Bubbleboy

I am writing to you, because I need your help to get me bloody pilot's license back. You keep telling me you got all the right contacts. Well now's your chance to make something happen for me because, mate, I'm bloody desperate. But first, I'd better tell you what happened during my last flight review with the CASA Examiner. On the phone, Ron (that's the CASA examiner) seemed a reasonable sort of bloke. He politely reminded me of the need to do a flight review every two years. He even offered to drive out, have a look over my property and let me operate from my own strip. Naturally I agreed to that. Anyway, Ron turned up last Wednesday. First up, he said he was a bit surprised to see the plane on a small strip outside my homestead, because the ALA (Authorized Landing Area) is about a mile away. I explained that because this strip was so close to the homestead, it was more convenient than the ALA, and despite the power lines crossing about midway down the strip it's really not a problem to land and take-off, because at the half-way point down the strip you're usually still on the ground. For some reason Ron seemed nervous. So, although I had done the pre-flight inspection only four days earlier, I decided to do it all over again. Because the prick was watching me carefully, I walked around the plane three times instead of my usual two. My effort was rewarded because the color finally returned to Ron's cheeks. In fact, they went a bright red. In view of Ron's obviously better mood, I told him I was going to combine the test flight with some farm work, as I had to deliver three poddy calves from the home paddock to the main herd. After a bit of a chase I finally caught the calves and threw them into the back of the ol' Cessna 172. We climbed aboard, but Ron started getting' onto me about weight and balance calculations and all that crap.. Of course I knew that sort of thing was a waste of time because, calves like to move around a bit particularly when they see themselves 500 feet off the ground! So, its bloody pointless trying to secure them as you know. However, I did tell Ron that he shouldn't worry as I always keep the trim wheel set on neutral to ensure we remain pretty stable at all stages throughout the flight. Anyway, I started the engine and cleverly minimized the warm-up time by tramping hard on the brakes and gunning her to 2,500rpm. I then discovered that Ron has very acute hearing, even though he was wearing a bloody headset. Through all that noise he detected a metallic rattle and demanded I account for it. Actually it began about a month ago and was caused by a screwdriver that fell down a hole in the floor and lodged in the fuel selector mechanism. The selector can't be moved now, but it doesn't matter because it's jammed on 'All tanks', so I suppose that's Okay. However, as Ron was obviously a real nit-picker, I blamed the noise on vibration from a stainless steel thermos flask, which I keep in a beaut little possie between the windshield and the magnetic compass. My explanation seemed to relax Ron, because he slumped back in the seat and kept looking up at the cockpit roof. I released the brakes to taxi out, but unfortunately the plane gave a leap and spun to the right. "Hell" I thought, "not the starboard wheel chock again". The bump jolted Ron back to full alertness. He looked wildly around just in time to see a rock thrown by the propwash disappear completely through the windscreen of his brand new Commodore. "Now I'm really in trouble", I thought. While Ron was busy ranting about his car, I ignored his requirement that we taxi to the ALA, and instead took off under the power lines. Ron didn't say a word, at least not until the engine started coughing right at the lift off point, then he bloody screamed his head off. "Oh God! Oh God! Oh God!" "Now take it easy, Ron" I told him firmly. "That often happens on take-off and there is a good reason for it." I explained patiently that I usually run the plane on standard MOGAS, but one day I accidentally put in a gallon or two of kerosene. To compensate for the low octane of the kerosene, I siphoned in a few gallons off super MOGAS and shook the wings up and down a few times to mix it up. Since then, the engine has been coughing a bit but in general it works just fine, if you know how to coax it properly. Anyway, at this stage Ron seemed to lose all interest in my flight test. He pulled out some rosary beads, closed his eyes and became lost in prayer. (I didn't think anyone was a Catholic these days). I selected some nice music on the HF radio to help him relax. Meanwhile, I climbed to my normal cruising altitude of 10,500 feet. I don't normally put in a flight plan or get the weather because, as you know getting Fax access out here is a friggin' joke and the bloody weather is always 8/8 blue anyway. But since I had that near miss with a Saab 340, I might have to change me thinking on that. Anyhow, on leveling out I noticed some wild camels heading into my improved pasture. I hate bloody camels, and always carry a loaded 303 clipped inside the door of the Cessna just in case I see any of the bastards. We were too high to hit them, but as a matter of principle, I decided to have a go through the open window. Mate, when I pulled the bloody rifle out, the effect on Ron was friggin' electric. As I fired the first shot his neck lengthened by about six inches and his eyes bulged like a rabbit with myxo. He really looked as if he had been jabbed with an electric cattle prod on full power. In fact, Ron's reaction was so distracting that I lost concentration for a second and the next shot went straight through the port tyre. Ron was a bit upset about the shooting (probably one of those pinko animal lovers I guess) so I decided not to tell him about our little problem with the tyre. Shortly afterwards I located the main herd and decided to do my fighter pilot trick. Ron had gone back to praying when, in one smooth sequence, I pulled on full flaps, cut the power and started a sideslip from 10,500 feet down to 500 feet at 130 knots indicated (the last time I looked anyway) and the little needle rushing up to the red area on me ASI. What a buzz, mate! About half way through the descent I looked back in the cabin to see the calves gracefully suspended in mid air and mooing like crazy. I was going to comment on this unusual sight, but Ron looked a bit green and had rolled himself into the fetal position and was screamin' his freakin' head off. Mate, talk about being in a bloody zoo. You should've been there, it was so bloody funny! At about 500 feet I leveled out, but for some reason we continued sinking. When we reached 50 feet I applied full power but nothin' happened; no noise no nothin'. Then, luckily, I heard me instructor's voice in me head saying "carby heat, carby heat". So I pulled carby heat on and that helped quite a lot, with the engine finally regaining full power. Whew, that was really close, let me tell you! Then mate, you'll never guess what happened next! As luck would have it, at that height we flew into a massive dust cloud caused by the cattle and suddenly went I.F. bloody R, mate. You would've been bloody proud of me as I didn't panic once, not once, but I did make a mental note to consider an instrument rating as soon as me gyro is repaired (Something I've been meaning to do for a while now). Suddenly Ron's elongated neck and bulging eyes reappeared. His mouth opened wide, very wide, but no sound emerged. "Take it easy," I told him. "we'll be out of this in a minute." Sure enough, about a minute later we emerge; still straight and level and still at 50 feet. Admittedly I was surprised to notice that we were upside down, and I kept thinking to myself, "I hope Ron didn't notice that I had forgotten to set the QNH when we were taxying". This minor tribulation forced me to fly to a nearby valley in which I had to do a half roll to get upright again. By now the main herd had divided into two groups leaving a narrow strip between them. "Ah!," I thought, "there's an omen. We'll land right there." Knowing that the tyre problem demanded a slow approach, I flew a couple of steep turns with full flap. Soon the stall warning horn was blaring so loud in me ear that I cut its circuit breaker to shut it up, but by then I knew we were slow enough anyway. I turned steeply onto a 75 foot final and put her down with a real thud. Strangely enough, I had always thought you could only ground loop in a tail dragger but, as usual, I was proved wrong again! Halfway through our third loop, Ron at last recovered his sense of humour. Talk about laugh. I've never seen the likes of it. He couldn't stop. We finally rolled to a halt and I released the calves, who bolted out of the aircraft like there was no tomorrow. I then began picking clumps of dry grass. Between gut wrenching fits of laughter, Ron asked what I was doing. I explained that we had to stuff the port tyre with grass so we could fly back to the homestead. It was then that Ron really lost the plot and started running away from the aircraft. Can you believe it? The last time I saw him he was off into the distance, arms flailing in the air and still shrieking with laughter. I later heard that he had been confined to a psychiatric institution - poor bugger! Anyhow, mate, that's enough about Ron. The problem is I just got a letter from CASA withdrawing, as they put it, my privileges to fly; until I have undergone a complete pilot training course again and undertaken another flight proficiency test. Now I admit that I made a mistake in taxiing over the wheel chock and not setting the QNH using strip elevation, but I can't see what else I did that was so bloody bad that they have to withdraw me flamin' license. Can you? Best regards Scotty :ah_oh:

Al...great photo. My in laws use to live in Mt Buffalo up to about 3 years ago and driving between Myrtleford and their farm I use to see a Blue coloured, if I remember correctly, Trike parked in the field and flying around on occasions. Not you? Scotty :big_grin:

Thanks a bundle guys...I knew I could find out what I wanted to know. The Trike is on Ebay at the moment and he wants around $10000 which after knowing all this, is way too much to say the least. Im in no rush to buy so will keep a look out and see what comes up.. Chris....im kicking myself I didnt have the funds at hand to buy yours...lol :hittinghead: What are the differences between the Grey Rotax 582 and the Blue head model? Scotty :thumb_up:

Hi all....I am looking at a second hand 1997 Airborne Edge Trike fitted with a Rotax 582 engine. This is an older model obviously and I was wondering if an Edge owner can give me some honest feedback on what this model was like. Did it have any peculiarities or bugs I should be looking for? What service life do the wings have. It has done approx 460 hours. The engine is well past its 300 hour rebuild and Bert Flood have advised me a new engine is $5300. What is a rebuild on a Rotax 582 worth? I want to work out what it would cost to get this legally in the air so I can work out if the chap is asking a reasonable price. Thanks in advance Scotty i_dunno

Thank you to everyone on here. This has become an interesting subject. Im wanting to convert to Trikes so a little different in the handling department compared to a 3 axis. Im not looking for any shortcuts I can assure you, just wanted to know if my GA exams will be good and it seems they will which is great. I fully intend on brushing up on it all again in my own time anyway. Im under no illusion that I will do the conversion to trikes in 5 hours. Im thinking more 10 to 15. Thank you all Scotty :thumb_up:

Thanks Nev...so the GA exams dont count then. thumb_down Scotty

This debate is very juicey! In 1998 I attended the Sydney Institute of Technology in Broadway, Sydney, and after studying in the classroom for 18 months part time, that was 3-4 nights a week after work for 3 hours a night, I had my CPL theory and a Cert 3 in Aviation studies. This was done in conjunction with an hour or 2 a weekend of practical flying. It was a very good way to do the theory as it then left your flying instructor with the practical side of it and some one else to bounce theory problems off. I flew through all my theory exams and I am by no means a scholar. In fact I find study difficult. This Course at the time cost me some ridiculous amount like $100 for the year if I remember correctly. What outstanding value! This was a fantastic way to learn from very experienced pilots from Ex Airforce, to airline to GA pilots on every subject. As far as I am aware, that was the final year of that course as the Govt wouldnt subsidise it unless there were a certain number of students enrolled. It was something like 15 students. We averaged about 9 per class. For me, it is a real shame for the industry that these courses didnt last. I went to Bankstown Airport that year and thought I would go to every flying school to check them out. I walked into the first school and stood there like a spare prick at a wedding and everyone ignored me. I walked out of that one, which is still operating today, and into the next one and found the best instructor anyone could have! Through family and mortgage commitments, I have had to give up flying for the last 3 years but now want to convert from GA to Trikes. As mentioned, I have completed all theory exams including instrument and ATPL and am wondering what RAA theory exams I need to do? I have approx 150 hours GA with about a third of that in command. Can anyone who has done the GA to RAA conversion give me some insight as to what I will need to do as far as theory exams? Do the GA exams count for this? Scotty

Hi Peter......Welcome aboard. Im in Oberon along side a good friend Chris "Bushpilot". Im about to head North to Tamworth but look Chris up and you can drool over his new Jabiru 160! Scotty :big_grin:

Thanks guys....I really appreciate everyones advice. I have decided to go with a Vertex 220 and when I buy a Trike I will get a suitable intercom which I have been discussing with a member. Scotty :thumb_up:

Glen....thank you. I just did a google search and found them! Len has been fantastic and I would learn with him for sure. Fuel being the big factor here. I just had a look on "whereis" and your right, it cuts about 100km off the trip. Im going to keep my options open as it may be worth the extra drive if the quality of training is there. Anyone else know of any closer to Tamworth? Scotty :thumb_up:

Your call Ian....The other forum I mentioned in my previous post has a Site Supporter reward system. It is not a lot and doesnt really cost anything but offers things like a monthly photo walk around of a different aircraft. One of my goals is to build a Piper J3 Cub replica. At Natfly this year I was introduced to a very nice chap who had his Cub there. He allowed me to take a few hundred photos of every part of the plane and with his permission, I donated that to my other forum which he sells for $10 to support the site or alternatively offers as a monthly walkaround to site supporters. When building radio control models, sometimes with out plans, you need all the pictures you can get. probably doesnt sound like much to most on here but it is to us. The chap who started that forum also has a few companies on line that offer discounts etc only to site supporters. It doesnt have to be a lot. Everyone wins, even the misers who cant part with a few dollars, and that is all it is, a few dollars! Scotty :big_grin:

Ian....I belong to a radio control scale aircraft forum in the USA and the costs for the chap who started that was becoming out of hand. I would be surprised if anyone thought you had to pocket the expense for this site. Last year they introduced a site supporters system where you can donate how ever much you want through paypal. You then come up with a little site supporter label above your Avatar. Most donate around the $10-$20 a year which is not too expensive considering what we get from the Forum. At this time there are around 2000 members here. Not all would be active I understand. Take half of those at a 1000 members. If each donated $5 that would be $5000 which would help a little im sure. No one is forced to pay. Then again maybe I should just shut my mouth..... Scotty :big_grin:

Hi Bob...im using Microsoft 2004 with Vista Australis. Very good combination. Just make sure you have a good enough PC to run it all. Scotty

Hi all......moving to Tamworth in October and wanting to do my GA to Trike conversion. I have asked the Manilla Sky Ranch at Lake Keepit and he said he doesnt do Trike training. Have spoken to Len at Somersby who has been very helpful but after looking on "whereis", im not sure im keen on the 3 hour each way drive! There is also Bruce at Mudgee too. Same distance though. Can any one help out with Trike training folk in or around Tamworth? Scotty

Thanks Ian...will have to find out from my good Wife if she has already ordered. Scotty :thumb_up:

Thanks Ian....my wife was hunting around for them on the net last week so secret spy may have ordered one How do you find this model of Joy stick? I have upgraded or should I say down graded to Windows Vista recently and my old Microsoft Force Feedback is not compatible. I bought a cheapy off Ebay for $8 and it does an ok job but doesnt have the rudder control twist or feedback so makes flying a plane easier than.....well, stealing candy off my 4 year old ! Anyway interested to hear how this unit performs. Scotty :big_grin:

Yeah good point. I dont know enough about electric motors but know there are some very impressive performers used in my other hobby, Radio Control Scale planes. Would be good to do the weight figures on what a Rotax 582 and all associated extras like fuel and the complete setup would weigh compared to something like this. Wonder how long one of these Electric Motors would last? Work out all the servicing of a petrol motor and this becomes very economical I might think? Scotty :big_grin:

Geez...how good is the Electric trike! This is great! I know weight would be a consideration but I wonder if you could hook a charging system up to the belt/prop drive on the motor or make a wind generator to have in flight charging? I would need to have a twin seat as the wife wouldnt let me spend all that money to leave her behind....:hittinghead: Scotty :thumb_up:

Hi Ian...thank you for that. Now stretching it to this model of Joystick is probably stretching the Fathers Day card....lol. I was looking for the Saitek Evo Force Feedback model I have found them online for around $95. Scotty :big_grin:

Ian...I havent been able to find the Saitek Evo Force Feedback Joy stick in the Clear prop shop. You mentioned you would be getting them at a good price. I sent you a message a few days ago but havent heard. Fathers Day is coming up! ;) I know your damn busy! Scotty :big_grin:

Thanks Andy...a Lot of food for thought there! Is the noise all ignition related? If so has no one designed a suppressor of some kind? Or am I barking up the wrong tree here? Scotty :confused:

Thanks Geoff...I appreciate that. They sound like a reasonable unit. I guess as long as you have good reliability approaching the circuit area etc , they should fit the need. I really appreciate the advice guys. Scotty :thumb_up:

Brent ...what model Icoms are popular. I heard through the grape vine that the older ones will be no use towards the end of the year due to the frequency spacings being reduced or something to that effect. Scotty

Hi Geoff...tell me more about it. What model number is it? I cant seem to find any information on it. How old is it? Scotty

Hi Brent....well thats very interesting. Not what I was hoping to hear but a genuine response and I thank you for that. So what is a good brand hand held Transceiver for Trike use then? Hope this is not going to open a can of worms here! scotty :ah_oh: