JG3

Yep, sounds like an excellent idea. I've suggested to Reg and photographer BillG that they work together to make that happen........ Should be good.

 

JohnG

 

 

That was an impressive photo that Mark posted elsewhere of 7 Savannahs lined up at the Nathalia fly-in. We had a similar number at the Clifton, Qld fly-in, but couldn't get them together for a photo. There are likely to be a lot more than that at Narromine. They'll be scatered all over that large venue, but there could be a good opportunity to all get together on the Sunday morning when everyone is packed up and getting ready to head out. If we could all gather at that time, probably over by the hangars, I think we could easily set a world record for Savannahs in a flock. If a photographer could get access to a hangar roof that would make quite a photo!

 

JonhG

 

 

I know a mechanic who put a new set of rings in a 912 at 2400hrs and did a hand lap of the valves. Just recently, now at 5400hrs, he put in the second set of rings and again only hand lapped the valves. He could measure some wear in the bore, but still within specs, no valve guide wear, valves in good condition. The engine is in a gyro doing mustering, so would be running at full power much of that time. Now it's out there again, working full time and shooting for 7000hrs!

 

JohnG

 

 

Glide approach for sure!!! Just because it's a heck of a lot more fun!!! Power approaches are about as boring as driving a Kingswood automatic - just steer and more or less throttle. I consider flying by power to be 'driving' an aircraft. The real 'flying' starts when you pull the power and start gliding......

 

A glide approach requires simultaneously sensing and calculating so many factors that make it an interesting challenge. Balancing aerodynamics, height, speed, momentum, lift, drag, wind, gravity, etc to effect a gide slope that will set you down just where you want. And I do mean always aiming for an exact touchdown point, just as if it's a spot landing competition. Power off at the start of base, and the rest of the way by balancing all those factors. It's really satisfying to get it just right. Takes lots of practice, but that's the fun! Up and around in a short circuit just so I can do another glide approach, over and over again. Deliberately set up high and try to slip right down to the point. Set up low and practice very best glide. Particularly fun if there's lots of wind to figure in, and extra good with a x-wind. Every approach is a bit different so a new challenge. That's why it's so much fun - can do it for hours.... And you can sure get good at it with lots of practice, so it's really satisfying. The closest comparison I can make that's so much fun is down-hill skiing - ride up to the top just to be able to do it again and again.

 

At my home airfield of Kilcoy, Qld there will sometimes be 3-4 of us all following around for multiple glide approaches - maybe a dozen or more in quick succession - a heck of a lot of fun!!!

 

p.s.- Also satisfying to know that you can dependably do it into a paddock if the engine really does quit, no way you're really ready for that without frequent practice.....

 

JohnG

 

 

I find it easy to remove Savannah wings - takes about half an hour, including removing the ailerons first. Removing the ailerons protects them from accidental damage and allows the wing to be rested on its trailing edge. I used rivenuts for the join to the turtle deck. There's no need to touch the windscreen at all. I did make a mod during consruction to mount the doors on the fuselage rather than the wing, and this makes it easier. But others with wing-mounted doors have just made the hinge pins easily removable. The fuel hoses and electrical connections only take minutes to disconnect if you plan the connections for ease of access when building. Don't forget to drain fuel tanks first and have a couple of plugs handy to block the fuel lines from any residual fuel mess and prevent dirt or bugs getting into the openings. I've silver soldered a washer on edge to the head of each of the wing root bolts so that I can get a good grip to pull them out, and champered the ends of the threads of the bolts so that they slide in more easily. I have a long pair of needle-nose pliers that help reach into the cavity, and enlarged the opening to get at the rear root bolt. And always give a squirt of WD40. Two men can do it, but three is better - one to support the wingtip, one to support the root, and one to pull the bolts.

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JohnG

 

 

That was a last minute decision trip when I saw the weather pattern break just right - got two days of tailwinds! No one else could change their other commitments that quick.

 

Besides, I really prefer to travel alone, then I can change my mind at any instant without having to consult and negotiate (same reason I'm single again at this stage of life......

 

JohnG

 

 

Have a great flight Maj!

 

I didn't go as far as Birdsville, but there was a notice at Thargomindah that there is no avgas at Birdsville until further notice. If you have a jerry can, there's a servo usually with both premium and ULP just across the road.

 

One other tip, take a mossie net as well as a tent. My little tent has some mesh both sides, but was still stifling in that heat. Next time I would just drape a net under the wing so that air circulation would be better.

 

JohnG

 

 

Bored?? Come along for a ride. Last week I flew my Savannah out to the 'Channel Country' in SW Qld, to have a look at the floods moving there. Also ran across another Savannah being ferried from Port Lincoln, SA to Dirranbandi, Qld. Come along for the ride, with some photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/water-everywhere

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JohnG

 

 

Last week I flew out to the 'Channel Country' in SW Qld, to have a look at the flood waters moving through that country. Come along for the ride with some photos at http://www.stolspeed.com/water-everywhere

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JohnG

 

 

That video is undoubtedly a complete fake...... Have a look at the 500+ comments on this link

 

The clinching evidence has to be that segment of the low level knife edge. The perspective doesn't change at all as the aircraft travels along - to get that view the camera would have to be following along at the same speed as the aircraft. Lots of other clues in there as well, as pointed out by some of the comments from professional computer graphics and video experts. Sure fooled a lot of us tho...... And succeeded in attracting lots of attention for the advertiser - over 1.3 million viewings just on the U-Tube site alone!

But what is one to believe in future??? It's really disillusioning.............

 

JohnG

 

 

This is really fascinating. Can anyone speculate on how it was done?? R/C Models or whatever?? How did they do that low level knife-edge??

 

 

Yeh, these Savannahs are in Aus so not much use to you.

 

If you go with the 750 then the 914 is a must! Take the slats off the 750, keep the weight down, and with the 914 and that longer wing, the 750 should go pretty well. An 0-200 in such a draggy aircraft is going to be very disappointing, both for STOL and cruise.... Please keep us informed of how it works out.

 

JG

 

 

Gday, John Gilpin back home again, and enjoying tinkering on aircraft again.

 

Yeh, there's no doubt I'd choose the Savannah. All the mods we have done to Hans' 701 make it just about as good handling and STOL as my Savannah, but not quite..... Still lose performance and headroom due to that cutaway over the cabin that isn't easy to fix.....

 

701 is the way to go if you want to build from scratch. Savannah much better kit. But if you are planning to buy a built aircraft, I know of a couple of really good Savannahs, and probably a 701 for sale. Get in touch if you're interested.

 

JohnG

 

 

<I hope to be flying out of Kilcoy (Qld) once I have done my cross country.>

 

We're working on that Ken. Would be very good to have you at Kilcoy. Hopefully by the time you finish your training....

 

JohnG

 

 

Good to hear you 'Goulburn valley Frequent Flyers' are raring to go. Look forward to meeting up with you somewhere. I don't want to be the only one organizing such trips, I just stirred this up to get it started. If anyone has any good ideas for such fly-away gatherings in the future then this is a good place to spread the word.

 

JG

 

 

Actually averaged 80 kts for the whole trip, at 16 litres/hr.

 

JG

 

 

Well, didn't get any response on this forum for the Camel Cup...., but 13 aircraft turned up anyhow. It was a good group from all over, so met new friends and learned about new aircraft. Caught a good run of weather and flew some magnificent country. Photos are at http://www.stolspeed.com/camel-cup/ Come along for the ride.

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JG

 

 

Sorry, forgot to include the link......

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/bowmanout/AndySMay2008TripToAlaskaAndReturn/photo#s5206179267301381586

 

 

For a really different trip have a ride with Andy on his recent flight to Alaska and return in a Rans S7. I'll never complain about our 'tiger country' again, after seeing that 'grizzly country' - still makes my tummy tingle every time I look at it......

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JG

 

 

For the Camel Cup have a look at http://www.stolspeed.com/camel-cup/

 

JG

 

 

Yeh, do it!!

 

For a start have a think about the upcoming Camel Cup flight to Marree, SA.

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JG

 

 

No premium at Milparinka....

 

JG

 

 

I fly a Savannah now, had a Rans S7, and before that 1200hrs in a Spectrum Beaver single-seat ultralight. So I come from true ultralight origins. Fying from Kilcoy Airfield, SE Qld, averaging about 150 hrs/yr - definitely a 'Frequent Flyer'.

 

JG

 

 

Thx also JG..great report ! What a great trip. How hard would it be to get permission to fly into Maralinga ? That would be a truly unique place to see. Did you get to see the rocket launch sites ?

I don't think permission would be forthcoming. The airstrip is miles from the settlement, and the caretaker would have to be taxi driver. Might have to wait until it's opened for visiters, but that might be a couple of years..... But the airspace isn't restricted, so you could fly over and get a look, and that's the best way to view it anyhow - don't see much from ground level. No rockets were launched from Maralinga, just nuclear tests. The rockets were at Woomera. I did land there in '97 without noticing the line in ERSA "...24 prior notice..." and security came rushing up with flashing lights, etc..... Before flying into that airspace check notams for actitivity.

 

 

Gday All,

 

This is John Gilpin checking in for the first time. Would you believe I've only just discovered this forum, despite all the ads in the RAAus magazine........ Guess that says something about my reading habits and the effect of advertising.... Anyhow, this is exactly what I've been wanting to see in action, but didn't know how to set it up myself. This forum looks to be very well organized and maintained, and very comprehensive, so congratulations and thanks to Ian for his work. This will be an ideal medium to share information. I'm not much interested in chatting, but really interested in sharing information.

 

Some information that I've been wanting to share for a long time is a register of airfields that are an easy walk into town for food (and pub). I've travelled around quite a lot, and so many airfields are just too far from town to be convenient, but there are also some that are excellent. It's not always easy to tell from ERSA or AOPA guides. Could such a register follow on after that Google Airstrips map?? I have several favorites to contribute straight away.

 

Tailwinds always,

 

JG