Roundsounds

It just takes practice, like Dazza says after a while you won't notice the difference although you may have a preference. I'd rather fly right handed in an aircraft fitted with a stick (rather than a wheel) and left hand for throttle, trim and flaps.

As far as cruising levels go, below 5000' AMSL the hemispherical rule isn't recommended, CAR 173 says whenever practicable. East means a magnetic track between 000 and 179, West between 180 and 359. I've done that leg many times at 500' AMSL, remaining over water and clear of populous areas. I do my pre-landing checks before descending below 1000' and have a continuous plan of where I'd land in the event of an engine failure.

A couple of things for you to consider: 1. Why would your instructor not provided you with an overview of your training, including exams? Might be worth asking for this, if the response is anything other than you being provided with a written overview I would be looking for an instructor who would provide this. You don't want to get to the RPC flight test and discover you need to sit for an exam(s) you haven't prepared for. It's much easier to learn little bits along the way than to cram over a few days. You'll also retain more of the information if given the chance to apply it to your flying. HF would be an example. 2. This type of question can be answered by referring to the RAAus Operations Manual (OM). You should become familiar with its content, without becoming too hung up on it you are legally required to comply with its directions. As a solo pilot (pilot in command) you become the person responsible for the aircraft, not the instructor. Here's an extract from the OM (Section 3.01) regarding examinations prior to first solo flight. I think it is accepted the Radio Endorsemet exam will be complete too, although there is no direct statement as such in the OM. STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE HOLDERS Solo Flight 2. Prior to undertaking a first solo flight a Student Pilot is required to pass a written PRE-SOLO AIR LEGISLATION multiple-choice examination set or approved by RA-Aus, which shall include a minimum of five (5) questions specific to the procedures at their training aerodrome. The examination will be conducted at an approved RA-Aus FTF. Good luck and enjoy your first solo, many thousands of hours flown since mine 36 years ago, I still remember it like yesterday!

HF has supposedly been embedded in the GA syllabus and airline training for quite some time, whether it's been trained well is another matter. Trying to treat HF as a stand alone, purely theoretical subject will make little to no difference to people's behaviours. Until it genuinely hits home to individuals that they're just as likely to be the next statistic as anyone else, the various skills required of a mature HF savvy pilot will not be taken seriously.

Hook, line and sinker.....

Now maybe back to topic? Isn't this forum for people pretending to be "pilots" playing with toys called ultralights which look like flying clotheslines? Not pleasant being "labelled" eh?

It wasn't this clown's first moment of stupidity, he made an equally inappropriate "joke" on a Sydney radio station. I hope Renee Gracie and Simona de Silvestro show the drivers who think this to be a "mans" sport how it's done. The culture in aviation is gradually improving in this regard.

http://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2015/10/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

I asked around and there's another RAAus registered one with similar equipment, it comes in with an empty weight of around 450kgs.

Here's a link to an FAA video on Risk Management: http://www.faa.gov/tv/?mediaId=449

Yes - airmanship, commonsense and rat cunning, all gained through experience. The idea of HF training is to accelerate the process by learning through other people's experience and mistakes.

I don't know this is the answer? You cannot fix a problem if you don't know what the exact problem is. Most initial "Human Factors" learning is done on the ground. Practice can be completed by running through "what if" scenarios, this way you can develop your own method of dealing with situations. If you wait until the "what if" happens in flight, it's unlikely you'll come up with the best way of dealing with it. These scenarios could be delivered by properly trained facilitators or by video presentation at "hangar talk" sessions.

Some "interesting" stuff in the latest E-News: "The objective is to reopen dialogue and refocus members on the need for Human Factors when flying aircraft and in their decision making." I would suggest Human Factors features in all flights, maybe there's room for an improvement in Human Factors, particularly in the decision making processes? "After several fatal accidents in the initial six months of 2015 we undertook a high level analysis of the fatal accidents that have occurred over the last 5 years and identified that a majority of them are Human Factor related and as such there was a necessity for immediate awareness in this area." Human Factors, or Non-Technical Skills (NTS) to use the latest jargon, covers many areas of behaviour. It would be interesting to learn exactly what areas need improving. I'm wondering whether the organisation has the expertise to analyse the data and identify the precise NTS requiring improvement? Just saying we need to improve Human Factors is like telling pilots not to crash.

I agree, amend CAOs 95.10, 95.32 and 95.55 to list the same airspace restrictions as the CAO based exemptions issued for Gliders and Hot Air Ballons..... ie NONE!

Maybe you could forego some inter web / forum time to read the regulations yourself, rather than rely on other people's interpretation and explaination?

Sorry Nev, I meant other FTF Class D exemptions. The others I've read only permit student cert holders to fly solo. Once their RPC has been issued they're banned from CTR/A unless they satisfy the minimum GA licence requirements (and aircraft certification standards).

Interesting subtle difference to the other exemptions I've read. Maybe that's part of the idea of keeping individual exemptions in place.

The document behind the link is titled: "Exemption — solo flight training at Coffs Harbour Aerodrome using ultralight aeroplanes and weight shift controlled aeroplanes registered with the RAA" The whole exemption thing makes the Class D restriction more ridiculous. Most Class D airports have RAAus FTFs operating from them under an exemption. The last quote I had from CASA was $800 for initial issue, plus a fee for renewals each 2 years. Again, I ask why is it Gliders and Balloons (private Op's) are not subject to the airspace restrictions imposed upon RAAus? No requirement for motorised gliders to be fitted with certified engines, are the gas burners in the hot air balloons certified?

So you're telling me you're acting like a "professional", yet you don't know what's in the regulations and guidance material under which you are acting professionally?

So you are saying you deliberately chose to ignore the guidance provided by CAAP 166? These procedures have been developed by a panel of CASA, Airservices and industry representatives and are considered to be the safest and useable option to be adopted by all non-controlled airport users. I'm glad I'll be driving to the Temora Airshow in November, can you imagine the RT congestion and the impact it will have on the safe and efficient flow of traffic with every aircraft making IFR/commercial departure reports on CTAF? There will be no air time for taxying or runway entry calls. In addition to the line up call there would be "Temora traffic, Jabiru twenty eight thirty six departed time 23, climbing to 6000, tracking 090, Temora" as opposed to "Temora traffic, Jabiru twenty eight thirty six lining up runway 23, departing crosswind Temora" Not sure how IFR/commercial inbound and departure reports differ from any other operation?

I suspect with the loss of country (NCTL) based flying schools most pilot and instructor training is being conducted at Class D aerodromes. These newly trained pilots and instructors then move to country areas and lose their security blanket (ATS) and feel they need to talk a lot routinely, instructors then pass this onto their students. RAA pilots hear the charter / training flights make their routine 6 calls between 10NM and shutdown and think "if that's how the 'professionals' do it, then so should I". Having returned to instructing at Class G aerodromes after a few years break, the difference in RT is very obvious, probably more so than for someone who has lived with the gradual changes. I studied the AIP and CAAP 166 prior to venturing back into class G and found nothing in the rules had changed, however the practices certainly have! Provided there is no immediate likely hood of a collision, routine calls should be limited to - Inbound - joining circuit (or 3Nm final for a straight in app) - a base call (if you really think it's warranted and for all circuit traffic) For anyone in the circuit respond to inbound traffic with your call sign, type, position and intentions - this allows the inbound guy to start forming a mental picture (situational awareness). For the naysayers, maybe have a chat with some of your mates one day when the circuit is quiet and go try circuits with 3 or 4 aircraft making only a lineup then turning base calls and see how it goes?

You must've misread my comment then, I suggested a base call was all that's needed as a standard call and routine downwind and final calls are not necessary.

To begin with I'm merely trying to pass on my experience of many years of safe flying including private, charter and flight training and testing. I think your tone is inappropriate. Situational awareness in terms of circuit traffic does not require any more than base calls. You use this information to form a mental picture of the circuit traffic, which is then confirmed by visual sightings. To a certain extent a busy circuit is easier, as you simply maintain visual contact with the aircraft ahead.

It's not only about keeping traffic in sight, it's about situational awareness which pilots are trying to replace with constant radio chatter.

I was recently doing some training with a gentleman in his newly acquired aeroplane at Cessnock, the local school there obviously teaches the 3 calls per circuit method and don't teach them to wait until no one else is transmitting. There were 4 of us in the circuit, when we were overtaken by a Piper Navajo on downwind. After we landed the Navajo pilot came over and apologised for not calling his circuit entry, as he was unable to due RT congestion. Interestingly the ERSA recommends only base calls at Cessnock for this very reason. I've been flying for 40 years and find the trend in increased RT in the circuit area distracting, unnecessary and dangerous. The constant chatter eventually becomes white noise and if there is an urgent need to use the radio you can't.