arielle

"Rubbish, what makes you think someone implying instructors are poor pilots and can't fly is appropriate?" Looks as though my original point is being made for me, but I'm fascinated as to how you got from what I wrote, to that conclusion. I tend not to agree with the sentiment expressed in the saying, but the OP can justify his position himself. All of which remains irrelevant to the matter at hand. Back to my original question, does anyone know whether the ATSB are involved in this one too, if anything I'd say there is likely to be more to be learned here than the Barossa Tecnam crash.

No actually it's a thread about a plane crash that killed TWO pilots, not just your friend. You're obviously hurting and I think people have cut you quite a bit of slack on account of that, but if you're unable to step back and gain some perspective, maybe it's time to give the subject a rest. That's not a dig at you, but a serious suggestion, getting yourself all worked up over comments that were probably never intended as you've interpreted them isn't doing you any good and ends up devaluing whatever else you have to say. Back to the topic at hand, I understand the wreckage (all of it?) has been recovered, is this still an RA-Aus/Coroner investigation or are the ATSB involved?

Beautifully written Jeff, I'm sure any one of us would be pleased to to be remembered in those terms. I can only imagine the turmoil of the past few days for those close to the loss, but I am very pleased to see that you intend to continue flying. Death impacts us all in different ways, but I lost a dive buddy in an accident and although I was not keen to return the ocean for a while afterwards, I was talked into it and the successful dive became something of a tribute to our friend and I seldom pull on a mask without a thought for him. Keep strong, but talk to people around you - it helps.

I'd have thought that a half life Lycoming would make an attractive proposition if the C0fG issues aren't too daunting and the mount/cowling not too dear. I suspect though that there would be a few more of these swaps if it were as easy as all that. I know of the 2 PG Aviation have done, the 914 into a J400 and believe there is at least one flying J200 with an O-235 knocking around in Victoria. Anyone here flown one?

Quite heartening that they are going to this much trouble on the strength of an unconfirmed report. I might just become a little more conscientious about leaving a flight note, even a 45 minute local jolly can cover a lot of ground.

http://www.raa.asn.au/market/ad.php?id=3804 Doesn't suit where I'm at with my flying right now, but if the choice was between flying this Sportsman and not flying at all, I know what I'd have! Point is, the (relative) basics are still available if you look for them and if you haven't the price of a ratty old tinnie to spend on your flying, you should possibly be looking for a cheaper hobby.

Yes, as I understand it that is why it is in the POH. According to a test pilot's report I read, it can, depending on airflow, set up a kind of nodding motion. The advice I received was don't do it, but if it is the difference between landing safely in a paddock or overshooting in a forced landing situation, crank her over!

FD I don't think that's the case at all, what I and others were questioning was why you labelled it poor airmanship. You may well have reason to, but I'm not getting it from your description of the event. (General comment follows) - There seems a trend to label anything other than plain vanilla 1G, 30 degrees of bank flying in perfect weather as reckless, poor airmanship, showing off, take your pick (Thruster zoom climb?). I experienced this recently when a young instructor took it upon himself to lecture me about side slipping on one of my approaches at a country airfield. Not my instructor, just some random out to big note himself in front of others at the field. I might have let him get away with it but for the comment; "don't you read your POH?" Far as I'm aware only some models of C172 have a prohibition against side slipping with full flap and I took great delight in offering to stand a round if he could find any prohibition in the POH on the aircraft I was flying (which I have in fact read in depth). I'm aware some LAME's believe it puts excessive strain on the tracks, but have equally heard others say BS, so although I don't make a habit of doing it, I do throw it in occasionally to keep my hand in.

I think DrZoos mentioned a Piper/Mustang incident - I didn't see either so can't help there. Whatever, I'm glad nothing too serious came of it and am looking forward to the next event.

I didn't see the Jab/Trojan incident but I'm having some trouble following what the problem was, as described. Fitting in with traffic of differing speeds does occasionally mean a go around and there are times when non-standard circuits, eg extending downwind create more confusion than they solve. That's no excuse for buzzing the traffic that prevented you from landing (not that this has been suggested), but we'd all be better off if people were a little more go around orientated.

I went down on Saturday after missing a few years for various reasons. The day visitors park seemed to have fewer aircraft, possibly thanks to cloud lurking in the distance, although we got through from Brissie ok. Would be a bit sad if the CASA presence kept anyone away. Crowds seemed a little thinner initially, which made for easier getting about, but plenty more filed in by lunch. Must say I didn't see anything too concerning airmanship wise, you're always going to have a few minor problems with the numbers and mixing in displays, flips etc. I had better things to do than listen to radio traffic, so cannot comment on that, no issues when we came in or left though. The dead grass award would probably have to be shared by the Sling LSA and the Gyros, even if the whirygig things aren't your game, the eye catching colour schemes of the display aircraft drew the crowds in. Had to chuckle at the description of the "big blue navy thing" above. Now even I know that's a Grumman Avenger, a WW11 torpedo bomber. Ok, it doesn't have the performance of a fighter, but has anyone seen a Fairey Swordfish, the pommie equivalent? Actually it got off the ground after a pretty short roll, as you'd expect of a carrier borne aircraft, but Paul Bennet (I think) held it down at dot feet, before doing a climbing turn. Personally I found a single that has more cylinders, much more power and weighs 3x what a Piper Chieftan does, rather impressive. The wing folding is quite the party trick as well. All round there was a bit of a feast for round engine fans. What I really liked was the camping area, especially the underwing camping tucked down one of the old runways and slightly out of the public gaze - next year, provided the significant other can guarantee a 12V hairdryer and some form of gas powered espresso machine! The event gets a big thumbs up from me, wish there were more like it, spread through the year.

Maj M aren't you thinking of the min weight? Let's just say I recall being told that I'd need quite a bit of ballast if I were to convert. Went looking and found a manual for a SB-582, min 65kg, max 95kg front seat, so my memory was not playing tricks.

Anyone priced a new GA aircraft lately? Caveat emptor, definitely, but you can't have it both ways.

There are now factory built RV-12's which will satisfy our LSA requirements, none delivered here yet though as far as I know. I was interested to read Crashley's comment about the ease of fitting the wings, good to hear as it gives some options, hangarage is a problem in many places.

Very nice video, Dave, love that little airfield. Deskpilot, written communication being what it is, I'm not sure whether your comment about the clear runways call was an observation or a criticism? Care to expand?

The factory built RV-12 is the only one I can think of that might fit and I don't think there are any in Aus yet. There is some debate about how easy assembly is as well.