UltraFlash

Also if you ever buy batteries (LiFePo4 or otherwise) from hobbyking always buy them from the international warehouse. I've bought many from the Australian Warehouse and determined the packs from the AU warehouse swell much easier and have a much shorter lifespan than those shipped from HKG. We suspected this was because AU stock has been sitting idle for ~6 months, from packing, shipping in a sea container and then sitting in the AU warehouse for months.

I'd suggest using the Australian made LiFePo4 packs from Booma RC boomarc.com These packs have a build in battery balancing circuit, that prevents individual cells going over voltage and balances the pack. I use these in RC Turbine Jets, where the starting current exceeds 30A for over a minute, with no issues in over 500 starts each.

I just used my debit card to pay on the website last week - worked first time.

Was a PPG pilot, friend of a friend. Apparently had engine failure at low altitude with very little options and tried to land on the road. The pilot was in his early 20's, and with a newborn baby. Condolences to the family and friends.

So are you saying the factory are/will be offering a factory built aircraft?

I'd like to add a last comment for the Flying Legend Tucano, whilst I haven't actually seen one the concept has certainly got my interest, and if I had the time I would be ordering the kit now. I think this may be something I see myself taking on as a project in 5-10 years time. In the meantime, I'll just keep looking at the Australian build blog and dream...

RAA could take a page out of MAAA's book. MAAA has been working with a communication consultancy to rebrand and better communicate with members and potential members, and it has been well received so far. Check their new website MAAA.asn.au The main reason for this change of direction has been competition both from another society AMAS, and competition from the non member crowd who fly without joining a club or association. As I read in someone else's comment, competition is what seems to be missing from the RAA as it essentially has the monopoly. Unfortunately as we see so often in life, such as dealing with government agencies, human nature says that unless we have to compete to stay ahead, we never perform as well.

I would have also thought it wasn't legal, passing on correspondence addressed to them in confidence. Did you ask the question of them as to why they took this course of action? The issue is, as is common in government, public servants in one department looking after themselves and their 'mates' in another department with complete disregard for taxpayers or the real-world effects of their actions.

I did speak to one of the CASA reps on their stand at Avalon. When asking about the restrictions I was told that CASA had 'more information than they have told at this stage'. I continued to question them on whether this should be applied to particular engines or variants of these and from the responses I got it appeared they were more focused on the manufacturer rather than any particular engine. I was however assured many times that the instrument is definitely temporary and would be removed at some stage in the future... However I did enjoy the free coffee from the CASA stand, looking on it as the only opportunity I'll ever get to get some of my money back from CASA.