Chris SS

Straddie and Archer Falls

There is definitely one aircraft that’ll do all of that.

Once you fly an RV you will be spoilt for anything else. An RV-9 will be good for 150kts on a 160hp motor with a fixed pitch prop, burning 32l/h. You can bring the fuel burn down further if you have fuel injection and run lean of peak on long trips, but the saving in fuel is often not worth the complexity. For my money the RV7 is WAY more fun. It has a lower aspect ratio wing (3 ft narrower span) and when powered by a 180hp motor, will happily spend the day at 160kts, with gentleman’s aeros in between. The only way you’ll get the fuel burn down to early 20s is with a Rotax. There are HUNDREDS of aeroplanes in this playground but I’m not sure that any of them (other than the plastic fantastics - and these have their own issues) will give you much more than 120 kts. If fuel burn is important to you - have a look at the Sling 2 - arguably one of the best light sport aircraft in the world. If you want to have a barrel of fun in an almost limitless aeroplane - RV7!

The ones in South Africa marketed as the VL3 Flamingo had their Vne reduced from 165kts to 145 kts. There was a fatal accident in 2010 where one of them pretty much disintegrated in flight. There is a fair bit of debate as to their actual airspeed at the time, but their last recorded GPS ground speed was 193kts.

All ANR headsets do is measure the amplitude (volume) of the sound at around 100Hz and send an out of phase signal to your ears which ‘cancels’ the sound out at that frequency. 100Hz is the low bass tone that you hear from engine, exhaust and wind noise. It does not cancel out engine noise completely, nor any other bells or alarms. I have done a few thousand hours with ANRs and cannot imagine them contributing to a wheels up at all.

Any idea what happened?

Maybe you're missing the point... it's because I DON'T know everything that I learn. And I question. And sometimes, I can offer advice too. I don't profess to know everything Ian, but I have been flying since before you were born. Let's not make this personal. I'll still be at the local aeroclub asking “so what do you guys think happened?”

Nope. No point in asking me to investigate the accident. I'm not a professional. But what I am prepared to do is enter into a discussion on what the risks and repercussions are of our chosen activity. I am NOT scared to have a frank discussion about what COULD HAVE (note.. not DID) possibly go wrong.

I believe it most certainly is... We know that the wings and fuselage were found 400m apart. This indicates in flight break up. What are the most likey causes of this? Flutter? Excessive G? Why would this happen? How many newbies understand flutter? How many you g pilots actually understand the perils of full control deflection outside of white arc? Or the graveyard spiral? We suspect that there may have been heavy rain. Was it VFR into IMC? Through dscussion we develop an understanding, and can learn. Waiting for an ATSB report to come out in a year's time.... not nearly as effective.

I respect that this tragedy will upset those who have lost a loved one. May you find strength in dealing with your loss. But is this not EXACTLY the right time to have a speculate on all possible causes? With respectful discussion this creates an ideal learning opportunity that will hopefully save a life in future. I, for one, belive that speculation should be encouraged.

Kooralbyn is great for breakfast. A trip down the valley and around Mt Warning is pretty in good weather. Gold Coast airport for dinner.

It depends entirely on what you’re buying... If you’re looking at a KR2 built in the 80s - I probably wouldn’t. I would be reluctant to buy anything built from plans only unless it is looked over by someone way cleverer that I am. If you’re buying a Van’s RV that was built from a quick build kit with matched holes, properly inspected during construction, and with a lycoming engine - you’re good to go.

It's called a grid LSALT. The lowest safe altitude (LSALT) is 1000' aboxe the highest obstacle in a 10nm radius from that point. The grid LSALT is the lowest LSALT in a 4 block grid on the chart. In essence it meanse that if you are anywhere in the grid at that altitude, you will be at least 1000 feet above every point. Please note that this is a simplified explanation. There is more to the calculation when comsidering high structures as well.

This thread is getting old. It's turning to vinegar. Balsamic Vinegar.

Wow! How I wish I lived in that era!

Hi Bryon, Roundsounds and Scott. I'm staying in the South African camp (said while running for cover!) at Camp Scholler. I will have my mobile with me zero452 2wun6 zeroI2. I would love to catch up for a few beers.

Hi Airmaster, I coverted my South African PPL to Australian around 18 months ago and have subsequently help a mate and my Dad with the same. My first comment would be that an Australian PPL is perpetual - it doen't expire. I would suggest you do the PPL validation now so that you have it if you ever need to fly bigger stuff later. Secondly, a PPL does not entitle you to fly RA-AUS aircraft. Ultimately therefore, you need to do the license based on what you plan to fly. I also found that what the regs require and what the flight schools want are not always the same thing. 1. The process to validate your PPL starts with an application for an Aviation Reference number (ARN). This is the last thing you'll get for free. 2. You then submit the application form to CASA with certified copies of your logbook. They will contact Canadian Authorities to get a confirmation letter. 3. At the same time you'll need to apply for an ASIC. 4. Once they have received this, they will send you a complete license print that requires one signature from an instructor - and this is where waters get murky. 5. The instructor's signature will be that you have passed a Bi-annual flight review. That's all. This said, he also needs to confirm that you are familiar with Australian airspace classes and the local area. Our instructor required a separate flight to each of the 3 surrounding large controlled airports, as well as a transition through nearby militrary airspace. All in, it was 3 or 4 flights and he signed the license. You are then legally allowed to fly VH-registered aircraft. 6. The concersion to RA-AUS from PPL requires 5 hours in a RA-AUS aircraft, and then a flight test.

I'll be there from Friday 21st to Sunday 30th. Looking forward to seeing the mass arrivals on the 22nd and 23rd. Staying in Camp Scholler. Can't wait!

Just got back from a really great weekend at Clifton - Kudos to the organisers for a well run event. I have only one gripe. I was 'blown away' (pun intended) by the number of pilots who blasted other aeroplanes, people and tents with stones, grit and grass with ther propwash. In every case ( and I saw 4 or 5), the pilots used fistfuls of power to manoeuvre their aeroplanes into and out of tight parking spots - while there were a number of marshalls and other pilots available to help manhandle the aircraft. Please guys - consider what's behind you when you start up. If someone's pride and joy (or an open hangar) is behind you - please move your aeroplane by hand onto the taxiway.

WOW, that's got to be noisy!!!

The passenger posted a video on social media taken prior to the flight from various postions in the cabin. The last 6-8 seconds of the video seem to put her in the front left seat?

I use Maui Jim sunnies with 1.5 readers - they are incredible.

I use an iPad Air 2 with a RAM yoke mount. i love it!

What an amazing weekend. Thank you to the organisers for the most incredible arrangements for Saturday night. The food was awesome, the bonfire really special.

I went there for lunch today after a spot of gliding at Boonah first. The runway has recently been resealed and is in great condition. The resort is a 5 minute stroll away with a great little very well priced restaurant/cafe. Burgers are $18, Pizzas from $14 and the food was great. There was virtually no wind so I landed uphill (30) and took off downhill (12). It's a great venue for breakfast or lunch.