johnprop

Does anyone have any information when the Australian made Kti 406Mhz Emergency Beacon (PLB) will available? I understand it is undergoing approval. Any info please? Clive

Yesterday (Friday 23/5) at 9am instructor John asked me did I want to solo? ... What now? I said ... You are ready and I'll be on the portable .. He said The secret for me was the use of runway 18 Right which doesn't have those trees at the southern end and is now the only runway as 18 Left is closed for grazing/farming. An optional takeoff, around the circuit and the manadatory landing with John's only comment on roll after landing ... "stick back" \. Old dogs can be taught new tricks it just takes a little longer. On to the Certificate & cross country endorsement. Clive

Steve, The bottomline from http://www.ragandtubeaviator.blogspot.com/ Clive Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Ops. Manual Update Hi All, The new Ops. manual is now at CD proof read stage, and all going well CD's will be burned and sent out with the July Magazine. Mick Poole has declared August 1st as the implementation date baring unforeseen problems. There will be a realistic "Grandfather" period for people who have been training under the old Ops. manual. (eg the new cross country increase from 5 to 10 hours.) John McK Posted by John McKeown at 13:22 South Queensland RA-Aus Board member

Cloud seeding? Clive

If the prop wash was enough to enable the plane to fly it would lift off during run up which it doesn't. It needs 50-80 knots of wind over the wing to generate enough lift to fly and with the conveyor belt keeping the plane in the stationary position it will not fly. Clive

Hi Paul, I completed BAK & PPLA nav theory 16 years ago but due to business pressures completed no flight time. CASA has me on their data base and the completion of that theory was accepted by RA-Aus without further study or exams. I am now training in a Jab 55 and if I decide to progress to PPL will train with a Jab VH & expect it would not take long but at this time will probably do so only if there is a benefit that I need. Clive

Claim the airstrip has local historical significance under Council's Local Environmental Plan. eg. was it the first location of a landing of an aircraft in the Council area? Did someone of significance land there? Did some important person own or use the land? Are there any buildings, earthworks etc with an historical link? Are there any special plants or animals that would be destroyed/displaced by the grading of the airstrip? Get a consultant or a greenie to write a BS story for you and stick it up Council ASAP. If all elses fails form an action committee/group and stand for election to Council. Don't accept the word of Council staff or Councillors on anything. Start a paper dialogue with Council/ local Councillors/state member/federal member/ CASA/local media etc. Good luck. Clive Johnson Town Planning Consultant Cronulla Sydney

Is anyone using APRS to track the progress of their aircraft flights? I would like to hear any feedback good bad or indifferent, of it's use in Australia and details of the users equipment, installation etc. Clive

Have any forum members equipped their aircraft with APRS and if so what radio licence (if any) in addition to their radio endorsement is required to operate the APRS transmitter. Clive

Cost of subscription to Pocket FMS Is Pocket FMS worth it? I don't know now with a subscription cost per annum of $95 USD (I assume the donation was a once off). I would like to hear from those who use an alternative to Pocket FMS what the annual cost of their alternative is. I think perhaps Pocket FMS may have priced themselves out of the Australian market but I'm keen to hear the views of others. Clive

What's happening to RA-Aus A Draft for Discussion has appeared on the CASA website for the Regulation, Order, and Instrument to Implement Self Regulation of Private General Aviation. The power point presentation made to CASA can be viewed at: http://www.leisureflight.com.au/files/Update%20061201%20Presentation%20CASA%20summit%203 0-11-06.pdf Note: Slide 11 Drivers Licence Medical for Recreational/LSA Slide12 Highest Licence CPL Slide 13 Flying Training to CPL Slide 14 Aircraft Registration Slide 15 Issue of C of A Slide 18 “unlike CASA GAAO does not require criminal standard of evidence” The Draft for Discussion can be viewed at: www.casa.gov.au/seminars/selfadmin/papers/lfa-draftreg-selfadmin.pdf Note: SPL , RPL (LSA) aircraft up to 750 kg, RPL, PPL & CPL Private maintenance qualifications AMS3 or LAME Privileges available to “a member of good standing of the GAAO” ??? CASA has stated it wants feedback and has created a special email address to allow us to send comments, submissions or questions to CASA. To have your views considered send an email to: [email protected] CASA asks, if you are making a submission please be sure to address these two questions: Can self administration provide equivalent or better safety outcomes for the general aviation sector of the industry than presently apply? If so, what would be the most appropriate model for self administration? Emails will be acknowledged and, where appropriate, feedback provided. Regards Clive Johnson

What's happening to RA-Aus A Draft for Discussion has appeared on the CASA website for the Regulation, Order, and Instrument to Implement Self Regulation of Private General Aviation. The power point presentation made to CASA can be viewed at: http://www.leisureflight.com.au/files/Update%20061201%20Presentation%20CASA%20summit%203 0-11-06.pdf Note: Slide 11 Drivers Licence Medical for Recreational/LSA Slide12 Highest Licence CPL Slide 13 Flying Training to CPL Slide 14 Aircraft Registration Slide 15 Issue of C of A Slide 18 “unlike CASA GAAO does not require criminal standard of evidence” The Draft for Discussion can be viewed at: www.casa.gov.au/seminars/selfadmin/papers/lfa-draftreg-selfadmin.pdf Note: SPL , RPL (LSA) aircraft up to 750 kg, RPL, PPL & CPL Private maintenance qualifications AMS3 or LAME Privileges available to “a member of good standing of the GAAO” ??? CASA has stated it wants feedback and has created a special email address to allow us to send comments, submissions or questions to CASA. To have your views considered send an email to: [email protected] CASA asks, if you are making a submission please be sure to address these two questions: Can self administration provide equivalent or better safety outcomes for the general aviation sector of the industry than presently apply? If so, what would be the most appropriate model for self administration? Emails will be acknowledged and, where appropriate, feedback provided. Regards Clive Johnson

A Draft for Discussion has appeared on the CASA website for the Regulation, Order, and Instrument to Implement Self Regulation of Private General Aviation. The power point presentation made to CASA can be viewed at: http://www.leisureflight.com.au/files/Update%20061201%20Presentation%20CASA%20summit%203 0-11-06.pdf Note: Slide 11 Drivers Licence Medical for Recreational/LSA Slide12 Highest Licence CPL Slide 13 Flying Training to CPL Slide 14 Aircraft Registration Slide 15 Issue of C of A Slide 18 “unlike CASA GAAO does not require criminal standard of evidence” The Drat for Discussion can be viewed at: www.casa.gov.au/seminars/selfadmin/papers/lfa-draftreg-selfadmin.pdf Note: SPL , RPL (LSA) aircraft up to 750 kg, RPL, PPL & CPL Private maintenance qualifications AMS3 or LAME Privileges available to “a member of good standing of the GAAO” ??? CASA has stated it wants feedback and has created a special email address to allow us to send comments, submissions or questions to CASA. To have your views considered send an email to: [email protected] CASA asks, if you are making a submission please be sure to address these two questions: Can self administration provide equivalent or better safety outcomes for the general aviation sector of the industry than presently apply? If so, what would be the most appropriate model for self administration? Emails will be acknowledged and, where appropriate, feedback provided. Regards Clive Johnson

Hi guys, A Draft for Discussion has appeared on the CASA website for the Regulation, Order, and Instrument to Implement Self Regulation of Private General Aviation. The power point presentation made to CASA can be viewed at: http://www.leisureflight.com.au/files/Update%20061201%20Presentation%20CASA%20summit%2030-11-06.pdf Note: Slide 11 Drivers Licence Medical for Recreational/LSA Slide12 Highest Licence CPL Slide 13 Flying Training to CPL Slide 14 Aircraft Registration Slide 15 Issue of C of A Slide 18 “unlike CASA GAAO does not require criminal standard of evidence†The Drat for Discussion can be viewed at: www.casa.gov.au/seminars/selfadmin/papers/lfa-draftreg-selfadmin.pdf Note: SPL , RPL (LSA) aircraft up to 750 kg, RPL, PPL & CPL Private maintenance qualifications AMS3 or LAME Privileges available to “a member of good standing of the GAAO†??? CASA has stated it wants feedback and has created a special email address to allow us to send comments, submissions or questions to CASA. To have your views considered send an email to: [email protected] CASA asks, if you are making a submission please be sure to address these two questions: Can self administration provide equivalent or better safety outcomes for the general aviation sector of the industry than presently apply? If so, what would be the most appropriate model for self administration? Emails will be acknowledged and, where appropriate, feedback provided. Regards Clive Johnson

G'day Mike, "recreational aircraft" to describe our fleet in all it's sizes, shapes and configuration sounds OK to me but "ultralight" has to go. We are all recreational flyers. We fly for recreation and build for our enjoyment and educational benefit. Cheers Clive

CASR 103 - What's in a name The document is titled NPRM Sport and Recreational Aviation Operations yet our aircraft are defined and termed "ultralights" in no less than eight places in the document. In my view referring to our aircraft as ultralights is a step backwards. I understand the RAAus abandoned the term ultralight some time ago for insurance reasons. Australia has a Free Trade Agreement with the USA which gives our aircraft manufacturers encouragement to export to the US. However the US FAA specifies an "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 115 kg, a top speed of 55 knots, a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots, and are only allowed to fly during daylight hours and over unpopulated areas. Our aircraft as defined under CASR 103 are closer to the FAA definition of a Light – sport aircraft , or LSA, as an aircraft with a maximum gross takeoff weight of less than 600 kg for aircraft designed to operate from land, 649kg for seaplanes etc. It should be an easy step for CASA to refer to our aircraft in CASR 103 as Light Sport Aircraft rather than ultralights and that is what I will be telling CASA in my response to the NPRM. If we can't harmonise with the different definitions used in Europe, UK or Canada at least we should with the USA. I am not an aircraft manufacturer or associated with one. Regards Clive

PocketFMS to go subscription - life long discount for donors before 31/3/07 I have received the following from PocketFMS and have posted it for the information of members. I gain no benefit financial or otherwise from doing so. Safe flying Clive "PocketFMS has come a long wayfrom its humble beginnings where Rob Weijers started to write a small tool to help him with his ATPL flight training. In the years since then, PocketFMS has grown to become a leading Pocket PC based aviation navigation and flight planning The Airspace database for much of Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many other parts of the world has been completely reviewed and updated - it contains entries that are found in no other NavDatabase, even in databases produced by leading NavData providers. Ultralight strips, waterdromes, private strips, beacons, air spaces - they're all there and rapidly growing in number and detail! PocketFMS now takes the next leap forward in its development, with the appointment of its first fulltime staff member. Marcel 'Nosegear' Knol, co-founder of the PocketFMS Foundation, This will bring many significant improvements such as having an even more accurate and reliable NavDatabase, even quicker support, and more frequent and larger improvements to the functionality of PocketFMS. PocketFMS can no longer remain Donationware. Since less than 5% of our users have ever made a donation over the past 3 years we'll have to switch to a subscription based system where you can become a Member of the PocketFMS Foundation in order to be able to use PocketFMS. Life long discount for Donors. The programs, hi-resolution background maps, 2-hourly NavData updates and all other benefits will remain free to Members of the Foundation, but PocketFMS will cease to function once the yearly subscription has expired. This subscription comes at an annual price of €150 (approximately US$ 190). However, since many users have made a donation over the years and/or have contributed to improving the quality of the NavData, we feel obligated to have a special reward for these loyal supporters. We have therefore decided that everyone who has become a Donor before March 31, 2007 will have a 50% discount on the yearly subscription price – for the rest of his life! More information? We are about to see major improvements in all aspects of PocketFMS. Via the Content Delivery System (CDS) that's built into PocketFMS Desktop, via the forum, the website and the mailing list we will provide you with further details."

GPS Units Hi guys, On our road trip to Wings Over Wagga I set up and tested a moving map system on my PDA that some of the glider pilots use. See www.soarmn.com/cumulus/pdagps.htm The hardware consists of a coloured screen Dell Axim X5 which I already had. I imported a Bluetooth GPS (EMTAC S3-BTGPS, www.emtac.com) from www.gpsnow.com in the USA at a cost of $135 USD incl postage. The GPS includes a dual cable to power both GPS and PDA from a cigarette lighter outlet. I attached the GPS to the back of the PDA with velcro but they could both be attached to a kneeboard. The software is Pocket FMS www.pocketfms.com which for a donation of $60 USD provides high resolution Air Services like nav maps for Australia and NZ. Nav software updates are monthly and free. The setup worked flawlessly tracking us along the Hume Highway. When we approached an airfield eg. Bankstown, Winton the PDA sounded a "bell" and a window opened on the screen with the message " x minutes to Bankstown etc, contact Brisbane on freqency .... Cheers Clive

Aircraft Spruce I have used both Spruce and Wicks in the USA. I found Wicks to be better. Postage by USPS (United States Postal Service) from the USA is the cheapest by far but you should insure your purchase as you cannot track the progress of your delivery. Purchases made from California will attrack a 6% tax so all things being equal, buy from a tax free state. Check the bottom line every time i.e. cost of goods + delivery + tax (if any). USPS website for postage costs is www.usps.com select 'calculate postage", "calculate international postage", "Destination" = Australia, "Shape and Size" = package, enter weight, "continue", select "Air Parcel Post' , add Extras, select "Insurance", "Add Extra Services", continue, gives total cost and estimated delivery time. GST- If the value of your purchase is greater than $1,000 AUD (I stand corrected on the value) your purchase will be referred to Customs & you will have to pay GST/Duty etc at Australia Post before they will hand over your goods. Small, light weight medium cost goods are worth while importing. If you have a relative or friend in the US - it is the way to go. A relative of mine bought my SS 4 pipe exhaust system in CA and sent it to me as a gift in two separate parcels. Cheers Clive

G'day Rodger, There may be another reason why GPS makers don'tinstall SD or CF cards in their products. They can charge $$$ for updates. I understand Garmin charge $50 AUD??/USD?? for each update and if that is correct then buying the GPS is akin to buying a printer for your computer. You are not buying a printer you have bought an ink contract with the printer manufacturer. Just my humble opinion. Cheers Clive

Don, In the PDA setup I described yesterday I receive monthly Nav Data downloads fromPocketFMSfor Australia and New Zealand which I can download for free to the SD cardin my PDA. Clive

I recently set up & tested a moving map system on my PDAthat some of the glider pilots use. See http://www.soarmn.com/cumulus/pdagps.htm The hardware consists of a coloured screen Dell Axim X5 which I already had. I imported a Bluetooth GPS (EMTAC S3-BTGPS, www.emtac.com) from www.gpsnow.com in the USA at a cost of $135USD incl postage.The GPS includes adual cable to power both GPS & PDA from a cigarette lighter outlet. I attached the GPS to the back of the PDA with velcro but they could both be attached to a kneeboard. The software is Pocket FMS www.pocketfms.com which for a donation of $60USD provides high resolutionAir Serviceslike nav mapsfor Australia& NZ. Last weekend we drove to Wagga for WOW& tested out the setup. It worked flawlessly tracking us along the Hume Highway. When we approached an airfield eg. Bankstown, Winton the PDA sounded a "bell" and a window opened on the screen with the message " x minutes to Bankstown etc, contact Brisbane on freqency .... PM me if you would like more info or likeme toemail you photos ofmy setup. Clive

Certainly fly light with a basic instruments. However if you go GPS you may want to look at comparatively low cost additional instrumentation available on Palm or Pocket PC for example at Hangar B-17.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> https://www.hangarb17.com/index1.html It is from the USA and weather features may not be available. It comes down to what you want to do. If you want cross country then the Aussie equivalent of the above would be a way to go. If there is an Aussie equivalent I would like to hear about it from anyone out there. Safe flying

Bill McIntyre of CASA advised me in 2003 that the proposed Recreational Pilots Licence (RPL)which would requires a car driver's medical and not a Class 2 medical,was expected to commence from April 2005. I have just been advised by Dick Reynoldson of CASAthat the RPL is not likelybefore 2008.For 10 years since 1996 CASA has been talking about issuing aRecreational Pilot Licence and I don't think it will happen with CASA.