biggles

Sorry about that Matt and other forum users , but I'm doing this on my new iPad , takes a bit of getting used to.Anyway I was about to say that age is only a state of mind , thinking young with the maturity that age brings is a good combination. Good luck with whatever decision you make . Bob Bob

Giddy Matt, Not too sure about advice or inspiration but there are many old pilots here. I started flying at 62 and then went on to build a J160 which was completed in 2009. We fly from Southern Vic. to Qld. regularly and are about to set off for the Gulf again after Temora.I'm not a "career pilot" either

"Half an hour ago, I was working in the shed, happened to look out and saw these two Jabiru! I thought someone might like to see them, especially the Jabiru fliers, so I sneaked down through the water to take some photos. Best shot I could get as I couldn`t get any closer or I would have frightened them . They nest down the back of my neighbours farm and there are 5 of them, pity they were not all there! In the sugar cane harvesting season, they follow behind the harvester to pick up rats and bandicoots of which there are plenty, so they`re well fed". That sky looks an' interesting ' colour . Another storm on the way Frank ! - Nice well balanced photo and almost as if a flash was used to highlight the foreground against the dark sky . Might be worth putting in an Art Show down this part of the world . Bob

Well done for getting airborne Frank and keeping us informed in less than ideal circumstances . Things are certainly going to be a bit soggy for some time . Bob

Frank Have been watching that front on the charts and radar and you are certainly copping it . Hang in there mate ! Bob Bob

OhTP....... be nice . Some people just can't help themselves Maj.!! Bob

Many people find right hand circuits a little uncomfortable , particularly in a busy circuit . Take your time and slow the a/c down if possible , to allow you to familiarise with your surroundings , but try not to lose sight of the runway . When on Final everything returns to normal . Bob

Very wise words indeed Nev. My first solo was done in Bundaberg in 2006 with a pleasant young instructor however I cannot recall any warning by him of the expected change in aircraft response . Being somewhat apprehensive about going alone I did not pay much attention to the faster rate of climb , being more concerned about getting safely back on the ground . My circuit was accurate and well controlled , however when I flared with the usual amount of 'back stick' , it produced a very disproportionate response to what I was used to . I knew I had done something wrong but could'nt work out what . At this stage I had ballooned and was almost in a stall and as I thought that the outcome may not be pretty and I had better do something quick . The training kicked in and I applied full throttle back to circuit height , all the time thinking I must nail it this time . Knowing that the ballooning was related to the degree of back stick , I was a little more cautious the next time and landed as I had been trained to do . Ayavner some very good advice here . Good luck ! Bob

Keep us posted Russ . Bob

Linda , Not much happening here apart from the rain , but Temora is only a month away and hopefully the rain will have gone by then .Will catch up with you , and the J160S driver , then . Bob

Does anyone have the Zaon MRX installed , if so any comments , good , bad or otherwise . Bob

Paul What camera did you use ? Bob

Some of our fellow forumites don't allow PM's strangely enough , but then again they may not realise that they have 'de-selected' or not facilitated that action . Bob

O.K down here at YBNS . Have had 100mm over last 4 days - very nice ! . Bob

Oh dear , I have been ' Censored ' . The above post should have read ............ " Fuel c ---s . Please substitute another term " - Fuel valves Sorry Ian Bob:oops:

My pre take-off check list states ....................... " Fuel cocks ( 3 off ) - OPEN " Bob

Gidday OME , A lot of good stuff here from Frank ,Nev, Maj. and others . I was led to believe that ............... " there were three important considerations for a good landing , but know-one knew what they were " ! Wishing you continued success , Bob

Do you know what fuel he is running on Alf ? Bob

Why have a tank isolated anyway ? My J160 has isolating valves on each tank but they are let 'ON' at all times , and the tanks empty together (in theory anyway ) The factory a/c do not have isolating valves to prevent this very occurence from happening . Or am I missing something ? Bob

My main use for NVFR was, as others have said, departing early or landing late. I remember one morning taking off from Birdsville and watching the sun come up - spectacular. Ian , I also departed Birdsville around sunrise on the way back from Karumba last year . Flew in to find that the airport was closed for runway resealing for the following 2-3 days ( did'nt check Notams !! ) . Spoke to the work Supervisor in the pub that night , and he agreed to let us get out before work commenced , but said early The day was clear and like you said , the sunrise was spectacular .Good bloke though , he seemed to take pity on a couple of oldies , and told us to take one of his vehicles and have a look at the place . He was a pilot also , and realised the problems associated with getting somewhere and not having transport . Bob

As they always say - 'depends on what you want to do with it'. The folding wings on the Aeropup may be good for someone with hangarage problems , or wants to travel and tow it around Oz , but as I understand it , you live on a property with airstrip and probably a hangar . For what its worth the Cessna 150 looks ok , but of course it would have to be checked over by a LAME , and that does'nt appear to be a problem to you either , nor does the ongoing maintenance . If it's what you want go for it . Good Luck ! Bob