microman

Could be an ignition module playing up - they can cause hard starting and that then can result in the sprag clutch having to also be replaced.

Looks like a Rotec Rally 3 to me - they came out in the mid-80's. Usually had a Rotax 503 and had some aerobatic capability ( not that I would ever be brave enough to try it!)

That has also been my experience - I have a Samsung Tab 3 and it can be infuriating at times - up to 10-15 minutes to get a GPS fix. I guess the only real fix will be a dedicated GPS connected by bluetooth but was hoping to avoid that - its just one more device which can run out of battery power.

Nice job - is that a Rotax 2-stroke up front?

GA here in NZ may not be in quite the sorry state it is in Oz, but most aero clubs are struggling - some have folded, others have merged with the local recreational (read microlight) club. Our club has 200 members and hires out its Tecnam for NZ$125.00 per hour. We have a second one on order and GA pilots are coming over in droves - particularly those who either have medical issues or have allowed their PPL's to lapse for other reasons, ie, financial. We can maintain our own aircraft, fly on a drivers license medical but still operate in controlled airspace with a transponder. The only limitations we have are VFR day operations only, and limited to 2 POB. CAA's involvement is generally limited to annual registration and initial inspection of new aircraft and we are working in that one too! Otherwise they pretty much leave us alone because we are controlled by our own body - RAANZ. Long may it continue.!

I knew there were still some Poms with common sense - and I hope to come across some when I visit the UK in May - and if I'm really lucky her indoors will allow me some time off for good behaviour to visit a few airfields. Otherton is on my list.........

Actually the vote was close - 53% to 47% - and some of us would rather have a flag that didn't suggest we were still a British colony - and even worse - gets mistaken for the Australian flag! However unfortunately the alternative offered for consideration didn't resonate with enough people. We would also rather keep our lamb - rather than send it over to a lot of ungrateful Poms who were happy enough for us to feed them during a couple of wars but then decided that paying more for their lamb in order top subsidise European farmers made much more sense. Wonder what will happen if and when Britain exits the EU - will they want our lamb again? Too late - we have other markets now!

I had an MGL Enigma in my previous aircraft. I found it to be an excellent piece of equipment, easy to learn to operate, good screen vision, and good value for money. I had backup steam gauges, ASI, ALT, Voltmeter, etc.

Couldn't agree more - I just completed a flight from Rangiora to Nelson and return, involving at least 1 1/2 hrs over mountains with no landing areas whatosever - I am actually a slightly nervous pilot, and wouldn't have done that trip in the days when I flew behind two-strokes - or any other engine I didn't have complete confidence in. The 912ULS is a fabulous engine - yes, its expensive (though I bought a low-time secondhand engine) but I can climb at full power anytime I need to and the temps stay well within limits. In 30 years of flying I cant remember one case of a 912/912S having a serious engine malfunction - the only stoppages I can recall were due to faulty maintenance on the part of the owner. My earlier aircraft, a Jodel D18 with a 912S suffered an engine failure (over water but within gliding distance of land and the forced landing was very skillfully executed by my co-pilot into a small paddock on the coast) - however it turned out that I had not secured the balance tube between the carbs properly. It came off and the engine stopped immediately. My fault entirely, and after resecuring it, we took off again.

The New Zealand one of course has a parachute recovery system - however not sure that they have yet solved the problem of the "death zone" - ie, if the engine fails between zero and 50 fifty feet, required reaction time would be very limited. The fact is that both systems are being trialled over water for that very reason.

Perhaps we would rather have something which can fly for longer than 1 1/2 minutes?

We have a couple of aircraft at our field with 912 engines that have been modified with big bore kits and turbos to produce around 120hp. They are both fitted to Zenith 701 aircraft and their performance has to be seen to be believed. They can virtually take off without any roll and being fitted with 26 inch tyres of course land very short as well. However both have had issues - on one the crankcase developed a crack - since replaced and has done about 20 hrs since. The other had massive oil leaks which may have been unrelated to the increased power but certainly were as a result of the mods done. So I guess nothing is for nothing.

On a related subject, I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (7 inch) in my aircraft and have a couple of Air Nav programs loaded. Problem is, on many occasions, the tablet, which has a built-in GPS, fails to pick up a signal. One recent flight, coming back over the Southern Alps, with solid cloud below and only the peaks poking through, it refused to work and I had to rely on a compass course (which actually put me right on track). After googling the problem, it seems that even though the tablet specs say GPS, A-GPS & Glonass ( the Soviet system) you just cant rely on it to always provide a signal when needed, and should really have a separate GPS receiver as well. The ideal one appears to be the Garmin with bluetooth, so no cord needed. I would be interested to know if others have had the same problem. Apparently even the much-vaunted i-pad can lose its signal at times, and other pilots I know locally have resorted to adding a separate GPS receiver. I of course have tried to do it on the cheap - hence the second-hand Tab 3.

What????

Really interesting reading the posts on that forum - appears Flight Design USA are blameless, so just who did FD Germany allowed to run up a seven-figure debt? On the other hand that could just be a smokescreen. You have to feel sorry for the Europeans in particular who paid over all their money (107,000 Euros no less) for an aircraft some 3 years ago and are still waiting!

Flight Design USA - no other importer would be dealing in that level of turnover - not clever of the Germans to let them go that far into debt.

Whew - you'll be ok then and avoid the wrath of Storchy neil - I'm in trouble though - no fuel pressure gauge ( and I only use my electric fuel pump to prime the carbs) and also no fuel return line. I'm in for a spanking and no mistake!

I fear you may have misread Niri Tawa's gender Nev? Never mind - I'm sure she will forgive you. You are right about the collection of different machines though - obviously a real enthusiast.

A couple of others being used over here - Mobil 1 and a Morris lubricant - also an Elf product has just been introduced. Whether they have the necessary additive in them to service the gearbox I dont know. I just dont take the risk of using anything but Aeroshell.

When I want your advice - I'll pull the chain.

Then all you need is a Nissan Leaf (or similar) electric car which you can charge from you off grid system - and the range on these cars is improving all the time - it was only about 120km but now up to 200 km.

Great aircraft the Savannah - they are becoming very popular down our way (Rangiora) - a new local agent has just sold 3 kits and has ordered another 4 . We already have 3 flying in our club. They seem to be a great compromise in that you can land in rough paddocks but still have a reasonable cruise for longer trips. Great way to cross the ditch (Cook Strait for the Aussies) - at 9000 ft - you obviously have a transponder and got clearance to that height.

Absolutely agree Ian - this has become an international site and as such interminable discussions about internal Australian politics, terrorists, and similar matters are just a major turnoff for everyone else. I for one really value discussion on the aviation-related topics - thats why I joined - having to pick through the other stuff is a pain. Most of us have limited time available to spend in front of a screen.

Done. Will put up the poster on our club notice-board

Yep - I will organise something for Rangiora Airfield on that day