Relfy

Here's a few pics I took of one a few years back. Haven't flown one but sorry.

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Winsor, I think the 170 you refer to is the one I Learnt on in kingaroy (5229). It is certainly challenging on the hotter days, but not too bad. I spoke with the owner the other day and he told me they have a new engine ( the original going past 1200 hrs without even needing the heads overhauled) and he said it goes like a rocket now.

Interestingly, I got back from a flight out west of Cunnamulla in my 120 the other day around lunchtime, at the same time a cessna was arriving. I spoke to the pilot and he commented on how rough it was. I thought it was a bit bumpy but certainly not rough. He said he got badly thrown around all the way and that I must have had a hard time in my smaller plane. It confirmed to me what I thought about the excellent handling of the 120, so it will be interesting to see how the new 170, with some of the mods of the 120 (longer nose, additional tail area etc) will go. Having the larger wing will always make it unique but it will be interesting to see.

Sounds great Steve, let me know when you are going and I'll meet you there! It's a great spot and if a heap of aircraft and bikes turned up from all over, I can only imagine the stories at the bar that night!

Top work Ian, as I sit here in hervey bay on holidays, using my newly acquired I-Phone to browse the site, you come up with this. Either you are simply all over it, or stalking me. Either way it's a good thing.

Can't wait to get the app!

Ian, all your hard work allows me to commit aviation from the comfort of my home. Thanks!

I agree with Motz and others, a PLB is an abolute essential bit of safety equipment. I have coordinated search and rescue efforts for lost persons in extremely inhospitable countyr and can tell you that if you activate your beacon in a situation where it may (or may not be necessary ie. prior to forced landing), you will never ever be criticised. On the contrary you will be congratulated by emergency services for showing good judgement and being well equipped. I will only fly in south western QLD remote areas because I have one.

Never ever leave your aircraft/vehicle etc unless absolutely necessary or you are confident of reaching assistance nearby.

Great vid Tomo, which way did you come into Toowoomba from?

Glad to hear that you got through alright Maj, I was worried about you guys up there as Yasi was bearing down on the coast.

My wife let me buy a plane but won't let me buy a chainsaw.

Be safe up there Maj during the cleanup.

Thongs = QLD safety boots.

Incredible pictures! I didn't realise Tassy was as diverse as this. The pictures along the western coast are amazing. I always love reading of your trip reports and the places you've been.

Good work Matt, keep building on your experience so far and as Motz has stated, a safety based attitude from the get-go will stick with you for the long term.

I only have about 120hrs TT so far but still force myself every 20hrs or so to get out as I did yesterday and do stalls in all forms, practice engine failures, cross wind landings etc and other drills as it's surprising how some aspects are forgotten as the muscle/memory effects aren't totally ingrained. I have a BFR coming up and when talking with my CFI the other day, I requested to be 'put through the ringer' so to speak. Another flight instructor there did however indicate, tapping the ends of his fingers together that it wouldn't happen any other way, with a smile on his face.

The ongoing learning is one thing, but maintaing good practices along the way is just as important. Reviewing your performance after a flight or practice emergency drill will also help to build skills and improve next time round. Again, great work on getting your cert and you will have a ball doing the next phases of training and spreading your wings and being able to share it with others.

I got a bit nervous when the goat was running around the plane chasing a dog but hey, that's all part of being in the bush! Fenn suggested that he would make a perpetual trophy for the aircraft next year to go alonside the adventure bike one for the longest travelled by aircraft. He told me I won this year and presented me with a little prize but did make it clear that it was only by default as i was the only a/c there.

Incidentally, the motorbike that won came from central VIC! Mostly muddy dirt roads the whole way. Tougher than I I'm afraid.

Perhaps this could become the iron-man of fly-ins?

Welcome Leigh, there are lot of like minded travellers here! Keep us posted of your travels, training etc.

Here are a few pics of my Cameron Corner trip on the longest day of 2010, the 21st of December. A group of adventure dirt bike riders made the trip from all parts of Qld Nsw and Vic to see how far west they could get between the first and last light times for their start and finish locations.

I decided this year to leave the bike in the shed and take the Jab instead as some of the tracks looked a bit iffy. The water on the way down was amazing. If anyone gets the chance to head to the corner, Fenn and Cheryl will look after you well. It was an amazing trip and I'm already planning going a bit further next time to the Flinders and other lakes.

I agree Diesel, I love my 495. It's easy to use and never misses a beat. Perhaps something new on the horizon?

Wow. Some great suggestions here. I gotta admit, growing up I loved top gun, iron eagle (motor bike v cessna scenes) and high road to china with it's awesome tiger moth scenes.

The nights are cooler Yen, but the days are normally fantastic. Think of it as an adventure or just arrange for some a/c accom as I would!

the -26c is chilly but the 'feels like -31f' (-35c) listed at the bottom is downright scary! As FH said, the lean burn jets etc on the jab motor are the cause of a lot of other problems down the track.

121 eighty, it's a 6 cylinder...

I agree that Dalby would be good but Kingaroy would be awesome. More than enough room for camping, great facilities and a council run avgas bowser with very reasonably priced fuel. The council is right on-side also. There is some great local flying to be had also for those wanting to go for a quick spin over the South Burnett.

Great work Tomo, good to see you're back safe and well. Are you in that picture??? :)

Sorry Slarti, that's what I meant to say ie after starting/run etc to compare pre and post compressions.

That's what i think also Nev. I always like to work the engine and get the temps up to 80+ every flight for that reason through a good climb etc. Doing some circuit work also brings the temps up a bit also.

It will be interesting Slarti to see how it goes now. Will you do a leak down before starting?

Just out of interest Slarti, what fuel do you use and what temps were you getting in cruise/climb? Has overheating ever been a problem with the engine/setup? How much oil were you using before the rebuild and what oil were you using?

I've been wondering with my engine as it doesn't seem to get hot at all and only ever reaches around 90deg oil temp in the climb on a hot day (33+ deg). Coming back from St George yesterday I was only getting about 60 degrees on the oil temp in cruise and I was wondering if running too cool may cause issues with reduced scavaging of deposits etc.

probably use tommo as a tooth pick after eating all the fat kids lol...

Well they certainly wouldn't feed the villiage!