KRviator

Good point @Yenn - I was thinking about just what OpLims the AP would have mandated. Even if it is just PVT VFR or PVT IFR that'd suit me as I can do my twin training in it and fly the family. There's no interest in charter or having her online at a school. The other thing I was thinking was whether she'd have the CAR 262 approval for "flight over built up areas", though with two type-certified engines I can't see why she wouldn't have it...

So in my ongoing search for a suitable 4-seater, I came across this a few days ago on PlaneSales... Now, VH-EBT (apart from being a 747 in years gone by) does show as "Amateur built" on the CAsA register, with (presumably) an "Experimental" CoA to go with it. Given the SAAA is pretty clear on shenanigans such as this (thou shall not do it, kinda thing) - and someone has taken CAsA to the AAT before about trying this on (and lost) can someone perhaps educate me just how this particular Aztec has been issued an Experimental-AB CoA? From what I can see online, she was originally registered in Seth Effika as ZU-BIY, so I'm guessing it was redone over there and then imported here under the category, but I'm truly at a loss as to how an AP could issue an Experimental (Amateur Built) CoA. Apart from the fuel flow (21GPH @ Econ Cruse / 155KTAS or 28L/100km compared to the RV's 10L/100km), I'm seriously interested in it, as I could maintain her myself and only require a Condition Inspection from a LAME, and she'll carry full fuel (144 USG) 4 adults, and their bags a longish way - but how many LAME's would sign off on such a bird is my question?!? And what would the chances be of "someone" in CAsA revoking the CoA and leaving you with a 5,000lb, twin engine paperweight?

Build it yourself, Experimental VH- or RAAus = Can maintain it yourself. Buy a Factory RAAus aircraft = Can maintain it yourself if not used for hire/reward Buy a second-hand RAAus aircraft = Can maintain it yourself if not used for hire/reward Buy a second-hand VH-Experimental = Must use LAME (Or original builder UNLESS you have previously built a "similar" aircraft - ie I built my RV-9A. I can sell it, and buy a second-hand RV-10, Sonex, or other metal Experimental and maintain it myself. I cannot buy a second-hand Long-Ez, Jabiru 430 or Velocity, nor anything with folding feet from memory) Buy a Factory (new or second-hand) VH-aircraft = Must use LAME Pretty sure for the avionics upgrade you mention, under RAAus because it is factory built, you ned to do the MARAP process - but I've since left RAAus so am not 100% on it. To modify a factory-built VH- aircraft you'll need a LAME to do it, either under an Engineering Order, or an STC.

My money's on space junk - but part of me wants to know just how dense that tiny bit of metal is that it punched through the roof and the ceiling and then took a chunk out of the tile floor too! Whatever it is must've been really moving!

RecFlyers: I saw on FB that Upper Hunter Council has their new Operational Plan out for public comment, which incorporates the landing (and other) fee structure for Scone Airport - Pages 323 & 324 have the airport fees... Tell you what, you wouldn't want to be going there for a weekend! ~$25 landing fee and around $75 in parking if you stayed for 48 hours with an average bug-smasher.. $100 before you've spent a dollar in town I think is pretty pi$$ poor. You might also care to note that Upper Hunter Council also provide - at no charge - 48 hours free camping for caravanners only a few minutes walk from the centre of town, complete with a dump point, for any Grey Nomads. Again, why is one lot of tourists actively supported with no-cost facilities yet others aren't? For anyone that wants to put their two bob in, either email [email protected] or go via snail-mail to: General Manager, PO Box 208, Scone NSW 2337. Here's what I'm submitting, so feel free to copy, paste and tweak it as required - but for fuxake please put something in to try to put a stop to these ongoing bloody fees. It only takes one Council to abolish landing fees for private fliers that'll in turn provide an example to others.

Ain't nothing wrong with a Prado. 😁 We had a 2020 200 Series Sahara with all the ARB gear and after a year of being thoroughly unimpressed with pretty much everything except its' torque & the traction control offroad, we pissed it off and got the KRviatrix a 2021 Prado VX. SSSoooooo much nicer to drive, is quieter, carries half the fuel of the 200 did but will go just as far, with the only downside being we lost 500Kg of towing capacity. And I can talk to the bloody infotainment system. That's something the sales rep never tells you about the 200 Series, bloody arseholes. Spend a hundred grand on a car and you can't talk to it.🤬 Though now I've been relegated to the Suzuki Swift for town runs!

@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....