NT5224

What are the merits of dropping it into the surf just offshore rather than a beach landing? Was it because of people on the beach or concern about digging wheels into sand and flipping? In this instance maybe the pilot couldn't safely make the beach? Don't know the circumstances of this particular incident, but often thought a water landing close to shore in a low wing might be safer, although of course after saltwater gets into systems the aircraft belongs to the insurers. Thoughts? Alan

Ok just read the article and am somewhat relieved as it seems to be a long term engine wear issue, rather than bad fuel that can result in sudden engine failure in flight. Also I appreciate that as a fixed wing, even flying STOL operations over tiger country in the Territory, im not thrashing my Lycoming like those whirly birds which operate at constant high revs. I'll flag this with my LAME at some stage and try not to lose sleep! Cheers Alan

Unfortunately I live in the Territory and fly behind the same Lycoming 0320 as you find in Robbo 22s. I fuel out of drums the same as other remote operators... I remember seeing an article on this in Flight Safety but don't recall the conclusion. Am I doomed? Alan

Oh dear. Don't want that. Again. Anyway to test fuel? Alan

Hi Glen Is this just an issue of additional engine wear or could it lead to performance issues in flight? Cheers Alan

According to the RAA pitch what would be the benefit of transferring a VH experimental rego to RAA? And do you have to swap letters for numbers? Alan

Measure pressure with a gauge on my hose. Balloon tyres are designed to be run at very low pressures. 4WD tyres would probably come off the rim, obviously..

Thanks onetrack. That's useful info, although I'm guessing a 160km taxi charge might exceed costs associated with flying into Broome itself! The wet season conditions on the ground aren't an issue ...only very deep puddles that could swing my aircraft round on my short take-off roll. I run on 29 inch balloon tyres at 5 pounds/inch. Alan

Hi folks I've got a week off and we've been discussing flight across to Broome. What's the deal there? Do you fly into Broome itself or is there a smaller strip or club nearby with no or lower landing fees and parking fees, without CTA? Cheers Alan

A few showers our way to freshen this up. But the only thing flying on my airstrip at the moment is my boys Frisbee.

So I was just planning a quick hop over to Kununurra -and decided the weather looked a bit dubious. So I decided to pass. 😂 Alan

Oh, and the roos love it, so if you're a 'bunny farmer' like me you might need to chase em away before landing...🤣 Cheers Alan

Hi Jackc I went exactly through the process you describe about three years ago when I established Robin Falls International. I had to clear thick woodlands to get my strip in, but the native grasses grew back thick as soon as the first rains fell. As soon as you remove the canopy the natives want to shoot up.... No idea want your patch is like but why not hang off for a few months to see what pops up? Slashing natives makes them look a lot like grass, and its the best permanent solution to avoid erosion. Introduced grasses might not survive. Cheers Alan

Please lend me your Sea Rey and arrange for my web feet endorsement Flyboy...I'll gladly accept your advice. Alan 🤣

Hi folks.... Thanks for information on the destination. But you seem to miss the point of my original question. Is it a destination you would choose to fly to? Is it the kind of place where you need a car on arrival to best appreciate it? If you fly in are you effectively stranded at the homestead? For example if you flew into my place and wanted to go check out the scenery, visit the swimholes and gorges you'd need transport. Yes you could overfly them but its not the same as swimming with the freshies... So I'd lend you an old ute. But I don't think Al Questro do that. Its a commercial enterprise. Cash only. So should we fly or take our car to best appreciate what the resort has to offer? Cheers Alan

Certainly a fine looking aircraft -the glass cockpit, reclining seats and aircon sound great! Its a four seater? Unfortunately, I'm not sure it would be much use operating out of my bush strip. But i can dream... Alan

Sorry dumb question -but what is that aircraft?

Hi folks. My wife wants to go to El Questro in the Kimberly. Anybody here been? Is it a good fly in destination with interesting local flights or is it better to drive and have a car locally? To put this in context we live about two and a half hours flight time door-to -door from Al Questro. A drive would take nearly two days. Any informed opinions appreciated Alan

Hi folks Yesterday I dropped into the CASA pre-wet season seminar in Darwin. I thought it was quite useful and instructive although not all of the four or five presentations were of equal quality. I believe it was filmed and will be posted on YT. It was my fourth year attending (prior to that I was overseas). The presentations had an industry focus and were aimed at new charter pilots experiencing their first wet rather than private flyers. Lots of pilots assembled and many had obviously come in from the scrub ( together with their operations). I didn't recognise a single other aircraft owner/operator attending. But what caught my attention was the ages of the young pilots. Maybe I'm getting old (I am!) but some looked very young indeed. Like REALLY young.... I noticed higher proportion of young female pilots than in previous years -which is very encouraging, but it was the extremely youthful appearance of some of their male counterparts that surprised me. How young can you hold a CPL? Assuming RPL at 17, PPL at 18 and a VET course leading to CPL could you be flying commercial at 20? Hope I'm not being politically incorrect or 'ageist' here: My old Dad overflew Germany in a Mosquito aged 20, but times change and the attendees yesterday genuinely surprised me. Cheers Alan

Interesting. Are drones operated by 'fighter pilots'? In my recollection teams launching drones didn't seem to include aviators. But not saying there weren't other controllers in other parts of the world who could assume control at different stages of flight and operations. I have no idea... Never asked. But I find it hard to believe 'targets are studied for months before a strike'. Maybe some were but many were targets of opportunity in fast evolving situations... Never drive a white Toyota Corolla 'erratically'. Apparently that's grounds for vaporisation. Nasty business Alan

Interesting. Are drones operated by 'fighter pilots'? In my recollection teams launching drones didn't seem to include aviators. But not saying there weren't other controllers in other parts of the world who could assume control at different stages of flight and operations. I have no idea... Never asked. But I find it hard to believe 'targets are studied for months before a strike'. Maybe some were but many were targets of opportunity in fast evolving situations... Never drive a white Toyota Corolla 'erratically'. Apparently that's grounds for vaporisation. Nasty business Alan

This pic is doing the rounds on the socials. My wife showed me. Apparently its meant to say 'Gary loves Doris' Alan

Who cares about the hefty price tag when you can look THAT cool! 🤣 It kinda looks like an self -propelled dunny seat I might pass.... Alan

I live out bush in the NT. And my hangar is just a kilometre or so from my house, easily walkable or driveable. So why don't I fly more than I do, particularly in and out of town? In theory flying would cut my travel time in half. There are several reasons why flight isn't as practical a solution as I had once hoped. However much I love flying its hard to justify flying in the light of these factors.. 1. Transport. Anybody flying into a regional airport needs a vehicle of some kind when they arrive. So leaving a car at Darwin airport is impossible because of high parking costs. Leaving a vehicle at MKT is possible but its still 30 minutes drive into town from there. Ideal would be a shared car for club members, but what if you fly into town and somebody's already taken the car...? 2. Weather/ conditions Driving to town I can generally get through at any time under any conditions. Because of licence restrictions I can't fly at night or under IFR. That means I would always need to leave at a fixed time in the afternoon and on occaision may be trapped in town or unable to fly home due to weather. This could be costly and inconvenient. So for now, for practical reasons driving remains my most regular option. I do occasionally fly into town but only when time isn't an issue. If I could get IFR or night rated and had a 'proper' aeroplane equipped to fly such I might use it more... Cheers Alan

Koreelah Yes I take your point. I'm staring at a device right now...obviously. However thats not what I meant. I think peoples lives and society is now busier than they used to be. I don't recall my dad routinely working (professional work) after hours or at the weekend. Back then you did your hours and that was enough. He only had one job. Its possible he did a bit of after hours work - but not like seems commonplace today. In the last two months I've worked seven days sometimes until midnight. I think societal expectations of life and work (and the pace of life) has changed in the last 50 years. Flying -especially the training part- can be very time consuming. I'm just raising this point because I think its relevant -even if not the full picture. Alan