SDQDI

Of course with practice just adding or subtracting 180 would work but working with neat hundreds does make it a lot easier and quicker for the 'occasional' flyer. Which of course most of us are.

Basically the same as what phil mentioned on another thread, you can either add 200 and then subtract 20 (so if you were heading 090 you get 290-20 equals 270) or subtract 200 and add 20 (so heading 340 is 140+20 equals 160). To decide which one is relatively easy if your answer falls below zero or above 360 you do the other one:thumb up:

I thought it was still clinging to life, last word from casa was that it was illeagle not dead eagle.

I've stuffed up my north south and east west before when making my inbound calls, I can easily see people getting 180degrees out when only flying occasionally with that sort of system. IMO it would just be introducing another thing that could be affected by human factors and you could (as nobody basically said) be giving a very accurate bearing that is completely wrong. I think the simple N,NNE,NE,ENE,E,ESE,SE,SSE,S,SSW,SW,WSW,W,WNW,NW,NNW divides the compass pretty good and if someone is in the same direction then use vertical height for separation. Always remember that there will be some without radio out and about so the more time the eyes are outside the better. For sure it has a place in IFR but we are flying VISUAL

With some half decent fpv gaining in excess of 500 feet is fairly simple. Having said that the units capable of that would be more than your hundred dollar kids toy and you would hope that anyone spending a decent amount of cash would be the sort of person who reads the pamphlets in the box. There will always be exceptions though no doubt. I bought a small rocket kit that goes in excess of 1000 feet, I know that is different to a quadcopter but I still wouldn't like to have one hit me on a 500 foot scenic flight! Techair has always been sceptical about their (drones) ability to be spotted but I was flying the other day and spotted a hawk (not a wedgie, just a small hawk) at what I guessed to be 500 metres in front of me. I know I am a slow plane but seeing something that small that far away at my height surprised me and I have no doubt that in the right circumstances a large quadcopter could be spotted some distance ahead.

I use my brakes fairly often, probably more than I have to but that is ok with me. I like Russ's story, and I know for myself when flying to a strange strip, no matter how much I have been informed or how good it looks, I like to healthily use the brakes to pull up that little bit quicker. IMO the less time/distance you are rolling at a new strip the better, nothing like finding a rabbit hole or unsighted washout to ruin your day.

I certainly agree that area frequency is helpful and I have also spoken up (albeit not always with the perfect response!) when area has identified me to others and will continue to try and do that. I do still think there is room for improvement though in regards to flying from strips not on the charts. Our little aero club often flys to farm strips not on the charts that are more than the ten mile limit from a ctaf, IMO if you had a dozen or more planes telling centre they were joining midfield crosswind at joe blogs farm it would create havoc and in a lot of cases any traffic that was flying 500-2000agl through those areas wouldn't be listening to area frequency anyway. I am lucky inasmuch as I can monitor dual frequencies easily but I know there are quite a few who can't and when flying below 5000 they tend to be always on a ctaf either on the one they have departed from or set up on the one they are heading towards.

I would like to think that I behave ethically and well and would like to be classed as a Christian, but it isn't real newsworthy to discuss people behaving 'normally' I am a bit dissapointed with how every thread seems to be descending into a battle of words between believers and atheists (broad grouping discriptions but you (not nev in particular I mean whoever is reading this) get the point.) and I think we all should have a deep look at ourselves. We aren't here because we have the same beliefs or the same political opinions we are here because we enjoy flying so surely we can all agree to disagree and get on with discussing flying. But for what it is worth I will take the time to try and put up my thoughts on the matter. Yes yes, I am a bit of a hypocrite! I try and follow the teachings of Jesus as well as I can, no doubt I fall short in a lot of ways but it is what I want to do. I look at the Old Testament in a similar way to a history book, there is a lot there that I don't understand and it is my opinion that the teachings of Jesus supersede the old 'law'. I don't believe that having a big church building and priests in fancy dress is right as IMO it goes directly against all that Jesus taught. Without taking up too many gigabytes I reckon Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7 cover it all pretty well. As for the differences between creation being a spontaneous or natural thing compared to being the work of God.................. Well truthfully if we were all to try and look at it 'logically' and without our deep rooted biases then we would have to all say that each idea is as hard to prove as the other. So where does that leave us all? Well I reckon we will never all see eye to eye on this so the best thing we could do (again IMO) is treat each other with a bit of decency, agree to disagree and live with some commonly agreed on ethics so we can all sleep at night. At the end of the day (or the end of our lives or the end of the world or the end of whatever!) we will get proof one way or the other, for me I will either see God and face my judgement or alternatively if none of that is true I will rot away to oblivion like everyone else. Creation isn't the only disagreement now is it? Climate change is another so I'll put up my thoughts on that too seeing as I am already a little hypocrite why not make myself a big one:whistling:. I don't read enough or know enough to prove or disprove the argument from both sides in regards to 'man made climate change'. I do believe that what happens is all under Gods control but that is not helpful to the 'argument'. I don't like the idea of using up all our fossil fuels (ok I do have two big v8s but that is only because I can't afford one of those tesla cars:yes:) but maybe some of my bias towards mining is because I am also a farmer so it is hard to look at it without my biases coming through. I do think that doing things in an environmentally friendly way is a good thing, after all if we can get renewable energies to work for us why wouldn't we lean that way? I do think we have to be wary of people who are to gain from this on both sides, the renewable sector and the oil companies, as it seems to me that both sides like to twist the truth to favour their side (surprise surprise). So I guess to summarise, I would probably lean towards being a denier but I think that the more we do to look after the environment the better so I don't have a big problem with reducing emissions as long as it is done in a sensible sustainable way. I DON'T believe that I have the right to force anyone to believe in what I believe in or to think how I think. I am not one who likes to try and shove my beliefs on others, I do believe in trying to live as an example though and like to be open if asked about what I believe but more often than not I am the shy one who doesn't speak out too often (unless I get cranky but then I speak out too much and not in a way that is appropriate!) Three cheers for anyone who actually read through all of that without skipping down to here:thumb up: Anyway:off topic:. And not just because I want to have the last word lol I have enough trouble swallowing a fly, that was one determined bird!

There is not a lot of surface area in that tail boom and as has been said even a big wind wouldn't have that much effect. Definitely control input. When watching it as a small video I thought I saw the person in the right seat (is that pic in all helicopters or just some?) push their right arm all the way forward but once I switched to full screen it blurred it beyond recognition.

I haven't been flying long enough to know the traditional methods but I do know when I was taught it was made clear if joining downwind that the 45degrees method was the most preferred. Reading through the regs/advisories I think it says that the 45 degree mid downwind join is the preferred method if joining on the active side (ie when not joining crosswind.) I've never really considered the straight in downwind join before and I guess when it has been an option I've always opted to fly the extra half a mile and come up the dead side and join on midfield crosswind. I was always taught the less words used on the radio the better but the addition of an early or mid can help immensely with where to look IMO

While it is a useful tracking tool once you have crashed or outlanded you disappear from the system whereas a dedicated tracking unit will still have your location. I think for someone doing a bit of traveling a small subscription service would be well worth the money spent so your loved ones can have a fix on your current location whether moving or not. As a side note I still think it is totally ludicrous that a satellite tracking system isn't mandated for airliners but what would I know I am only a farmer

IMO arguing the difference between late/early and short/long is probably not real important. I think they both convey what they are used for. But for arguments sake I prefer the late/early. I have had people join downwind so early that I was inside them while flying my crosswind leg after a touch and go in the j3 (not a real early crosswind) and would have appreciated an addition of a short or early in their call. It is almost like some people who call early/short are doing a straight in approach to downwind rather than the forty five degree join, bad airmanship? Also another improper thing that I sometimes do if there is some unspotted traffic is call joining a 'wide downwind' and then fly a wide downwind (ok my normal downwind is probably to close but I like to have a good look at the runway flying downwind!) until I have them visually or vice versa.

Zoos in regards to wifi on the iPad, mine says that location accuracy is improved with wifi switched ON. Is the GPS linked to the wifi? I'm not overly tech savvy and have always wondered why this is so. My iPad will overheat if left in direct sun with no airflow in the summer, keep it shaded and no problems. i don't use a paper backup (I do have an out of date vnc behind my seat but I heard that was illegal?), the only time I use paper is if I am going to a new airstrip/area as then I like to have the relevant frequencies and strip numbers/orientation jotted down on a sheet for quick and easy checking without having to leave the moving map screen.

I did my pilot certificate in a J3 Cub. An electric starter would have been nice but there is something enjoyable about swinging the prop and have it burst to life (except in the winter time of course, standing in the breeze isn't exactly nice when it is already frosty without it!) They are certainly a very nice plane to poke around in

http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/rotax-914-head-bolt-failure.118178/ That's a link to the thread I posted at the time, it has a couple of pictures showing the empty hole near the gearbox on the left side and the missing nut on the head on the right hand side.

Definitely relate your personal experiences and try and get across just how achievable it is. If you can convince people that going for a tif is the way to go it will be a great start. Tell them about the raaus website and let them know they can get their info from there. You may find that the abc WON'T let you promote individual FTFs. There was a sTory floating around here a while ago of the young girl who flew to school in her little jab which might be well worth a mention just to show that we aren't all chauvinistic pigs :-)

Yes mine was reported. From what I could ascertain from bert flood it seems they had a couple do it but once replaced there was no further problems. Maybe just a couple of bad bolts? My original failure was at 60 odd hours and now am at 200, and from what I understood the other bolts that had failed also failed around that 50 hour mark.

Lol yeah but honestly it was only a thorough preflight that found it as it was still running flawlessly. From what I hear if you do a bolt in a jab you can tell very quickly! It was only the fact I had heard the noise that I looked long enough to find it, at first I was petrified that it was a wing bolt and spent a lot of time looking them over. Then once they all looked right I spent a long time preflighting before I was game to fly it again and was surprised when I found what it was.

They are a nice looking practical aircraft. I saw them a year or two ago and I reckon if I had enough funds and could only buy one plane they would do the job very nicely. But as money is limited I enjoy the hornet for paddock stuff and if I won the lottery (they tell me I have to buy a ticket:-() I would still keep the hornet for that fun STOL stuff and get an old 4-6 seat Cessna or similar for carting the mob.

I think the potential is there, a fully loaded polymer pistol is well under a kg and I think the bigger machines wouldn't have any hassles lifting one for a fair amount of time. A neighbour of mine was telling me all about his latest toy, with a few options he has no trouble flying a few ks and back with fpv he can sit in his office and check his irrigation without leaving his seat. Put a kilo under it and it would eat into flying time but I am sure it wouldn't be an insurmountable problem. Having said that I would be more concerned that they would mount an explosive to one. No need to aim it and a lot more potential for damage, not a nice thing to think of.

I think the Hornet is filling my RAA needs quite well. Call me a GA wannabe but a nice pilatus pc12 would be a well appreciated gift, on second thoughts Santa if it's not too much to ask I might also need a fuel card. Actually talking of cards, my ASIC is nearly out of date too Santa.

Also Jerzy make sure you do a full check of the engine. I have a 914rotax and it only had 60 hours on the clock when I heard a noise that sounded exactly like a bolt or rivet breaking, it turned out to be the front throughbolt. The engine still ran completely fine but I noticed a loose nut on the right hand side of the engine and on the left side the bolt had come out with enough force to dent the cowl. I don't know what engine you have so maybe this is irrelevant but thought it might be worth the post.

I had a very busy day today. Our aero clubs event organiser had organised a come and fly day for basically anyone who we knew who wanted to have a fly. We had a good roll up (I didn't count people, I was too busy but I think there was 20-30) and it was a varied selection, some 'newbies' who had never flown before, some who had flown years ago and wanted to have another go, some who fly regularly but wanted to try out someone else's plane and of course some who just enjoy getting together for a chat:thumb up:. I had to leave by 9am to go to a 3yr olds birthday party so I had my alarm set for 5 and was up dressed and dailied by 6. On my short leg to the airport there was no radio traffic but there was already a car there and another coming in on the gravel road. I did my smoothest landing of the day (on my own and the smallest audience of the day:doh:) and taxied up to the HQ. A short hello to a local who I had never met but who had heard of the hornet (good things I hope:blush:) and we were off by half past 6 for a nice local flight. During our half hour foray the radio started to get busier and busier and it was easy to tell that it was going to be a good do. This particular local has a thruster but hasn't flown for years due to family commitments (kids chew time:yes:) so he really enjoyed the trip. We got back at around 7 (which was the actual agreed time for the get together) and already there was an assortment of planes and people ready to commit aviation. After a short stretch of the legs I was gently reminded (by our clubs mother figure) that I had agreed to bring an extension lead which of course I had forgotten, so not wanting to have an empty seat I convinced her to come for the short flight back to get it. It only took us ten minutes but when we got back the amount of planes had doubled and at one stage we were third in line on finals so there was plenty happening. This time I didn't get out, a local member had seen us come back in and had a newbie there ready to jump in as soon as the prop stopped and the seat emptied! Another nice local flight and another happy customer. (Disclaimer: NO not a paying customer, customer just used as a loose description. Over the course of the day no flights were compensated for besides with smiles!) I managed to squeeze in one more pax flight before I had to scoot for home but there was still plenty of others having fun. In my haste I didn't get to take any pictures but I think Old K might have got a couple. It was a beautiful morning and I had fun for the rest of the day watching toddlers having fun on a wet slip and slide:thumb up:

Actually could we technically fly intoxicated legally? What I mean is, is the 8 hour limit the only limit for pilots? We all know if someone has a lot of drinks one night they will still be over the legal limit after 8 hours. IMO a legal blood alcohol level would be easier to prove/disprove than the eight hour limit.

That is Rotax's big secret. Seeing as it is only the internet I could probably let the cat out of the bag. The way to increase engine reliability is to threaten it with a big stick before each flight, actually if you use a big enough stick during the wear in period you can get a long term result and then it only requires you to cart around your calibrated fuel dipstick for satisfactory performance. Also this is related to the difference between 2 and 4 strokes. It is a common misconception that their differences are related to mechanical differences when in reality it is how many clouts are given before each flight through the run in period. Which is actually the real reason that two strokes don't have the same reliability. Ps that is tongue in cheek with no offence meant to any, also I don't condone violence towards any engine. Those are certainly pics of good times Frank