Friarpuk

The structure and materials used in the aircraft of this period mean they can fly indefinitely as they can be rebuilt. It's a question of economics though. Steel tube and a wooden spar in the wing can be forever rejuvenated/ repaired. 180 HP in an Auster is more than you need but the Gipsy Motor is heavy and you might have to extend the nose to get balance without adding an undesirable lead weight near the tail if you install the later lighter motor. You won't up the cruise speed much, economically . If you use the extra power it will waste fuel and be closer to its green line airframe speed limit. It will get of the ground much better though. I think I would go for the Auster Mk5 if one can be found with a flat engine already but off a type that is old. A Brand new Lyc 0-320 is a good idea. High time TBO and simple reliability. The early (Piper) Cubs are flown from the back seat.. Nev

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

You can spend upwards of $80,000 on those things, easily, just on the airframe, and can often pick them up for under $30,000. The initial price is not the major consideration. Be knowledgeable of what they look like when the fabric is removed and a full overhaul is done. It can be depressing. You might pick up something younger for a bit more in the first instance. Citabria's and Decathlons are aerobatic. More modern engine and electrics. Nev

There's a nice old J3 at Gulgong, and this beauty lives at Gunnedah:

The Auster looks pretty

Put the 2 seat Auster on your list. (Archer) No flaps. (common to any of this type). Engine is an orphan but replacement possible with new flat engine. . Tandem seat for others which I personally prefer. You can spend a lot on a plane and overcapitalise many of these types. Buying carefully will minimise that possibility. Nev

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.

There are a few in the Sydney area if you are ever down this way

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 Heath, There's an Auster for sale at Childers Qld. I could put you in touch with the owner, but he won't be back there till July.Caboolture is another place where there are a lot of historic aircraft. Could be worth a visit and chat to people who own and operate them.

 

Downside with 'historic' is also 'expensive'.

 

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!

As at 1200hrs, Wednesday 5th June, Puk is tracking to SA border then to Nullabor, ETA 1330hrs. Puk has already converted over to QLD time. I suspect he'll be watching the State of Origin tonight. Actually in SA he might have to catch the score on the internet.Cheers, Mathew

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:

Friapuck, I know you are trying to use ULP as much as possible. But just in case you may be planning to use Avgas at Goondiwindi (as we were). The ERSA tells us it is a card fuel pump. It was, but it is not now!!! And I don't think he is in any hurry to get it fixed as he charges $100 call out fee!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were told by other pilots there it hasn't been working as a card machine for about 12 months!!!

This morning dawned with a solid overcast at 1100 feet and a calculated ground speed of only 70 knots. So I have another day to look around Kalgoorlie.I thought it always blows from the west out here? My talent for finding head winds strikes again!!!

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!

Wow that is some flightplan friar pukhow many nautical miles is it? there are a lot there per sheet I am not sure your going to get them done each day that is a lot of flying per day

Note your stops at Eucla and Nullabor.Definitely phone ahead re strip conditions. Eucla was closed when I came across two weeks ago and One of Nullabors strips was only partly useable. We refuelled at Forest instead. Also phone re avgas. Cut across to the Bight from there if you cant land at Eucla and was I reckon the highlight. After Nullabor only ordinary.

Hope the weather holds for you

 

Cheers

 

Phil

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

I haven't heard anything about a 2013 state flyin for WA yet.Anyone have any information?

 

I assume it will be on again during the long weekend end of September.

 

Just doing some forward planning:coffee:

 

Pud

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!