Bubbleboy

Well there seems to be a trend here....... Scotty

Don....why would you only be enclosing the survey in members magazines? Im not a member yet but was there so wouldnt you get a better indication if you sent them with all magazines including those to the newsagents? Scotty

Thank you for that GG. I would have thought there were other RAA builders or aircraft owners who would like the knowledge too. I will check that one out. Scotty

Now NATFLY 2012 is over, I thought those who attended may like to share their high and low points of the event. As has been discussed, attendance by exhibitors and people alike was well down on previous years. Last year the weather was not great so that can be understood. Out of the 3 I have attended at Temora, the first was by far the best attended. I camped at the airfield and there were plenty of empty camp sites. I didnt experience a wait at the showers at all which was unusual compared to previous years. The food court was fabulous. There was a great selection and I need to get the recipe for that Beef and Guinness stew! It was great. There were meals available at night so there was no need to leave the airport the whole time. It appeared a lot more organised with things running smoother than last year. Temora is a fabulous venue and it will be there for the next 3 years. We were given a brief insight into what the Temora shire has spent to accommodate NATFLY and bend over backwards to do what they can for us. This needs supporting. I was a little disappointed with the forums. I remember the first year the Museum engineers put on a fantastic presentation on aircraft cables. They covered how to make them and showed you how to use the swaging tool. Things to look for when doing inspections etc. It wasnt a crowd hands on thing but there was practical demonstrations which were good. I would like to see forums on things like wiring your aircraft including demonstrations on crimping etc. There are a multitude of practical skills I would love to learn like changing an aircraft tyre, actually shown how to balance a prop, how to correctly plumb instruments and is why I attend NATFLY but im not getting it. There are a lot of experienced people there but the information is not being shared around. I want to support the event and love the social side catching up with everyone but its a $800 trip away for us. For me this year, it was like attending the Sydney Motor Show. It was full of expensive machines from $80 000 onwards that I will never afford in the foreseeable future. This year was supposed to be about the rag and tube! Apart from the Holbrook display like every year, I saw a Drifter or two in the parking areas and very little else! Im a builder and have a passion for that side of things. Maybe I am the minority and just have to suck it up but I thought it would be nice to hear what others thought of this years event? Scotty

I was enjoying a beer in front of my tent when I saw it go over head. The sun had gone down but there was still reasonable light. I know, if the sun was down they shouldnt have been up there anyway. My thought was they were going for a quick circuit. I commented that they were cutting it fine. At the end of the day, its the PIC who makes the decision. Doesnt matter how much you instruct someone otherwise, it is wholly and solely their decision. I dont feel guilty for not getting on the radio and telling them to come down nor should anyone else who was there. Scotty

I have been to Natfly at both venues and Temora would be hard to beat as far as facilities are concerned. Folk just need to get over it and either support it or not! It will take its own course. I know I will support the business here on display. Scotty

Too busy to take photos! Lots of socialising and plane porn to check out. Get down here if you want to see whats going on! Scotty

Yes im gobbed smacked by the lack of industry support. Very few exhibitors compared to previous years. Have no idea why? Weather is fantastic although I did just hear an announcement to make sure aircraft are tied down as wind gusts are expected. Waiting to see who shows tomorrow... Scotty

Hi Windsor and Ross.....sorry only just got your message. We are camping in the first camp area. Have a green and silver Mazda Bravo, the one with the shiny new wheel bearing! Scotty

Yeah...39 hours since we left home and we are here! very warm too!

Its called "Greed"! He got paid for the initial tow and wants the repair as well. You cant run a two tow truck business and do repairs with a 2 man band! Im very cranky with him! Scotty

Well, young Jack and I jumped out of bed at 3.30am this morning and left Tamworth for the 8 hour drive! 40kms south of Forbes the front wheel bearing decided to let go and make all sorts of grinding noises. NRMA to the rescue and a tow back to Forbes where the NRMA garage said they can fix it then and there. Well 6 hours later after several call outs he tells me he has the wrong part and it wont be ready till tomorrow! Had the nice NRMA man told me they were too busy to do it, I could have had it done else where and be at Temora now! Instead we are in a cabin at the local Forbes Holiday Park. Why is it I feel so calm inside but want to kill someone? :gaah:Maybe because the Holiday Park owner said this happens all the time and to make a complaint to the NRMA . While we were waiting for the car, lots of planes were flying over us to Temora . I swear , if this car is not first job up in the morning, there is going to be blood shed! Scotty

Arriving Wed and leaving Sun. Camping at Airport site. Scotty

Hi Windsor....I had provisionally organised all this as mentioned earlier. After last year it was tossed around that nobody would help organise this stuff so I got off my anus and offered to. I organised it all and then was told that I would be contacted by the natfly organiser and it never happened. Talking the talk and walking the walk are two very different things im learning. What excuse will be tabled after this years event? It better not be that nobody offers to organise things. Scotty

Hiya Ian...Jack is coming and looking forward to hanging with Lachlan. Hes hoping Performance Metals have the big bucket of Cupa Chups there again...lol. Scotty

Not that I am aware of. Last year had some great forums like fabric covering which was a real hands on. Its a shame as we need to be getting the kids involved now and it appears that RAA cant see that. I offered, they wernt interested so I will go along and enjoy it just the same. I bring my 12 year old with me and he has a ball! Younger kids would be bored silly! Scotty

Also if anyone is flying in and needs a tent bought for them or the like, let me know. Im happy to help out where I can. I will be arriving Wed and leaving Sun. Scotty

GG...this was bought up after last NATFLY and I offered to organise a full 3 day childrens program which was never taken up! I had jumping castles, play on wheels and glider building and flying comp provisionally organised just waiting for the go ahead but it never came. Its a shame as it is the one thing that NATFLY lacks. Although I am extremely excited about the grass roots that will be there this year. Not many sleeps left now! Scotty

Yes Lyle...will be camped out at the Airport.

Phil...the 1.5mm ply may be ok as AC if your using it for the rib gussets. Just glue the C side down and then you will have the A side showing. Scotty

Ok...im arriving Wednesday and leaving Sunday. We need to catch up!

I will be watching Phil. You going to Natfly? Scotty

Hey Iggy....I have had another think and can see merit in throwing him in the slammer. I have done 6 years inside, dressed in blue though. Did you know inmates get paid to be in Gaol? Did you know they get 3 meals a day designed by a dietician so they are kept healthy? Did you know the Gaols that cant receive free to air TV provide Austar for these folk? Did you know that if they dont want to work in Gaol they dont have too? Did you know they can receive $80 a week in to their Gaol account to buy luxuries that a lot of us cant afford? Did you know that most Gaols have fully equipped gyms for their use and enjoyment? Did you know condoms and lubricants are provided so they can use the lube as hair gel to get spoofed up for the misses and 12 kids that come and spend the weekend with them in visits? Did you know they can be given Guitars and art supplies and if you claim to be Aboriginal, you get a shite load more. Then the Govt cant understand why there is supposedly a high Aboriginal population in Gaol? Now which part of that is punishment mate? oh... is it the fact they have had their freedom revoked? Most of them enjoy the holiday on us so they dont have to put up with the screaming misses and kids. See them on the weekend and hand them back. Return to cell and play cards and watch TV with Bubba. If you think Gaol is a punishment and and will solve the worlds crime problem.....think again! Oh and the old "R" word was thrown in for feel good, good measure. Gaols do not rehabilitate. The Govt wants you to think they do so you dont feel so bad about paying all that Tax. "Ultralights summed it up in post #170 above. Scotty

Hey Iggy....I have had another think and can see merit in throwing him in the slammer. I have done 6 years inside, dressed in blue though. Did you know inmates get paid to be in Gaol? Did you know they get 3 meals a day designed by a dietician so they are kept healthy? Did you know the Gaols that cant receive free to air TV provide Austar for these folk? Did you know that if they dont want to work in Gaol they dont have too? Did you know they can receive $80 a week in to their Gaol account to buy luxuries that a lot of us cant afford? Did you know that most Gaols have fully equipped gyms for their use and enjoyment? Did you know condoms and lubricants are provided so they can use the lube as hair gel to get spoofed up for the misses and 12 kids that come and spend the weekend with them in visits? Did you know they can be given Guitars and art supplies and if you claim to be Aboriginal, you get a shite load more. Then the Govt cant understand why there is supposedly a high Aboriginal population in Gaol? Now which part of that is punishment mate? oh... is it the fact they have had their freedom revoked? Most of them enjoy the holiday on us so they dont have to put up with the screaming misses and kids. See them on the weekend and hand them back. Return to cell and play cards and watch TV with Bubba. If you think Gaol is a punishment and and will solve the worlds crime problem.....think again! Oh and the old "R" word was thrown in for feel good, good measure. Gaols do not rehabilitate. The Govt wants you to think they do so you dont feel so bad about paying all that Tax. "Ultralights summed it up in post #170 above. Scotty