biggles

G'Day Kaz , Yes, this is the " Victorian Riviera " but coming back from Farri's Country it takes a bit of getting used to . It seems that the older I get , the longer it takes for me to acclimatize . I know that it's a problem with me , because I see people half my age walking around with next to nothing on . Ideally I should spend June to September in Qld. but for some reason ,these days I seem to delight in just whingeing about it . Anyway back to your part of the world , A few weeks ago I was trying to make my way back here via the Melbourne Inland Route , it was the day the pilot landed the C172 on the yet to be opened Peninsular Freeway . We had left Yarrawonga with the Kilmore Gap AWS advising - " clear below 12000 " etc." As we approached Kilmore I could see that there was no way we could get below the 2500 step due to the thick blanket of fog . I was talking to Mel Centre and overheard a transmission from an aircraft near Moorabbin to Centre saying - " tell that guy in the Jabiru to turn back " I had already made the decision to return to Mangalore . Anyway , we spent a pleasant night with a couple from Seymour we met at Longreach . Bob

OK you two smarties ( B_A & OK ) You might be interested to know that I have read all there is to know about the Edit function , and never understood a word . Maybe one of you should come down here ( mates rates of course ) and give me some personal tuition . Better be quick though , have just finished the 300 hourly on the Jab , and this cold weather is causing our thoughts to drift Northward again !! Bob

David . If an old fella like me in a Jab 160 can handle Frank's strip ,you'll have no trouble. Where are you Pud , left home yet !! Bob

This sensitive IPad keyboard again caused an unfinished post to go yet again !! . I wanted to finish by saying that individuals need to make their own decisions as to what legally conforms and this post should only be considered as my interpretion of the current situation. Bob

G'Day Thirsty , You are correct to advise people to "carry the paper copies " , they should also be the 'current 'editions . At this stage CASA appear not to have a definitive position on this , and people using OzRunways , or similar are considered to conform with the requirements , in that they have a "current "version , notwithstanding the fact that it is an "electronic" version. I personally still carry paper charts etc. as a back up , in case Murphy decides to visit but many will have become recently outdated .I discussed this with a CASA at Temora in April and they appear to have a realistic attitude toward EFB's and hope to have the results of the working party soon .

" On a more serious note, I am led to believe you can carry your ERSA in electronic format now. Is this so and if so, where can I find the ruling from CASA please? " Dave , I don't think you will find anything in writing at this stage .I believe that a ' working party ' is currently looking into all aspects of EFB's . However as we are required to carry ' current charts , ersa etc " the electronic versions are being accepted at this present time . Bob

Recreational Flying for me Ian Bob

Farri Country A Drifter on the beach Master and Apprentice Cairns night markets with the girls Farewell Farri

HTC Do you know what those protrusions on the cowl are there for ? Bob

Hey Frank , take Pud to the outer reef , on a moonless night when it's blowin' 30 knots .Then tell him he has to do the first 6 hour "anchor watch" , while you finish off the scotch. You know - like you tried to do with me . See how tough these sandgropers really are . Bob

Steve , You will need the Townsville VTC . Stark Field is located on the 3500/4500 boundary near Woodstock . Bob

Had the pleasure of meeting Biggles and his lovely wife again today at Starke field west of Townsville. (I had run into them recently at Natfly Temora) They are on their way up to visit Frank Arri (Farri) just South of Cairns, and should be there tomorrow sometime. They had overnighted in Longreach central Qld, stopped at Charters Towers for fuel, and arrived over Starke around 1pm today. After a relaxing chat at Starke with local CFI Steve O'Donnell and others, we both departed and I escorted them in the Lightwing towards the dreaded "Pinnicals pass", just to make sure they had indeed left the area !....they are overnighting at Ingham before continuing North tomorrow. Nice job on building the Jabaru 160 Bob and Sally by the way............Safe travels, and have a great time at Farri's !!....Biggles and wife are from Bairnsdale Vic so they are a fair way from home !..................................................................Maj... Starke Field looking approx. South West - Maj's Lightwing Being escorted by the Maj. to the ' dreaded Pinnacles ' The ' dreaded Pinnacles '

Dunno about "real pilots " Maj. but I did come across this pair of rascals at Starke Field near Townsville recently ! Bob

G'day Rory , It's only the large amount of tax that people like you pay , that allows us to enjoy this lifestyle . Now get back to work.! Bob

Thought we had the right guy , you meet so many nice people during your travels but was disappointed not hooking up with Lyle . We got to Cairns as planned and are slowly making our way South . Are at Southport now and plan to leave Wed/Thurs for mid NSW then home by late weekend .Have enjoyed the past 6 weeks and look forward to doing it again next year . Regards Bob & Sally

SAJ Take the cover strips off and get somebody to move the wing vigorously while you look for any movement , at both the wing root and the strut connections . Any movement will only get worse and result in a more complex and more expensive fix , not to mention the possibility of catastrophic failure . Seem to recall I may have met you when passing through Longreach a month ago , although I may be mistaken . We have a J160 . Bob

" Can anyone tell me what size the OZRUNWAYS app is? " Seb. Quite large Seb. Something in the order of 1 GB to download all the charts Bob

This is good stuff that we have come to expect from you Tex .. Looks like the IPad is also put to good use . Bob

Hey Frank what's going on up there. Have you been washed away , or is 300 mils in 24 hours - "just another day in paradise " Bob

" You can not get acceptance for a homebuilt aircraft to fly into controlled airspace in an a/c power by a jabiru 3300." Mboyd914 -Where on earth did you hear that !! Bob

Steve , Maj's knowledge , comments and advice regarding the airspace in and around Townsville is extremely accurate Bob

I'm happy Maj. I reckon the Kia 's probably worth more than the Jab !! Blowing pretty hard up here at the moment but don't reckon I'll stop young Frank from going up later.