JG3

The Wright Flyer wasn't a realistic product at the time of it's first flight..... Standby to watch developments....

Oh dear, that might put the earth out of balance and into a wobble.......

The 747 at Longreach didn't look mouldy the last time I saw it several years ago. Maybe exterior paint will suffer in the tropical sun, but it's a really interesting display to get up close to and inside. I found that crawling around inside and getting a close look at all the control cables and wiring and complexity was really interesting. More so than the museum which is just like any other museum with 'no-touch' objects on display.... JG

But the fact is that the Fly-Ins at Narromine were very successful and popular, 200+ aircraft attending. When it moved to Temora it declined until failing completely.....

So, anyone else planning on Narromine at Easter?? JG

[quote= (Moruya is an interesting airfield as regards to security. JG Correction. That should have been Merimbula.... JG

This raises an issue that I've been wondering about.... Who has the authority to insist upon checking your ASIC card?? I suppose the airport manager for one, and maybe a security guard assigned to the airfield, but who else?? The only time that I was thoroughly checked was at Moruya, NSW. I had the card hanging from a lanyard around my neck, and the manager approached me an showed his ID and requested to have a closer look. I held it out so he could get a good look but didn't let it go. He checked that the photo matched and carefully checked the expiry date, no problems. But if the fuel man or someone else wants to be the policeman, seems to me he should have to first show an ID issued by the airfield management.... But whatever you do don't hand over your ASIC or your pilot's certificate. Let them have a look but don't let go.... (Moruya is an interesting airfield as regards to security. It's surrounded by both a double electric fence and an infra-red light beam, I've never seen that security anywhere else..... I wonder what it is that needs such protection?? I was camped there and did note that after dark there were a lot of light twins coming and going..... Probably just couriers, but a conspiracy freak could make a story out of it.....) JG

The original axle wasn't good design - not enough meat where needed, and machining stress risers at just the wrong places... When it fails it breaks completely and drops the nose fork on the ground, causing a prop strike and if enough speed possibly digging in and flipping the aircraft on its back.... The through bolt bends but holds it all together.

You can really see it on this real time wind graphic. Click anywhere to see temp and wind speed. http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/overlay=temp/orthographic=-225.63,-24.46,790

Fly-In to Narromine Aerodrome Start:Thu 02 Apr 2015 End:Sun 05 Apr 2015 Description:Fly-In to Narromine Aerodrome at Easter 2015 Dates are April 2 to April 5. Nav and observation exercise, accommodation options include on-field camping, caravan park, local accommodation, farm stay or billets, entertainment, meals, tours to local sights, etc. Other attractions to be advised. Organised by Flying Sub-committee of Narromine Aero Club and supported by Narromine Shire. I'm definitely going to be there. Hoping we can bring back some of the good times that we used to have at Narromine. JG

So, who else is interested in going to Narromine??? Those of us who went in the early days remember those as the best fly-ins ever! Then it went downhill as it got more organized and commercial. I reckon we could do it again, just needs keen fliers to show up. They've always been welcoming, and all we need is already there, without a big deal organization and sponsorship.... JG

Yeh, I did a search as well but couldn't find it......

There was mention awhile ago of a Narromine Homecoming Fly-In planned for Easter..... I'd be keen to go. How many others?? JG

I'll be there to support it.

No, this is the sort of Kestrel we are talking about. http://www.raa.asn.au/market/ad.php?

I notice that there are a couple of Kestrel single-seaters complete with trailers for sale in the RAAus Marketplace. The Kestrels originated in SE Qld and may not be so well known elsewhere. They're excellent little aircraft, that fly well, and have a good history here. I once flew one on a delivery trip from SE Qld to Victoria, and it flew well. Particular interest is that they are well-designed to fold quickly, and fit into light, easily towed trailers. I know how great that is from my travels in the USA with an ultralight in a trailer. So it's easy to move to a new airfield for a change of scenery, and bring your hangar with you. Or go on x-country adventure trips with the aircraft on tow in it's own secure trailer. It sure feels good not to need to find and pay for hangar space at an airfield.... I don't have any direct connection with either of these aircraft, but just want to alert others of this opportunity to find real proven trailable aircraft. And at very low prices, for complete rigs ready to go anywhere.

Brilliant, thanks! I had dreamed of doing my traditional early morning New Years flight over the Trinity Site, in New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was exploded. But I couldn't get my visa extended, so had to do the flight in October. Can't fly right over the site because it's inside the restricted White Sands Missile Test Area. So this photo is from the very edge of that restricted area. The rest of the story of this adventure trip is at http://jgflyingroadtrip2014.blogspot.com.au/ JG

Ah heck, the photo doesn't seem to work. I don't know how to do this...... JG

New Years flight, sort of.... I had dreamed of doing my traditional early morning New Years flight over the Trinity Site, in New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was exploded. But I couldn't get my visa extended, so had to do the flight in October. Can't fly right over the site because it's inside the restricted White Sands Missile Test Area. So this photo is from the very edge of that restricted area, and the actual site is 20 miles away, just this side of the mountain.

Latest news from a witness says the aircraft was doing a slow banked turn, then plunged vertical straight in.....

-40F=-40C. That's where the two scales are equal.....

Still no word on what might of caused this tragic disaster??? All us Savannah flyers are concerned, and need to know more, so we can avoid a similar tragedy...... JG

I'm in Denver, Colorado right now, helping friend Tony build a Savannah S kit. Today we finished the build, and prepped for paint. Took us 230 hrs over 20 days. Not too bad for a couple of older fellas..... These ICP kits are great. So many thousands of holes and they all pretty much line up, amazing! ICP really knows how to set up that CNC equipment. Now waiting on the painter, then install engine, landing gear, and instruments, and it's ready to fly. JG

So what engine is he going to use to get in the weight limit for 95-10?? JG