bushpilot

Agreed. But what is not unreasonable to expect is timely and full reporting; some of these ASI's drag on for ever... and even when reported, you have to know where and when to go looking for the reports.. The RA-Aus should be bringing all relevant reports and outcomes (that they are made aware of) to members notice, in the interest of spreading the lessons that come from most accidents / incidents; not waiting for months after issuance of a report to add it to their website. So important is this aspect of our flying, that the RA-Aus, and other 2 and 3-axis representative bodies, could compile a group list of email addresses of their members - and send email notices announcing the release of each new report, together with a link to the report source. This should include GA reporting as well. I was a member of the HGFA for many years (and a Safety Officer for several) and found them to be quite proactive in encouraging incident reporting and publishing summaries of all A & I reports made available to them. In summary, the attempts to spread the knowledge to date mainly revolve around references in association and industry magazines - which means the usual delays in receipt, compilation and publishing. Now, with most people having access to the internet, accessibility and speed of dissemination can be far more effective, if used properly. Just my thoughts. Cheers

I haven't heard anything about this particular one; but as a triker I think I need to... I agree with all the comments here; full and timely information sharing on the circumstances - cause and affect - is critical to educating pilots in all categories.. Chris

Sam - I think it's a great idea! And I know it has been suggested already - but there are a lot of really good gliding strips around the country that dont require ASIC; and often have good facilities and are close to cities/towns. eg. Bathurst Soaring Club http://www.bathurstsoaring.org.au/ But, of course, they would have to be willing - and the best way to support any approaches would be to ensure that their club makes some good bucks out of hosting. Then it's a win-win. As for actual locations - seems to me Southern NSW / Northern Victoria makes sense.. (unless you are in WA or NT :confused: ) Cheers, Chris

Hi Jason - Building mine was pretty straight-forward: 1. Chose the site - facing the prevailing winds around here (NW) = $Nil 2. Measured out 700m X 6m = $Nil 3. Chopped some nearby trees (5) and ground up the stumps = $180 for grinding 4. Got local Council grader guy to call in at end of his shift = $200 for 2 hours of levelling (Cash only..) 5. Grass seed (low height varieties) = $85 6. Wait for decent rain = $Nil - but a long wait... 7. Mow strip each 6 weeks = $3 of diesel in tractor 8. Enjoy! Good luck with your search!

Hey Bob (I guess..) I was taught to pull in the bar to achieve about 38-40 kts; then to use a bit of throttle on final final; then round out at about 6' and hold off at 6" off the deck, then come off the throttle and let it settle. With this approach you get no PIO ('speed weave') and often you dont even feel the actual touch-down. I practice this by flying 50% of the length of the runway at 6" off the deck; it's fun and teaches precision.. Cheers Chris

Guys - Thanks very much for your guidance here... And, Yes, the example in Pilot magazine would also help! I have had a couple of PMs that will also help. So once I have our own resultant agreement together, I will post it, for reference by other interested parties.. Cheers Chris

Paul said: "I figured that coming from the Snowy Mtns I could cope with anything Melb chose to throw at me ... wrong, very wrong. I have never been so cold, even with spray jacket on, in all my memory...." I was there on the Thursday - and it was 35oC with a real mean Northerly happening.. and dust galore.. (Wind got even worse on Friday, but I was not there..). So good 'ole Melbourne was throwing up its usual mix of extremes - 4 seasons in 4 days... but without any semblence of a nice, calm Autumn day...

I am working with 2 others to put together a 3-way syndicate - to support a new J160. I'm wondering if anyone out there could give us a sample syndicate contract; or know where we might get one.. ? Would appreciate any help - as it's a bit pointless trying to reinvent what must have been done many times over... Cheers, Chris

Does anyone know (from past experience) if there is much set up on the Thursday? (The day before official opening?) A mate and I plan to fly up just for day (in his Cessna 182), but we can only get there on Thursday. Apparently there are forums for instructors that day - and my guess would be a lot of exhibitors would be setting up... Would appreciate feedback. Thanks Chris

Ian, Great to finally meet you out there on Thursday! I hadn't intended to even get to Avalon, but found myself in Melbourne on other business - and at 3pm decided to head out there to check out your booth. Was also good to meet the CT guys (and your Dad!) For others - I got the opportunity to have a real close look at Ian's CT, and have to say the features, fit and finish of that thing are superb.. The glass panel is impressive and all the minor controls clearly labelled and fall to hand. The cabin feels very spacious and provides good vision in all directions - out, down, up and rearwards. I have to say that I had always thought that CTs looked a bit like a bloated tadpole - in pictures; but see them in the flesh and 3D brings quite a different proportion: sleek, purposeful with real presence. A premium product. (And No - I'm not a recent buyer or agent...) Ian, can you give me the brand of your Italian made "portrait" mounted GPS? It looks the goods to me... and want to check it on the web. See you at Narromine!;) Cheers Chris

Gosh! That clip got the sweaty hands thing going - just watching it! A good lesson indeed. In my 3 axis GA days, I would regularly do hammer-head stalls for fun in a Piper Colt - but I tend to just putter around in the trike; no point pushing the envelope; but great fun nonetheless - just choofin around sniffin the flowers (from about 1,000')...

Was there any feedback from the observers on what caused the 'out of control spiral dive'? i.e. induced by deliberate maneuver that went wrong?

I'm happy with my plain 'old' 503 Redback... As basic as they come, but still fun flying. Has only 58 hours TT, but faultless so far.. Also, it seems that Redbacks do not depreciate much - with a low entry new price, and the reputation of the 503. (Electric start would be nice though....)

And me!!

Azhar, Dont know of any hanger as you describe it.. But mine is all steel and is 6m high (to fit the trike mast in) and 10m wide X 10m deep and was only $12,000 as a kit and extra $3,000 to have it erected (6 months ago). Let me know if you want more info and I will pm. Cheers Chris

Welcome Mark, My farm is on the way to Cowra (from Sydney) - so drop in sometime... Not that you would be flying from Sydney of course. I might enlist your help to find out the location of other trikers in the Mid-West... I have only met 2 to date... Cheers

Thanks for that Brent. So I guess the simplest check for non-GA aircraft is if it's RA-Aus 55 registered, its ok to train in...(?)

As for landings - I do circuits at 500' and turn final with enough height to glide to threshold in the event of engine failure. Then approach on just enough throttle to stay a bit above idle - on the assumption that this reduces the likelihood of a stall with a cooling engine; my security blanket I guess!

Can anyone tell me what registration restrictions apply for aircraft that are going to be used for student training - for a fee? I thought that only LSA registered 3-axis planes can be used for teaching 3-axis(?) i.e. not home builds or even factory assisted builds. If so, that becomes a consideration in selecting an aircraft to go on-line; and LSAs are generally more expensive - even when same type of aircraft. Cheers Chris

Hi Lance, Do you mean you go thermalling in the trike?! How do you find that? I understood it was not only hard work, compared to hang gliders, but also dangerous - with inverting a real risk(?) Also, trike airframes dont like too much neg. g...?? Cheers Chris

Hi Sam, Any idea why an active airport like Bathurst has no landing fees, yet Mudgee does..? Is it simply determined by the owners - whether they be Council or corporation or private? Cheers Chris

Hmmm - But what if it were 80o instead of 45o.. 80 X 1.5 = 120% - which doesn't make sense; so what am I missing?

This has always been a contentious issue / claim.... Someone out there might be able to clarify it(?) I figure there is no doubt that more people die in cars than planes - but how about when the absolute numbers are compared pro-rata. i.e. fatalities per 1,000 licenced drivers or pilots; or fatalities per 1,000 kilometres driven or flown; etc. ? (I wonder what numbers insurance companies look at in establishing their risk exposure in relation to life insurance).

Can someone please give me a summary of the main "in-service" differences between Garmin 296 and Garmin 196 (apart from the 296 being colour). There is $1,000 difference in the price - so is the 296 worth it? Txs Chris

Trixie - Might be worth asking the HGFA if they have him as a member.. Even if privacy rules dictate that they cannot give you his contacts, they may agree to pass your contacts on to him... http://www.hgfa.asn.au/ Just a thought. Good luck!