blueline

My vote is with Facthunter on this one as well - why set someone up for disaster! I can live with fuel spilt on the hangar floor but............

Does anyone have a copy of the soft ware for the Aeroguidance Mark 5 or 6 by KTI?? I have the hardware for this sim but nothing else. KTI no longer supply this software. I am after the early version of this sim.

Agree with your comments about the J230 - does seem to thrive on extra speed for the climb. Book figures for the J160 are spot on though.

J160 performance???? This has really got my attention too! I feel like I really MUST comment on your oberservations of the J160. Remember that this aircraft is really a trainer plane and should be seen as a 152 replacement. I have loads of time in both the C152 and J160. The J160 outclimbs a 152 (by a significant margin!), is about 5-10 knots faster and does this on 14-15 lph verses 25 lph. Sure a 152 can land in a shorter distance and at a slower speed, but try getting it off in the same distance! Sure some other RAA aircraft might be faster, some might have more room (but not many), some climb better, some need less runway, some carry more load, some use less fuel, some are cheaper (but not many!) - BUT name an aircraft that is a better allround package? As for the J230 I concur with previous comments - expect near 1000fpm at 100 knots. I dearly wish I could demo to you how a Jabiru is meant to be flown - I suspect that you have witnessed someone flying not as per the flight manual.

There is such a thing as a six cylinder J160 (have seen the mould) BUT it was built for a Canadian person who operated on floats and skis. Jabiru have said they are not planning on building them for domestic market - and why would you want one? Want more speed, buy a J230. Enjoy 120 knots and more space. Bit off point but the idea of stuffing ever larger engines into a perfectly lovely plane reminds me of the Ford Cortina. Great car with the 2 litre four but with a big six it became a lead tipped arrow - went like the clappers, but wouldn't turn corners!

87% - Well done!

Good luck on Thursday! I'll bet your head feels like it has gone a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson when you are finished!

No idea about your toe in problem, but where are the Jabiru fans? - too busy flying!

from what I remember about the exam (a while ago) you need to know all the "what if" scenarios (alternate requirements, nav aids, weather, lighting etc etc) Track tolerance, reading and knowing TAC and ERC charts. Route requirements in ERSA, and those one way symbols on the routes. Get a copy of the IFG (if you can). Very useful thing for study and flying. As always practice exams are great to check if you are ready. I only have exams for the IREX. Might be useful if you want to try them - but I want them back!

NO ASIC CARDS IN THE USA! In the good old US of A there is no requirement for an "ASIC" and only three states require security checks of student pilots. Why is Australia hitting its pilots with unneccessary burdens?? THE BIG DEAL WITH ASIC CARDS IS THAT THEY DONT SERVE ANY USEFUL PURPOSE!

I did the IREX a few years ago and would say that it was more difficult than the CPL. Motivation to study was high though (and is high again on days like today when no flying happens due weather!) which always makes it easy. I would suggest that if you do the PIFR you at least add one approach. Consider the CIR currency requirements as the minimum (really is a serious thing being in bumpy CU with rain belting down and trying to do a reasonable NDB approach). I'm sure you'll enjoy the sense of achievement though. Great challenge to do well.

Remember that you get what you pay for. Nobody wants to get ripped off, so by all means shop around. It might be that the cheap operator is also the best - but this is not usually the case. Ask them why they are cheaper. Ask the others why they are more expensive.

Get Bob Taits - I have used lots of different books but Bob's books seem clearer. Can get them from his website for $82.50 delivered (doesn't seem to discount much - I bought 10 and only got 10% off).

In my case it is pretty simple. I pay $75 per hour (no gst) to the owners of the aircraft and charge $95 solo and $155 dual (incl gst). I make $11.36 when the student is flying solo and $65.91 when I am in the aircraft. I do about 10 hours dual a week and approx 5 hours solo, so I make about $715.80 a week (before office rent, power etc). To do this I am available 7 days a week and fly most days. I don't charge for briefing time (but do for theory courses, so I make more when I am running a theory class). If I had more students I would start to make a reasonable wage, but I am just starting (mind you I have been instructing for seven years & have over 2000hrs, so I am not new to flying!). The money is not why people start flying schools. I love flying, and I love helping people achieve their goals. It is necessary that I eat however and that is why I charge what I do!

On the issue of pricing On the pricing issue I think that while $187 dual is not cheap, it is not outrageous. There are clubs that do training much cheaper because they either don't pay instructors (as in the gliding community) or they make money from membership fees. I myself am trying to make a living in running a flying school, and believe me at $187 per hour the people at Lilydale will be doing OK, but will not be making a killing (and I can explain why if people really want to know) Pay peanuts, get monkeys!

Very interesting reading some of the comments about an RA-Aus pilot not being trained to a good enough standard to go on and do an aerobatics rating. Some RA-Aus pilots would have trouble with aerobatics BUT so would some GA pilots!

Oasis has recently been evicted from there hangar at PCK but they are still operating from other premises. Not sure if he plans to build a hangar. Might be worth a call??

Planes and hangars all cost too much! Sunbury looks pretty attractive - close to Melbourne, big RAA presence, and the flying school there has been around for a long long time. Shame about having controlled airspace very close by!

You are correct about gliders filling up most of the hangars (they were there first!). I am hoping that one of my students proceeds with his plans to build a hangar at Bacchus Marsh. This will save me ferrying a plane from Ballarat to Bacchus Marsh (when I actually have bookings at Bacchus Marsh!), and hopefully start a small RAA community at Bacchus Marsh.

Ballarat is cheap by compared to Melbourne prices and has no landing fees or user charges. The hangar rates I charge vary with size of aircraft, high wing or low wing, and how people wish to pay. As a starting fiqure think ofABOUT $150 per calender month for a Jabiru. Others on the field are comparable - some are a little cheaper, some are a little more. If you are thinking of moving to Ballarat give me call (especially if you are thinking of buying something - we may be able to be of mutual assistance). Roger. 0429 492989 PS - I am happy to provide you with the numbers of the other hangar owners, the more RAAus action at Ballarat the better for us all!

I MAY be able to help you out with space in Ballarat. I run a flying school frommy ownhangar and have other aircraft stored there so it would need to be compatable with this. Give me a call on 0429 492989. I also may be able to help you withspace at a proposed hangar at Bacchus Marshairfield (whichnow hasan RAA school). Regards, Roger

Good point JG. Congrats on your B+B on the weekend!

I know this is probably not what people want to hearBUT doing an instructor rating in 20 hours air time and 30 hours in class is really very very minimal. When I did my initial instructor rating it took 8 weeks full time and 50 hours air time. This might be a bit over the top for RAAus but don't go looking for the quickest cheapest instructor rating. Look for the best!

What about putting a small piece of rubber lightly against the tyre to stop it spinning in flight? An out of balance wheel wouldn't matter then.

Hi Vigilant, Mate I read your back ground and thought "thats me". I was 16 years vicpol, but have made the jump. It can be done and I don't regret a thing (well, mostly!). Yesterday I was flying one of the Jabiru's I use to work at Bacchus Marshto meet a student. I left at about 7.30 on a beautiful clear still morning. I watched the traffic on the freeway to work and was feeling very lucky. Landing at Bacchus Marsh to do a couple of lessons I flew over a police car when landing. That made me think...... ask yourself "where would you rather be? In the air on an adventure? Or driving a divvy van?" Personal message me if you want some more detailed advice