Happyflyer

It sounds like the co-pilot was getting treatment for some mental issues. The problem was that he kept this from his employer and authorities. Our health system is largely computerized and we all have medicare and private health insurance numbers. Perhaps if you hold a class 1 medical certificate this could be flagged on the health system with mandatory reporting requirements for certain health issues.

I don't think it is whether on not the air marshal is responsible enough, it's that if he's overpowered the bad guys have the key.

“It should be noted the audit found that flight safety had not been compromised,” he said. So what is the problem? "The report found the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s safety problems were so severe that it would have already had its wings clipped under standards commonly applied by mining companies with their contracted airlines." The mining companies are run by fat bloated OH&S departments desperate to justify their existence. Their requirements far exceed legal requirements. Just as an example the PC12 and King Air RFDS aircraft are designed to operate with one crew. If you want a contract to fly into a mining strip they stipulate two pilots for the same aircraft. Mining companies used to be able to afford this excess, some may have to rethink this now.

Except Chris Sperou!

Unless the authorities have released some ATC tapes it probably means the media have once again made something up.

Poteroo, your post could be interpreted to be offering advice to a new commercial pilot to not worry about going up to 15 percent overweight because people do that on a ferry flight. In a C206 that could be 240 kgs. You may have the experience to get away with this but shouldn't we be encouraging all pilots to make safe legal decisions without needing to go above MTOW? The more pilots that stand up to the dodgy operators the safer we will all be.

Just the fact that you want to be the best you can be as a pilot will make you improve. There are so many pilot out there that have not moved on very far from the day they had their test flight. Always try to make the plane do what you want it to, do not just accept what you end up with. You should always be flying at the altitude you have set yourself at the airspeed you have planned. When climbing, work on keeping you airspeed close to your target, when descending target your airspeed and rate of decent, when levelling off work hard at maintaining the new level and develop the ability to remain on heading and in balance. Keep your radio calls to a minimum, use your eyes and ears and situational awareness to fly safely. The occasional flight with an instructor you trust and get on with is a small cost and will also help a lot. And I do believe that the less time you have between flights the better you will become.

In my opinion, while the instructor rating does improve your ability , it is actually the teaching that really gets you going as pilot. It's all well and good to know the theory and a bit of practical flying but a new instructor still has so much to learn. However you learn very quickly once you start teaching and I guarantee that after a couple of hundred hours of teaching under the guidance of a good CFI anyone would be a far better pilot. You learn by your mistakes and learn almost as much from your students' mistakes.

And CASA would have done better to mandate aeromedical flights to carry enough fuel so airlines are not tempted to save money on light fuel loads. ATSB would have done better to have investigated the systemic failures of CASA in relation to Pelair. ATSB has been ordered to re open the investigation, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

There is a minimum of 2 hrs instrument time under Part 61 if you want an Nav endorsement. See below c(ii). 61.495 Requirements for grant of recreational pilot licence endorsements (1) This regulation applies to a person other than a person who is eligible to be granted a recreational pilot licence endorsement under regulation 61.500. (2) An applicant for a recreational pilot licence endorsement must: (a) have passed the aeronautical knowledge examination for the endorsement; and (b) have completed flight training for the endorsement; and © if the endorsement is a recreational navigation endorsement—have completed, in addition to the flight time mentioned in paragraph 61.475(2)(d): (i) at least 5 hours of solo cross‑country flight time; and (ii) at least 2 hours of dual instrument time, 1 hour of which is conducted during dual instrument flight time; and (d) if the endorsement is a flight radio endorsement—have a current aviation English language proficiency assessment.

If you are on your own and feel the need to get pissed and hoon around your paddock I doubt you would ever draw the attention of the cops. But what about the driver doing circle work who rolls his car with other drunks on the roof or the guy that ran over someone in a sleeping bag in a paddock the morning after a ute muster. That's the type of thing this law is trying to prevent.

Check the fees at Warnervale. Looks like $25 to land and take off, $30 to park overnight, $100 to refuel (plus the cost of fuel). This may not be current but if they are still charging this then clearly they don't really want aircraft there. From the council https://consultation.wyong.nsw.gov.au/d-and-r/notice-of-variation-to-revenue-policy-warnervale-a/supporting_documents/WARNERVAL_AIRPORT_PROPOSED_201314_FEES_AND_CHARGES.pdf

Well, we all better watch what we say then. Some people will have more to worry about than others.

Camel, you should read his post again. I think he is on your side not CASA's. It was another poster who said Jabiru are using Spencer Ferrier lawyers (post #630). John's post reads to me that if Jabiru and CASA meet in court, Jabiru will be able to demand to see why CASA have taken this ridiculous action. Anyway, I hope sanity prevails and aviation and Jabiru survive and prosper.

I read John's post. I'd be interested to know what misleading statements he made and what conclusions he jumped to. Just a bit of harmless speculation I would have thought. What does it matter what he flies, or what you fly, we are all pilots.

No reason to stay away from Ceduna airport. Secure, good facilities and not too far from town. Avgas usually a good price.

You call those the right tyres? These are the right tyres!

I was under the impression from CASA briefings before part 61 came in, that PPL and CPL licences could only be issued with airspace endorsements and that current holders of a PPL without CTA endorsements had three years to get an endorsement or revert to an RPL. It would seem Part 61 has confused CASA every bit as much as the rest of us.

Wow! I might have to consider not getting out of bed tomorrow.

Last night landing just before midnight. Batteries charged during the day sustain flight overnight. There are two pilots but only one on board at a time. It will need to stay aloft for several days when flying over the Pacific. Don't be too negative boys, just think how quickly technology has advanced in things like mobile phones and computers. I expect electric aircraft will be a real viable alternative in five or ten years.

So the penalty is wholly suspended. This clown does his act in full view of the public, on video and gets no penalty? Not much deterrent there. I am always amazed that the judiciary thinks a suspended sentence is a major penalty.

Truth is we are all just surmising. Those that are Han Solo or Indiana Jones fans see a hero making a good fist of it. Those that see the end result of a destroyed aircraft and substantial injury think maybe he got it a bit wrong. Could be he made the best of a very bad situation or he cocked it up and is lucky to be alive. If it was me, I would be disappointed to have landed so heavily as to wipe out the undercarriage and break the back of the aircraft, but glad to be alive!

Do any of you oil, gas and coal men have them greenie solar panels? As I fly around the country I see thousands of houses with them. They needed some public funds to get to a critical mass but are now becoming cheaper and more affordable with no public funding and contributing large amounts of electricity to the grid. Also they don't create turbulence, real or imagined.

P.V.7 Grain Kitten. British WW1 Airship Interceptor?

If it is not active it is not restricted and any RAAus aircraft and pilot can enter. There is no need for 24 rego or transponder. You just have to be sure. Suggest a check on line or with ATC just before entering and monitor appropriate frequency. It makes no difference if it is RA1, RA2 or RA3, when they are inactive they generally revert to class G.