Friarpuk

There was an Auster at Pittsworth VH-PUK, but I believe it is now on the RAA register. If it was still VH it would be like having personalised plates. There is a good looking blue and white one I've seen at fly ins but haven't seen inside it, only flying, VH-PUL

So what weights do these aircraft come in at? RAA or VH?

What is the rego of the J-3? There was one getting around the Sunshine Coast some time back. Only ever seen pics of it, VH-JCP, on airliners.net flying over the ocean, at a strip nth of Noosa, and at Watts Bridge. Don't know what happened to it? Perhaps it is on the RAA register these days. The Auster looks pretty

Thanks Nev. There seems to be considerably more Auster around than other liaison aircraft. For me buying is a long way off. Atm I have been admiring from afar. So it is still a romantic notion that's driving me. I need to see them, sit in them, talk to owners and maintainers about them, and learn more about them. Romantic notions are one thing, but they don't serve practical realities, like overhaul times and structural integrity.

Thanks Ian What type of aircraft exactly? Out of all the Liaison aircraft the two I am interested in are the Aeronca Champs and the J-3 Cubs. Never sat in either. And would love to try them on.

Hi Sue Do you know what type of engine is in it? Regardless would be good to fly over and have a look at it. BTW do you have a Vizsla? Love those dogs, would like to own one one day!

Hi folks It's been a while since I have posted anything on the forum. Life gets too busy pushing the important stuff like flying and aeroplanes to the side. But one has to push back and get one's track back on line. Therefore, to keep my passions alive, I have become increasingly interested in WW2 style Liaison aircraft (grasshoppers), such as the Aeronca Champ, the J-3 Cub, Interstate Cadet, Stinson, Taylorcraft Auster, etc. I would like to know where there might be an Aeronca Champ or J-3 Cub hangared that I can at least sit in to see if the love of these aircraft could be a reality for me and not just an academic exercise. Or even greater would be the chance to go for a ride in one to see how well it fits. From my investigation there doesn't seem to be many Champs floating around in Australia, a few more J-3 Cubs, and more Austers. If anyone has contacts for owners of these Liaison Aircraft I would dearly love to hear from you so perhaps I might get to know this section of the flying community better, so one day I might get the opportunity to fly and own (if the wife has a weak moment) a piece of flying history. Regards Friarpuk aka Heath Pukallus

Congrats Vince. Happy flying!

I have not met Graham. Spoke to him via the forum. Will see him around the traps one day I suspect. And I also suspect that we do come from the same linage although we are not closely related. There are not a lot of Pukallus folk in Australia and we all come from the same crew who came out to Australia from Germany in the 1850's or thereabouts. My crew all come from the Darling Downs, first nr Crows Nest but now Toowoomba, Dalby, Norwin etc.

I saw it too! But 50 metres on the RC gear. My JR gear years ago had at least a couple of kms range! Never the less it was a good doco. And I wouldn't mind a flight in the chase plane, not the Cessna but the turbo prop but only after the pump was fixed. Imagine everyone jumping out of the 727 and then the chase plane blowing up from the seal blowing on the fuel pump. Hmmmm largest out of control RC ever seen! Yipe!

High folks. On my blog I have posted some pics of the journey from Katanning WA to Kingaroy QLD at http://friarflyer.blogspot.com.au/ Enjoy

Hi folks the trip is over! Back on terra firma after 2250 nm in 23.8 hours. Day one Tue Katanning to Esperance; Day 2 Wed Esperance to Ceduna; Day 3 Thurs Ceduna to Temora; and after a rest day on Friday, Day 4 Sat Temora to Kingaroy. Average speed was 105-110 kts gs across the south of the continent thanks to the Westerlies behind the cloud band that has been over the continent in recent days; But Temora to Kingaroy best was about 95 kts gs, but most of the time I was hard pressed to get over 85 kts gs. More another day, time to sleep!

Actually I think I mislead my Sarwatchers, the 1330 eta was for Eucla. It was only meant to be a waypoint but my bladder had other ideas. Nullarbor was 1450 eta actual 1500

I have had good tail winds across the bight. av 100 kts gs. Saw whales at the head of the bight, one with a nearly all white calf. Off to Temora today or alternate, but the winds are still looking favourable!

Got about 15 kts tail wind for half the distance. Then a northerly blew up and ground speed matched the IAS. Esperance to Ceduna tomorrow

Awoke to first light not a cloud in the sky at Katanning, Esperance AWIS cloud at 3500. Wind in area for is 280/20 at 3000. So today the flight home begins! If my calculations and the forecast is sound I should get to Esperance in about 123 mins (215 nm) with a ground speed of 105 kts:plane:

Hey thanks for the heads up I'll keep this under consideration!

The tail winds will only start to kick in on Tuesday once we are on the back side of the high pressure system and the next front is approaching. But Wed is the day, should be good tail winds right across the south of the continent! I'm sitting in Katanning till Tue and then off

Weather wise it seems at this point I will fly to Esperance on Tue 4th, then on the 5th somewhere into SA (possibly Ceduna or thereabouts), Thursday the 6th to Temora (sorry Mat going to miss the State of Origin), then Friday to Qld to Chinchilla (at least). All this is still somewhat rubbery as one needs to see and fly the local conditions each day.I have plenty of time so there is no "get there itis" demons pushing me. If the plane goes accordingly I should (pray) have tail winds most of the way. But we will see! Took 7407 for a fly today. She has not forgotten me, started first go, and I went on a local circuit over past congregational members' properties for nearly 2 hour. Gave her a good run and she is raring to go. And also good news, no mice have got into my sleeping bag or camping gear in the hangar while I have been away. This has been my greatest worry to date, and so I won't have to sleep with the smell of little critters! Nice!

2142 nm to be precise. I thinking 4 6 hour days if all goes to plan. If it was summer I would fly longer down south as twilight sees a late last light. Stopping onite possibly Esperance, Ceduna?, temora, home or my CFI at Chinchilla.

Eucla is only a waypoint. If all going well I plan to fly Caiguna to Nullarbor Roadhouse in one go, and will give them a bell before I leave the west.

Yeah and watch the wind over the escarpment to the east. I haven't ever flown there but I have a few GA mates who have been given a bit of shake up early in the morning. You could give the tower a ring and ask them what's the likelihood of flying out a bit later once the tower is open. They can only tell you to nick off! It's worth the ask I reckon!

Hey Mick! I fly over on Qantas Friday night. By the look of the weather I probably won't leave Katanning till Tuesday. Will know closer to the day! My flight plan attached as a pdf document. 2013 June Kat to Kng Flight plan.pdf 2013 June Kat to Kng Flight plan.pdf 2013 June Kat to Kng Flight plan.pdf

Pud I will put my appology in now! I am flying over to WA (via Qantas) on the 31st of May so I can collect my bird from Katanning and fly her back to Kingaroy in Qld. But I wish you blokes in the west all the best. I did enjoy the event in 2012 and would have liked to be there again. Maybe one day!

I have just been through the rego and re licencing process. When I finally got the two plastic cards I realised the renewal dates on the cards in twelve months didn't compensate for the two or three weeks I spent waiting. I reckon when they print the cards/process the paper work, the pilot/owner should be compensated a couple of weeks extra. Especially when he/she has put the paper work in with plenty of time to spare. Just a thought!