HEON

As I have an add in it I phoned yesterday questioning it and was told "by Xmas". Told them I got my Dec "Aviator" on 2 Dec; and bought Jan/Feb "Australian Flying" today. This is not good enough! It was not long ago that (Ithink) RA Aus was thinking (??) of removing the mag from newsagents as it was making a loss...I WOUNDER WHY IT IS

I personally think the stall speed as currently set is the one feature that should not change as it is one of the best features we have to help us live through an emergency. The slower you can land the less likely you are to kill yourself. More weight can be had without a higher stall speed. THAT should be the the GA area. Yes a two seater AN-2 SHOULD be able to be RA Aus registered. The POH for the AN-2 says it will not stall and once it gets down to 25mph with the stick pulled fully back it will decend at the speed of a parachute (Wikipedia). Now THAT would be interesting...and safe!

Not permanent...my last was for two years...renewable as long as the rules do not change

I only wish tradesmen I use would have the same work ethic of "before Christmas"...at least I would have some idea when they may come!

When I last did a two up tour (and my wife's weight is a lot less than most blokes) I carried around "@#*"kg total (120L fuel). Probably only a couple of RA Aus aircraft that can do that (even the low figure of 255kg quoted) WITHOUT being over MTOW (Jab 170;Foxbat LSA;???). Very common Jab 230 only has 230-240kg less 135l fuel! Less weight means less fuel, less equipment including safty gear, OR less people. Current rules rearly make us break them. Being ex-Army, it was always considered that giving an order that you knew was going to not be followed was stupid. Think that was the same in the RAAF Mr CASA!

Regarding Jab 230/430. The stall speed of 430 at it's MTOW is above RA Aus 45kt. How about 2 people, one engine, stall under 45kt, AND NO LIMIT ON MTOW?

Thanks GregF...of course I must not agree...a glass half full or half empty situation. As for statements regarding the sun one should not be completely general in comments. I also own and fly a highwing (Drifter) which all would admit has zero sun protection for the pilot. In addition I also own and fly a lowwing (Lightwing Speed) which has a roof excluding the sun from my increasingly sparse head coverage. As for Tomo's comments I also am concerned on the roll over protection of formed plastic without crash protection. I personally will not own one due to this (and a wife who thinks I have three too many aircraft now!) Andys@coffs comment regarding the Petrel's sun protection is not completely accurate either as the upper wing actually extends forward over your head thus the sun rearly only hits the head when flying into it (at a distance of course!). As the engine mount is in the upper wing support(=strong) roll over protection should be good...although a demo aircraft I am trying (very hard) NOT to demo this.

Spent Sunday marking cattle...think I must have done a few in white flannels after SA results!

As I fly a bi plane, do I have the best of both worlds?

Flinders Ranges worth a look. Think myself Adelaide Hills with a stop to do some wine tasting would be relaxing. After KI return up Murray River (stop/stay at some of old river ports) or via Vic SW and S coast (Great Ocean Road) Can still get hot (fly early) but should be dry...this year however not real sure if "dry" is an approperate word...

Think you need a bit more distance. On your range the bay islands!

Topic close to my heart has been touched on here. With the closing of especially small (read outback) fuel depots, combined with the increase in controlled airspace, you do not have to be very paranoid to think "our" safety authority is trying to make our skys safer by us not being able to reach a lot of it...combined with stopping CTA for RA Aus...I MUST just be a paranoid old bloke..."THEY" would NEVER think of that...not!!

Alice Springs-Halls Creek (via Wolf Crater?)-Broome should be within 230 range. There is a road house between AS-HC. Forgotten the name but fuel (drum=costs!) if required...eat and walk regardless. I did the reverse a few years ago in Lightwing Speed. ESSENTIAL you check weather...Broome-Halls Creek around 310nm...no problem you say...add 35-40kt head wind as I had and it makes a considerable difference in range AND its not the longest leg. Return? Broome(Horrozontal Waterfall/Prince Regent Sound)-Kununurra(Bungles)-E over NT(various options)-coastal vis Gulf-Burktown-Longreach-etc. Good trip but essential you carry remote area gear as it is VERY remote. I personally do not think this a summer trip due to potential poor weather(monsoon seasion). I would not do it in summer myself. Was great in winter

Thirsty I think you are correct...after a LSA most are better/less demanding...a bit like the feeling you get when you stop hitting the wall with your head!....although some do like that feeling! I think it is the hardest aircraft I have ever flown (nose wheel), although I may be unfair as it was my first.

Yes the Jab LSA could be called a bit twitchy! I started my training in one up to and past solo (school then purchased 160). Harder when "mature age"....Instructors most frequent comment seemed to be "stop peddling"...especially on final! You can also get Instructors attention on take off if hand slips of flap leaver...very much a sinking feeling! All I can say is you have to be a bit selective on control imput or otherwise you will chase it all over the sky. It is a small world. That aircraft (25 1488) has just been purchased by a bloke at Warwick...I remember the sweat by just looking at it again.

New or used makes a difference, as well as factory or kit built, especially if used. Jab's are not STOL with all that implies. I think the factory built Savannah is currently best buy for new STOL. Second hand, factory built Foxbat the best (no Savannah's yet that I know of). As for kit built there are a lot of choise with a lot of types...get someone who REARLY can assess condition/built quality to FULLY inspect before paying anything. Do not get me wrong, there are some beautiful great value kit built aircraft...and some "dogs"!

A lot of people with middle east ties!

Pitty the error in names but the badly injured pilot (instructor) is well known...he has 26,000hrs!

Donut=variant spelling of doughnut=anything shaped like a ring. Ring=a circular path or course. In the context of my post, Jay was going around in circles on a quite small dam. With a wind blowing this is not easy and needs a pilot who knows what he is doing, and an aircraft with good control authority which the Petrel has as you know. He was mostly off the step as the dam is small.

Myself and mate went to Wedderburn last weekend. Returned fully coastal from Sydney which was just fantastic. While at Wedderburn Jay (based there) in his 19 rego Petrel 100 (previous model) entered and did "donuts" in the dam a couple of times. He rearly showed how easy it was to control; even with quite a strong wind blowing. Will have to do some practice before trying it myself...no reverse in a Petrel. Now over 150 water landings undertaken by myself and the two Warwick Instructors who have completed their WH qualifications in my Petrel. Love that water!

Leaving why he was there in the first place, think he should receive credit on two fronts; 1. Landing when the desire to "push on" must have been great, 2. Getting it down without turning it over.

First impression was the high percentage of tail wheel aircraft...some of them were just beautifully finished. We left around 1400 Sun as the weather did not look good for today. Stayed at Taree overnight and returned to Warwick today. Headwind added 2hr to the trip. Do not think we would have made it if we left Sydney today. Was nice to see how some of you southerners construct hangers...you will be set if the Hindenburg ever gets rebuilt!

Comming...PLEASE ask for suitable weather. Have cancelled more than attended in last few months.

Pitty no voice recorder...would have been interesting. Can honestly say that is an aviation expearanse I have not had, nor want.

European one supplied via Richard Eacott SE Qld Rotax rep. Not sure but think via Flood's.