KRviator

@MattP I did yes, I briefly spoke to the owner a few months back, and again, he's not going to sell it for a dollar less than $100K even though the broker has listed it at $99K. No documents or logs are available to be sent electronically, they're held with the LAME, in Tocumwal, IIRC - so I called him and had an....interesting....discussion. Apparently he is quite reluctant to send any documents or really assist in anything like that as he's "been in strife" for putting people off the plane somehow. He wouldn't clarify how he's managed to do that, but shortly after that discussion I had my Covid booster and the following day wound up in hospital for 3 days and off flying for a few weeks so didn't do any more follow-ups after that. If everything checked out, it would probably be a good plane, but there's enough red flags raised so far that I've moved on now. If the broker and owner aren't going to so much as lift a finger to help a potential buyer, then go straight to the next one, IMHO. If your mate is still interested, impress on him something doesn't sit well with me about it, or she'd be in my hangar already. I can't explain what it is, but there's something there. The lack of assistance (trying to hide something maybe?), the near total lack of communication (Not really for sale?), the LAME 'getting in strife' for putting people off the plane, or just general disinterest, I dunno, but my spidey senses were tingling. By contrast, when I do find my next plane and list my RV, the attached PDF (Haven't fully finished it yet) will be online or emailed to anyone who wants it to help them decide. It doesn't take long to do up something similar, but if you want to sell your plane and are asking 6 figures or more, for fuxake put a bit of effort in. Let us know how your mate goes anyway. It's a shame as she does look in good nick from the photos, but what's in the logs, or more importantly, isn't in the logs, might tell a different story... Version 1 PDF.pdf

All I can think about is at 7:50 taxiing over the cane railway and emulating Ansett and their DC-3 by running into the side of a train! Tell you what though, as a train driver I'd love to be based there looks to be a gorgeous spot. And those cane trains are kinda cute compared to what I normally work.

But can't you see they have prevented a terrorist attack with the ASIC! No one has flown a plane into a building in Australia since the ASIC was introduced. The ASIC works! Of course, we'll leave aside the fact that more people die on our roads every Christmas holiday period than have been killed by terrorists in Australia since Federation, and as a nation we're willing, indeed happy to accept 30-40 odd deaths each Christmas and over 1,000 every year for the convenience of the motor car.

Yep, I was going to link to that one too.

Taking a leaf from the C182 POH "If it fits, it flies" I'm getting ready early, as I'm away in the Democratic Peoples Republic of McGowanland in the lead-up to Raglan (for the first time in 11 months, mind you 🤬), by test packing now before I get home from my swing and run out of time. So, in the back of the RV we now have: One folding camp table Two full-size swags Two folding camp chairs Two adult sleeping bags One bag of tie-down gear One fly-away kit One (normally fitted anyway) first aid kit Two umbrellas One head lamp QTY Cyalume sticks and; Books for Mini-Me to read enroute To still go on top are 2 pillows Soft overnight bag My normal flight bag 2 hats & sun cream Probably more as I think of it.

Raglam (aka "The Old Station Fly-in") is a must-do on any aviators calender. I've not been, but have wanted to go for several years and with Covid cancelling it last year and the death of one of their founders the year before, IIRC, this is the first time in 3 or so years it's been back on. Basically it's a huge drive- and fly-in for anything that can fly, on-field camping or under wing camping is encouraged, licenced bar, organised entertainment at night, truck & vintage car displays, all in all a great weekend - and all you pay for entry is $25 per plane! Their website. And for the more youthful members, their Facebook page. The below image courtesy of the Old Station flying club gives a bit of an idea as to how many people and planes you can expect.

I built my RV-9A and the kit quality was of a standard there were precisely three calls back to the mothership asking for advice. One was where I was having a blond moment and had my mental image of the assembly 180* out, the other was where I (had another blond moment and) drilled the canopy screwholes one size too big and wanted to confirm it'd be fine (it was), and the third was seeking the ok for a reinforcing plate over a rudder mount that I'd stuffed up, from memory. The -9A would handle the 760Kg MTOW without an issue, with mine now weighing 472Kg fully equipped with dual EFIS, ADS-B, dual axis AP etc etc...That gives full fuel (135L), two x 85Kg adults and 22Kg of baggage and the legs to fly a full 4.5 hours at 140KTAS with reserves intact. IF you even think you want an RV, put a deposit down now, as the Vans lead time is 10 months for most model tail kits, 12 months for the slow-build kits and out to more than 18 months for QB kits! FWIW, I worked out how much it'd cost to build my -9 "as I did" a few months ago. Even before the "covid tax" that hit shipping and the like, the replacement cost was $195,000. IF you plan to build, do what I did. Don't even think about the $$$, just keep spending them until you're ready to fly and then work out how much it cost. It's less painful that way!

@Paul WGreat write-up, and pretty much mirrors my commentary at PPRune. I would really like to go to Birdsville with the KRviatrix as a "one of those things you've gotta do" type events, but theres buckleys chance if I'm going to be stung $200 in landing fees, a carton of beer in parkin fees, and still have to hump our gear a mile or so to the riverside camping area and then have to pay to get in to the event itself or for other thigns there. I'd rather go to Raglan where they (almost) frown upon aviators who don't camp under their wing! And you're with a hundred or more other fliers who are actively welcomed to the event. I'm counting down the days till it's on again this year so Mini-Me (2) and I can take the RV up for our first time. We (tried) to get a deal on a lightweight tent at the Rosehill camping show yesterday (without success) so am going to resort to mail-order...I think I could squeeze our swags in the RV so that's the other option.

Because why use the term ASIC or AVID or even "valid" when "security designated authorisation" and "aviation security status check" will do? Fuck me. PF wins the choccy frog though, there's the reference I couldn't find. Well done.

But when you actually look at the regulations, I can find no mention of an AVID...And the ASIC requirement is all geared towards security controlled airports, etc as you would expect. Probably another example of what CAsA thinks the rules say, and what they actually say...

That's for the initial issue of a licence. You do not have to keep your ASIC or AVID current, IIRC. But nonetheless, I've never held an AVID and my ASIC has long since expired.

Just be aware that some council's (and presumably other airport operators too) will charge you for the pleasure of having their already-on-the-clock ARO escort you from your Cub to the gate & back again. Dubbo for example is $140/hour or $260/hour if outside business hours. Broken Hill is $124/247 / hour, Albury is $115 day or night. I wouldn't put it past them to try the "billed in hourly blocks" rubbish too, so your 60 second "escort" is billed for 60 minutes!

Let's face it, no one who is not mentally ill is going to try to hijack an airliner in Australia to make a political statement, or kill a hundred people. There's far easier ways of doing it, like taking a suitcase of stuff that goes bang onto a Sydney train and setting it off in the underground. No security checks, passengers (usually, pre-covid) packed in like sardines, a nice tight tunnel to maximise the force of the explosion etc etc. Or doing the "truck through a crowd" thing as in Europe. IF you wanted to bring down an airliner, you aren't going to go through security, just pinch a Mooney or KingAir from a regional airport and fly it into a departing 747/A380 departing 34L in Sydney. 200T of fuel, 200 passengers all coming down on a residential area - and not an x-ray machine or ASIC in sight. NOTE FOR ASIO: I ain't planning on any of the above (so don't send TOU to my place, please!) - just highlighting the stupidity of the current system where if a law-abiding citizen can come up with the above with only a few seconds thought, what can someone who is actually intent on doing harm come up with, with months to plan it....

Then there was the writeup in Ed 99 about the ASIC too, but failed to mention that so long as you avoid the traffic period for an RPT airport, you don't need an ASIC. If you can't do that, you get the ARO to escort you, or simply feign ignorance. One thing military life taught me is It is better to ask forgiveness than for permission... I'd be interested to know how many weekend warriors have flown into an RPT airport and actually been asked to display their ASIC.

I "should" be there, with Mini-Me Mk2. Hopefully camping under-wing, but depends on several non-flying factors lining up too.

SOLD! For $237,500 AUD - which, after the 7.5% fee plus GST means someone has just paid $281,000 for an unairworthy Cirrus! Fuggen'ell. Personally, I'd prefer something like this Mooney Ovation that you can pickup for under $200K, and have another $100K to install a full Dynon/Garmin EFIS suite in. Each to their own I guess, but good luck and congratulations to the high bidder. I hope they enjoy their new toy!

$148K, with an hour to run. Someone obviously sees more in it that I do! Or can get cheap Cirrus parts...😆

I'll pay that! But I'm still along ways off my 80's - hence why I thought I'd bid on it. 😆 She's over the ton now and still going up. The KRviatrix isn't too keen on me bidding again on something I didn't get a chance to physically inspect - again, due to RB Auction's failure to call me back to organise a time with the owner. But meh. I'd still prefer a tip-tanked Comanche or Deb over a Cirrus, the only thing they have going for them is the 'chute for SE NVFR or IMC. IMHO, their "all electric" architecture is a limiting feature as it means you can't install a G3X or Dynon EFIS in them without an EO, there's no Cirrus on the AML for either of those STC's.

In the 80's now and getting close to my maximum limit - but I've no doubt it'll skyrocket as it gets closer to hammer time. Auctions like this always do. Incidentally, I had an "interesting" call from some manager at RB Auctions yesterday. Apparently the owner saw a comment I had made on the RB Auctions FB page - they've now removed it in what I consider an underhanded attempt to hide just what needs doing, but it's their page and their measure of integrity I guess - regarding just how much work is going to be involved in getting it airworthy as well as the cost of doing so and wasn't very pleased about them. As I said to the manager-type "I'm not the one who left a quarter-million-dollar airplane rot for 8 years! The logs are what they are, you can't fudge what needs doing, this isn't a Holden Commodore where you can ignore the service recommendations, the logbook statement means the maintenance requirements are set in stone and must be complied with, and to do that in the current environment is likely to be extraordinarily expensive. And given you've not published the latest MR, there could well be more that needs to be done!" Apparently I've also been "Talking to another bidder" about the plane too that they're not happy with (mind you, I haven't - nor do I know anyone else who's even likely to bid on it!) unless someone here on RF is also bidding on it, but meh. My comments aren't meant to try to drive the final price down, though they may well do so, but they are meant to highlight to a reader that you are not simply going to be paying your $$ and flying away without some serious work and that 'work' is likely to be very expensive. If you have a problem with that kind of mindset....

Over $50K with a bit under 3 days to go. I think I'll pass...

True, parachute is good for another few months, but everything else? If she sells for $200, that's still $235K after fees, plus parachute and outstanding maintenance items. You'd be better off buying a more expensive, albeit flying and current Cirrus, at least then you're starting with a known standard. The logbook statement for this one says "IAW Cirrus maintenance manual" so those things that are life-limited (brake lines, alternators, etc) can't be deferred or done 'on condition' as Schedule 5 might allow. Or can they? My memory of the MPC is if you specify a system of maintenance, (ie the Cirrus MM) and that has time limits, then that's what you go by 'till death do us part' - but I ain't a LAME...

As I'm just down the road and need a 4-seater, I called the agent about this one. He said the owner is hoping to get $200K in his sky-rocket (!), which, after factoring in GST and agents fees, means this particular Cirrus will need to achieve a sale price of at least $235,000! The agent actually asked me what I thought and I told him without knowing the maintenance (at that time, they didn't have the logs), and assuming worse case everything, $100-125K. Turns out I wasn't far wrong when I assumed the worst!! If you have a look at the maintenance paperwork that they've published, she hasn't flown since 2014! The last annual was around September that year, IIRC. The parachute ($40K), rocket, linecutters ($3-5K), both alternators, prop ($10-15K), engine hoses, control cables, brake lines, and a swag other gear needs overhaul or replacement too - and we haven't even considered how the engine is, after sitting for 8 years uninhibited - I don't even want to think what an IO-360 overhaul is these days! Pretty much everything is out of time. I would be genuinely surprised if you could get her "officially" airworthy again for less than $100K! Not to mention the delay associated with doing so... Given 2002/3 vintage SR22's have been going for the $250-280 range - and they've all been airworthy with decent, if not "good" component times, I reckon the agent's been led up the garden path and the owner is nuts to even think he'll get close to that. She's - at most - a $125,000 bird and anyone who bids above that is as nutty as the owner, IMHO. And that's assuming a LAME will sign off on a SFP to get her out of there...

Careful about using just the CASR low-flying rules though. CAO95.55, 95.10 and others have specific prohibitions about flying over populous areas. Even though the CASR imply a 1000' hard-deck, that does apply to RAAus but also requires you to be able to be able to glide clear of the populous area. That may mean you are required to fly above that 1,000AGL limit in order to comply with the CAO. Takeoff's and landings excluded, obviously...

Agreed, KG. Anything that 1 - wasn't powered when it went under, and 2 - is a 'basic' electrical item (fridges, fans, heaters, etc) will usually come good once you've hosed it off and out with clean water and blow-dried it. The worst that can happen is you waste 30 minutes trying to rescue the item, but that could turn into an hour saved by not having to go into Harvey Noman -- to buy a new one, even if you get the insurance cheque ..

That's (Sadly) believable. But in an unbelievable twist, I ordered a 'Candoo programmer' last week (it's like a car's OBD reader but for jetskis & boats) in its' 3kg briefcase-sized Pelican case from Tampa, Florida. Shipping to NSW was just $35USD and took precisely one week! I had it in the hangar only an hour or two short of 7 days since I ordered it online. I thought for sure there'd be extras or their website was wrong, but nope. Just $35 shipping and it arrived on Tuesday morning. Then again, try ordering an A4 padded envelope of knickknacks from Spruce or Vans and you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise! To ship, for example, 125 AN365 nuts (50 -832, 50 10-32 and 25 624) from California using Fedex International Economy(the same shipping method my Candoo used) will be $236 USD! For 125 small nuts in a padded envelope! Even reducing it to just one nut it is still $236USD. WTF?!?