JG3

I've ground run both 447 and 912 engines without props. No problems, but be very careful with throttle as they can over-rev very quickly without the load.

JG

Gday Jeff,

Don't know that I can add much feedback. I find the Savannah to be just perfect for this sort of x-country travel. Enough cruise speed and efficiency, and very good short strip capability. Very stable hands-off flight for map reading, etc. I'd hardly change anything.

Extended baggage compart yes. Extended fuel tanks handy in some cases, but not essential. As I travel solo, a couple of jerrry cans on the pax seat do just as well.

The dinky little tyres that are standard need to be replaced. I don't like the Turf tyres that are offered as an option - very thin and punture prone.... Much better are 6.00x6 proper aircraft tyres, real 6-ply. They fit the original rims and original front fork. A bit heavier, but not as wide as the Turf, so no loss in cruise speed.

I don't know if the factory has upgraded the front axle yet, but if not, we drill it out to fit a 10mm stainless bolt all the way through.

You'll really enjoy a Savannah!

JG

Last weekend a former Lightwing flyer told of an incident when a door opened accidentally. When the passenger reached out and grabbed it, the door caught the slipstream and was violently ripped in two, one half departing the aircraft..... Luckily it missed the horiz stab.

The point is, on any aircraft don't feel complacent if an open door seems stable and safe; it can turn violent instantly and unpredicably. Hold your hand out a car window at speed and vary the angle of attack and feel the considerable and immediate force. Now multiply that by the size of the door, and a much higher airspeed. Also consider that the propwash is even higher velocity than the aircraft speed, and turbulent. Makes for a potentially very violent and unpredictable situation. Three recent real life experiences on different makes of aircraft have demonstrated this......... Take heed and take care.......

Yeh, thanks for that Les, it's input like that we need to keep up to date. I'll change the site as soon as I get home. Seems to me there used to be avgas at Lightning Ridge...... It was many years ago, and I was with a group with ground transport, so maybe we got fuel from town.......

JG

Yeh, so it is. That's too bad, it was a really good stop....

JG

Here's a link to a map that I've prepared showing useful fuel stops in outback SW Qld, NW NSW, and NE SA. This covers the area needed to access the Birdsville Track, Lake Eyre, and Flinders Ranges. This area is the nearest real outback desert experience to the majority of the southeast population. It's readily accessible, well-travelled, and dramatic scenery.

StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

I've had fuel from all of those 20 sites, some of them several times. In a couple of hundred hours of flying in such areas I've never had any problem with dirty fuel. The longest legs between Avgas pumps are about 250nm Birdsville/William Creek, or 270nm Birdsville/Arkaroola. There's much more ULP than shown on this map; I've just shown those sites that ULP is right at the airstrip.

Also a link to some tips on planning and equipping such flights. StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

And some tips for packing to travel light but comfortable.

StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

Time to order some WAC charts and start planning!

JohnG

Yeh, good trip report Kevin, (Lake Eyre Trip), and a really good recommendation -

"...Get out there!....."

I'm always puzzled by the vast number of x-country capable aircraft that never go anywhere except to neighbouring airfields for the pilot to have a session of b/s and coffee, maybe to Narromine at the most, then back to the hangar and locked away most of the time......... That's a dead boring life for an aircraft, let alone the pilot.....

Life is slipping by, go while you can!

I started touring that fascinating outback country in '95 in a 50 kt single-seat Beaver with a single-ignition 447 Rotax. Many would say that's not a x-country capable aircraft, but it carried me to Birdsville twice, Mt Hopeless and Lake Eyre, Alice Springs, Barkley Tableland NT, Gulf of Carpentaria, and many other jaunts - lifetime memorable adventures that I absolutely wouldn't have missed for anything! Now I go on even longer runs in a Savannah, and it's almost too easy to be a real challenge, but it's still a heck of a lot of fun. To head out over the horizon on the start of another outback adventure still brings a tingle of excitement to my gut! In May when I got back from 4000 nm and pulled up to the hangar doors, I just wanted to keep on going, and so did my aircraft......

And you can fly most of those outback places without taking the risks of going over remote uninhabited tiger country. Just follow the roads - they mostly go from one fuel stop to the next anyhow. Even if they wander a bit from the direct track, the extra distance is small, and it's just more scenery, which is what I came for anyhow. Flying a direct GPS track from point to point at 5000ft (or even higher) is dead boring..... It's so good to not follow that GPS arrow, but rather just keep the road mostly in sight, and keep track of the features on the map, and wander a bit to have a better look at whatever. Following the road at 2000 ft or less gives a totally different view point than driving it. It's a grand, fresh, perspective rather than just corrugations and dust. Don't have to be right over the road, just close enough to glide down if need be - it's like having an emergency runway always in reach. It's the safest flying that I do, much safer than flying this coastal country that's all divided up by fences and criss-crossed by a spiderweb of powerlines.... And if you do have to go down on a road, or preferably beside it, you won't be alone for long these days. There are so many 4WD nomads touring around just about every road out there these days that it's hard to get away from them..... Of course you go in the winter when conditions are best, eh.

I hear lots of envy and excuses whenever I tell stories of outback flights, but I just think, Bah-humbug.... It's all a matter of priorities - you need to re-arrange priorities so that the trip becomes NUMBER-ONE. Some jobs and other persons just need to be made to wait until you get back, and then of course you need to go like heck to catch up, but it was worth it 'cause you've then already got the memories to keep you company while you're 'back in the rut'....... And of course you're soon planning the next trip away, and that's just as much fun as the memories! Once you start you'll have to go again and again.

The years keep slipping by, and it's so easy to keep putting it off 'til it's too late.......

So get out there, SOON!

See ya out there.

JohnG

DO NOT OPEN DOORS IN FLIGHT!

It creates an unstable and potentialy very violent situation.

Recently I had a violent experience while opening a door in flight. I had installed a three-way latch system that was very secure, but when I closed the door one time I must have been leaning on the door a little bit, such that the rear latch didn't engage properly and ended up on the outside of the door post, leaving a 20mm gap at the rear of the door. I didn't notice this until well into a x-country flight and thought it would be easy to close. I knew there would be an outward pull on the door, so held the operating handle in my left hand while pulling inward firmly on the fillet at the rear of the window. Then carefully eased open the main latch, planning to pull the rear closed and re-latch. As soon as the front latch released, the door snatched open violently, swinging up about 45 degrees, then reversed and slammed shut so violently that the flange at the front edge of the door ended up inside the door post rather than outside. The inner frame of the door was broken in several places, but didn't break away. I continued on to the next airstrip, now with the rear of the door sticking out 80mm, and a bleeding arm from some skin that had been lost in the incident.

It all happened in an instant, but I did a horror vision of the door ripped off the 701. See details of that incident at StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

I know of others who have opened a door and reported that it just floated about 100mm out. Analysing this incident, I can see why it happened. I was pulling in strongly on the rear of the door, so that when the front latch released and the suction flexed the front of the door outward, creating an angle of attack generating a powerful lift on the door. This ripped the rear of the door out of my hand while the left hand was still pulling inward, now allowing the door to flex so that now the angle of attack was reversed, and it was driven violently inward by the airfllow. Hold your hand horizontal out the window of a car at speed and vary the angle of attack and feel the force, now imagine that force with size of a door......

This incident has demonstrated that the situation of an open door can instantly change from benign to violent...... Totally unpredictable!

Much better to install opening windows for photography. I've installed opening windows on my Savannah, that are easy to do and work really well. I'll be writing up instructions with photos soon.

I'll also be writing up a description of the three-way latching system. In the meantime be sure to use those little front latches on the Savannah doors. And always double-check 'hatches and latches' before take-off!

JohnG

Attached is a poster for the annual 'QUA Poker Run' at Watts Bridge, SE Qld, organized by the Queensland Ultralight Association, for 25 July 09.

We're making a special effort this year to support this Fly-In. Watts is very central for all the SE Qld airfields, and is an easy day trip. We need a 'gathering of the flock' at this time of year, to catch up on news and views - ie - gossip and B/S. Already it's looking like enough of a turn-out to be worth a visit.

All welcome, please pass the word and plan to Fly-In.

JohnG

pokerrun2009.pdf

pokerrun2009.pdf

pokerrun2009.pdf

The following is an email I received that pretty much explains itself.

Please, everyone respond to support this valuable project.

Let's flood them with support to make it happen!

JohnG

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Mick & Hellen Ryan <[email protected]>

Date: Tue, Jun 16, 2009 at 6:31 AM

Subject: VNC Charts for areas North of Brisbane

To:

HI Fellow Aviators!

Follows is an email from a colleague here in Gladstone regarding VNC Charts, feel free to respond to him personally to your support to the argument for these charts.

If any of you feel it is a worthy case to support please don't hesitate to reply to the email address at the end of the following message. E Mail [email protected]

Regards

Hellen Ryan

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Maryborough Aero Club

PO Box 85

Maryborough QLD 4650

email: [email protected]

Subject: VNC Charts

Hi Gavin,

Follows a copy of E Mail I have sent to other aviators.

Please talk to as many other aviators and encourage them to E Mail me if they would like to support my endeavours.

I have been lobbying Airservices Australia for some considerable time for them to make available VNC charts for the coastal airspace north of Brisbane (Queensland is the only mainland state not to have VNC charts) .

I have as yet had no success as they claim that their market research has indicated to them that there is no demand for VNC charts in this area . I have contacted many pilots and aviation groups and have never found any person or group who has been approached for an opinion .

When I asked if they could give me the names of who was surveyed they claim that the privacy act prevents such disclosure.

As you may know we now have a new CEO of CASA John McCormick who took office on the 16th May and I contacted his office to seek his assistance to put pressure on Air Services to publish the required VNC charts as a safety issue.

His office directed me to talk to their Queensland officers who were very supportive and have arranged a meeting for me with John McCormick early July.

They believe that if I could demonstrate a level of support from Qld pilots and give to him at the meeting a list of names etc supportive of the request that would give him the ammunition to refute Airservices Australia's claims.

If you could assist in circulating this request to any persons or groups I would greatly appreciate your help.

Feel free to give my details to anyone who may wish to respond either as an organization or an individual .

I certainly don't mind giving John a handful of E Mails from fellow aviators .

Regards Rodney Spratt

Gladstone Qld

Ph 07 49723343 wk

Mob 0402858587

E Mail [email protected]

In May I had a great flight from SE Qld to Lake Eyre to see the water, then across the Nullarbor to the WA border, then followed the coast all the way home. Photos and story are at

StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

Boy, you guys are quick!

Yes, it is Elliston. I realized the mistake right away, but the power supply for the computer failed before I could change it. The original post is now edited.

See, there's lots of info out there, it just needs a listing so we can share it.

JG

Here's an example of what's possible.

This photo is Elliston, SA. The airstrip is right close to town and the seaside.

Kingston, SA is also a seaside town with the airstrip right close to town. Home of the 'Big Lobster', excellent seafood, and seaside atmosphere.

We really do need a listing of such places, based on real experience by other fliers.

JohnG

Yep, got the number in my book and will sort it out when get a bit closer.

JohnG

Sitting at Nullarbor Roadhouse, with good signal on Next G.

Left Inglewood Monday morning and got to Cameron Corner with fine tailwinds all the way. Next day on over Lake Eyre, first time I've seen it with water. Stopped at William Creek - the thinnest steak in a steak sandwich ever. I didn't have a micrometer, but am fairly used to eyeballing sheet metal, and I reckon it was difinetly less than 3mm! Must have been sliced with a bacon slicer..... A night out in the bush, then on to Eucla, just over the WA border, for last night. 1400nm in 17hrs with good tailwinds all the way. This morning flying those magnificent cliffs. And dodging showers. Had to land out twice to let them pass, once on a roadside rest area and once on a patch cleared by a grader many years ago. Sure is good to have a STOL aircraft with good tyres. No whales yet. Will tell more and send more photos from Pt Lincoln.

This is just you get you envious and start you making your own preparations for a flying/camping adventure. The season is now here, don't miss it!

JohnG

ps- Mark just showed me how to add these photos, and more photos and story will be on my website soon.

I've been in there a couple of times and no charge. Just the opposite, offered a free car for our use. And we weren't big spenders on accomodation either, just brilliant hospitality.

Arkaroola is worth a visit. Very aircraft friendly hosts. Overfly the resort and call on 126.7, and someone will pick you up from the airstrip several miles away. Unleaded, premium and avgas available. They'll probably lend you a vehicle to come and go and see the sights. Accomodation ranges from deluxe, to a bunk in a donga for $15. Spectacular geology, really interesting history, and an excellent celestial observatory. The most impressive part of the Flinders Ranges.

Yes, please do find out what you can. It'd be good to find an open airfield in the Mackay area. It's a long way for ultralights from St Lawrence to Bowen. Any other airfields along that stretch, besides Flaggy Rock??

JohnG

Palmyra -

I've been wanting to find out more about that field.

Emails bounced, phone numbers not right......

That's the only field near Mackay, eh??

Permission required??

Any relevant details??

JohnG

Yeh, Marree Man is worth a look, and also the 'art works' at Finis Springs. Have a look at http://www.stolspeed.com/camel-cup There's also an account there of who and how it was done.

JG

I'll be over Lake Eyre probably on 5 May. It'll just be a quick look, cause I want to go on to the Head of the Bight before I need to be in Port Lincoln 9 May. When are you guys planning your trip?? I was planning on dropping in at Reagan Aviation later in the month, but if you guys will be away then, maybe I'll change my route plans.....

Arkaroola is the place to get fuel, ULP, PULP and Avgas. Great hospitality, $15 accomodation, and really interesting scenery, well worth a fly-in visit in itself. Very aircraft friendly.

JohnG

<<Maybe a dedicated page on this Forum? Admin.??>>

A listing like that based on personal experience that would be really useful.

And while you're at it admin, a separate listing that many of us have wanted for a long time:

A listing of airfields that are close enough to country towns where we can camp at the airfield and an easy walk into town for a feed and a beer. It's not always clear from ERSA or AOPA just how far it really is, and many are just too far for comfort, and feel even farther on the way back......

I could supply several good ones to start this list.

JohnG

Here's another weather link that tells a lot

Australian weather radar loop and lightning tracker

JohnG

Yeh, it was the chance of not being able to get back for days that killed it. Big heaps of wet moving from central Qld across our track to get home... They're having an excellent season this year.

Thanks for that 'Forecast Rainfall' link, it's a beauty, I've added it to my favorites.

JohnG

Thursday morning real early at Kilcoy Airfield, SE Qld, all packed and eager to head for Natfly. One last hopeful look at Elders Weather.... Could make it there OK, and Friday maybe OK, but then looks real soggy, and worse for the track home again for days to come.... So reluctantly cancelled...... Felt bad all day Friday for wimping out...... Then this morning saw 13mm at Dubbo last night, and more to come, and felt sorry for Natfly campers. Visions of hanging around the bar all day like wet shags, and probably tomorrow, and maybe longer - been there, done that, a couple of times......

What a bummer for RAAus.......

But what a relief for the countryside! :)

JohnG