Mathew Ker

Good luck Aussie Steve. I'm planning on my first solo nav next month. We're lucky to have plenty of features to help with the map to ground - just have to watch out for the mountains keeping the clouds company. Regards, Mathew

Drifter Driver, Thanks for the link, I'd already found that and was surprised that it seems to be the only readily available comparison between the two styles of nav computer - that the reason for my enquiry to the more experienced pilots on these forums. The gist of the article seems to be 'horses for courses' but they'll both do the job. That together with the comments already posted is helping me lean towards the CR2 or CR3 because they're easier to use in flight. Anyone with additional thoughts would still be appreciated. Regards, Mathew

I was introduced to flight planning using a wizz wheel similar to the E6-B and I was surprised at how simple it was to use. I appreciated the 'picture' it gave rather than just some numbers which can sometimes blend into each other. My first nav was over three legs and 63 minutes. Forecast winds were 25kts and we had to fly below the steps leading in and out of Cairns Intl, then negotiate the escarpment en route to Atherton, then stay below cloud flying back to Innisfail. Managed flight and were three minutes over estimated time. Great first nav. Regards, Mathew

I've just begun my nav training and would like opinions on both the CR3 and E6-B Nav computers, particularly from those who have used both. Key issues are ease of use, both for planning calculations and within a cockpit (like a Jabiru). I'd also be interested whether experienced pilots are still using these regularly for flight planning, or are there some new-fangled gadgets that do the same job? Regards, Mathew

At the risk of being ostracised, can anyone provide personal experiences of working with recent releases of the Apple I-Mac. I'm looking to replace our home computer which our two sons use primarily for their homeschooling work. The easy option would be to buy another generic box and install vista. With sufficient resources, Vista seems to run reasonably well and I've had a basic FSX install running on my Toshiba notebook for about twelve months now. The problem is I don't particularly like any variant of windows as an operating system. If you spend any time trolling through the files after a few months, there are a myriad of new files that 'just appear'. They seem to be created by the OS as various programmes are run from time to time. I toyed around with a couple of Linux systems and like the concept, just not fluent enough to make them work really well. I don't really want to spend hours upon hours learning new commands just to get simple things to work like wireless internet. This leaves me considering buying an apple with Leopard installed as the OS. I'd really appreciate any feedback and whether anyone has run FSX on a Mac. Regards, Mathew

Good one Decca. Enjoy the rest of your training. I suspect more than most, you'll appreciate the freedom that flying brings to all of us. Regards, Mathew

Well done Bill. Looks good although I'm not familiar enough with trikes to correctly identify it. What sort, wing, engine did you go with. Regards, Mathew

Only he and his dry cleaner will really know how scared he was. ;) Extraordinary recovery. Regards, Mathew

Landings per hour Do bounces count ? Cheers, Mathew

Glen, Based on my own experience, towards the end of my training, I would usually do two circuits with my instructor, either drop him off or we'd both continue to fly to the local training area for about 30 minutes of various turns, stalls etc, then come back for three to five circuits (which often included simulated engine failures at various points in the circuit). I'm sure the number of circuits flown would vary depending on the amount of traffic a person is training in. The smaller volume of traffic was a factor in me learning at Innisfail rather than Cairns which is where I live. Cheers, Mathew

Puk, I remember my first months subscription was late. It could be setting up new subscriptions...or it could be enthusiastic new aviators impatient to get their fix! ;) Regards, Mathew

Marius, welcome to this great site. There are lots of people with good advice and experience. I see you're flying out of Chinchilla. Keep an eye out for Friarpuk. He's the one who sings, "Nearer to God am thee" whilst doing circuits. You'll have him green with envy if you show him your little Jabiru. Regards, Mathew

Three weeks ago Ron Watson endorsed my log book having examined me and found me to be proficient in all aspects of the syllabus for the issue of my RAA Pilot's Certificate. This is great news and I recognise it as an important achievement. The funny thing is, when I first flew solo, I couldn't wait to share this news, but for some reason it's taken longer to reveal my latest achievement. Maybe I'm just getting slack, but I also think its because as I have flown more, and learnt more, I've also gained more respect for flying. I'm lucky because I think I've been given a natural aptitude for controlling the aircraft in flight. It just works for me whereas for others, it's a real challenge they have to work at to master. There are plenty of other things that I have to struggle with, just not flying. I also recognise that I've been issued a certificate to fly - which as someone pointed out, means I ready to begin learning the responsibility of good flying - not to be confused with "I'm already an experienced and great pilot". So I think this all means I may have some natural aptitude - but this also can make me more vulnerable to becoming over confident and/or cocky in attitude :black_eye:. Maybe this is why I've held off sharing this good news? This is just part of the story. The next part is cross-country and passenger endorsements. Then finding an aircraft to be able to rent for a reasonable cost, then buying or building, then .... Cheers and thanks for everyone's encouragement. Mathew

Congratulations on successfully passing your flying test. Enjoy the rest of the learning journey. :thumb_up: Regards, Mathew

Congratulations on the 21st Bigglesworth. :clown: My 21st was spent on the first day of an army course a lifetime ago. Enjoy the rest of the journey. Hey - how about some trip reports in cowboy up? How's it travelling, especially in and out of the paddock. Regards, Mathew

Frank, How close are you to getting your green machine back in the air? Regards, Mathew

At the risk of standing up for someone I don't know, I'm guessing there probably aren't too many of us on this forum who know Prince William either. I don't know what his academic qualifications are, nor his physical ability, nor his flying training and qualifications. Maybe he has acheived through circumstances and hard work more than I could imagine or wish for. I do think we could cut the guy some slack though. It's a little bit like another post on this forum where we talked about being critical of those who are in positions of appropriate public leadership. Whatever we might think, I doubt we'll ever know what it's like to be under such intense scrutiny by anyone who thinks they've got a right to sneer or be critical. Regards, Mathew

to the forums Neil. There will be no end of suggestions for you from the many people with a wealth of experience here. I'm flying a Jabiru UL-D out of Innisfail in FNQ. It has the longer wings, smaller body configuration and in my limited experience performs very well. I haven't been on any cross country flights to date, but even around the training area we cruise anywhere between 85-95 kts. I also had the opportunity to fly in a Skyranger on the Gold Coast in January. It's a little more ungainly than the Jabiru - but for some reason it really appeals to me as a simple, functional and capable aircraft that looks quite simple to build yourself. That's just scratching the surface - enjoy your dreaming :). Regards, Mathew

I hate to gloat, but... flying up here in tropical Far North Queensland... I don't really understand the question! Cheers and thinking of you trying to keep warm. Mathew

Dinner.... and a set of gloves :big_grin:

Sorry to hear of the demise of the 'Yellow Pill'. Good to hear that you are basically in one piece. Hope you have a quick recovery and get the opportunity to get back into the air soon. Regards, Mathew

The problem with learning to fly is that once you get the bug, it's very hard to stop coveting. Then once you start coveting, you start to justify your flying with opportunities to fly into remote communities to serve others. Now what runways are there in Coen and Hope Vale??? ;) Cheers and enjoy your flying Puk. Mathew

G'day Bob. It's funny because I reckon I would have remembered Dad working on something like that. I haven't caught up with Dad for a while so I haven't run it past him. Speaking of old memories. I do remember one of the airshows at HMAS Albatross in the early 70's. There was a bloke playing a piano that was slung under what I think was a Wessex helo. I also remember a Christmas picnic which might have been out at Greenwell Point. Santa was delivered from another helo - lots of good fun. Regards, Mathew

I should think the other temptation is for people to become complacent about weight restrictions at all. Sure we know there are weight limitations, but it's not hard to imagine someone thinking, "If it can fly at 450kg, but is also legal at 544kg, but I heard that the factory says it will safely fly at 550kg, surely it will take 600kg!" Before long this same person might not consider any weights when loading the aircraft and this will end in tears when they fly a different aircraft; or the met conditions are differnt; or any number of scenarios. I guess anything which is rated to perform at a certain level must have a 'safety margin' built in to it - this goes for flying or any other rating. The critical thing would seem to be having the discipline and common sense to work within the safety margins you are licenced to operate in. This will never illiminate the human element of course! :hittinghead: Safe flying, Mathew

I tend to agree with Mazda's comments. By all means report the incident so corrections can be made, but maybe go easy on the "I'm right, you're wrong approach". Too often I find myself mentally having a go at other road users, only to realise I've forgotten to indicate (or some other error) in my moment of self-righteousness. If what you have reported is correct, the Rex pilot's already made a goose of himself, maybe the next action should be to help him learn from his mistake. Glad everyone landed safely and walked away. :thumb_up: Mathew