nig71

seen a secondhand kit for sale (SP100 PULSAR) and it really probably going on to be third hand. It is a composite design and is complete with instructions but lacks a build log. Is this a red flag that you first of all shouldn't go past and second of all can't go past. It is a quick build kit. I've always been attracted to this design but the company is not producing them anymore. The other main issue is it is in the USA so inspection up close and personal is problematic. What are the thoughts about it?

For my interest as a farmer diesel is far cheaper and available. Also more available in outback communities. Rather than the total energy equation. So my motives may be different to others.

Avtur is .8, diesel is .82 to .95, premium 87ron is .72, avgas is .68 to .74. Fuel planning for landing weights would maybe significant for circuit work with trainee pilots (I am one) but less so for general use where what is aboard is there for a planned journey. Old pilot saying; the only time you have too much fuel on board is when you are on fire. And three most useless things to a pilot, the runway behind you, the sky above and the fuel you left on the ground.

The specific gravity of diesel is mostly made up by how much less you need to carry to accomplish the same work. These 1.6 honda diesels claim 70 mpg .

Thank you; I stand corrected as to the comparison engine type; missed that

Back on the diesel subject again, according to this Honda's new 1.6 liter diesel engine is lightest in its class the 1.6 civic motor is substantially lighter than the 2.2 petrol. I know the Viking runs the 1.6 petrol so not a direct comparison. Also looking at power graphs it's producing power and torque in that sweet 2700rpm range. So would be possible to put one in an aircraft without a reduction unit. Also reading that modern diesels return fuel back off the common rail producing the effect of warming the fuel to reduce waxing issues. Considering that you are dicing carby heat you could reinstall a system where you heat the fuel rails with exhaust heat.

I can see CASAS issue with the plumber as most tradies charge for travel so it could be argued that he was being rewarded for his flying directly. Another way tradies charge is to charge per hour of travel at tradesman rates as it is reasonable that they could have stayed in town and earned that rate instead of sitting in a vehicle; so you are paying for their skills as such. It is possible he had an officious beaurecrat and a poor lawyer . Isn't the question that are we being rewarded financially for flying. On a farm the financial reward isn't direct. Can't you get a mustering or even crop dusting endorsement on ppl? As long as you are not being paid to do it. This maybe the plumbers issue; he was being rewarded by a third party for his flying If I need a commercial license to fly to a field day where I may purchase something that will benefit my business then casa could ping everybody apart from tourists. The vast majority of GA aircraft owners probably are involved in business travel largely because of the expense of aircraft ownership puts it in the league of professionals and business owners.

All we really want is extreme STOL, 200knt cruise, on 16L/h Mogas, stall in the low 20s, handles turbulence easily coming in with a useful load of 400kg. Hmm I think I need two if not three aircraft.....

Problems are compounded by the fact that we are not incorporated but a partnership. A seperate entity is more difficult to attain. I suspect that it wouldn't be a problem for homebuilt aircraft as you are not flying for reward but your business is getting rewarded by your flying. If that were the case I would need a commercial license to fly to Perth for a business meeting. An arbitrary figure for light plane hire dry ?

Sounding like the most reasonable system at the moment, I assume because it is just a book entry and casa aren't worried if it is a homebuilt?

I think I see the problem; use john Deere autotrac :) The only people more one eyed than john Deere lovers are those who hate john Deere ;)

Words...... Fail me Wouldn't let me put emojis ....

I reckon you are probably right, with the exception of checking waters, would consider it a side benefit, the primary farm use would be travel for sale/field days. A Shute down where I am probably wouldn't go so great as our area is known for its wind. A STOL of some sort would be good for total farm use (Savannah maybe ) but speed is important at the moment. I have a friend who may sell a rv6 later in the year....

without stirring up a hornets nest, what do you do with tax and aircraft as part of your business? I am a farmer wanting to purchase my first aircraft. What can I legitimately claim and how can it be structured? My accountant says I may be able to claim a portion of expenses and will probably have to keep a logbook. I want to use the aircraft to go to clearing sales and farm shows. Plus crop, stock and water inspection. They are correct in noting it would be just as practical to drive around my 5000acre property but I would also be wearing out a deductible vehicle doing that. Yes I am enjoying myself while I do it but I see no law against enjoying your job. Otherwise the taxation department would force us all to drive Ladas so we wouldn't enjoy what we are doing . Running costs in real terms would be similar to my dual cab which depreciates at $10k/year and return similar fuel costs.

Thanks guys.

Looking around at aircraft for sale and a lot have very low hours but are getting on to ten years old. Is there a date they need overhauling regardless of hours run? Thinking of jabiru at the moment but also if it does apply , does it apply to rotax as well?

With very little experience flying but what I do have has mostly been on the Y stick in a jabiru 120 and a tiny amount in a diamond DA20 with a joystick what are your thoughts on Foxbat going for the yolk, I believe a Y stick is in development. The drawback to the Y stick would be moving the throttle the the left which would entail a harder egress from the aircraft. Seconds that could count in an emergency plus a possibility of damage to controls with caught clothing. Would you just get used to the yolk and not think about it anymore after a while? Would it make a better GA trainer? Would you only buy a Y or a joystick, would it be a deal breaker for an aircraft that should last a lifetime? Can someone edit the title to say Foxbat ; can't figure out how to edit title

Have heard the rumour but every lame seems to rebuke it. Even the 50kg allowed for floats would make the world of difference to fuel you could carry.

Have heard the rumour but every lame seems to rebuke it. Even the 50kg allowed for floats would make the world of difference to fuel you could carry.

Thanks, that doesn't seem as impossible as I thought. http://www.flylightning.net/classic.html as I read this, my bad cause I found the spec on the jabiru powered version 1525lbs or 693kg which would allow two 105kg people and ~120L fuel.

just curious about the possibility of shifting an aircraft (the one I am looking at is factory built) from a ra-Aus rego to a vh rego? The problem I have when looking at an aircraft is always weight, I weigh 105kg and most of my friends are not much less, there is just not enough room for little niceties like fuel on board. The aircraft I am looking at is an aurion Lightning which GA can takeoff at 750kg which means I could take full fuel. I am assuming maintenance won't really be much different if I wasn't going to do most of it anyway.

They do look neat; especially the toolbox and useful later on..

I am 43 and have four children, two boys that are now ten and six. I am considering building and may start in the next year or two. I have eclectic tastes for either fast and efficient or stol type aircraft. The older I get the less speed seems to matter and a just Superstol would tick a lot of boxes for the farm and everyday flying as it would give me an excuse to fly several times a week. Failing that a composite aircraft like the esqual or super pulsar SP100. My question is how much could my children be involved in the build? It is an important part of life to miss squirreled away in a hangar while my kids grow up without me. Bearing in mind that I am trusting life and limb to their workmanship what could they do under supervision and learning new skills that would benefit them in life. I would like them to learn to fly also and my ten year old is a competent bobcat operator so is showing promise in some practical skills. What do you reckon?

Anybody know what the $ damage on the Gemini will be?

Surprising about the emissions but is that the Californian emissions , those guys are practically European in their attitudes