Mathew Ker

Terry, sorry to hear of your accident. Hope you have a reasonably swift and trouble-free recovery. Cheers, Mathew

Hey Keith, congratulations. :thumb_up: I went solo late last year in what I assume is the same aircraft with the same great instructor getting out. Innisfail is a great location to learn (just have to watch for the crop dusters - strong silent types with regard to radio calls!). Enjoy the rest of the journey. I have 15 hours up and am working towards my restricted licence either side of Easter. Cheers, Mathew

Congratulations Wayne. Great stuff. I went solo last year and I'm now up to 15 hours total, 2.5hrs solo. Your first solo will always be memorable, but I think I'm enjoying my solo flying more now. More chance to fly the aircraft accurately, not just do a lap and be grateful just to put it on the ground in one piece. Great work, enjoy the rest of your training. Mathew

Andy, whilst musing over the benefits of different Linux Distros (they're all better than Windows!) was inspired by the efforts of Birdbrain and decided his Airborne Trike would really benefit by adding ...

The combination of banging his head with the flying digest, along with a recent re-run off "Top Gear" inspired Bird Brain to mate a J160 airframe with a turbo prop he knew was available from a written off Pilatus PC-12. I wonder if the Stig has a PPL...

With growing excitment and anticipation, the scheming (though nearly bankrupt) Birdbrain realised he could redeem his 2.3 go anywhere flyers for one hours flying in Ian's evalution Millenium Master...

Mozartmerv, You were lucky to get radio traffic out of the air tractor pilot. In my limited experience, we have a couple of fixed wing crop-dusters and a couple of rotarty wings, and the first we know of them is when they're moving. The seem to taxi straight from their loading point to the runway, over grass to save time. They'll take off down-wind, up-wind, any wind so it often involves some guess work. Landing is a similar setup - just get it on the ground, radio calls are for wimps! We had one exciting moment when my instructor pulled power in the circuit for a simulated engine failure. I setup on the cross-wind runway, had time to make appropriate radio calls, to which we were greeted with one of the air-tractor operators telling us he was already rolling. We had about 10 seconds separation, but it was a great lesson in the importance of correct radio procedure and airfield operations. It's disappointing when 'professional' operators provide such a poor example. Cheers, Mathew

Tim, The wing loading for the UL-D is 12.16 lbs/sq ft (as listed on the Jabiru website). Wing loading for the 170c is 12.8 lbs/sq ft. As I grow in experience, I'm finding it much easier to acheive consistent landings solo or with the instructor on board. The landing is definitely more 'positive' with two on board. Solo, it wants to float a little, but my judgement as to when to flare is better now. Cheers, Mathew

Welcome to the forums Tim. It sounds like you and I are at a similar stage of training. I have 2.5hrs solo in 14.5hrs total and I'm flying a UL-D which has the longer wings of the 170 and the narrow body of the 120. Makes for a great training aircraft. Enjoy the flying around Wentworth and Sunraysia. I used to live there in the late 70's to the late 80's. Cheers, Mathew

Now I',m really confused. I thought a myth was a dead moth! ;)

Welcome to the forums Stuart. There's a bunch of experience among those who contribute to these forums and a whole lot more people willing to learn and share thoughts and ideas. Good luck with finishing your RV7 and finding an answer to you import question. Regards, Mathew

Tony, I'm not in the market for an aircraft just yet, but I do appreciate the advice you have given to the forum. Without knowing some basic considerations such as you have outlined, the unwary could easily spend twice what a good condition machine might cost, or end up with an unsafe ultralight - neither scenario is good. Thanks for your input. Mathew ;)

What do you call a dog with no legs? Anything you like - he still won't come to you!

Good luck with your training Tomo. I began my lessons in September last year and so far have eleven hours of fun filled flying. My goal is to qualify for my restricted licence around April this year, with cross country and passenger endorsements to follow. I would expect some nervousness during initial stages of learning and this will most likely have some distorting effect on the relationship you have with your instructor. I believe each flight should be safe, a learning experience, and fun. If your instructor is fulfilling these criteria, maybe you could spend some time on the ground just confirming what's going on and exactly what you expect from your training (what are your goals). Remember that you are the one handing over the hard earned cash - don't settle for less than you would expect to give. Keep asking questions, enjoy the learning, and share your experiences. :big_grin: Regards, Mathew

Good decision Shelley and congratulations Mick. Cheers, Mathew

G'day Bob. Judging by the aircraft you worked on and that you were based at Albatross, I'm wondering if you ever worked with my father, Bob Ker. Dad was based at Albatross during the late sixties and early seventies. I know that he served on the Melbourne. When I was a young bloke, I remember going to the school at Albatross. I'm sure the married quarter we lived in was where the Army Parachute Training School is now located. Enjoy your flying and the information from this forum - they're a great bunch. Hope things go well with looking after your wife. Cheers, Mathew

Don't tell me - you got mixed up and used Vicks! :yuk::;)2: ;) Cheers, MDK

I'll second Darren's suggestion. ;) It's a great picture and it would be a fitting tribute. It should be note that all entries this month have been fantastic. Regards, Mathew

Phil, I too have been thinking about such things. I'm still training, but once (if) qualified, I'll go for a fly with my instructor on a regular basis to ensure bad habits aren't creeping in. I'll do this perhaps once every three to six months, not the mandatory two years (which some pilots seem to be neglecting anyway). I will continue flying and enjoying the freedom that flight provides, but I will mitigate against obvious and avoidable risks. I will ask for help if I exceed my abilities. Cheers, Mathew

Dennis, I haven't personally had anything to do with them, but there is an airfield west of Townsville on the Townsville/Charters Towers Road. A website linking details to the airfield and triker school/community is http://www.auf.asn.au/schools/ftf708.html Others will be able to provide more details. Regards, Mathew

Vale George Brown It's funny when you read the posts from different members. Even though we are separated by thousands of kilometers and years of experience, through these posts, you get to know one another - their sense of humour, their sense of occasion, their integrity, their willingness to share knowledge and ideas with others. I'm at the opposite end of the flying spectrum from George, and yet it was a joy to read his insights, added with passion and knowledge. I never met George, but I will miss him. Vale

Following on from Ian's point, could RA-Aus retain its identity with respect to Recreational Aviation, but 'be employed' to service the needs of the private GA members? In this way we might be able to have our cake and eat it. The private GA operators would receive the benefits of taping into the RA-Aus administrative network that's already in place, we benefit from additional clout and cost benefits. Both flying groups retain their distinctives yet benefit from the areas where there is natural crossover. There's probably a colourful venn diagram justing waiting to be drawn to illustrate this :confused:. Regards, Mathew

My better half listened to my ideas about me learning to fly for years before she finally got sick of it and eventually told me to stop talking about it and just do it. Best decision I've made in years and both she and our sons are looking forward to flying with me once I've completed my passenger endorsement. I've logged 11 hours to date and aim to finish my restricted licence in before Easter. Enjoy the journey. ;) Mathew

Extralite, Have you checked out the Australian company http://www.lightwing.com.au/ They build a range of two and four seat aircraft. The aircraft details look fantastic and I not really sure why they don't get more coverage/interest from this forum. I've no idea of the prices or the quality, but the specs and the photos look positive. Perhaps if anyone has dealt with this outfit, they could add their comments. I think they're located in Northern NSW. Regards, Mathew

Ian, I just missed if I should send my cheque to your office in Rio, or was it the Bahamas?