Vev

Hi Jetjr, You need to alert Ryco's Automotive Technical Support Team and let them examined your filter to determine what caused the failure. It could be a manufacturing batch issue and you may save a catastrophic engine failure for some other chap/s. Call them on 1800 804 541 Cheers Vev

Hi Frankus I must say I disagree with this philosophical approach. I say there are no planes falling out of the sky owing to medical conditions what would have been predicted by imposing another layer of medical review... indeed the number of medical related issue over the past decade is statistically so small it almost doesn't count. I argue there is virtually no risk to mitigate that the current system does already do well, which is evident by the lack of incidents. In my view your suggested approach is more likely to drive real medical conditions underground and not get treatment owing to fear someone will find out ... I think the whole medical review is a nonsense and counter productive. I think this new approach could ground a bunch of people that pose no threat to themselves our their pax. In reality if I wake up tomorrow morning and feel unwell (lets say cold) I simply don't fly ... I do not require a medical examiner to tell me to do this and a medical examination done 12 months ago won't predict a future medical condition... One is much better to have an open a relationship with one family doctor and manage ones own health issues. Cheers Vev

I'm concerned this review may increase the Med standards required, when AOPA are trying to reduce standards for Class 2 Avmed. My own observations tells me the current RAA requirements seem to be sufficient, evidenced by the lack of medical related accidents. I think RAA need to tread very carefully on this issue, as this is one of the key areas (reduced medical standards) of differentiation that attracts people to join and participate in aviation. Does anyone know what the APF "fitness to parachute" document says or has a copy? Cheers Vev

I read the RAA Board email note sent out a few days ago and felt somewhat concerned about what changes might come out of these amendments... see extract below. Does anyone else share my concern? Cheers Vev Medicals In light of recent developments around the world and the resulting decisions about medical standards, the board had a discussion about the standards required for recreational aircraft. The board has agreed to develop a 'fitness to fly' document along the same lines as the Australian Parachute Federation's 'fitness to parachute' guidelines. The board has also agreed to undertake a review of the current standards with a view to creating a clearer alignment with drivers' licence requirements that are well understood by medical practitioners.

Hi Phil, Interesting story ... here's a wiki link with a bit more about what happened when Soapy Watson got home in front of the RN. Alraigo incident - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cheers Vev

Hi Nev, I think you also once pointed out, that in a multi crew cockpit environment there is redundancy for the PIC with other qualified pilots on the flight deck. Which logically makes sense, that not only are RPT pilots subject to a Class 1, they usually have competent back up. Whilst this thread is about AVMED for private pilots, it still begs the question if the notion of total AVMED reform is required? I shall remain optimistic for the PLL/RPL that evidence, facts and commonsense will prevail and we will achieve alignment with what others international bodies or better still will be introspectively align with the example of the RAA. Cheers Vev

Here's the petition. I think this is a worthwhile process and we should all support AOPA with this initiative. I think it would be best to send to both AOPA and the Minsiter if you sign it. Cheers Vev AOPA Letter.pdf AOPA Petition.pdf AOPA Policy.pdf AOPA Letter.pdf AOPA Petition.pdf AOPA Policy.pdf AOPA Letter.pdf AOPA Petition.pdf AOPA Policy.pdf

Thanks Robbo Yep.... I'm not as fast as use to be!

Skidmore has resigned today. Skidmore resigns as CASA CEO and director of aviation safety | Australian Aviation

Indeed ... very UGLY aircraft.

Ok guys ... which one of you clever people knows the identity of this ugly aircraft? Btw ... I have no idea! Cheers Vev

Globally the push is on to reform Avmed requirements! IAOPA Pressing For Worldwide Driver's Licence Medical - AVweb flash Article Cheers Vev

Hi Turbs, I think understand your concern and I agree there is some risk in RAA becoming highlighted and forced to demonstrate their risk mitigation process. However, I do think your concern, whilst legitimate, is low risk regarding a curtailment of the norm and an increase in medical standards required for RAA pilots. Reasonably, in my view, the audience that is likely to challenge the RAA medical is going to be the same people that will oppose the AOPA push ... If I was developing a strategy to suppress change I would not be inclined to attack a model (RAA) that can argue success through the use of empirical evidence. Cheers Vev

I think AOPA should be congratulated for taking up this issue. I have long held the view that CASA AVMED adds very little to safety and may even cause a health and safety issue. I am concerned there are pilots forgoing proper health management, on very treatable conditions, out of fear that CASA may find out about a minor health issue and unreasonably ground them or send them off for ridiculous testing. In my view, CASA would do better to educate pilots to develop better health behaviors centered around their GP's qualified advice. The AVMED system for private pilots is broken, it's costly, ineffective and most probably counter productive ... the experience with RAA surely demonstrates that pilots can manage their own health issues evident by the lack of fatalities related to medical causes. I will be sending a copy of the AOPA letter supported by my own cover letter to my local MP today. Cheers Vev

I enjoy flying my Ercoupe and have a few hundred hours in her. She turned 70 this year and is still like a new aircraft. Every time I go out in her with a clear sky, in the late afternoon and the top down I come back with a smile. Nothing I have ever flown lands as nicely as the Coupe... Even in bad conditions and a howling cross winds she just settles peacefully with out fuss. Cheers Vev

Doh ... it's true the internet remembers everything! Cheers Vev

There's a lot of interesting features on the Ercoupe. Whilst the lack of a rudder gets plenty of attention, the twin tails are even more interesting when you understand their purpose. Because there is no rudder control on take off, you can't feed in right rudder to counteract the torque and prop wash. Fred Weick answer was to give it twin tails which sit outside of the influence of the prop wash and the force that is normally applied on a single centreline tail ac. As a consequence the aircraft more or less stays straight during the take-off roll and doesn't require any rudder correction. You simply steer it like a car and when you reach V2 pull it off the ground cleanly, it will weathercock and fly away without fuss.... simple! Another interesting thing I hear people ask is what if you want to side slip .... that's easy too ... have a guess how, it might surprise you! Cheers Vev

Sorry mate ..... hopefully I'll see you there this weekend and I'll shout you one to make up. Looks like the Sun Gods are smiling for a another nice day on the Peninsula on Saturday.

Wow that a lot of snags ... I suppose you could take the leftovers home and feed the whole of Gippsland?

Good point DJP.... We will stick with it and increase the stocks for next Saturday. Cheers Vev

Huge turn up from everyone ... Thanks for coming. We ran out of sausages (200) within the first hour. On again next Saturday if you missed out. 1200 - 1330 Cheers Vev

Wx is looking good for tomorrow ... hope to see see a few of you there? Call club if you are coming early to check fog conditions. Peninsula Aero Club Tel: (03) 59774406 WX Station <mornington peninsula> weather Vev

Always a spot in a hangar for a visiting Auster at Tyabb Vev

Tyabb - Saturday Sausage Sizzle Starting this Saturday from 12 noon till 1.30pm is the President BBQ for an all you can eat sausage sizzle for $2. So come along, bring the family, and watch the aircraft activity whilst you enjoy lunch and socialize with the Peninsula Aero Club members and check out the improvements at the airport. The Forecast looks favourable. Tea and coffee are free. Avgas and Mogas available. Fly Neighbourly Advice Fly Neighbourly Summary ... All Circuits to the East on 17/35 and don't fly over Tyabb Township and only use hard surfaces.

Hi Marty, Yes the ailerons and rudders are linked in the standard configuration. However the rudders aren't quite like a normal rudder, that is, they are more like a drag and work something like the Long-Ez rudder. When you turn, the inboard rudder progressively pops out and the outboard one stays basically straight. They are a lot of fun to fly. Cheers Vev