bluebird121

I like fast cars and bikes, but not speedway. I know a few speedway and ex-speedway people, most have either moved on or are going to move on.

One of the reasons I like flying is that I can go everywhere at near 200kph without plod having a hissy fit, and they really do have hissy fits. I have met a couple of women that also ride, but I wouldn't call them "fast".

I have been up In several aircraft. A Piper tomahawk PA 28..A Katana Diamond.. Not so fond of it. I felt as if I was sitting on top of the plane.. This was at Cumbernauld airfield. Me getting over my fear of flying.. Lol. The lady was my pilot..

I wonder if anyone goes or has gone to Archerfield to watch the Sprint Car racing? I have been but as I don't drive it is too far to go to..

I used to watch the stock cars at Racewall Cowdenbeath.. At one time my daughter raced minis and latterly Pro stocks.. A Vauxhall saloon. Roll cage. No engine modifications..race harness. Front and rear bars Window net etc. As it could be quite a contact sport.. Just thought I'd throw this in..

I guess no one into fast cars and action.. Maybe a female thing.. ?

I wonder if anyone goes or has gone to Archerfield to watch the Sprint Car racing? I have been but as I don't drive it is too far to go to..

I used to watch the stock cars at Racewall Cowdenbeath.. At one time my daughter raced minis and latterly Pro stocks.. A Vauxhall saloon. Roll cage. No engine modifications..race harness. Front and rear bars Window net etc. As it could be quite a contact sport.. Just thought I'd throw this in..

Also I cycle a lot.. As I don't drive. I particularly enjoy cycling to military jetty most days..

Out of curiousity what other things are you guys interested in like Cars, Boats, Gardening, Technology, Jobs, Home Maintenance ?????????????????

I wonder if anyone goes or has gone to Archerfield to watch the Sprint Car racing? I have been but as I don't drive it is too far to go to..

I used to watch the stock cars at Racewall Cowdenbeath.. At one time my daughter raced minis and latterly Pro stocks.. A Vauxhall saloon. Roll cage. No engine modifications..race harness. Front and rear bars Window net etc. As it could be quite a contact sport.. Just thought I'd throw this in..

@bluebird121 - sorry to hear about your pesonal circumstances... I think you will be OK to return to the UK (short article, but this is from their free site): UK will ditch travel quarantine for 75 countries, Daily Telegraph says

Thanks for the information. Jerry..Emirates are still flying to Edinburgh but as far as I know only once a week.but only for humanitarian or compassionate compassionate reasons. I guess I fit into that Category. . Dubai is the problem as I believe they are insisting you have Covid insurance or a guarantee you don't have it. So I've been waiting for things to be a bit more relaxed.. Luckily we are clear here.. So far .thanks for the information..

Actually, I think from Monday - the self isolation thing from people coming from low/no COVId-19 countries (of which Aus has to be one), will no longer be required.

 

The Emirates thing is probably their SOP or maybe something the the UAE requires.. not something I know of from here...

 

When you say you are returning home for good - do you mean Scotland/UK?

 

I may go back for good.. I have not made my mind up yet.. I do have a return with Emirates.. But yes Scotland UK.. I have no family in Queensland.. Split up...

.not decided yet..

You need to read this

 

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia

Thank you so yes I read this.. I have citizenship.. But due to a mix up regarding my pension.. I am returning home for good.. But not in October as things are still very complicated there. I had notification from Emirates with a lot of requirements including testing. Compulsory Covid insurance.. Is there such a thing and if so.. H

I don't know and haven't heard of any special permit required for international travel to the UK. Best to contact the British consular services/embassy for details, It may be a requirement for stopover destinations.. will have to check with the airline or those countries' consular services.

 

There is a legal requirement to self-isolate - you will have to tell the Border Force/immigration where you are self isolating and they may do spot checks (my guess is they won't). This will be a good read: Just as Air Travel Is Picking Up, U.K. Imposes a Quarantine

 

My guess is most people will ignore it as the chances of a spot check will be low and even if they get issued a £1,000 fine, who is going to make them pay it?

 

By the time you arrive, the self isolation requirement would likely my removed anyway, but even so, airlines are suing the government over it: Airlines Challenge U.K.’s Quarantine to Boost Travel Market

 

BTW - many happy returns to your mum...

Thank you so much for you reply

.

I am so hoping to fly to Edinburgh in October.. I have my flights with Emirates in credit.. However I am told I have to have a special permit .my reason being mum will be 100 in Nov.. I know I have to isolate when I arrive. But how does this work? Anyone?

Question

 

Just looking at the lets say older members here (which I am one) - do you intend to fly or stay away.

 

What are the local flying schools doing? Are they still operating as normal.

I too am one of the older members..I had booked a flight with Emirates to Edinburgh and back to Brisbane.on the 21st May.. To return here in 6weeks.. That's if I decide to stay here after my split up.. I booked through flight Centre.

I have a credit note but it must be used by November or I lose it.. So I must rebook before then.. The problem is.. What if it's no better by say October.. I wish I had s crystal ball.. Stay safe.. I

Important Notice - This site and COVID 19

It may sound silly but this great site, and the ClearProp Pilot Supplies shop, has what you could say been infected by the Coronavirus and thus many drastic steps must be taken. The easy thing is to just close the site, but I would like to take this opportunity to get your all-important feedback on the issues that this site is now and about to experience. COVID 19 is effecting the site's existence in a form of accumulated risk i.e. the Swiss Cheese risk model

 

The important thing to remember is that we will most likely feel the effects of COVID 19 for the next 1.5 years

 

What we know today and assume of tomorrow

The Australian Government has closed its doors and many people will be working from home. Internet services have been strengthened by the major carriers which is a good thing for the site. The Australian dollar has been falling faster than an engine failure on take-off with it today now close to 56c. All reports are saying that the dollar will go below the 50c mark. Unemployment is increasing and that we need to be prepared for a worldwide recession which could last till the end of next year...that's for over 1.5 years from today.

 

Aviation

We all know through the media that commercial aviation is severely impacted by the virus but what is not being said in the media is that recreational aviation is hit just as bad. That's probably because it is, after all, a recreational activity and not newsworthy but what about the people in it, the industry. Stimulus packages are released for people to spend more but the retirees, the bulk of those that make up our industry and fuels the existence of our industry which also includes commercial concerns, what about them? Interest rates are also dropping faster than an EFTO so how can retirees afford to continue to fly? How can they afford to even buy Pilot Supplies when they don't have any surplus money and because of the dollar prices are going through the roof? Those commercial concerns such as Pilot Supplies stores will struggle, flying schools will struggle and pilots will be forced to sell their aircraft because of hangarage, maintenance and parts costs and these aircraft will be sold for a lot less than their real worth.

 

The end results

I know all of the above spells doom and gloom and even my daughter came to me yesterday and simply said "The sky is falling Dad" (Chicken Little) which in knowing my daughter I can say that even at 22 years of age, she is extremely concerned.

 

BUT, we will all come through this...WE WILL, there is no question about it. Things will be different, but we will come out the other end. What we do today will determine how we will come out the other end.

 

Recreational Flying (.com) is now infected by COVID 19

Recreational Flying (.com) and ClearProp (.com.au) can no longer continue as it is due to the effects of COVID 19 so one would say that the site is now infected and requires immediate intervention. As you continue to read I would like you to always consider that one option is to close down because even though I could do everything I could to save it, it may still result in its closure at an even greater cost trying to save it.

 

For around 18 years I have put my heart and soul into this site, everything that I have, everything that I am and yes I have made some absolutely bad decisions over those years, decisions that I so deeply regret and cannot apologise enough for but also I have made some good decisions that has helped many recreational aviators to learn more in flying safer, better and more proper maintenance of their aircraft and greatly improved the flying skills of so many. I take solace in knowing that there are many mum and dad recreational aviators out there that are alive today because of something they have gained from interactions with other recreational aviators right here on Recreational Flying. In fact there are probably many that don't even know that this great resource has helped keep them safe over its 18 years because they have learnt something which has changed something, even a very small thing that they unknowingly changed, that could have resulted in a completely different outcome for them years later.

 

However, I am 60 years old now and have been unemployed for almost a year now. In my line of work (Project, Program and PMO Management), the opportunities are now far and few even though I have 40 years of experience. In fact I have seen young people with far less experience cost organisations millions of dollars in mistakes that an experienced person, who probably made the same mistakes many years ago, would know not to do because of that experience, you can't buy experience but it can save you everything...but I digress. To put it simply, I no longer have the money to keep the site going through these turbulent COVID 19 times. In fact, I only have enough spare cash for 2 more house payments and with the unemployment rate expected to rise to at least 10% the chances of that changing are minimal.

 

The site is hosted on a dedicated server in Los Angeles. The cost for just the server is $150USD. A payment is due today and at around only 56c exchange rate that has now leaped to $270AUD. This will most probably increase further and future costs will pass $300AUD a month and beyond.

 

The server is extremely optimised for performance in its specs and configuration to not only Australian users but for the whole world. An option is to bring the hosting back to Australia. A server of the same specs would cost around $350AUD a month so the server would have to be of much lower specs at a cost of about $225 a month but with less performance. This will also need a one-off cost of around $200AUD for its configuration OR $400AUD to configure the server to get its best performance. The result is an initial one-off high cost, a lower performing server, targeting mostly to just Australian users but still a high cost through these times.

 

Small development and enhancements to the site I do however any extra development can only be done by overseas resources. This means that the site cannot be developed further as for not only the initial cost, but the exchange rate would make it completely cost prohibitive. So, the site could only be maintained as it is now and nothing new or provide more to try and entice an increase in its userbase to help others. The site will continue to decline due to the virus and the site's capability to provide a great environment to help all recreational aviators. The impact of the virus will see less newcomers to the industry plus many existing recreational aviators leaving the industry.

 

ClearProp will decline rapidly as the cost of aviation products will sharply increase. The increase of prices with less potential customers will also severely impact the small contribution Clear Prop makes to assist in the costs of providing Recreational Flying (.com). The management of prices due to the exchange rate variations will make it extremely hard to manage accurate price listings as ClearProp prides itself of providing products to recreational aviators with such small margins. A product with say a $5 margin would become a loss in just over night. So ClearProp is not viable in its current form.

 

Donations from First Class Members have also helped towards site costs however not only will that number of donations decrease but the real value of the donation decreases as well especially to any overseas costs like hosting, software licensing fees, maintenance fees etc due to exchange rates.

 

So...

There is a lot more to consider than what I have listed here but I liken it to a person getting infected by COVID 19, the medical help that is needed to try and overcome the impacts of the virus on that person and the chance that the intervention that is undertaken may still result in a deadly outcome. The impacts on the site are very infectious as a negative impact on just one component of the site can rapidly spread throughout the site resulting in many negatively infected areas.

 

Do we close the site and go to Facebook...it's free but extremely limited?

 

Do we go on a drive for funds...financial donations will only provide a short term solution but will not be sustainable for the long term and most importantly, when I started the site all those years ago I said it will not cost anyone anything, what kind of person would you be if you charged a friend to help them, we are all friends in our common interest of recreational flying?

 

Do we close the site and come back another day...maybe?

 

Do we try and sell the site...wouldn't get much, if anything and kind of site would it end up and what could happen to the overall reason why I started the site, this great resource all those years ago?

 

What could we do with ClearProp...make it email only on current price, list prices as "cost" + $5 as an example i.e. the cost (obtained by email) plus a stated margin value...just a thought?

 

Do we think outside the box...are there any weird or completely out of this world ideas that just may be an answer worth trying?

 

Please...come on...your thoughts and ideas, however strange they may be, on how this great resource can beat its COVID 19 infection...TODAY

 

(please this is so important that we MUST stay on topic)

 

I too have been affected. I was meant to be flying with Emirates on the 21st May.to Edinburgh . It's been cancelled.. So I'm in limbo too.. I hope you can keep the site going.. Unfortunately the only radical solution could be self isolation for 2weeks.. But that's not viable.. Just keep washing your hands with soap .keep your distance. And I think we'll weather the storm.. Fingers crossed for a cure. Stay safe everyone..

Welcome onetrack..I too am enthusiastic about the aviation.. I used to be Moderater on an American site called flightlevel350.com.but it folded . However I learnt so much about planes from a passenger's point of view.

I was watching it live , as we were battening down the hatches here too . We had 200mm of rain and 47kts yesterday . Not a good flying day all round it seems . That presenter on the video gets carried away a bit hey . Money to be made on Youtube apparently. Here’s aerkid

Thanks for that Yampy.. I'm glad I wasn't on that flight..

I'm so sorry to hear they found wreckage but no bodies yet.. Thanks for informing me.. 

 

 

I am so sorry to hear about this and send my sincere condolences to all the families and friends... I watch the planes take off from Caloundra whether they are for pleasure or training or sky diving or aerobatics. I enjoy seeing them fly over the Passage.. I'm not a pilot although I have enjoyed a few fights when I was in Scotland at Cumbernauld.. To cure me of my fear of flying in the passenger planes.. It did the trick.. 

 

 

Thanks so much for you very kind comments David.. Aye it was just so worthwhile doing. No idea where to next.. I would like to fly to Cairns as I am curious to see what it looks like. Got to start saving again.. LOL.!

 

 

Ok here we go. At long last I have everything all ready. it took an age to upload my videos on youtube. Hope you enjoy them.

 

Date 13th August -15th August 2010. Flights. Maroochydore to Sydney and back.

 

Departure time from Maroochydore Airport 10.50 am.

 

Airline. Jetstar.

 

Aircraft. Airbus A320-232.

 

Flight number.JQ783.

 

Reg.VH-VQM.

 

Checked in at 8.55am.

 

Boarding gate No 4.

 

Boarded at 10 35 am.

 

The security alarm went off as I passed through the gate. I was told to take my shoes off. I did and again went through with no problem. I had glittery stones in them.. but does the alarm go off randomly?

 

Then I was asked if I would agree to having my bag and clothing swabbed ( do I look guilty I ask myself). anyway not a problem I told the Security Guy. No need to look at the card.

 

Then we boarded.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebi...haug2010005.jpg

 

This was the view from my seat.

 

Seat No.19A. a window seat. Perfect!.

 

Captain ?? Weeks I think and F/O Steven Anderson.

 

The plane was half empty, or it that half full, anyway the next part are the videos of the take off. Please note it was not me screaming .. lol..

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7h97ive6IM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7h97ive6IM[/ame]

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yNPi-ol63U&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yNPi-ol63U...feature=related[/ame]

 

This was taken as we approached Sydney.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYsCHQwJxOw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYsCHQwJxOw[/ame]

 

THis was stunning.. North Stradebroke and South Stradebroke Island.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebi...haug2010009.jpg

 

This is North Stradebroke Island

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebi...haug2010008.jpg

 

This is the landing into Sydney Airport (which had outstanding views from above.)

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE5hqML0DE&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE5hqML0DE...feature=related[/ame]

 

We flew at about 26,000 to 38,000 feet with no bumps apart from our descent into Sydney where there was a few clouds but nothing significant.

 

This is one of the best videos I have done.

 

If you blink you miss this one ..

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA-TOgFqUNg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA-TOgFqUNg[/ame]

 

This one was even shorter.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIKyv_2ZGbo&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIKyv_2ZGbo...feature=related[/ame]

 

Yup we have arrived.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaZhPZ4G49U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaZhPZ4G49U[/ame]

 

This is now us on our way back from Sydney on the 15th August.

 

Again an A320 Airbus.

 

We were checked in at the hotel but still had to book our cases in at No 32 at 4.30 pm.

 

Note no ID was asked for, which we thought a bit odd.

 

Flight No. JQ790.

 

Reg.VH-VQX.

 

Departure Gate No. 57.

 

The funny thing was that Andrew was then stopped and swabbed. I noticed the guy had a list and was ticking them off. Maybe he had to stop a certain amount of folk.

 

Boarded at 5.20pm.

 

Captain Mike Canavan.

 

Take off time was 5.40 pm.

 

Seat No .23E. Again a window seat but by this time it was getting darker and darker.

 

Take off was at 5.55pm.

 

This was partly caused by so many folk having hand luggage due to the fact that they would have been charged an extra $10 for a case. The overhead lockers were becoming full and some folk with small hand luggage had to stow it under their front seat.

 

Height was about 25,000 feet.

 

Our plane

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebi...haug2010015.jpg

 

Not a great shot as the windows were flithy and the sun was in the wrong place.. ha ha .

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebi...haug2010063.jpg

 

Getting ready for take off.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJV5ttIPzg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJV5ttIPzg[/ame]

 

The take off.. dark.. but lovely..

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShXilB7pHA&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShXilB7pHA...feature=related[/ame]

 

The landing .

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S524x-ji2no&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S524x-ji2no...feature=related[/ame]

 

We landed at 7.15pm so made up the time. Excellent flight and great airline . Well done Jet Star.

 

 

Flight to and from Longreach

 

Ok here goes..

 

Flight from Brisbane to Longreach .

 

Date 24th October.

 

Flight no. QF2532.

 

Check in time was 5. 25 am. we checked in at the machine.

 

My seat No was 16 D. (a window seat) but as there are only two seats in the Dash8 and as there were two of us I was guaranteed a window seat.

 

We boarded at 6.54 am. Take off was due at 6.55am.

 

We took off at 7. am.

 

Plane reg VH-QOT.

 

Captain David Harrrison announced we would be flying at 24,000 feet and our estimated time of arrival would be five minutes to nine.

 

The one complaint I had was that the safety announcement was so quiet. They had forgotten to turn the volume up and only at the last part did they realise that it was not loud at all.

 

A good flight though and brilliant take off. The cabin crew were very pleasant. We had a snack as it is only two hours flight consisting of muesli and yoghurt, orange juice and sesame seed bar ( I found too sickly) and the usual tea or coffee ( which is not great).

 

Our landing was a bit wiggly though. Possibly due to the wind.

 

We went on the wing walk on the Boeing 747-200. It was not at all scary and perfectly safe as you have a harness attached to you and you walk along the wing attached to a wire, and the mats prevent you from slipping.

 

This is the link to my photobucket where all the photos are now in there including the one I took of the wing we walked on.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebird121/flighttoLongreachfromBrisbane24t-26.jpg

 

Please also feel free to look at all the other vids and photos I took.

 

Also a Video on Youtube

 

[nomedia=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAuK5fRJ_XM][/sIZ"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/nomedia]

 

It was quite an experience looking through all of the 747-200. We even climbed into the cargo hold. The wing walk was funny though as I never had shorts on and having to fix a harness with a skirt on is quite another matter. It was not at all scary and they had rubber mats so you could not fall off but Health and Safety demand that you are attached to this wire rope.

 

One thing though was a bit of a mystery. The Boeing 707. For some odd reason we were not allowed to film inside her nor ask who owns her nor ask how much she cost. All we know is that it was some one from Saudi Arabia bought her.

 

The interior though was amazing! all solid wood and chairs you could really sink into. The bedroom was like a hotel complete with onsuite. It was fitted out for business people (including the opulent cocktail cabinet, but Saudis do not drink.. do they?)

 

They had three television sets ( like the ones at home) and table lamps with crystal bases. Screwed onto the table for security and during flight.

 

So if anyone knows the story behind this please share it with us.

 

That night though we went for a river cruise down the Thompson River on a paddle boat. Very relaxing with some snacks provided by the crew.

 

When we berthed we were treated to a campfire and stories and poems and songs along with food like Irish stew, damper with syrup. Apple pie and cream as well as tea straight from the billy can and it was really nice.

 

The next day we went to the Powerhouse museum and the Stockman's hall of fame. Very interesting also. I just wish we had more time but our plane was leaving at 4. 10 pm..

 

We booked in at the airport and gosh it is tiny. No refreshments, just a water tap!!. Nothing to eat. No security either. Just the one door for incoming and outgoing flights.

 

This is the details of our flight back.

 

Flight no. QF 2535.

 

Checked in at 2.45 pm.

 

Seat No 13B.. (we swapped so I could be next to the window).

 

Plane reg no the same one as we came on.

 

I videoed the plane landing, so hopefully you will be able to see it.

 

We boarded at 4. 05 pm .

 

Take off time was 4. 20 pm.

 

Captain Ron Atkinson announced that we the seat belt signs will stay on a bit longer as a bit of turbulence plus maybe a thunderstorm at Brisbane. Luckily this did not materialise.

 

We again had a snack of nuts, water and a chocolate. Also you could have a glass of red or white wine this time. I chose red.

 

The flight was uneventful and I took some photos of the ground below. We flew at between 21,000-25,000 feet.

 

The estimated time of arrival was 6.05pm. We landed on that time. My ears were a bit sore but no as bad as the Glasgow flight.

 

I hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed the whole weekend.

 

__________________

 

i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/bluebird121/DSCF0023_cut.jpg[/img

 

I hope you enjoy this report as much as I enjoyed the flights and the whole experience at the home of Qantas..

 

 

I so wanted a pet rabbit .They make fantastic pets. but as I live in Queensland.. They are not allowed except for educational purposes and medical research. and you have to buy a licence.. That would not bother me but I wish they would change the laws so that we all have to buy licences to keep rabbits..that way only responsible folk will keep them.

 

I may add that I had gerbils in the UK. I had to give them away and it broke my heart..again not allowed here either.

 

 

we will all miss ya bluebird. Come back and visit and don't forget the site :p

Yes of course I will visit this site Robbo..:biggrin:. I am going for 2 weeks in March but still no idea what will happen in June yet.

 

 

Thanks Steve R.. A good plan.. Maybe just too near to our long flight though.

 

 

Hi there Jim.. A big welcome from me too. I had Avalon on my diary but like I said in another thread I thought it was in February. My partner and I are flying to the UK for two weeks on the 18th of March so we are not going to make it. Does anyone have news of any other airshows quite near to the Sunshine Coast?

 

 

I have no idea why I thought it was in February but Woop and I had intended going . but as we are flying to the Uk on the 18th of March that is going to be a no go.. I may check up on the local airshows though and see what is on. och. drat..

 

 

I Love the Christmas touches to your site. I have been busy so have not posted for ages but anyway talking of Santa.. I would like to WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2009..

 

 

Em Looks like there will be a queue of folk with tents..lol..but on the serious side, nearer the time we will have a look and see what there is ..

 

 

Hi there Osprey5. A very warm welcome from me too. Enjoy posting in here.