Bubbleboy

I hope for all of our sakes this is not true.

Hi Lyle...yes still busy building! Its only 3.5 years since I started. Got the fuselage done now and about to make the undercarriage. Engine is in the USA being sorted now. Im camping at the caravan park at the airfield so hope to catch up. Scotty

If anyone needs a lift in to town to get MOGAS, let me know. Happy to help out. Scotty

Cool Mike...will meet you before the welding course then! Scotty

Hi Mike...will PM you. Scotty

TK58.....There have been several threads on this over the past few years but I will try and give you an idea of what would make NATFLY attractive for me again. I know everyone is not a builder but I am. I would like to see a variety of hands on mini forums covering such technical subjects like: -Aircraft electrical wiring and crimping -Aircraft material selection -Installing undercarriage bungees -Installing instruments -Plumbing fuel systems -Using a torque wrench -Covering techniques (which we have had) -Making Nicopress control cables (which we have had) -Selecting aircraft AN hardware -Prop balancing -Safety wiring bolts etc -Rigging your aircraft -Aircraft painting -Alternative engines (which we have had) These are just a few of what could be done. The first Temora NATFLY had the museum engineers there doing some of this. Was fantastic and I learnt a lot. Yes....I know they need to be paid. We are a multi million dollar organisation. How about RAA cough up some dough and pay professionals to present these? Give something back to the membership. There is a world class museum on site. Other than the first year where the engineers were involved there has been no other support there I could see. Maybe they give us a chunk of money which I dont know about? I know they flew the Spitfire this year after people suggesting they would like to see more input from them. When I last suggested this I was shot down with the excuse that it costs $5000 or there abouts to put on a show from one of their aircraft. NATFLY is supposed to be the annual RAAus showcase. Where we all meet and show new people what we can offer them. In business you need to spend a few dollars to make a few. Others have suggested inviting vintage car and bike clubs for the weekend. There are plenty of camping areas so why not. I know Easter time there are many other things on for these groups so some notice would need to be given. I went to Omaka Classic Fighters this year instead of NATFLY. They have a great show of vintage cars, bikes and machinery. They also had a marquee that was home to half a dozen vineyards for the weekend. This was on the field and was a great spot to meet and the non flying partners loved it! You could buy a wine glass for $2 that had the Classic Fighters logo on it. Its not an issue for people driving as most camp at the field. Night time concerts at the airport would be great. The band at Omaka was a Credence Clearwater Revival band and were fantastic. They have concerts at Oshkosh I believe? The lack of insight from the RAA regarding bringing the younger generation on has always astounded me. Look at the average age of RAA members. With out the up and comings, RAA is going to cease to exist in 20 years time. I have spoken before how I offered to organise a kids program for 2012 NATFLY. The complete lack of enthusiasm from any of the organisers blew me away. I was going to organise and run the whole show! I obtained quotes and sponsorship and had the whole thing organised subject to a go ahead from the RAA. They couldn't even do that! I might sound dirty about all this. I am a little, but more disappointed that the people at the top couldn't or wouldn't see that NATFLY was on the down hill slide. I have been to NATFLY Narromine and Temora. Both are great venues, each with there pros and cons. Guys lets face it, Temora has done a great job with their facilities. Each year I camped there I saw improvements. We have a great group on the ground there at Temora. The SAAA have adopted Narromine as their home and have Ausfly now. Its too late to ponder about whether we should still have NATFLY there. If you think its too hard getting to Temora rather than Narromine, and that is the reason you wont go, you have serious issues. The food court selection in 2012 was great. A good variety of healthy and not so healthy options. I would like to see more suppliers there so I can touch and look at their products. Before I left for NATFLY 2012 I emailed a supplier who had been there previously. I wanted them to bring some things I wanted to buy and was told they wernt going that year as it wasnt worth it. What does that tell you? I do hope you can turn it around and make it worth going to again as I really want a place to go where I can talk plane stuff with folk who have the same interests as me and I can learn how to do things the safe and correct way. Scotty

Whos going to AUSFLY? Me and the young fella are driving down Thursday and camping there. Anyone else camping on site? Scotty

Hi all.......we have only 1 spot left on the TIG welding course that we have organised at the Canberra Institute of Technology on the 2-3 November 2013. The cost is $450. This includes the course fee, lunch both days and a DVD from the EAA on TIG welding 4130 Chrome Moly. We can have a max of 12 people and currently have 11 who have paid. No welding experience needed. Most have none or limited experience so if you would like to be a part of this weekend and learn how to TIG weld, let me know. You will need to bring a TIG capable welding helmet, gloves and a long sleeved jacket. 1 spot left only! Scotty

Hi Maj....I respect you and appreciate your advice but why the hell are some folk scared of these ramp checks? If we have nothing to hide, what is there to worry about? Are CASA trying to screw us over? I find that hard to believe. We all should have the required documents and a 15 min chat on the ramp is not going to kill us is it? I drove 8 hours to get there but should I have stayed home as I could have got pulled over and breath tested? If that is what is keeping folk away from NATFLY, we are in serious trouble! Carol...reading your post above, please do not see this as a personal attack on your efforts. I was at the first 3 NATFLY's at Temora and constantly saw you flitting around on your buggy trying to ensure things were running smoothly. What I am eluding to is the fact that even with constructive suggestions and offers of help, nothing has changed. In 2011, after complete frustration, a number of folk on here offered to organise things for the following year. I offered to organise and run a complete kids program. I went so far as to organise quotes from "Play on wheels" in Wagga as well as a jumping castle. I was going to organise a model balsa glider building comp and who evers flew the furtherest, was going to receive a joy flight on the day from one of the RAA flight schools in NSW who I am friends with the owner. These were just the start. I had a full 3 days organised. All I needed was the go ahead and some funding from the RAAus. All I got was negativity and reasons why I couldnt do it. The first Temora NATFLY for me was fantastic! The Museum engineers did several technical presentations on things like checking and making cables to name one. There were a group who built an ultralight in the 4 days. This was priceless. I watched and had hands on wiring the panel. Learnt how to crimp wires correctly, watched the guys use a torque wrench. I could go on but feel like a broken record. I dont know what other folk are expecting from NATFLY but this is my idea of what it needs to be like. Not a parking lot full of $100 000 plastic aircraft. There were a lot of suppliers there and I purchased many items for my build. Sorry Don, it seems the thread topic has drifted some what so I will leave it there. I would also like to thank Carol for what she has done over the years as I know it can be done but am stumped as to why the last 3 years of Natfly have gone down hill. Im baffled....Scotty

Hi Don...what your proposing makes sense and I applaud your drive...Thank you. What concerns me is the dwindling attendances at each Natfly. I went to the first 3 and the first was fabulous. They took a steep dive after that. To a point that I chose not to attend this year as it wasnt worth my time and money. The feedback I received from those who did attend was less than cherry. I know this probably comes across as being critical and "why dont I put my hand up to organise part of it'? Well I did offer. Two years running and got shot down basically. I really want Natfly to work. It could be a fabulous event and Temora is a great spot with good facilities. It just needs more than one person to organise it all. I know, a little off topic but relevant considering the proposed changes. If Natfly carries on it in its current format, would I drive 8 hours just to attend the AGM? Probably not... Scotty

Frank...with Turbines they dont need to crash to light the place up. I have seen the dry grass catch fire just from the exhaust on take off. Scotty

Hi Frank...we have gone through this here at Tamworth. Apparently as long as the land owner gives his permission for the guys to fly there, the insurance they hold covers it. I know thats a very basic description and im sure there are other factors but I believe you will be right as long as they have current insurance. Scotty

Im building a Pietenpol Air Camper with a 3 piece wing. I can trailer it and store in my garage if needed. Scotty

The gear on the Piet was a copy of the Jenny if my memory serves me correctly.

Christ Maj!.....these things are a work of art! I cant stop going out to the garage and touching them! I do know what you mean about covering them in to make them stream lined but we are talking about a Pietenpol low and slow here. With the amount of drag on this airframe, im happy to have my wheels naked so I can drool on them while flying around the hills. If it wasnt going to be zero degrees tonight I would be sleeping next to them on the garage floor! Scotty

Had the Tyres fitted properly today Phil...dead sexy I tell you! Scotty

Todays progress! Cut out instrument holes and instrument access door on front cockpit head rest. Fitted the Avon Speed master 21" tyres that arrived from the UK on Friday. Scotty

Fantastic and congrats! Cant wait till its my turn...back to the shed I go... Scotty

Thanks guys!...all good leads which I will follow up on. Scotty

Thanks Mark!

My Corvair engine is being partially rebuilt in the USA and although it wont be ready for shipping for a number of months, im doing some homework as to how will be the most cost effective way of getting it back here. It is basically a short block that will be in a wooden crate. Does anyone bring containers over from the USA who might have room for such an item? Happy to contribute to cost. How have others done this sort of thing? Scotty

Certainly will Maj!

Maj...that would be Arthur Johnson! Arthur has been helping me by answering my many questions. I hope to be up that way one day to check it out! Im sitting here as I type compiling a list of 4130 that I need to continue. Performance Metals order coming up! My Corvair is in the USA at the moment. Roy from Roys Garage has rebuilt the crank already and will be assembling the case halves and fitting a 5th bearing and will ship it over for me to finish assembling it. Its getting a little exciting! Scotty

Looks like a lot of fun Maj! Cant wait to get my Piet flying so I can participtae in these events! Scotty

Thanks Andy...that sounds like a great option. Its amazing how bringing things over from the UK or Hong Kong is so much cheaper than the US. No idea why. Thanks mate Scotty