Jump to content

NT5224

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    489

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    9

 Content Type 

Everything posted by NT5224

  1. NT5224
    Report of a light aircraft getting caught up in ski lift cables. Thankfully pilot and passenger seem to be OK, but the incident report will make for interesting reading... https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49987780 Not sure what kind of aircraft.
  2. NT5224
    Exactly. Airstrip security. Kangeroos without valid ASIC cards beware!
  3. NT5224
    Bruce, less crosswind than you’d think! We basically get wind in one direction for eight months of the year and in the opposite direction for the other four months.... a little bit of localised variation because of the escarpment and topography but not much. The pic I posted is orientated for a wet season departure. But yes, a long way from Darwin. MKT would be the way to go.... Alan.
  4. NT5224
    Does it make me the closest what to Darwin? Sorry don’t understand the question Alan
  5. NT5224
    In case anybody is interested the latest progress update from Robin Falls International. Had old mate along during the week to have another go at it with his 12ft blade to level it. Much improved. We are waiting for the first showers -hopefully in the next month or two- and then old mate brings his roller up for finishing touches. Thereafter grass will shoot up and I’ll go at it myself with the slasher. Now have the windsock ready for installation, some tie downs to concrete in, and some hangar designs sketched out.... its gonna be an ongoing project... But the dog is happy with progress so far. As boss of this country he’s been following developments carefully and has already figured out where the Roos assemble at dusk.... Alan
  6. NT5224
    Looks like a great event... enjoyed the film clip!
  7. NT5224
    Good for Mrs Possum as Autopilot....! :)
  8. NT5224
    Hmmm... Not sure I'd agree with this. A strip is only useful to you if you can glide to it (or a road or a flat open paddock) in event of engine failure. Assuming the glide ratio of something like a C 172 ( and windless conditions and great flying) you'd probably get about 8-10km from 3500ft. In 'station country' land is often cleared, but there's an still awful lot of wilderness around parts of Australia, and going into the trees is not a desirable outcome by anybody's standards. My place isn't particularly remote, but its 30 km to the nearest station strip and 10 km from the closest scrubby paddock or station track where you might attempt an out landing. But heading the other direction, no strip for 35km across thickly timbered and rocky escarpment country dissected by ravines and gorges. Tiger Country. Several recreational and GA aircraft pass over my house each day, including station aircraft, trainee aviators doing navs, and charters out to indigenous communities. They mainly fly at between 3000-5000ft. I have often wondered what they would do in event of an engine failure over our country. My strip is primarily for my own use and approved visitors, but in event of an emergency overhead, it might just save a life. Alan
  9. NT5224
    Hi folks Has anybody here previously applied for support through the remote airstrip upgrade program? https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/regional/raug.aspx Looking back at previous successful applications, they either come from Shire Councils, Government agnecies or private companies (pastoral stations and energy companies). The terms of funding require the applicant holds an ABN, but nothing else, so its not unreasonable to assume that privately owned airstrips might be eligible if some 'public good' can be domestrated. But I can't see the names or addresses of any private applicants listed among previous funded projects... But that might just be because none have applied. Has anybody on here previously applied and been knocked back? If so, were any reasons given why remote privately owned airstrips would not be eligible? Interested to know more. Cheers Alan
  10. NT5224
    Personally, I'd like to see the hardcopy format magazine continue, even if the cost rises a little. And if RAA move away from a hardcopy magazine, would the same arguments apply to the various glossy safety brochures and advisory materials we receive? Back in the AUF days, our magazine felt rough and ready, with a distinctly amateurish feel to it. It may not have been the glossy product that Sport pilot evolved into (don't get me wrong, I loved the direction the magazine was going in!), but it was just as well thumbed in the flying club tea rooms. Could the magazine be produced more cheaply, if we accepted that we didn't need such high quality production values? Its essentially a club newsletter. For a couple of years I've also subscribed to 'Australian Flying', which I think has been an excellent publication.... Perhaps Sports Pilot has been trying too hard to compete with other publications which have much broader subscription bases? Cheers Alan
  11. NT5224
    Ken Are you saying your Colt is currently RAAus registered with a stall speed over 45kts? Ive seen a couple of Colts RAA registered, there was one for sale quite recently. Lovely aircraft, I'd be tempted to have one myself. Is there any risk they'd take your Colt off the register? Alan
  12. NT5224
    Congratulations and a big thankyou to Ian and anybody who helped out I find the aircraft profiles section very interesting and often go there as a reference. I think it really enhances (and helps to differentiate) the site. Much appreciated! Alan
  13. NT5224
    Hi folks! A couple of quick questions about windsocks. In this age of instant online weather information, remote weather cameras and other technologies there's something satisfyingly low-tech about a windsock! No doubt back in the day, the Wright brothers hoisted something similar to flap around for them on the blustery beach at Kittyhawk. First question: Is there anything in the regs about windsock placement on an airfield? I can't recall ever seeing anything written. Should it be midfield or at an end of the strip. Should it be adjacent to apron hangar and tiedowns? Or is it totally discretionary? Next question. You blokes with your own strips (say farm strips or small airfields). What size of windsock do you recommend? 8ft or 12ft? I wouldn't go less than 8ft if its got to be seen from 1000ft. Any views on this? Also is there any difference between a regular white sock and a yellow one? Is one more visible than the other? Which would make a better colour? Opinions please. cheers Alan
  14. NT5224
    What an amazing flight! Gorgeous castles and material culture. Thanks for the write up and pictures. I enjoyed reading about this flight through Europe... Alan
  15. NT5224
    Hi Alex. Im confused. If you're standing for election on a 'neutral' platform and essentially supportive of current board direction, why not just put your support behind the current board team and candidates? Seeking election implies you feel you have a contribution to make that will somehow strengthen the board. What changes would you want to see to make the board better than it is now? Best of luck Alan
  16. NT5224
    Is this consultation open yet? Cant find it yet on the CASA site.. They (somebody, RAAus?) said end of the month. Two days left
  17. NT5224
    Im finding this topic very interesting because Im in a similar situation, just establishing my own private strip and I'd like to think a few fellow aviators might benefit from it. My strip is very similar to that described by the OP, 750m X 60m and surrounded by low timber. In recently renewing my home insurance I was asked if I had a strip -as it would effect my home premium. Personally, Im not too worried about insuring against loss from the strip, its more about personal liability in case of material damage to aircraft or personal injury of anybody using it. It seems a real shame that with airfields and strips being closed down across the country, those of us who would be prepared to offer access to others have to worry so much about liability. Its enough to make you want to wind up the drawbridge!!!! Alan
  18. NT5224
    I've never ground looped yet, but have come close. The Rebel is surprisingly merciful as a tail dragger, compared to lighter aircraft such as the Lightwing. But its a challenge to respond to cross wind gusts (or bumpy uneven surfaces) with corrective rudder inputs without over-correcting and establishing a pattern of increasing oscillations. Here's my personal tip (which some will disagree with!). On take off with a tail dragger I never just shove the throttle full open, because a sudden rudder input to correct the centrifugal yaw could establish that oscillation. Instead I apply power steadily , and introduce the appropriate level of rudder accordingly as we get going. I can still get off really short doing it this way.
  19. NT5224
    Thanks for posting Sue Really informative to see all those resources at the CASA shop. I didn’t even know that it existed. Some useful material there! Alan
  20. NT5224
    Hi UK aviators! my wife and I have just home returned home after a couple weeks visit to the UK. It was basically a family visit, but we drove around a bit and took in a few sites. En route to Durham we called in at the delightful little flying club at Fishburn, which has a coffee shop overlooking the field. There we got talking to Dave, who's the farmer who owns the land the airfield is situated on. Dave was a really good bloke. He took us on a tour of the hangars, introduced us to a couple of the club members who were around, and told us about his practical arrangements for operating the airfield. My wife and I both fly and are just establishing our own airstrip at home, so we were very interested to chat with flyers, check out their aircraft and hear all Dave had to say.... Stupidly we drove off before I got Dave's contact details. He lives right there in the house beside the airfield. Does anybody here have an email or physical address for Dave? I'd really like to write and thank him for his time and kindness shown to two random Australians. We really liked Fishburn and it was a real highlight of our trip to UK. Cheers Alan
  21. NT5224
    Does anybody know when the current chair (who seems to have had a directive hand in the organisation's current direction), is due for a spell? Alan
  22. NT5224
    Excellent, really enjoyed (and was inspired by) this excellent combination of words and images.
  23. NT5224
    "Have other nominated candidates been asked to edit or change their election statements? I find it odd that an election statement has to be acceptable to the board to be printed in the magazine and I would appreciate hearing from any other nominating candidate as to what if anything they have been asked to change". G'Day Kasper Just found this thread and it makes for illuminating reading. If your election statement has been required to align with the views of the board even before you are elected to membership, that is most interesting. You're doing the right thing by honouring the confidentiality of any correspondence you have with the board for now, but I hope that after the election, regardless of outcome, we get to hear a little more about this, and the nature of their objections. There are always two sides to every story, but at face value this all seems very strange. Good luck Alan
  24. NT5224
    Hi Maxy Welcome aboard. There's lots to learn from this forum and associated website, and some awesome experience to tap into. Congrats on your certificate Alan
  25. NT5224
    Well pointed out @Yenn! My wife and I are about to go overseas for two weeks leaving the as-yet-unfinished strip unserviceable. You'd have to be a complete idiot to attempt to land, because there are huge piles of earth and deep holes easily visible to even a cursory fly-over. But for additional peace of mind, I went out yesterday arvo and pegged down two big white crosses at touch down points at each end of the strip. Now you'd have to be a complete idiot and bloody-minded to attempt to land.... Alan
×
×
  • Create New...