biggles

So , DMech what do you believe to be the cause of failure. and is it related to pre-valve relief pistons ? I replaced my pistons after 500 trouble free hours with VR pistons, new valves, dual valve springs etc...... Bob

My experience at YBNS with the RAAF ‘traffic co-ordinator’ is that the system seems to work very effectively. In a normal pilot controlled environment it is not unusual for pilots to either give too much information , give too little, or none at all. Communicating with the ‘co-ordinator’( like a policeman/supervisor ) does away with all that, with transmissions being clear and concise. The feeling I get from other pilots is that they are more confident, operating in what now can be a very busy Civilian/Military environment ..... Bob

Kaz, East Sale ops.as normal. No radar coverage at YBNS. C5/20

Here’s the NOTAM Glenn , seems to work pretty well with the high volume of traffic when VMC . Can’t really imagine traffic being as orderly as an unassisted CTAF with pilot control....Bob BAIRNSDALE (YBNS) B6/20 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROVIDING AD FLT INFO SERVICE ON CTAF 126.70 CALLSIGN 'BAIRNSDALE RADIO'. REF YMMM FIR FOR TEMPORARY DANGER AREA NOTAM. CTC: 0490 148 160 OR 0431 245 100 IFR ACFT TO CTC MELBOURNE CENTRE FREQ 124.0 TO CNL SARWATCH AND TO PROVIDE TAXI ADVICE FROM 01 102000 TO 04 301000 EST DAILY 2000/1000 C6/20 REVIEW C4/20 TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ACT WI 5NM RADIUS OF 375315S 1473404E (YBNS AD) DUE TO AERIAL FIRE FIGHTING ACTIVITY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE WILL PROVIDE AN AERODROME FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICE ON CTAF 126.7 FROM 2000 TO 1000 (UTC) DAILY CTC: 0490 148 160 OR 0431 245 100 SFC TO 2000FT AMSL FROM 01 100326 TO 04 301600 EST C5/20 FREQ 126.2 AVBL DURING FIS HR FOR LTD WX AND OPR INFO FROM 01 062000 TO 02 011000 EST

Yes , it’s an age thing TP, but looks like after nearly 14 years I’ve been inducted kicking and screaming into the ‘porkies club’, in company with other prominent luminaries here ?

Due to the bushfires, Bairnsdale with its military build-up is now reminiscent of places like Townsville, with tent villages and camouflaged army vehicles almost everywhere. The aero club was offered to the RAAF, and provides accomodation for up to 10 military personnel. A private security firm patrols the base and, even as a hanger owner, I had to answer many questions to a rather officious person, who finally let me proceed . Last Saturday was the first day with VMC for over a week, so decided to blow the dust off the Jab., but found the military and others had the same idea, with much activity around the Chinook and BlackHawks on the grass along with an increase in activity at the Fire bomber base refuelling via the mobile tankers. After taxiing to the AVGAS bowser, and during refuelling, a Black Hawk decided to put down at the terminal nearly blowing me into the next paddock. I eventually got out of there, making the usual taxi and departure call for 13, as the sea breeze had started to come in, and heard the controller in the temporary “control” tower advise all aircraft in the vicinity of my intentions. I decided that as most of the activity was to the North I would head South to the coast, even though a strong wind warning was current for the coast. The East Sale airspace is currently activated 7 days a week, with traffic lanes through East Sale to the West and a 4000’ limit to the East, but I decided to remain reasonably close in case the smoke returned. I soon noticed the traffic increasing with Police Heli, Air Ambulance, BlackHawks, many other Govt.helis. and fixed wing aircraft, not to mention the 4 fire bombers working continuously on the fires to the North,returning to do tight low level approaches and wondered how an old septuagenarian would get back amongst the continual traffic. I gave an inbound call with ETA and was pleased to hear the ‘controller’ advise all traffic of my intentions. Full marks to the RAAF controllers for their professionalism shown when dealing with a diversity of aircraft with a variety of flight envelopes. Right now, ( Wednesday AM ) visibility is less than 500 metres so no flying today! Things go pretty quiet when the smoke covers the area, but be warned, when the smoke clears the traffic density can be frenzied and continuous ...... Bob Bairnsdale temporary control tower. Images At the fuel bowser with BlackHawk

Pilots operating in the vicinity of Bairnsdale Airport should be aware of the NOTAM issued today due to the heavy military involvement and changes to CTAF procedures ..... Bob

Seem to recall its your birthday about now Frank ! Have a good one old son ..... Bob ( No flying again today , pic from Bairnsdale 30/12/19 )

The aircraft in question , taken at Mareeba two years ago...... Bob

I seem to recall that one was a Piper Sport, NW of Bundaberg..... Bob

Not too nice here either Lyell....... Bob Date/Time EDT Temp °C App Temp °C Dew Point °C Rel Hum % Delta-T °C Wind Press QNH hPa Press MSL hPa Rain since 9am mm Dir Spd km/h Gust km/h Spd kts Gust kts 26/01:11pm 15.3 4.2 2.5 42 5.8 WNW 50 72 27 39 1001.9 1001.9 0.0

I’ve seen a similar thing happen where the operator got distracted, and wire from the oil pressure sender got caught under the edge of the adaptor, causing the O ring to not seal . Easy fixed but Oh what a mess ! ..... Bob

All very nice to record your first solo, but isn't there is enough pressure on new pilots to perform, without worrying about a video production ?...... Bob

Was the oil filter loose or filter adaptor O ring not sealing ? Did you tighten the filter? . Had you changed oil etc. ? ..... Bob

Also make sure dipstick is removed. Helps to increase the outflow velocity, taking any ‘goo’ with it ...... Bob

I’ve always made a practice of opening the dipstick access flap after shutting engine down . It’s surprising the amount of hot air that’s evacuated via the opening, and how quickly the engine bay cools...... Bob

I reckon this would be him . I met him ( can’t recall his name ) at Murgon 6 years ago..... Bob

Skippy, Send me a PM with your email address . Not sure how to send PM with pics !...... Bob

Skippy , I have separate booklets for both Northstar F210 instrument head and Flow transducer. There was also a software upgrade (V3:1) about “How to enter fuel flow menu “ . Let me know if any of this may help...... Bob

Sure, you need to consider the welfare of those trapped in the aircraft, but before you start getting too excited you also need to ensure that things like ballistic chutes, and all sources of ignition are disabled. Accident investigators have training in these matters, so get advice from ATSB on Emerg. No., or things might get a whole lot worse..... Bob

Twitchy finger Skip ? ?

He’s a bit slower than usual to take the bait, so hope the old fellow is OK ..... Bob

‘93’ Yenn ?

Elegant is similar to what we have, but I’ll adapt to whatever you choose ..... Bob

No ! Manwell is John Cleese’ sidekick in Fawlty Towers....... Bob