PaulN

Good to hear from you Ingrid. It's a pity we didn't know of each other in Sept 05 when we landed our CT at Alice and stayed over for a couple of nights before heading over the top end of the Simpson for Boulia. Had a wow of a time at the Henley on Todd rubbing shoulders with all the Harley owners that day. My wife and I had to smile at the controllers comments as we approached 12. After passing SPG he advised "Cleared for STA on 12. Report when 5 miles out". Just as we were about to call our 5 mile position he jumped in again "Charlie Tango 3841, are you still on approach? Have you passed the 5 mile mark yet? I can't see you ... Oh, there you are I have you now". We figured he was not used to looking for a little CT amongst your normal type of traffic there. Re the Composiclean. I found out about this polishing product from the http://www.ctflyer.com/ site in the USA where quite a bit of useful info about CTs is passed around. I have been using it for just a couple of polishes now, since getting 3841 airworthy again, and find it very good for making the surface very slippery and shiny and with considerable ease of use. I clean her regularly by wiping down with a damp towel (no water or soap) to remove bugs and dust and polish just now and then for that extra special clean. I think it's pretty good. Re cleaning the windows, when I first bought the CT a friend (who should know) recommended I avoid even wiping them with a damp chamois, but only to use a dripping wet chamois and then with smooth, gentle downward only strokes to remove dirt. Then polish with a soft cloth using an aerosol product called Plexus. See http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/ for more info. We found it no problem buying locally in the ACT from a plastic products retailer. Hope to catch up sometime. Cheers, Paul PS Can you tell me more about the FD maintenance course, like other useful owner tips and must do's? .

I heard it Paul

Ferret, I suggest you PM Ian. I expect he will be able to help and at the best price. Paul

1.5 hours from home in ACT to take-off on 18 ... just how fast do you drive??? Adrian will be impressed at the dawn start, don't tell him it was my idea :ah_oh:, but I know he likes early AM flying too. It must be sooooo frustrating driving all that way and having to abort . Not sure I'll be there early tomorrow. Had a late night tonight and a full day with visitors tomorrow. Maybe Sunday at YADY. Paul

About 4000 AGL, low cloud. Would be good to catch up. Keep us informed if you think you'll make it. Weather permitting our club (Snowy River Aviators) is having a meet at the Adaminaby airstrip on Sunday. I hope to fly in just after midday, after church in Jindabyne. Metro, yes. Death Pencil?? Cheers, Paul

Onya Glenn, that's the one . Anyone else pick it? Paul

Thanks Chris, but that's no reason to stay away from the forum ;) Paul PS Think of all the reading he will have to do to catch up :confused:

Early AM training and back to work by 0930? Why not? You just have to get used to driving out of ACT around 0445 and dodge the roos en route :;)4: . But hey, no sacrifice is too great for flying ;) . Paul

Too easy Ross. Yep to both. For this next one you should sit on your hands again, OK. Which strip is this, AND, what's its elev and rwys? Paul

No takers for my airstrip pic posted Dec 28?? Where are you Danda? Here's another, not so easy to identify. So I'll give you a clue ... elev 5080ft (just a touch above coastal strips) with rwy 12/30. Paul

Good morning Ross, Nuther nice flight this morning. Off at 0630 back at 0745. Up to YADY for T&G, up over Eucumbene, down to YJIN for another T&G on 12 but aborted cos of roos grazing on the strip, so went around then low over pass at 50ft just for the fun of scattering them, then back to YCOM. Beautiful morning, still air but breeze up for landing around 15kt NE. This is the life. :) :) :) Pity you can't do your training in 3527 early AM rather than wait for the wind to come up in the PM. Adrian says you might be at Kennedy on Sun for the club meet. I plan to fly in shortly after midday after church so may catch up with you there. Paul

You're seeing things Ian. But they are nice things all the same. Paul

Dahl, Look in your Yellow Pages for signwriters (esp vinyl signs). I'm sure you'll find someone there that can print/cut them for you. You will need to provide them with a size, font type and colour choice. They will cut out the numbers leaving them on a backing ready for you to apply and if they're worth their money they'll give helpful tips on methods of application. Hope this helps, Paul

Nice shot of the Jab on your Obs page ;) .That was the bank plane Ross. I heard his inbound call for a STA and timed my fly-over to catch this shot. You're right, the winds were NNE this morning but not much in it. I did two landings, a T&G on 18 to practise a downwind approach and the other on 36 but with -12 flaps and a very long powered "flare" just 10ft AGL to put down near the taxi way, again just for honing technique. What a perfect morning it was :big_grin: :big_grin: :big_grin: . Paul

Hi gang, I woke early this morning (unusual for me) peeked out the window and got this irresistable urge, call of the blue yonder if you like ... "Get on up here". So at 0630 me a the little CT taxied into the sunrise. What a splendid morning for a quick fly around. Well at least I told Gwen it would be quick but once up there it's hard to come back down, esp on mornings like this. Basically just a fly around our local area taking in the views and check-flying a few minor adjustments in calm conditions ... well that's my excuse. Hope you enjoy the pics over top YCOM. Paul

Hi again Dave, The life jackets were supplied by RFD, they have a couple of outlets in WA. Our's are Hoover (FV35E-H) Quick Donning Helicopter Life Jackets for around $150 ea. They are labelled as requiring annual re-certification. You asked for a pic of the 40mm inspection port I had to make near the wing root. Hope these will do. Cheers, Paul

Great report Rob, thank you for sharing it. These pics are amazing quality for a mobile. I understand from the organising committee that the Great Eastern will be back in Evans Head next year. Your idea of a navex to Kempsey is a good one. Hope someone takes it on board. Cheers, Paul

G'day Mick, Happy New Year to you. For a little more info check out this thread (esp post on Dec 21). http://www.recreationalflying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6322 Yeah, this has been good training in patience, but I managed to keep my mind off it by doing some home renos throughout the year. I guess if flying was my foremost priority in life the wait might have been unbearable. However, as good as it is, wife, family, friends and church come ahead ... but only just. Cheers, Paul

Hi Dave, When you get around to tripping east in CTD please keep us informed, it may be nice to spend some time with you and perhaps do some flying in company ... if I can keep up with you. I know you'll love some of the scenery on offer around these parts. Never know, you might find a nugget or two around Bendigo while over here, but you'd better bring a bigger plane . It's still on our minds to do that around Oz trip this winter, plans are still very loose though. We'll keep you informed and maybe catch up with you on that side of the island. If anyone reading this has any (whatsoever) tips to offer re planning an around Oz trip, please don't keep them to yourselves. Re the bouyancy vests, stand by CTD, I'll get back to you on that. I've forgotten the brand name and the paper work is archived too deep to find in a hurry. Next time I'm at the airport (soon I hope) I'll get the details and come back to you. Happy New Year, Paul

Something I've never asked Chris, and something I've never heard discussed. However, I do know it is advisable to maintain the composite surfaces with a quality pH neutral cleaner (never use a silicone based product) and that Composiclean, a product specific to washing/polishing/protecting composite materials, does incorporate UV protection, or so they say. Maybe some else out there with more knowledge can add to this :;)5:. Paul

Thanks Peter, you're too kind ... Steve took the pics. That's a view of Nelson Beach and Nelson Lagoon about 3nm N of Tathra. Paul

Ahhh! Thanks for clearing that up.

Wishing everyone here a wonderful 2007 filled with hours and hours of happy, safe flying. Hoping to meet up with you one day soon. Paul

Guys, I have recently tried Tru Blue Puncture Goo in my CT resulting in severe vibration with every take-off and landing, although assured by the supplier that the Goo remains liquid and distributes evenly around the circumference of the tire wall. Have since replaced all three tubes and lost the vibration. I would really like this same "peace of mind" when touring, so if/when you try out this stuff I would love to hear the results. Paul

Chris, does that mean I won't be able to take you up on your open invitation to "drop in sometime"? :) Dave, that's interesting. I was led to understand that, since our collapse and other reported cracked legs, SAA would only order CTs fitted with the heavy gear as a std option for Oz conditions. This tells a different story. ;) Paul