in should have to tolerate. But of course that wouldn't bring in the paying drive-in public who are required to fund the airshow. So how about if the all the airshow activity was moved to Sunday?? It would still attract the drive-in public, and leave our main day free for the real fly-in participants. And then I and many others could head for home right after Sunday breakfast, very satisfied after an enjoyable Narromine Fly-In.

 

JG

But I will be there ,I love that the flyin is coming back to Narromine .

Looking forward to it ,great that the aero club is organising it,I never understood why the Ra aus took it away.

See you with Easter .

H.

I really hope so,I am planning to go anyway weather permitted!

Hans

HansCurious about how well it has been built and finished off. It seems many of the home builds that I have seen have the basics all right but tend to fall off in terms of quality of finish. Assuming it is the 80hp version, is that enough for it or does it need the 100hp. It looks good in the photos, but is it that tidy close up. I know either these are based on the Savannah or vice versa I was just wondering about fitting into it. I had a problem with the Savannah I sat in with my knees hitting on the panel.

In my view it is well build .it is,what you expect from the plane ,it flies well .low hours and the price is right,of you fit in to it,you really have to find a 701 and try it .

Of you need a 100 hP not really ,but again what do you want ,when you want quick from A to B this is the wrong plane ,want you like sightseeing ,this is the one .great flying on long trips ,but i am sure that the current owner can tell you all about it ,he just came back from WA ,how good is that.

Ok mate success with your decision. H.

Hi all does anyone know anything about the 701 advertised on the RAAus website please?

Yes, I know a fair bit of that plane,what do you like to know. Hans.

Hi ,I met him in Kilcoy ,his name is Gavin,he bought the plane from B.J in Atherton ,I don,t have a phone number ,he is at 5 Hermanns rd Prenzlau

Of he is a member ,I don't know

Cheers. Hans .

But ,I can handle it! Because I am a pilot ! H.

Half the reason I wanted to build it was that it has slats. It is such an ugly little plane it is almost beautiful! A bit like the Catalina. Could also say that they were perhaps the hardest bit to fabricate so I didn't want to waste the effort.

About the slats I was the same ,it looked so cool,but I am over that and J G did not help ,he was hassling me ,to get rid off the slats after a lot off testing ,slats on and slats off I decided to do it ,I really believe it was the right decision ,it flies great.

Off cause extending the wings really helped.

Anyway have a good one Mate .H.

Mate, whilst flattery is always nice I have to say that if mine performs half as well as Hans's I'll be more than happy. Apart from the Savannah tailplane, fitted at Hans's recommendation, my aeroplane is "bog standard" I still have the slats and don't have the cabin roof modification. The difficult thing for me will be to learn to fly it properly, I need to get current again and would like to find a GA school operating something with a similar performance!

What was the reason that you kept the slat's?Hans.

I think Derek will give you a shake! Cheers Steve H...

G'day Hans, I've been asking a few people for ideas on sealing the nosewheel steering rods where they penetrate the firewall. I didn't think to look at yours when I was up there, do you mind me asking what was your solution. I have seen a few but am not convinced they would keep out exhaust fumes. There was a suggestion on here to use CV joint boots which may be the way to go, if I can find a stockist!

Yes that is the way I did it and it works well ,I bought them at a auto spare shop.

Cheers .Hans.

Was this Hans's Zenith? (it has a Savannah-style empennage, I think)

Over the years I did a far bit of modification on the plane ,I did since 2004 , 1150 Hrs.

Regarding the tail ,yes I have a savannah stabiliser and elevator on it ,big difference !

Happy flying. Hans