PaulN

Found this on a BBC news site photo competition.Not exactly a development of rough weather, but sure is the sort of thing to make everyone drop their jaw and gape in awe. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Hi Cecil, Oh yeah, that one with the 300ft radio mast just off the end of rwy 18 . When were you last at Polo Flat? Are you a mate of Mike? He was the one who introduced me to RA-Aus aviation and trained me up. Paul

Hey Smokey, Reading your road directions to The Oaks confirms whyIlike living in Cooma .... "Where's the airport?" Pointing - "Just head down that road 15 clicks and you're there".

An interesting vision. Thanks for sharing it Roger. Paul

I'm guessing our fearless leadrer (Ian) will have some input for you. He has his Gazelle on-line and did have his CTsw on-line. Keep an eye out, I'm sure he'll be in touch to offer an opinion ... when he gets a moment. Paul PaulN

Very interesting . I have only just put the phone down afer receiving a call from Councilor Ray Jeffery of Richmond Valley Council (RVC)as a result of submitting my letter of concern over the council's attitude to the Great Eastern Fly-In. Didn't expect that. Anyway, it seems that RVC ... 1. Supports aviation 2. Has no intention of shutting down the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome 3. Is looking favourably at three private proposals to develop an Air Park complex at Evans Head 4. Have no idea what is a reasonable landing fee charge. He was surprised to learn that the majority of recreational airfields charge anything from zip to $25. He thought their proposed$100 landingfee was the order of the day. Pity they didn't do some simple research. Has anyone else received any calls as a result of their correspondence? Paul

Gives a whole new meaning to the callsign "Iceman".

If they decide to proceed with the concept I think it will be very exciting. Depending on their price range, with their history in the industry, it's likely to be in high demand. With the growth in recreational aviation it'spretty muchinevitable that they will proceed.

Ben, in the hope that I can find some facts I'll fwd this querie on to my cousin who skippers a Jetstar A320. Hopefully he should have some ideaof the whys and wherefores. Paul

Hi Ian, My humble $0.02 worth. In Oz, to have or not to have is wholly a personal choice. With that choice comes the conundrum you have already discussed. As part of yourthinking on this issue have you researched the number of occasions recreational a/c of our kind (weight class),in particularthe CT, that could have been saved from fatal crashes with the use of a BRS. One site lists data of incidents involving BRS worldwide since 1983. Interesting to see how many Cirrus are listed (like the one Yenn referred to). Now I realise the CT has only been in production since 1997 (or thereabouts), however, this site lists only 2 of these. One in 1997 being tested to destruction (or was that the folding wings version) by the test pilot, the other in 2004 detailing the reason for deployment as "attempted go around". The latter sounds like a case of possible poor flying skill ... who knows. One needs to ask, whatis the chance ofmy experiencing a catastrophic failure that onlya BRS could saveme.One of the CT's qualities is its long glide ratio and another its structural integrity. Other possible reasons for a "last resort" deployment of a chute hinge around your qulaities of airmanship. From what I know of you it's pretty unlikely you're going to fly into IMC, or do things in thesky that will leave you unstuck, or treat your inspections and maintenance with complacency. Hopefully, while cruising happily along at 120kt with AP switched on yoursituational awareness doesn't nod off ;). Another consideration is the view that with a BRS on board one may be inclined to greater risk taking and/or wrenching the rip cord before it being absolutely essential. The marketers of the Lancair Columbia like to focus on this point. They refer to the Cirrus being dependant on a BRS and the number of injuries and write-offs consequent to the dubious use of theirBRS as opposed to the extraordinary stall and glide characteristics of the Columbia along with the pilot training they provide with new purchases. I know I came away from a test flight in one of these throughly impressed with its gentle, fully controllable stall dropping at 300 ft/min as opposed to the quoted BRS drop rate of 1500 ft/min. I know where I'd rather be at touch down. Not entirely unlike the CT. A further thoughtshould be givento carrying 19.5kg of BRS sitting up high behind theCofG. If you eventually choose this option you will be well advised to do a CofG test and possibly instal some ballast up front. Darn ... more weight. Like I said, it's very much a personal choice. And by no means should anyone think poorly of an a/c owner not carrying a BRS by choice. Hope this helps, Paul

Onya Greg, well done. Hope you'll be looking after Ian while he's in Port. (Port, now that sounds like a good idea ;) )

Don, That goes beyond annoying and as you suggest, hazardous to other aviators. Do you know if the pilot and crew of the blimp had a good reason to "hang out" on the rwy? I'm not familiar with YHBK, is there somewhere more appropriate, while remaining safe for the a/c, that they could have parked for refuelling? As for theirapparent disdain forradio procedure, I think Geoffgot it right withhis expression "arrogance".There's another expression - "familiarity breeds contempt". Maybe the blimp crew and the others you challenged are well seasoned pilots and in their minds they know best. On the positive side, there are lessons here for all of us. Paul

I totally agree with Ben. If you want to fly, give some thought to other flyers that just might be in your area. Have a radio and use it. They're not all that expensive, not too heavyand they're not hard to use. Speaking of "intelligible audio". If I had a dollar for every transmission I hear from the GA and RPT fraternity (andour own troops)that is rapidly blurted out or mumbled beyond comprehension I could afford a new radio stack. I will never understand why it has to be this way.Don't we make calls for the purpose of conveying information of interest to otherpilots and ATC so why not speak clearly and precisely. But please, only after thinking about what you're trying to get across. It's not thatdifficult. How many times have you heard someone repeating "umms" and "ahhs" and taking forever to get their message across? With regard to Danda's experience at Holbrook, I won't comment on the blimp thing apart from offering, there's no way it wouldn't be seen in the circuit area. However, regarding the attitude of the other flyers, it's just wrong to the point of stupidity to oppose someone requesting correct procedures and safe airmanship. I'd best climb down off my soap box now before someone kicks it out from under . Paul

Thanks Clem, It's good to see this forum gettingexperienced input, something we can all learn from. Your contribution is valued . Paul

If people keep falling out of it there's probably good reason to . Good onya Rob ... but still, better you than me . Paul

Clem, Most of us like surprises,pleasant ones at least. I first heard about the upcoming CTA endorsements for RA-Aus from CASA themselves. Part of their thinkingarises from the recent changes to Class E rules and exemptions granted to recreational a/c.Yes, the CAOs will require amendments. Yes, the RA-Aus training syllabus needs to be amended. Yes, it will take some time for all this to come-to-pass. Yes, it's on the way. Paul

Thanks Linda, Have spoken with Cameron and ord'd some of his product to try. Sounds pretty good. I've also put him onto Ian's forum shop so the rest of the forum readers may be able to buy through Ian soon. Paul

Hi Linda, As you have probably picked up from this forum, my wife (Gwen) and I like to take extended cross country flights in our CT. I have from time to time given thought to puncture proofing the tyres but not gone beyond thinking about it. Some have advised against injecting goo because of balance issues. I'd like to hear more about your choice to use this stuff. Is this the same goo used in bicycle tyres? Just how does it work? How long does it last? Does one need to top-up/replace periodically? Does one still adjust air pressure in these tyres? Do you have any other advice to offer? Thanks, Paul

To me, it's all good. Like you I think clearance through CTR would be most helpful and safer, not to mention convenient. From discussions I've had with RA-Aus staff it's likely training for these endorsements is some way off yet, maybe even a couple of years.

Good to have you on board Darren, between you and Jetgirl we should hear some good yarns andsee plenty of helpful tips. Personally, I'm looking forward to the invite to come on down and go for a spin in the Strikemaster ... I might even let you go for a ride in the CT2K, if you think you can handle the excitement. Paul

Thanks for sharing your story Ian. I don't believe it's fate mate, it's God's providence. You know what, had this not happened there's a whole bunch of guys and gals out there who would not have had the joy of sharing on this forum, meeting up with each other, helping each other and sharing pics, etc, etc. Pretty much being family . All because of that moment of yours in hospital.You're our. As we Christians say ... "Praise the Lord". Paul

Greetings Wodge, Good to have you on the team. Glad to see the name Aldinga. Say hi to Gaylene from me(doubt she remembers me though). My wife and I were looking forward to meeting the crew there last November. YADG was one of our planned stop-overs en route KI, but alas, as we taxied away from our home hangar at Cooma the gear collapsed ruining our much anticipated flight . One day we'll get our CT2K there, you'll see. Paul PS Aldinga has a great website. Take a look at http://www.adelaidebiplanes.com.au/ PaulN

Oh, what I'd give to be sylph-like .

Hi Christine, Yep, flying is a real privilegeproviding manywonderful opportunities to view God's fantastic creation from a platform that offers panoramas only a few ever see. Like you, and so many others I'm sure, my interest in flying was aroused as a child when I used to watch the Tigers coming and going at Broadmeadow Airfield in Newcastle. You know, after all these years I'm still to sit in one of those old birds. My boyhood years saw me making (and flying) heaps of plastic models, then in later years progressed to radio controlled stuff. In my late 20s I surrendered to the temptation to try a TIF in a 152 at Rutherford and then spent the next 12 mths arguing with myself about the affordability. I lost. Having a lovely wife and 3 precious toddlers, fairly average job, the usual mortgage and no real reason to learn to fly other than to please myself I gave the idea away as agood thought but just too selfish. This didn't stop me lookingskywards every time I heard an engine overhead and wishing. Years passed, we ran a successful business, saw all the kids married off and out of the nest, and retired at 55. Gwen andI then bought our Kawasaki GTR tourer for the fun of it, something we had talked about over recent years and now we had the time. Great fun too. Then one day almost exactly two years ago, I was riding through Cooma and noticed this unusual small plane fly over and land at Polo Flat. So detoured into the airfield to see this ultralight thingy. Well you could hardly call the Allegro an ultralight as it wasn't rag and tubes like I thought allultralights were, until then. A quick chat with the CFI, Mike Apps, then home to share the discovery of affordable flying with Gwen. You know what she said? "It's your birthday next week. How about you start lessons!" WOW!!!! Got my student pilot certificateon my birthday, then wings awarded Nov21 at 26.5 hrs. Seeing the great pleasure I was having Gwen soon suggested the idea of our own plane, one that WE could enjoy together. Then came the CT2K.Following more hours getting familiar with the CT we soon started planning our first cross country flight from Cooma back to our old home at Newcastle. It was then that I realised the best view from our little plane ... just to my right, my lovely wife and friend enjoying the same thing I enjoyed. Since then we've flown many hours together to places like Qld, Vic, the South Coast, the Outback and, God willing,there'splenty more to come. Even flying around our local area of the Snowy Mtns is fascinating. Sorryif Iwaffled on too much, but you did ask . Paul PaulN