bushpilot

So, Chaz (and welcome, BTW), what are you actually saying? That the newer PDAs can support and produce a similar result to dedicated aviation GPS devices? And, Ross, I'm sure many of us would be interested in your evaluation; sounds as tho u also know a bit about the alternative technologies... Cheers Chris

Hi David - The Zenith is a pretty neat looking a/c.. and quick - albeit a bit thirsty... Do you know if they can be RAA registered? (Looks as tho it may be heavy-ish...) Cheers, Chris

Hi Tony - Some really useful views here - Thanks. I hadn't thought of the 'bring it on themselves' issue, but u r right - a number of aviators that complain about negative attention actually actively seek attention... So laying low is a good suggestion. Pushing notions down people's throats will often illicit a negative reaction; so, as you say, let them come to you if they want to know more about flying... Cheers, Chris

Very clever, Captain, - thanks for the thought! I think I can put that into practice with some assistance from my real 'blue-heeler'; a red cattle dog in fact - and boy can he get nasty! Next time the aviation oriented quizzical looks or sniggering starts (I find it a bit hard to hide my strip and windsock...) I'll invite my visitor to go pat the nice doggy..... Cheers Chris

How do you deal with the sceptics - especially those close to you? With many years of involvement in aviation - gliders, GA, hang-gliders, trikes - I have often been confronted by family, friends and colleagues with lots of less than positive views and opinions on the value of flying. You can tell that they are often thinking something like... "Why leave the perfectly good terra-firma in something that will at some stage come back down a lot harder than the way it lifted off...?" And especially when we get news of another aviation accident - that seems to rate far higher in the newsworthy priority stakes than yet another fatal car accident. I find myself cringing as the news emerges, thinking first - "Poor buggers", then - "I need to know what caused it, for the learning", and finally - "I hope it's not in the same category as what I'm currently flying..", as that will always generate the question "Is that the same as what you fly?" - in something approaching an accusatory, or even an 'I told you so' tone. (Not from my wife - at least she understands..). I'm sure this is something that most of us have to deal with - so, again, how do you deal with the people around you when the news turns bad? Cheers Chris

That's a real useful document - Thanks! The indirect costs are often overlooked - but this appears to tell all... (Except for the cost of make-up restaurant costs and other bribes for the other half...;) ) Cheers Chris

I might be able to help on this one: I've flown GA in my earlier flying years - then hang-gliding, and now trikes. But I intend to make myself current on 3-axis again (RAA/LSA), and to keep on trikin' as well. So my view is that trikes are closest to 'real' flying - like a bird - but not as close as foot-launch hang gliding - so the fun factor is very high; and modern 3-axis is more practical in the sense of covering longish distances in comfort. Doing a bit of both is the optimum outcome for me...;) Cheers, Chris

Hey Scotty - That is very nice! Looks like you have done a precision job on the build too. View from that cockpit must be real good.. What is the configuration of the "glass" panel you have there? Cheers, Chris

Hi Scott, Would be great if you could post a pic or 2 of your Xair Hanuman, when u get a chance... Sounds like an interesting a/c! Cheers, Chris

For me it was great! Gave me a much better understanding of the basics of GPS. There are some other really good tutorials on that website also; and all free! http://www.aopa.org/asf/online_courses

Hi Dahl - Welcome to the forum. Do you have any pics you could post? Cheers, Chris

Doug - I think the Outback Tundra would be a great choice; as you say, lotsa options with the heavier duty config. and big tyres.. It loses a little in speed (extra drag), but getting up there - and down again - safely is more important than a couple of kts.. Good luck with the project, and let us know how your homework progresses.. Cheers Chris

No Tundra setup, Doug, just the standard Redback. But they are quite light, compared with other Airbornes, and the standard wheels are reasonably sized - both in diam. and width.. What trike do you think you will go for? Cheers, Chris

Welcome Doug... Those resolutions are very sound - and accord with mine, made some time ago! Finally got my trike and own strip. So just keep working on it - and if you need any advice along the way, you will find plenty of people on this forum who can and will help...;) Cheers Chris

Thanks Geoff - Yep, I had noted the better STOL performance of J170, however it seems they are not available as a factory built.. And I haven't seen any used 170s advertised - since I started looking... Cheers, Chris

Hi Darren ( I assume..), Great report! Thank you.. For those of us who are hungry for info on a shortlist of a/c that we are considering buying, this sort of feedback, from pilots who do not have an agenda, is invaluable. Re. the performance and fuel load - that is particularly relevant to me - as my strip is only 700m long and is at 770m ASL - and summers can be pretty warm.. But would not a simple solution be to only fill the wing tanks to say 60% capacity? (Unless heading off on an 7 hour flight). Others may care to comment on any issues with this approach - i.e. greater chance of condensation in tanks if rarely more than 60% full, etc.. Cheers Chris

I think you would be OK Paul.... As well as my trike and nano, I've had visits of Jabiru, Gazelle and Cessna 182.... and no-one complained,... at least not after the tea and scones..;) . But it is a grass strip that has cattle roaming over it... so is far from bitumen smooth... Feel free to try it sometime! Cheers Chris

Perry - I'm also looking fr a GPS.. The only disadvantage I can see with the Garmin 96C is the smallish screen size.... How do (did) you find it in your trike? Chris

Dave - Do you know the size of those 'tundra' wheels... They are a must on rougher strips.. like mine... Cheers Chris

Hey Perry - Would you be able to stick the book title and author on this thread? Txs Chris

Great tip thanks Perry! I have a paddock strip and have had just one flat - but one is one too many.. so will do as you suggest.. Same Q as Peter: What brand? Cheers Chris

Now there's a small problem: 2 Chris S's on this forum... ;-)

Hi Cali - Welcome from another triker... If you need any info - check the threads in the Trikes & Weightshift section of this forum - or post your own questions.. Ive found the forum really helpful, as a relatively new entrant to Rec. aviation.. Cheers Chris

Hi Tony - & welcome.. Brumby is one a/c I'm currently considering... as well as Jabiru. Your must be getting one of the first factory built(?).. Will be interesting to hear of your impressions on the whole purchase experience - quality of build, etc., after you take delivery.. How did you decide to go Brumby? What were the main features that attracted you away from the competition? Cheers Chris

Guys - The advice and comments in this topic has been extremely helpful to me; I'm currently doing the sums on Jabiru or similar, and tossing up between new and used.. I wonder if those of you who have gone through the same process could comment on these questions (Or anyone else who has some thoughts): 1. A lot of the used a/c being advertised have a heap of extras - which if factored into new price add some additional value.. But what are the most useful 'extras' - based on what you have experienced as an owner or hirer? e.g. quite a few have additional instruments. 2. What are the relevent questions to ask a seller - apart from the obvious Total Time, Engine Time, major repairs and accidents? 3. How do I determine the quality of the maintenance performed? Would appreciate any advice.... Cheers, Chris