Bidgee

Dont worry, I've no intention of contravening the legislation. Like you said the risk is not worth it. I was really just trying to understand firstly if it was possible, and secondly if its much of a drama to get the rules changed.

Fair enough but why couldnt it be handled like CAO 95.55 par 5.2 which permits RAA AC into CTR provided the pilot is holds a PPL, the AC meets the specific requirements and the pilot is endorsed?

Anybody know if you can fly night VFR in a RA Aus registered plane that has the correct instrumentation? Assume pilot is PPL with night rating. Scott

Thanks for the info and the heads up on local conditions.

Anybody tell me what the nearest strip to Lorne is please? Cheers Scott

Airservices sells a 7 ring binder for the AIP that will work. Its about $15. Scott

Just a follow up. I was able to complete the PPL at Temora. Graham White from Moruya Aero Club visits Temora on a regular basis now and I did the training with him.

Dog another useful resource is the Visual Flight Guide. Its got heaps of info on this sort of stuff. I've attached the page on fuel conversions. The VFG is only available as a download at the moment Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Visual flight guide Scott AVGASConversionChart.pdf AVGASConversionChart.pdf AVGASConversionChart.pdf

Pressure height can be calculated two ways. Either dial 1013 into your altimeter and see what alt it reads or use the equation (elevation ft + (1013-QNH)x30)). 1hPa is = 30ft that's why 30 is the multiplier. Unless you are planning to become a commercial pilot dont sweat over alt and airspeed correction. However you will need to know about density altitude. To work it out on the prayer wheel line up the pressure height with the outside air temp. The arrow in the window will point to the density alt. This shows you at what alt in the std atmosphere has the same density as the place in question. The best way to get your head around this stuff is to get a copy of Bob Taits BAK and PPL books. Scott

I've done the required 2 hrs under the hood. The first 90 min of this was tooling around the sky with the instructor giving directions. The most difficult bit I found was slow flight and maintaining alt within limits while changing from cruise to slow and back again. The last 30min was done as part of nav. This was much tougher as I had to rely on the DG and watch to know where I was and time the decent. Brain was mush at the end of it but very pleased I've had the experience. I'd recommend it to anyone and it hasnt given me any desire to fly in IMC. Scott

On my prayer wheel you need to line up FUEL LBS and US GAL arrows then read the gal of the inner scale against LBS on the outer eg 13.5 US GAL = 80 LBS. In your case 100 GAL = 600LBS. Do you mean pressure height or density alt? Scott

Get the full size metal E6B. The small ones are tough to read when it gets lumpy. Scott

Yenn There's 17" Prado alloy wheels on eBay all the time for about $800 new (4). I kept coming across them when looking for 16" ones for my Hilux. Scott

The consensus is that ATC is more in depth but BT covers the important bits without the guff. BT also has lots of multi guess questions similar to the exam which is really good. I've got both and prefer BT. Incidentally if you are planning to go on and do PPL make sure you do PPL BAK or you will be doing it again like I had to which is a drag Bob Tait books come up on eBay quite often. If you have patients set up a search and wait. Scott

ASL is exam contractor for CASA. From CASA site; PPL-type Exams. The PPL exams are available at approximately 300 approved flying training schools throughout Australia, where the CFIs are the supervisors. Professional Exams. CASA has delegated an independent company, Assessment Services Proprietary Limited (ASL) to supervise the professional (and PPL) exams in a number of cities and towns throughout Australia. Professional exams are those for the CPL, ATPL, Flight Engineer licence and various ratings. More on bookings for professional exams may be found at the ASL website. Highett is one of the ASL examination centres in MEL. More info here Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Exams Scott

I'm looking at converting from RAA to GA. Went to FTF the other day and the bloke said to get the PPL exam out of the before doing the flying. I had a look on the CASA site and it says BAK must be done prior to sitting the PPL exam. I did the RAA BAK so does this count or do I need to sit the GA one before doing the PPL exam? Thanks Scott

That's definitely the plan!

x2. I'm 35. Not everybody flying is a grey nomad.

Trying to find an insurance co that will cover non-professional flying. Any recommendations? Thanks Scott

I agree but those strong westerly winds can sure make for some solid turbulance down low. Scott

SF, Thanks for the detailed post. Very helpful. Scott

I'll second Merv. Excellent instructors, highly recommended. Although, he will be flying Tecnam Sierras so its unlikely he'll want to get in a Jab again :-) Scott

Hi Have completed RAA cert at Temora and looking to move onto PPL. Nearest PPL FTF is Wagga Air Centre. I have had a brief conversation with the FTF and it sounds like they want me to do 2/3 of the PPL syllabus even with RAA + Nav. ie 15hrs GFPT and most of the PPL navex. I dont mind having to meet the required standard but by the same token I dont like giving away $$ they are hard to come by. Anybody had any experience with this FTF? Other options are Canberra or Albury. Any comments welcome. Scott

If you mean by conclusion that more emphasis should be placed on slow flight I'm not sure I agree. Initial training should get the student to a basic level of competency that enables them safely pilot the a/c while making them aware of other areas of expertise. This is similar to any tertiary study. Go and study the basics and then continuing study on your area of interest/requirement. If you have a need for a lot of slow, low level flight then go and do training in that area. The article focussed on landing on short strips in PNG. Similarly there are plenty of pilots that frequently land on short strips around Aus. If you have a need to do this then spend more time in training for it. If we build a very high skill level on every part of the syllabus it will end up 150hrs long and there will be no "recreational flying". My training involved the usual slow flight for precautionary land and short field stuff but no more that the ops manual requires. I'm comfortable with the training but will also keep practising it to improve. Scott

Thanks Ross. Much appreciated. Scott