DonRamsay

I don't think it is fair to say that CASA don't care about safety but it is apparent to me that they know nothing of the science of risk management. CASA seems to be predicated on nobody flying is safe aviation. They need a rejig of their reason for being. It should be to maximise access to aviation with balanced risks. Safe is always going to be a relative thing if there is activity. Sometimes even doing nothing is unsafe. So, paramount in their thinking needs to be balanced risk not absolute safety. The FAA seem to have a grasp of this concept by introducing the DL medical and, after more than ten years of experience they are so happy with it that they are seriously considering extending the DL medical to more non-commercial aviators. The CASA approach is to see what the yanks have done and then implement the CASA version of a DL medical that is a joke and nothing like the FAA put in place and has no basis in prudent risk management. In my judgement, McCormick has been the worst thing ever to happen to CASA and sensible aviation. The spin he has been putting out each month is aggravating and nauseating. Thank all mythical omnipotent beings that he is finally going away.

As an example, take a person who has had coronary heart disease but has had it repaired either by stents or open heart surgery. A year has elapsed and all is well. Chances are Class II is possible but DL is not possible. Any number of medical issues will rule a pilot out from a DL. In the USA, they are looking to extend DL medical to more classes of aviation. And theirs is a true DL medical not the AvMed grab for power that the Aus DL med is.

It would be the DL (Aviation) medical. You can only get it if you don't have a history of heart or stroke problems and several other matters. Can be done by your GP not a DAME. I think most would find getting a Class II easier.

I can hardly believe it has come to this but, let's back off on FT. He has a right to his opinion. If you don't like what he says, attack what he says not who he is. By all means ask for the posts to come back to topic. Disagree all you like. I personally have noticed a distinct improvement in FT's posts over time. Unlike me, he is often very brief. Meaning can get lost in that brevity.

Thanks GG - good to know.

When you say "tested" is that just for water or something more technical?

Opal? Just looked it up. I was aware of why it was introduced but knew nothing of its fuel properties. Just looked it up and only 91 RON and therefore unsuitable for my Rotax. There might not be much call for high octane (95/98) fuels in the bush.

I always thought that 10cc was a bit of a boast or perhaps the result of a long dry spell. But the Lovin Spoonful was definitely to do with passing on DNA. Must have been the Lovin (tea)Spoon to get under 5 mls.

The Viking certainly is a picture of what can be done with some CNC machining. It does look the goods. There is one going into an aircraft at Cessnock but I'm not sure what the aircraft is. I'll make some enquiries.

I prefer to join downwind especially if I know the airport. Joining crosswind at Narromine (Ausfly), I had a fast aircraft coming in on downwind - no problem (thanks Unicom) - but potential for conflict and even a "mid-air passenger exchange".

Somebody mention a turbo viking? 130 hp for take off and 120 hp continuous. How would that go in a J230? Brilliant.

Years ago Shell Optimax 98 was awful unless you were running the engine hard. Tended to foul plugs at low revs and certainly did that on my Honda VFR750 when I had a 50 km run in heavy rain through Sydney traffic (City to Eastern Ck and return). I think it is a lot better these days. But I prefer BP 98 and happy to use Caltex 98 as well. NO problems ever with either.

As far as I know the majors don't add ethanol to anything other than E10. Some of the minors use ethanol to boost octane to 95 or 98. I asked a couple of garages about sales of 98 and they told me 98 outsells everything but 91 (no ethanol) which surprised me greatly. We use 98 for our Rotax 912ULS and it was important for me to know that the 98 was "fresh". Seems fresh it is but then we leave it in the tank for weeks at a time.

YEUA about 3 NM NW of Euroa.

Got my membership renewal in the mail at end July. Paid on the net a few days later. Got my new plastic card today, 22/8. Seems normal service has been resumed. Membership renewal date is 2 Sep.

Seems the join on base option has been downgraded to the status of undesirability or worse than a straight in approach. McCormick introduced it not long after he joined CASA. Never a good idea.

You mean read the report better . . . . OK.

They actually sent me a copy of the rego paper as an attachment.

Is that problem a feature of wooden props only?

Andy, they can email the approved rego to you if you need to go flying before the plastic card arrives. Surprised they haven't done that for somebody of your newly exalted stature

Both SLSA and Type Certified can be 24 Reg. As you may be aware, the process for changing something and keeping 24 Reg is different. We had issues with the oil pressure sender but once replaced has not been an issue (cross fingers) since. Not a good feeling to look at the oil pressure gauge and have it reading into the red. Tempting to fly to the nearest airport listening very hard to the engine and keeping an eye out for forced landing sites. Worse would be to have it reading normal and not actually having good oil pressure. Is the alternate type mounted on the engine or remotely?

Yes, that brief smile as the landing is perfect then back on the job - priceless. It's been said a million times but still one of the universal truths, you never forget that first solo. I wonder if it is also true that you never do a better circuit than your first solo? I seriously doubt I've ever done one as good.

And very good presenters of their info sessions as well. Pity some others at CASA were not as good at their jobs.

24 as in LSA or type certified? What make of aircraft? I've found Tecnam's Bruce Stark very helpful and quick swapping out a prop for a different type.

dutchroll, apologise for the "Ditch roll", bloody iPad editor! A Dutch Roll would be more than enough fun but rolling in ditches . . . .