Pete-the-Pilot

Talk soon Tomo, I need to say thanks for your support of my comments in the video of 'Bob'

Have a look at this US Navy F-18 carrier based pilot and his RWY is nice and clear with not a 'cowboy' in sight. Watch Now!

Dear Turboplanner, I thank you for your reply and especially the fact that you were able to understand and interpret the ‘stick drawings’ as set out in the RA-Aus ops manual, however that particular rule has absolutely no bearing on the case in point, this glider had NO intention of using the active runway in any other purpose except to use it as a shortcut. It’s just a pity that you are unable or unwilling to understand the point of my comments. They, the people in question in my video, have a legal, moral and ethical obligation to all other aviators to ensure that they use the area designated as the runway in the safest way possible. I am certain that just hooking up your glider to a vehicle and dragging it across a very busy active runway is downright dangerous much in the same way as not making a ‘crossing a runway’ call at multiple runway airfields and without fulfilling your obligations to; Listen out to all calls from all aircraft in the circuit area and any aircraft that may be making a ‘intention’ call maybe joining the circuit, joining x-wind, joining downwind or a call from say 10/5 nm inbound call. Ensuring that you make visual confirmation that there are NO aircraft turning base, on final or perhaps another glider on short final, can the glider do a ‘go around?’ And horror, how about an aircraft without a radio remembering that YCAB and any number of other airfields are NOT CTAF [R] airfields, so in that case do you suggest that their actions are justified because the pilot without the radio would never have heard their radio call anyhow?? Do you just proceed onto a runway without 1. Making an ‘entering runway call. 2. And visually ensuring that it is safe to do so. NO!! . Again let me attempt to put an end to this nonsense I do NOT wish to make a Federal case out of it, I just want others to understand that THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES USING THE RUNWAY, so LOOK, LISTEN and COMMUNICATE your intentions. In the interest of the safety of all!! Perhaps you should also read skeptic36’ comments as he appears to have a grasp on my intentions. Now if you have no objections I wish to put an end to the ‘Comment tennis’ Pete.

See and Avoid and communicate Dear Wayland 1, Dazza 38, Windsor 68, Maj Millard, Kevin the Penniless, Firstly, Yes Bob could have done a ‘go around’ and as a very experienced GA pilot Bob doesn’t need the benefit of any more experiences of a ‘go around’. You don’t see a problem because you were NOT there and yes it is a very wide runway. However runway width has nothing to do with good airmanship. I did my basic training at Boonah and found all pilots at that field excellent communicators, and Dazza, if as you say, and you have mixed with the gliders at Boonah you will be very, very aware that those glider pilots are extremely cautious and courteous and the powered pilots reciprocate by using good, clear and concise radio communications --- one with the other and at all times all pilots are aware of exactly where each other is located --- in the air and on the ground, and this is achieved by good visual and radio communications. Windsor 68, you didn’t think that Bob had to land on the grass, again you were NOT there to witness the event and YES Bob could have done a ‘go around’ but the point of my video and now my reluctant reply is to emphasise the importance of visual and radio communications to AVOID such situations. Finally I note with some interest that you had “heard a fair bit of griping about the glider operations at this airfield on these forums…’ well maybe you are also familiar with the expression that ‘were there is smoke there is usual fire’??? In conclusion let me place before you the facts. 1. We are required to operate by the ‘see and avoid’ principle and to make radio communications that clearly make our intentions absolutely and unambiguously clear for all of our fellow aviators, both in the air and ON THE GROUND. 2. The glider to which I referred to in the video was towed from one side of the ACTIVE runway to the other side and at no time did anyone involved with this manoeuvre carry out either of the above requirements. How do I know?? Because I went and asked them, ‘did you see or hear the aircraft on finals and did you announce your intentions via radio that you were going to tow this glider across the active runway’ and to my horror the answer to both questions were “NO” 3. And what has incensed me to reply is the extremely off handed and dismissive replies and the apparent lack of understanding of what our responsibilities are to each other when it comes to our safety. What Bob, I and all other responsible pilots require from all fellow users of all airfields is consideration and courtesy when using the same facilities, and one of the very basic courtesies and considerations are the same ones we all should practice before we enter an active runway is to ‘see and avoid’ and make the appropriate radio calls and to clearly articulate your intentions and to ensure our actions are not going to put others under unnecessary stress. I trust I have now made my point – clearly and concisely. May there always be smooth wind under you wings, Pete-the-Pilot.

Hey Tomo, absolute fabulous footage, well done. Pete.

This is part 2 of our Fun Flight , in part 2 we takeoff from Kilcoy and fly ti Watts bridge. Watch Now!

My friend Bob takes his Jabiru J-160c for a fun flight to YWSG and back. On his return he is confronted by a situation that requires him to land on the grass left of runway 06. As a bunch of 'cowboys', who should know better, just pull a glider across an active runway without proper lookout of radio surveillance endangering other users of the airfield and in particular the pilot on late finals. Very shabby stuff. Watch Now!

I depart Caboolture Airfield and tracks to Bribie Island then North to Caloundra and West to Woodford and finally East back to Caboolture, a most beautiful day, clear sky and great visability, what a way to start the day. Watch Now!

We join some of our fellow aviators for a fly-in to gatton Airpark, and I make a fun movie out of the bits and piecies of the videos I made on the day. Watch Now!

I take my jabiru J-230 on a Poker Flying Fun fly-in to Watts Bridge via Bradfield. Watch Now!

Just another busy day a Caboolture Airfield. Watch Now!

This was my first flying school, and Greg was my first CFI, a great bloke a great instructor and I'm proud to be able to call him a friend. Thanks to Greg I now own my own Foxbat A22L and just love flying crosscountry. Thanks mate. Pete-the-Pilot Watch Now!

Bob and I had just got back from lunch at Noosa Heads flying my Foxbat A22L when we spotted the P-51 strutting it's stuff. Watch Now!

This a short video of my first solo x-country in a strut braced Drifter, 1810 and a big thanks to my CFI Greg Neale, a great bloke and an even better instructor and friend, thanks mate. Pete. Watch Now!

Our Foxbat A22L flight to YKCY - YWSG and back home to YCAB Watch Now!

Thanks Graeme, Very useful info and thanks for the very quick reply, I will try to ring Noel and see if the 'warm sense of hospitality' still lingers on, I am hoping that I will be able to tie down the 'Foxy Lady' at his strip whilst I visit my daughter/son-in-law and new grandchild, I plan to stay in Melbourne for 3 days and then return to Queensland. Best regards, Pete.

Yes mate, and it wasn't all that hard really. Our daughter is due to give birth to grandchild number 3 during that period, so I said the 'Minister for War' that she may like to fly down for the birth -- oh! yes she said very quickly - then suddenly she realized that I meant in the Foxbat --- so that decision was referred to the 3rd umpire who reversed the earlier decision and then she suggested that she would go with the Flying kangaroo and I could go with the Flying Foxbat. Mission accomplished no bloodshed, no yelling, no screaming and both the combatants had a win.

Hi all, Firstly, let me wish all on the site the very best for 2010 and may there always be fair winds under your wings. I am planning a flight in my Foxbat from Queensland to Victoria during the last few weeks of May or the first few weeks of June 2010, and will be staying for about 10days. My Daughter and her husband live in Williams Landing [Laverton] which is fairly adjacent to Werribee and I noticed on my flight planner that there is a field located at S37 51.21 E144 37.20 -- however there is no acknowledgement of any such field in the ERSA, nor can I find any details on the web. I was wondering if someone may have some information regarding this field that I can add to my flight plan details. It appears that it is at 141' AMSL and has two strips one being 10/28 at 800M long and the cross strip at 01/19 at 300M long and both are grass and both are approximately 20>30 M wide, if anyone can supply me with any info regarding this location and in particular some contact 'phone numbers I would be very grateful. Yours in safe aviation. Pete-the-Pilot.

Hi Al B, I have just recently purchased a Garmin 260W nivi and I use it in the 'off road' mode and it works a treat in the air, and it a very easy system to use and programme. So if I may suggest -- you should go to your nearest Garmin retailer and have a look at it working before you commit to purchase. It has a 4.5 inch screen and I find a great aid to navigation, it’s not my prime source, as I only use it for back-up, and it does operate for about 2 to 3.5 hours on its own battery. I hope you find this info helpful. Safe flying, Pete.

A beautiful day to fly, but I had planned to visit john and his wife for coffee at Coominya but ground fog spolied that, so I'l go another day. English Watch Now!

A planned day trip for coffee turns all pear shaped when fog covers the airfield, --- oh! well I'll just do it another day. English Watch Now!

A planned visit for coffee goes all pear shaped, all foggy and can't land ---- oh! well another day!! English Watch Now!

Hi my name is Peter and I am just a new pilot, I have only recently achieved that boyhood dream and have endorsements for NW, PAX, R and I am currently doing my Nav11 and I hope by the end of this year will have my X country endorsement. I fly out of (Ycab) Caboolture International Airport with Caboolture Recreational Aviation just to the North of (Ybbn) Brisbane where I currently fly 160c,170c Jabiru's and as of tomorrow (Sunday 16/11/08 a Gazelle) all of this under the watchful eye of my instructor Wayne Adcock and the schools owner Bill Haynes. I initally did my basic training in a Drifter (Real Men fly Drifters!) at (Yboa) Boonah in the beautiful Scenic Rim a wonderful experience, both the Drifter,the scenery with thanks to my original Instructor Greg. Neale from Airsport Queensland where I first went solo in a Drifter. Ok, lets cut to the chase, I need some help with the Xcountry, no, not the flying bit nor the navigation bit, but I need help with the bloody 'form' or 'log' I am wondering if there is a fine aviator or Aviatrix that may have found a nice simple and user friendly log. If so please feel free to help this old simple fool with a simple form. Ok, Ian that's if for now, and as we alway say, keep it safe. Pete.