440032

This photo shows the 2018 shitshow at FISK VFR approach when the airport finally went VMC after lunch on the Sunday before show opening.

We drove in from Iowa via RIPON to FISK. Instead of X amount coming steadily over the span of the whole day, X amount plus yesterday's X amount came in after lunch when the airport opened to VFR.

"One mile spacing, (they were calling for at that time) single file along the train tracks, no side by sides."

Most aircraft were getting told to turn left and go back to the start. Many ignored the controller and kept on going. Nothing Fisk could do but focus on the next 30 aircraft.

At times they were coming up 4 wide, many were way east of the tracks and turned hard left across the tracks and across the paths of 3 other aircraft. It was nuts. How there weren't multiple midairs I do not know. But, I loved our hour there watching, it was amazing. I'd love to do the Fisk arrival myself.

At any one moment looking south we could quick count over 30 aircraft in sight, and it was endless.

Going back to Fisk again this year.

Part 61: (243 pages of it)

61.007 This Part (part 61) applies to flight in a registered aircraft.

61.010 Definitions

REGISTERED aircraft - is not defined. One could say that RAAus are indeed registered (with a sport aviation body)

Civil Aviation Act defines Australian aircraft to be - "registered in Australia" (in other words, a registered aircraft!)

Long gone are the days when this reg used to say "On the Australian Civil Aircraft Register" - which was then just VH. Early AUF register was not part of "the Aust civil aircraft register". One would presume it was changed to recognise aircraft registered to CASA approved sport aviation organisations as indeed "registered in Australia" - because they are. 

FLIGHT REVIEW means an assessment of competency

61.025 Definition of aeroplane for Part 61 - a 3 axis aeroplane - no mention of registration matters

I think this one is the kicker:

61.400 (3) A flight review must be conducted in an aircraft that can be flown under the rating

Your CASA licence is only good for VH (or maybe other ZK, N etc) registered aircraft.

Can you fly an RAAus aircraft on your CASA licence? Nope.

My compass broke when hiking. The whole trip went south real quick.

Proof is out there.

My neighbour this morning asked me "who's doing the sky donuts?"

Why are some "Federations"? I can find a definition that fits aviation groups.

I am a little more in the know with the amateur-built scene than most, and I hear nothing on the grapevine at all about Gen 4's. Nothing good. Nothing bad. NOTHING.

I can only assume they are out there humming along quite happily. People only usually pipe up when something goes wrong, they don't go swinging from the trees with excitement when all is operating normally.

LCH? I've never personally seen or know of a set installed on anything, and I've seen a lot of Jabiru engines and own a 2200 myself.

Where's Sully?

(Going to see Sully's plane in July!)

On 07/03/2024 at 11:35 AM, Flyingfish said:

Thanks a lot for all your comments 440032 and onetrack. Lethbridge may be a good option, hadn't considered it yet.

Will be visiting Geelong, then travelling by road. Thanks.

The best thing about Geelong - great kickoff point to places that are actually interesting.

Avalon would let you park there, but getting from and to your plane -security and everything..... good luck. They do not/never did have avgas. Lethbridge is close for fuel. Rental cars - yes. https://avalonairport.com.au/technical-operational-facilities/

Barwon (avgas yes) Lethbridge (avgas yes) and Torq (avgas dunno) - rental cars: nowhere near them. Closest is Geelong. AVIS is 13km from Barwon H.

Numerous private airfields all over the place down there, no avgas.

Visiting peeps? Touring around by Road?

The BUN runway is 07, almost a direct crosswind all day 15-20 knots.

The factory crosswind capability is quoted as 'remarkable'.

The RAAus aircraft condition report has several important things that I think PROTECT the L2:

I just looked up the form on their website - I'm not an RAAus member.

The Level 2 / 4 inspector (or LAME) does not assume responsibility for the airworthiness or otherwise of
this aircraft. Airworthiness of the aircraft rests solely with the owner.

It's not the L2's airplane - indeed they may have never seen it before, or will ever again.

In the checklist there are PASS or FAIL columns. And then a sign-off:

This certification does not infer that I consider the aircraft to be airworthy or otherwise.

It is a condition report, not a "this aircraft is 100% airworthy and will remain so forever" report. Nor is it any sort of repairs required order. It's a report by an independent experienced person that RAAus has appointed, describing what they see. Once their inspection is complete - their job for this task is done. What happens after that - not their responsibility, it's still not their airplane! A wise buyer or seller will evaluate any fails noted and hopefully address them.

It seems to me to be a good program to require this independent condition report at time of sale and it's a good way for RAAus to track over time, changes made to the aircraft.

yep.

With a little luck, something really special might make it there - they plan to.

Since when does CASA promulgate airport closure information to industry. CASA don't care, nothing to do with them.

16 hours ago, Reynard said:

I dunno, but you could try these guys to get a rough idea- they’ve got the contract I think.

 

https://www.northernconstructionsgroup.com.au/contact-us/

No, won't be contacting a company who 'might" have the contract.

The council owns and operates the aerodrome - and there is nothing on their website about it closing soon. It's the council's job to put word out - if it's true. A local there tells me it is true.

It won't be notamed if it's not yet closed.

I can't check today, Airservices has cut off my NAIPS access yet again for the fifth time in recent years. I am sick of having to get it reconnected time and time again.

$ found, yes. But why is there no info on when it is happening.

I'm reliably informed by a local that the airport is closing from 1 March 2024 for six months, for the runway upgrade.

But there is NOTHING on the shire website about it. https://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/Recreation-events/Visit-Campaspe/Echuca-aerodrome

And there is nothing on the aero club website about it. https://www.echucaaeroclub.com/wentworth.html

So is it true, and if so, where is the info?

Has anyone bothered to tell Air Ambulance Victoria/RFDS? Or is this going to be a Meigs Field re-enactment?

GOT IT first thing this morning.

Did the online yesterday, about an hour.

Did the quiz last night, about 45 mins.

Applied this morning and got it inside about 20 mins.

The system actually works quite well.

STOP PRESS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"Airport operator cares about flight school viability"

Fake news?

$1500 for entering the circuit area without approval. Good luck collecting that from VICPOL, air ambulance, and me!

Will they charge BIRDS??

Does anyone recall not so long ago when MILDURA Airport somehow put in ERSA (was it? - or tried to?) that gliders were not allowed to fly over the airport!

That soon got torn up.

5 hours ago, jackc said:

I have scoured the document and can’t find anything relating…….so when in doubt,   ask 🙂 

Can't find anything on accidents or investigations?

There's the answer. (Not part of Part 149 organisation requirements).

CASA isn't going to say ""oh, and here's a list of what you do not have to be involved with:"

1 hour ago, jackc said:

This Part 149 document is where the answer must lie, so maybe I should ask CASA the question and see what comes of that ? 

Ask CASA????

Why not just go look in Part 149 yourself? I just did, it took me one minute.

I dread dealing with tyre kickers and assorted nupties.

I had a call about mine and within thirty seconds I told them sorry, it's no longer for sale. (Bogan alert went off)

How does one drink a cigar............

"I want to just pass peacefully in my sleep, not screaming and with all hope lost like the passengers on my flight that fateful day...."