Bluey

Microlight crashed on landing. Eyewitness account stated that the pilot came in too close behind another trike that was or had just landed, hit wake turbulence and lost control hitting the runway quite hard. This caused the throttle to jam, I'm assuming from damage to the nose wheel on impact (I've heard of this happening in other previous events of very heavy landings). The trike has become airborne again. I surmise from eyewitness accounts that the pilot then cut the ignition switches and stalled at low level. A heavy impact followed rolling and righting off the trike. Pilot has suffered some serious injuries including a broken pelvis, internal bleeding and possible spinal injuries. The passenger seems ok. The pilot was later airlifted to a hospital in Melbourne where he remains in a serious condition.

The trike along with a large group of aircraft left yarrawonga on the first leg of the annual fly away organised by Peter McLean. Not a good start to what should have been a good trip. This event shows the dangers of encountering wake turbulence at low level.

Wishing the pilot and passenger a speedy recovery.

Bluey.

A structural failure of any kind does not seem to have been a factor in this accident.

Bluey

It needs to be removed and cleaned for sure. It is definitely a case of out of sight and out of mind. Mr funnel is used all the time by everyone I know. The individual that had an issue was using a mr funnel religiously before he had the problem. I flew the affected trike today and it is now at 450 hrs.

Has anyone had any experience cleaning the finger filter in their fuel tank? I heard of one report of a partial engine failure that was attributed to the finger filter not been cleaned before. In fact, most people I've spoken to including some very experienced operators say they have never taken one out to have a look at it.

The partial engine out happened on a trike (912) with about 470 hrs. When the fuel was removed from the trike, inspection while the filter was still in the tank showed that it looked quite clean. It was not until it was removed that it didn't look so good. When the owner tried blowing through the filter, some resistance was felt. After cleaning it, the engine is running smoother.

Bluey.

The spat didn't come off in flight. Inspection of the recovered spat and aircraft do not support the one report of anything coming off the trike before impact. In fact two eyewitness accounts had the trike working normally.

Bluey

He comes highly recommended. A very good instructor and all round good bloke.

Bluey

Yes, the chopper has been operating from there for a while. Len Birger's microlight adventures is also operating from the same airfield. From what he tells and from what I've seen the two operations do not affect each other. Spoke to him recently and he's quite busy but always has room for more students.

Bluey.

Thanks.

I know a good level 2

What happens if the leak down test shows a problem?

Bluey.

I was turning the prop over by hand as I always do before the first flight of the day yesterday when I noticed that at on point in the cycle the torque required to turn the prop was quite low, lower than usual. The engine is a 912ul and its on a trike. The engine started normally and all the temps were fine and oil pressure was fine too. I flew and all seemed normal. The engine has 620 hrs and when compared to other 912's in the hangar, the torque required to turn those props was more, however all were different. I checked a brand new trike and while it had more resistance it wasn't that much different. Another trike with about 150hrs had significantly more resistance. My engine has synchronised carbies (checked a few hours ago) but always is a little rougher than a new trike. I've been told this is quite normal according to the experience by others on older engines. I've had the trike for more than 200hrs and the effort to turn the prop by hand has always been lighter than on other trikes. It's a 2009 model. In comparing to my old trike 2008 model, the torque required on that was much higher even when I sold it at 613hrs. In fact it was tighter than any other prop I'd hand turned.

Should I be concerned?

Bluey.

Actually, after carefully comparing the latest VTC chart with google maps, the proposed property is just outside the airspace. Lucky for him. The airspace now kicks in at the Nepean lakes and his property is about 1nm south.

Bluey.

I've just received my new arrow wing (converted SST) and I must say I'm impressed with it. It is lighter in both pitch and roll compared to the SST but no faster overall. It's more benign handling characteristic make it much more confidence inspiring than the SST. In my opinion it is airbornes best wing.

Bluey.

Hi all, anyone know the status of Richmonds control zone on weekends? I've attempted to gain access on quite a number of occasions in the last 3 months or so and every time I ask sydney radar for their status I'm told its active. Are they still deactivating on weekends or has there been a change in their operation? I tend to drive around Richmond often and have to admit that I haven't seen any civilian aircraft flying around at all for quite some time. I know that there are quite a few people who operate parachutes and even microlights out of that area. Any idea if they are still allowed to operate? I have a friend who wants to fly microlights out of emu plains from his backyard but he's in the airspace.

Bluey

High all, I'm curious about experiences people have had flying the new arrow wing. I've currently got an SST that I'm considering upgrading to the arrow via airbornes modification. Do people think this is worthwhile? I'm yet to see or fly the new wing.

Also, I was talking to Rob from airborne who tells me that they are looking to have all their wings certified to 1200hrs instead of the current 1000. This will also apply to wings already in service.

Bluey.

Hi, has anyone had any further experience with the arrow wing? I've got the SST and am considering doing the conversion to the arrow for around 6 grand. Is it worth it or are the two wings too similar to bother with a conversion. Airborne claim the arrow is a much better handling wing than the SST. Is this realistic or just marketing spin?

Bluey.

That's one he'll of a story and a lucky escape by both of you. Surprising, the lack of structural damage to the engine mounts given that many aircraft experience engine separation from similar damage. Could this be the result of less powerful engines in the trike verses other types? I mean after all our engines tend to not work as hard in cruise.

Bluey

Hi, where abouts are you intending to fly and learn from? This particular forum is mainly populated by Ozzie pilots and so i am largely unaware of the trike brands you mention (other than I've heard of the north Wing). The most common brand here is the Airborne trike and it is generally very good especially in 912 configuration. The 582 two strokes are pretty good too. For carrying passengers I recommend at least a 503 engined trike from any one of the major manufacturers listed below.

If its a four stroke your after then the brands I can recommend are the Airborne, Pegasus or of course the Revo by evolution I think the brand is known as.

Licensing involves around 15 hours dual training plus 5 hours of supervised solo to get the right to fly solo within 25nm of home base. Usually another 10 hours solo before you can apply for a passengers endorsement. Cross country endorsement is another 5 hours of instruction with an instructor.

As for an amphibious trike, I'm personally not a fan as they tend to sink if tipped over which is apparently quite easy to do.

Demo rides (tiffs) are pretty easy to find on the east coast of Australia especially in NSW.

Bluey.

This is terrible news, a very sad day and a terrible loss to his family and friends. RIP Davidh10.

Bluey

And the instructor was surprised that he was responsible after letting the guy fly? Wow. Seriously, "I left it at home" carries no weight. My experience with flying is that if you don't have your gear with you then you don't bl00dy fly! I carry a bag with sunnies, headset, logbook, maps, E6B, certificates and ASIC card with me at all times on the way to an aerodrome... really not that hard. I always assume, too, that if I do not have my logbook or any flight certificates etc then I will be treated as a first-time student.

 

Yes, it happens. Another reason for being a bit anal about maintenance as it could definitely save your life. A lot of people skip over the prop but I always give special attention on a preflight as any small cracks or deformities - easily looked over - could cause sudden and catastrophic failure. Replacing at or before rated time is also a good idea, as is checking RPM limitations or time reductions for specific props.

 

I *would* have ripped her a new one and refused to fly with her anymore if she could not follow the rules - flying is not an amusement park ride and can easily result in injury or death if you don't adhere to accepted procedure. I am in no way encouraging people go crazy at passengers who deem the rules superfluous, but I would make it clear to them that they would be on notice and that I'd be informing other pilots at the aerodrome of their misconduct. Obviously a quite word aside and not in front of a group etc would be the way to go, whatever, just so long as they understand the gravity of the situation.

 

Anyway... hope somones having a good time up there today as it looks grand!

 

Cheers - boingk

Bluey

I'm curious to give this a go. I think the surface area has been slughtly reduced to about 12.9m squared compared to 13.5 for the SST. According to the website, they appear to have dropped the SST From the line up.

Bluey.

You also have a good strip on the top of the escarpment just a few miles south east of Robertson right in front of the large radio masts as you head to YWOL. This strip is known as the robertson strip and should be plotted on the VNC chart for Sydney.

Bluey.

The terrain just north of the direct route is pretty good as it will take you near Mossvale and Bowral which has good terrain all around. If you do the direct flight then you will be over tiger with paddocks to the north just a few miles or so away. I usually plot a direct route to Marulan and then on to Goulburn but avoid the tiger by staying within glide at all times. I find that by doing this I only add a few miles to my overall journey. Keep in mind though that I fly a trike.

Bluey.

I wouldn't bother going by mittagong unless you have to. You can to Goulburn to YWOL direct by overflying the airstrip at Marulin which is a good strip next to the highway. If you need coords for it I will happily give them to you.

Bluey.

Awful, a very tragic loss. my condolences to the family.

Bluey

That's terrible! Any idea what happened?

Bluey.