kodiak74

Found this site which has an interesting comparison on the market of comparable fighters for the F35 -> http://gripen4canada.blogspot.com.au/p/how-the.html Obviously the site is biased in favour of the Saab Gripen - but it does have some compelling figures - such as half the purchase price of the F35, and a 1/4 of the operating cost, faster, simpler too operate, etc.... oh dear, why are we getting the F35 again ? And yes its from Sweden, so insert Ikea pun here .....

For a minute there I thought you were talking about this guy ->

Been following the blog (http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/southernsun/1/1446571656/tpod.html) and its sounding like he will be back in Melbourne around the 14-15th Nov. - just wondering if there is a gathering planned for the welcome back ? (and whether random well wishers are invited) According to pub rules, I think there is a beer or too owing for a good yarn well told !

The article is saying they are closing child care centres because of the risk of hearing damage to the kids from the jets. After having a BBQ with 6 screaming kids running round, and comparing that to a twin jet taxing past about 20 meters away - the pain threshold was about the same :)

I'm thinking the mountain is Buller, and the range is the Cathedrals looking north to south - with the burnt out regions from Black Sat in the background.

Thanks All. I'm based in Melbourne - and doing my flying out of Moorabbin (YMMB) at the moment - you have been warned !! Really looking forward to being able to do some cross country flying and seeing outback Australia. We have family in Launceston, so being able to "pop down" would be great as well - although I think it might be a while before I'm comfortable with heading across Bass Straight (or am I just being paranoid ?). Anyway, such concerns are a while off - got to focus on my circuit work first !

I'm around 4 hours of flying into my PPL and learning just how much there is too learn !! Still got the heady rush of fear, nerves, excitement, and exhilaration going - hoping for less of the former, and more of the later as my flying progresses. Naturally I'm window shopping for the first plane, though it will be a couple of years before thats a reality - but feel free to run your sales pitches &/or trial flights past me !!