icebob

Hi Pud, Like the others said bin the lot, that "repair" is not to the required standard anyway, someone has used the 20/20 rule which only applies to flat stress areas, be it with the wrong type of rivet, ordinary "pop" rivets were used not aircraft grade,it would just add stress into a different area. Photos 1-3, I can see at least six reasons to bin them. Bob.

Hi Tomo, Spent my misbegotten youth on the NW coast(Ulverstone). If you have transport there is the Launceston zoo, the rescue of the Tassie devil there,Penny Royal, toward Devonport(W)-2 hours drive- chocolate factory, raspberry farm and S/W of Devonport the steam train museum. Further on an hour,Ulverstone jetty has the best fish and oysters on the coast at the fish and chip shop. Launceston has the gouge walk and a bucket of other things too and one of the best eating malls around, good fresh produce. This is just off the top of the head, there is a heap more but you may not have time. Bob.

Hi, I got an L2 to inspect just before the skin went on and a LAME just before test flying started, was all good. As i am just 3 hours from the ACT i intend with my next one to make an appointment with our Tech manager to do the inspections this time and get it all paid for and sorted in the one day(except test flights- but if he volunteers-well-?????). Bob.

Like it.

Hi, Maj, I would agree not the most well advised route however with out actually hearing from them we are all guessing. On this occasion they did make it out maybe they did have a beacon, there are a lot of what ifs here, we still do not know about, I know a couple of pilots from The Oaks that do not like carrying a mobile phone, could our two pilots be one or both of those? It does seem odd not to have SAR watch or make a radio call before "doing in". Bob.

Hi, I can see one reason for not activating the beacon, both were fit, fit enough to walk 50kms so that in it's self is not an emergency or critical situation, just a very long walk. Maybe there was no mobile phone coverage when they landed? Really a 50 klm walk at night would need local knowledge or at least a reasonable track/road to do it, I wonder is that what happened? Until we can get information from the pair we are just guessing? I for one I would be interested in the though processes of this pair. Bob.

Hi Deskpilot, Try going to www.silentflight.com, there is a calculator there that will give you a close weight for the load testing. There also was an article on the FAA web site for wing load testing. Bob.

Ken and Edna Ken and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year, And every year Ken would say, 'Edna, I'd like to ride in that helicopter' Edna always replied, 'I know Ken, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, And fifty bucks is fifty bucks' One year Ken and Edna went to the fair, And Ken said, 'Edna, I'm 75 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance' To this, Edna replied, "Ken that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks' The pilot overheard the couple and said, 'Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don't say a word I won't charge you a penny! But if you say one word it's fifty dollars.' Ken and Edna agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, But still not a word... When they landed, the pilot turned to Ken and said, 'By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!' Ken replied, 'Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Edna fell out, But you know, "Fifty bucks is fifty bucks!'

Hi Sam, bones is correct but be careful DS also sells the incorrect ferrites, you need the ones for vhf/uhf radios. Some are marked SP(correct ones) the others are marked S (INCORRECT). There are ones that clip on and you need to loop the wire through three or four turns and others that just clip over make sure you get all of the same type unless you use a remote GPS reciever then use the one you put the loops through. Have them all as close to the radio as you can. Bob.

Hi, I have used the grease method for a time now works well just re do it every so often. Bob.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]19892[/ATTACH] The photo is only one of a number I took that addresses the problem, am unable to insert the rest, maybe poor quality photos? You can see where the crack on the bend was welded up and then the bracket added. Bob.

Hi Bubbleboy, There are some TAFE that do elements of the AME course part time(maths, physics, basic electrical principles and others). Someone I worked with got his LAME that way. He did as many modules as he could part time at TAFE then applied for a trainee ship and eventually got one, got the hours up and got the LAME he now works in Dubai. Some of the Uni courses have modules that are on the open learning system so can be done at home(computer) - from memory Basic Aircraft Structures is one. Bob.

Hi Bluey, Have to agree with the Maj, incorrect assembly and/or stress. Was there support for the "can"? I have seen a number of motors with only one support for the muffler can, that is not enough need at least two if you can. The lugs are a known issue most of the time it is caused by over stressing due in part to poor alignment or weak springs that wear the hole in one spot. When you have everything re-assembled get someone to start up for you and look at the vibration and movement of your motor that will give you some idea of the actual movement of your motor, also have you checked the engine mounts are not getting soft too? Bob.

Hi Ian, Thanks for that, when it comes time to fit them now i know where to go AND save $20 bucks too. Bob.

Hi, The x-air agent on the Gold coast has snap vents for about $50 if that is any help? Bob.

Hi bluey, I had the same issue a while back, replaced the pipe and within 250 hours it happened again. Found out the location springs at the ball joint were of different "pull" or "load", causing an amount of vibration at the bend and striking a wire reinforced hose every so often, got new springs(and hose) and tested the pull of the new springs to get close to equal as possible, problem fixed. So if it happens again look at the springs. bob.

Well done Darky, see all those sleepless nights were worth it! Bob.

Hi, I set myself a programme for the year, I guess this comes from my military training. I use at least 20 hours per year on top of usual practice times. So each month I add some additional component to my programme. here is my latest Jan-Feb 6 stalls 4 engine outs on final. reduced elevator control. Mar-Apr. As above plus steep turns 10 L/R May-July. as above. DR Nav. 100 - 200 kms. Study met: + any section/chapter in xc book. CASA publications.

Must agree with Spin a great bit of kit, they can be set for instrument only display or a set of tones or voice. You can get exactly the same rate of decent +/- 20fpm all the time, the more expensive ones have better accuracy. Bob.

I would like to say thanks to so many of you for your understanding,concern and friendship, from the time of my stack to the recent fight with the BIG C, thank you all. Bob.

Hi JM, There was a place at Archerfield that did them but can not remember the name of the company sorry. Bob.

Hi, Have a look on the CASA web site they made a statement re diabetics a couple of months ago, copy and take to your doctor he has not got all the facts. For RAA as per Crezzi said. Bob.

A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'

A LITTLE THREE YEAR OLD BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET. HIS MOTHER THINKS HE HAS BEEN IN THERE TOO LONG, SO SHE GOES IN TO SEE WHAT'S UP. THE LITTLE BOY IS SITTING ON THE TOILET READING A BOOK. BUT ABOUT EVERY 10 SECONDS OR SO HE PUTS THE BOOK DOWN, GRIPS ONTO THE TOILET SEAT WITH HIS LEFT HAND AND HITS HIMSELF ON TOP OF THE HEAD WITH HIS RIGHT HAND. HIS MOTHER SAYS: "BILLY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? YOU'VE BEEN IN HERE FOR A WHILE". BILLY SAYS: "I'M FINE, MUMMY... I JUST HAVEN'T DONE IT YET. " MOTHER SAYS: "OK, YOU CAN STAY HERE A FEW MORE MINUTES. BUT, BILLY, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF ON THE HEAD?" BILLY SAYS: "IT WORKS FOR TOMATO SAUCE!"

Well done Darky!