NT5224

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

Hi folks I'm so pleased to see this thread running. I logged onto the site and was momentarily disorientated because I couldn't find any of the usual 'Is GA/RAA doomed?' threads that constantly pop up. I almost started one myself 🤣. But good to see contributors maintaining their healthy glass-half-empty scepticism about the future of aviation. Here's a quick observation from me. No references to flashy motorboats... I own an aircraft and have an airstrip to fly it off. I pay exorbitant sums to insure and maintain my aircraft. Yet despite all costs covered I fly much, much less than I would like. What's going on? Are we losing interest? (as the OP posited?) Is GA doomed? Nup. I simply don't have enough time. Im not retired and have a busy working life that consumes so much of my time. I really think the frantic pace of 21st century life is different from previous eras in that respect. I do not remember my father having such heavy demands on his time in the 1970s... So in response to the question 'Are we losing interest?' I have a counter question to put to everybody. How do changes in participation in recreational flying compare with growth or decline in other recreational pursuits (e.g. sporting club memberships, recreational fishing or boating, motorsports?) Do people in the 21st century just have less time and participation in organised recreational activities is changing for that reason across the board? Dunno... Alan

I'd love to fly more but the demands of land management keep me busy dawn to dusk. Funnily enough its flying out to look at bushfires that is when I use my aircraft a lot. I have had only had one week 'off' this year and that week was spent building my hangar. Cant wait to retire!🤣 Alan

Thanks Thruster Obviously the Lycoming has its own filter which (im guessing) is finer. But refuelling out of drums through the wet season (drums are theoretically under shelter) I want to be sure I'm not sucking in moisture... Hence the water separator. Of course I fuel drain as well.

Hi folks, I just splashed out on an inline water separator for my refuelling handpump. The separator is the standard filter and bowl type with a tap on the bottom. It is rated to 10 Microns. My question. Is 10 microns enough to filter avgas safely? I know some state-of-the-art CR diesels now require much finer filtration, but a 1940s designed Lycoming? I pump out of 44 gallon drums. Cheers Alan

I probably fly about 20 hours. It just comes down to work demands and time available. Even though I've got an aircraft sat in its hangar on my own property. Keep hoping to fly more and rack up a few more big trips Alan

Or the wheel of fortune! 🤣

I’m sorry, in my opinion I see this a blatant propaganda by travel and tourism interests seeking to bolster their profits. As SD said earlier in the thread, many of the countries that are opening to travel have suffered tens of thousands of deaths and lose hundreds more each day. The Australian policy has saved many thousands of lives and continues to do so. Anybody craving a resumption of international travel for that two week break in Bali, is that the price you’d be willing to pay in Australian lives? These shameless stories are being put out there by big business interests desperate to claw back profit at the cost of human lives. Cheers Alan

Hi folks. This discussion has been most informative despite the contradictory opinions. One track. Yes I have been to hosepower and they quoted me $100 bucks/metre for avgas hose (regular not high pressure). Thats why I was asking about alternatives. My main concern about using ULP hose was degradation of the material contaminating the fuel ( and my engine!). I hadn't actually thought of the fire risk arising from different hoses. I refuel from 200 L drums using a hand pump. My aircraft can take the full 200L if fuelling from empty. I'll take from this discussion that I can use regular ULP hose for refuelling with my hand pump. But how can I best earth my aircraft while doing so? I have a metal aircraft and just refuel in the open on my dirt strip apron. Drums are kept in the shade under a purpose built car port away from the hangar. Cheers Alan

Hi folks This morning over brekkie I read an interesting article on the BBC website that cited British and US studies that found that there were now roughly equal proportions ( if you weighted population sizes) of fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people in hospital for severe illness arising from Delta Strain COVID. I believe the proportion was about 34%. The conclusions they drew were twofold. First, full vaccination doesn't protect you from severe illness in the Delta strain and second, vaccination doesn't reduce transmissibility with Delta COVID. All this was couched in very scientific language so I may have misunderstood. I strongly believe everybody needs to be vaccinated. I get my second AZ next week, but these studies are not confidence inspiring! Cheers Alan

Hi folks I've just been looking around at Avgas hose online. They're asking $150/m!!!😱 Anybody know know where I can get it at a more reasonable price or another type of hose that could be used to safely carry Avgas? Just used for pumping from drums Would like about 8-10m. Cheers Alan Cheers

Hi folks I've just been looking around at Avgas hose online. They're asking $150/m!!!😱 Anybody know know where I can get it at a more reasonable price or another type of hose that could be used to safely carry Avgas? Just used for pumping from drums Would like about 8-10m. Cheers Alan Cheers

Hi Prometheus. My aircraft was registered 19xxxx and is now registered VH experimental with the factory as the builder. So exactly as you say. When we registered VH CASA queried it but I sent them the manufacturers plate and the paperwork and they accepted it. So I have a factory built aircraft by a company that does not produce aircraft -it only produces kits. Thus what you describe in your OP is entirely possible although the numbers of aircraft involved would be extremely low. If you have seen more than one 19 xxxx 'factory built' aircraft for sale I would be suspicious unless I saw supporting evidence Cheers Alan

OK, so reading comments above that's a 'yes', a 'no' and a 'maybe'. Plenty to work with. 🤣 But One Tracks point about the Venturi effect makes sense. Does that mean that all aircraft with upward vented fuel caps have mechanical fuel pumps? I'll take from this that with my gravity fuel system I need to stick with forward facing vents which pressurise my tanks and boost fuel flow... Thanks fellas! Alan

Thanks for the discussion folks but no clear response to my question. Switching from forward facing air vents to just open top ones, will that effect my fuel flow? Cheers Alan

Ladies and gents of the brains trust. Seeking some insight Many aircraft that don't actively pump fuel to the motor have vented fuel tanks to ensure air pressure is on the side of gravity in ensuring a smooth fuel flow. My fuel caps have a little forward facing tube bent through 90 degrees. I'm guessing that by facing them into the direction of airflow the intent is to prevent rain dropping in but more importantly to force air in and actively pressurise the fuel tanks to improve fuel flow. I run my electric fuel pump on take-off and landings and at full power but tend to switch it off in cruise. What would happen if I replaced my forward facing vent fuel caps with regular vented caps (just a hole in the top)? Is there much difference? Has anybody else tried this? Just curious in case I need to change caps or carry spares... Cheers Alan

Hey Old Koreelah, really enjoyed that! What an awesome machine. from an operational perspective it seems way more pratical than some of the earlier designs we have seen (some of which involved the vehicle detaching wings and leaving them at the landing strip. What a great toy! However, the vehicle must be so lightweight in construction you wouldnt want any kind of a dingle or even a shopping trolley rash on it However appealing the aircar idea I cant believe it will ever catch on, except possibly for autonomous controlled vehicles. Most people just wont be up to getting the required pilots licence, and God knows how urban airspace is going to be sorted out with all these new drones and autonomous air taxis and such. thank God we live in the bush!!! Cheers Alan

Bruce just to clarify, nobody is saying my insurance is invalid. My current policy was entered into before we had an airstrip (they did ask if we had one!) I'm just concerned that if I have need to call upon my insurance (bushfire being our greatest threat) the insurer could try and renage on payment by saying we have an airstrip. The actual strip is approximately 2 kilometres from my house through woodlands no chance it could have any impact on my residential risks.. It is only for our personal use, no other users. My friend who had the issue had been insured five years with an airstrip on his block when the insurers found out about it on a renewal - and said he would need to substantially increase his premium. His property is much smaller than mine but I fear I would face similar issues. Waiting to hear from anybody with residential property and an airstrip on their block...

Hi onetrack Thanks for your insights. I agree with all you have written. I am not concerned with household insurance covering the airstrip or aviation related activities and assets. Some insurance providers ( trying to ascertain the extent through this thread) see having an airstrip on a property as an additional risk ( even if the insurance does not cover anything aviation related). I guess they assume an aircraft might crash in flames into your house - or whatever (!!) Anyway, it either means they either refuse to cover or offer such extraordinarily high premiums as to effectively prohibit taking up insurance on your home. Its likely that farm or corporate policies are different but domestic household insurance seems to be a problem. Somebody we know had their insurance cover revoked when it came to light that he had a strip on his block... I'm guessing that some people in this site have airstrips on their properties and also have household insurance so I want to know about their experiences and or solutions with regard this... Cheers Alan

Hi folks! Something I've raised here before - having an airstrip on your property and how it impacts home insurance. I'm keen to know from others who have an airstrip how and if it affects your insurance policy. Not looking for comments about "its just a big fire break mate!" That won't help when your home burns down and the Insurance company want to get out of paying out. So people who currently have airstrips, what if any accomodations have you made with household insurers? Cheers Alan

Simple question here. What are peoples views on giving a passenger a 'feel for the controls' in flight? I'm sure it totally contravenes regulations if you're not a rated instructor -but I'm also sure many people have done it with friends and family. My wife holds an RA pilot certificate, but not the part 61 licence required to fly our aircraft. She will transition to a licence as soon as we have time but in the interim I'd like to give her a little hands on experience to get the feel for our aircraft in case she needs to take control in an emergency. Also if she's radio rated (RA Aus) can she legally give our radio calls? What do people think? Have you ever done this? Cheers Alan

Hi folks! I just want to put it out there. I love this movie and have always loved it, since I was young child. Its just a great film. A perfect insight into the early days of aviation much strengthened by the authentic flying scenes. Also bloody funny! In some respects its stood the test of time well... In others less so. That final scene meant to represent the future of aviation when the squadron of English Electric Lightnings goes roaring over in V formation lookS distinctly vintage and smokey now... And yet the old Lightning is still pretty much faster than anything in the skies today... I once had this film on VHS and it was stolen from my household possessions as they went through customs leaving a Middle Eastern country. Anyone know where I can get it again? Alan

Hundred dollar burger? 😃 Alan