Ironpot

"The Bureau has temporarily suspended production of Category D TAFs and airport weather briefings due to COVID-19 impacts on Bureau aviation operations staff. At these aerodromes, forecasts will still be prepared, on request, for emergency services operators. Refer to Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) H01/22 and the latest NOTAM for detail and operational advice." More information https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/aip/current/sup/a22-h01.pdf

In life there are no guarantees but if you need assurances it’s currently installed in every single one of the IFR aircraft in Australia. Hope that helps.

$45, 450, 4,500 or 45,000 how much do you value your lives boys? Every bit of my home state of Queensland seems to have a Conquest or 206 doing low level survey work at 2000 constantly. Then add all the FIFOs and charters going into everything with a tarmac runway everywhere plus all the 208s and helis!! Much of it is invisible to ATS radar west of the J curve. It’s a no brainer - it’s like the jab - you definitely need it yesterday. Just get it.

no Avgas - Rockhampton 23rd & 24th November 2021

That should have read ... to be implemented on the 24th March 2022

I don't know if this helps or hinders you. Implemented on the 24th March ISS industry briefing RK MK 18 19 October latest version 2021.pdf

I've always used the DC H10 - 13.4 (bulletproof) and never had a problem. I now use the DC One-X - Christmas present - which are noise cancelling. I've switched back and forth to see if they do make any difference and I wasn't imagining it ... I would say that in any flight over an hour (or so) the noise cancelling set does make a difference to your comfort levels. I have used the Bose and I liked them too.

Jack, Have a yarn with Rocky Tower - 07 4931 5205 - they’ll advise you better. Real good people to talk to if they’re not busy. Bouldercombe is one of their “unofficial “ waypoints and you are very close to the “BUDGI two departure” so they will have a view.

That’s what he reported and I’ve no idea why - I will ask next time I see him. Seem to remember we spent 2/3 days trying to find it first.

Yes, unfortunately! It's not a big deal but, from memory, it took 14 days. Didn't cost anything. Your LAME will have to talk to CASA and they approve the reissue.

Clearly you haven’t flown much in the real world lately then so I doubt they would notice! Yes, landing fees where I operate are quite normal. I understand that providing wildlife-proof fences, well maintained WCs, fuel facilities, mowing, maintaining windsocks and markers etc does cost serious dosh and I’m quite happy to chip-in a nominal sum to ensure that I can continue to enjoy those facilities. I’m sure you dodge the $5 that The Oaks levies but I’d argue that it is counterproductive to do so. You will agree that should any facility becomes a financial burden (without some clear community benefit) then, in our society, it’s days are numbered. e.g. railways, pubs, Post Offices, old RAF airfields etc. And so if an airfield continually bleeds money some non-aviation administrator person/owner will query its existence which leaves it very vulnerable to closure at some stage. I’d also argue that your tightxrse attitude, simply planning via “free” airfields, bypassing certain ALAs may lead to unsafe flightplanning decisions. Sure, if you feel that a landing fee is extortionate, plan elsewhere (I certainly do) but you would have to demonstrate how you could divert Forrest or Birdsville before I can take you seriously. I agree that Port Pirie sounds idyllic. The OP did not seek a political rant (ASICs???) but simply asked does your airfield waive landing fees for recreational aircraft and do landing fees impact on your flight planning? My honest opinion is that $10 -15 is quite reasonable and yes I am quite happy to pay it and will continue to do so.

You may know about this but it’s a good place to start https://avdata.com.au/airport-charge-rates Note; it doesn’t include GST and there is a minimum charge at some places! Also some places charge for day parking. Landing fees are the norm nowadays.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-12/aircraft-noise-ombudsman-releases-brisbane-flight-path-report/100531674 I know it's not connected but it gives an insight into into how Airservices think.

haha - Ballina is just one weird place - avoid!

YBRK plenty mil at the moment - Apaches, Chinooks and C130. No F16s this year. Caution wake turbulence. Is there any other place in the world where a civvy you can be no 2 to a F16?

Jack, I bought a mini last year with the intention of using the ordinary one as a cockpit backup. But I find it a bit too small and awkward with my fat fingers. Plus it has overheated 2ce - which the ordinary one has never done - and the battery doesn’t seem to last as long. So I’ve gone back to the standard iPad and using the mini as a backup.

You're right to highlight this - It's left a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. Especially as it comes on the back of the West Wellcamp development. She's swiftly eroding a lot of support.

Sure; only when ASA amend the RNAV Rwy15 maybe - but I can’t see how.

Relax - You've nothing to worry about! If YLIS had a noise pollution problem https://lismore.nsw.gov.au/files/Fly-Neighbourly-Guideline.pdf was the response. Air Services Australia would have been giving you a hard time by now if it hadn't gone away. Closing a regional airport is a big deal - it's a strategic asset and the NSW and Federal Government would have something to say before they let a rogue council shut it down. Maybe have a whisper in your MPs ear? Who is the responsible Minister?

That’s not going to happen. Where do the RPTs, RFDS, WestPac 4, Angel Flight, Water bombers … etc operate from when it’s gone? Rely on YBNA?

The SIGMET overlay feature on the EFB is real handy and, in my experience, real accurate too. Over the last few days there has been a SIGMET current for the Cowra area that was stationary " Severe turbulence SFC to 7000"

Why bother any more …. you can lead a horse to water …? or maybe “dead man walking”!

I love free strips. But, having watched a few of my mates put care into the maintenance of their private strips I don't begrudge reasonable charges by anyone. Even a grass strip needs to be mowed, I acknowledge that there is a cost of ownership and as long as it's reasonable I'll pay up and look sweet. I do get annoyed about the gouging e.g. Cairns and Mt Keith ... and charges for parking

Already happening - Rockhampton charges $5.59/t subject to a $22.95 minimum monthly charge. I think YMMB does something similar.

For comparison, I just costed my Class 1 renewal:- DAME 357.50 Stress Test 406.95 Eye Test. 320.00 CASA 75.00 Total A$1,159.45