JG3

Avgas for that length of trip is no problem at all. Good move to drain the oil at destination while it's still hot.

Mogas available at Dubbo.

Don't know your useful range, but Avgas at Moree, Warick, Toowoomba, Watts Bridge.

The best place to drop off the range is just south of Toowoomba, then down the wide valley to the coast.

Well, now I already have my new ASIC card, only 8 days (including a weekend) since making the application. That's a heck of a lot better than the old RAAus system that took weeks, and needed more runaround finding a JP, etc, etc.

Took maybe an hour of my time on the initial application, scanning in my documents, next day received a reply asking for scans of the back page of a couple of docs and including a barcode and list of acting post offices, the lady at the post office scanned the barcode and my docs again and took my photo and sent online. By the time I got home there was a confirmation email from the processor. Today the card arrived by Express Post, along with a frame and pocket clip and neck lanyard and fridge magnet with expiry date reminder. Brilliant service all the way! 

That was done by securityid.com.au

Marc,

I have a home-made 3.6m press brake that could do that pre-bending really easy. Now equipt with a full length mandrel for bending short radius bends, ie- trailing edge rudder, and other shorter mandrels for radius approx 6 and 22mm. Would be no problem to make up a larger radius mandrel for those main wing leading edges. 

I'm finished with it and it's free to take away to any who can use it, such as you guys at CAB. I did mention it to Roger but haven't seen him since.

Interested??

I just finished the ASIC renewal process at the post office. Good service. I used securityid.com.au. Was an easy process online, very good website; I didn't even get confused by it....

Now I can stop at those security controlled airports when necessary for fuel. Might do it 2-3 times, so costly fuel......

Thanks heaps. That's just the leads I needed.

I need to renew my ASIC card.

I realize that RAAus aren't involved any longer, but who do I go to?? I did a search and couldn't find the answer, but did find one post that there are other options than CASA. 

Does anyone know the best procedure now??

Please no tirade of how ridiculous the ASIC concept is, we all know that only too well......

The PLB/ELT system uses a different and more comprehensive satellite system to the SPOT, so the SPOT is not a replacement. That's why I carry both.

That hasn't been my experience with SPOT at all.

I've used mine for 8 years and done more than 200 Check-Ins, and never missed one. Both in the USA and Australia, from the Kinberleys to Tassie and many remote sites in the middle. Wouldn't travel without it.

Of course I also carry a PLB as back-up, yes BACK-UP. I like the SPOT because I have the option of three levels of message besides the SOS that calls in the cavalry.... 

All of these messages go to friends back home who are experienced and capable of arranging whatever required.

1 - All is well here. (Check-In)

2 - Not injured but stranded and need assistance. (ie- when I've done a bush landing and busted the landing gear...)

3 - Injured need assistance ASAP. (Pretty obvious.)

The PLB uses a different and very comprehensive satellite system so is a good ultimate back-up, but it does call in the cavalry even if I wouldn't need that much assistance. So I can be the judge of what I need.

I trust this actual experience more than third hand rumours.....

Oh boy, that's a heap!

My Classic Savannah weighed 143lbs and flies really well in all ops.

I believe the S model weighs more like 156 with battery in the tail.

So yours is about 80lbs more, and sounds like a real problem....

You'll definitely want to reinforce that alloy front axle. Even with the lighter weight we've found it wise to line drill it and add a 3/8" stainless bolt all the way through. Doesn't add that much strength to it but prevents breaking away those piddly little end bolts, allowing the wheel to swivel and jam and collapse the leg, with bad result for the prop.....

There are reports running around that a couple of SPOT locators failed to work when SOS was triggered.

I just did a test of SOS on my SPOT2 with Geospace - all working well.

In Australia call 0424217768 to set up a test. Good friendly professional service.

Flew out to Coopers Gap this morning to check on progress. Counted eleven all rigged up and more blades on site. 

First calm day after weeks of wind, so work in progress

There was an inversion holding the smoke down over the coal burning plant....

Great flying conditions early. Totally hands off for nearly an hour on the way home.

JG

When you did empty weight and balance, what was the weight on the nose wheel??

Someone else please try this link.

It works for me, but then I'm the owner of the map.

Caloundra and Cherrabah added.

It's set up for sharing. Anyone else have this problem??

Try this link https://drive.google.com/open?id=1HDxCTbbdJ7DiSSakAVEBsIzGCrg&usp=sharing

Khancoban now added to the map.

Are we welcome to drop in to Khancoban?? I've shied away from it because I'd been told otherwise. It's a very tempting place to land and visit.

North Talwood added, looks ideal, thank you.

Lightening Ridge is a good stop, but nearly 3km down into town, so outside the 1km limit that I set for the site....

Gday, 

I'm a dedicated camper and not interested in fly-in resorts or restaurants, so not interested in adding them to the map of Airfields within 1km of food and pub

I thought someone else was going to set up such a map for those resorts and restaurants. Someone should; I reckon it'd be really popular. It's easy with Google Maps.

Yes there certainly was a thriving ultralight activity at Kooralbyn in the 90's. I trained there in a Drifter with Peter Reed. Excellent training that still holds me in good stead 2700hrs later. Then the meat-bombers came in and took over and destroyed all that..... Disgraceful non-sharing politics.....

Select a vehicle track if possible. There must have been several around those fields....

Did another flight out there yesterday morning to check on progress. Still only three turbines complete and three towers with nacelle on top but no blades. Lots of first stage towers up cause that can be done by mobile crane. Lots of 2nd,3rd, 4th tower sections and nacelles all laid out ready to go up. Seems to be a lack of blades at this time, but two blades have just arrived, still on the transporters.

That Coopers Gap project is just north of the Bunya Mts. Worth a flight if you're interested in big construction projects.

On the way home noticed that the Tarong coal-fired power station was belching a lot of smoke, it's usually cleaner than that....

(That's smoke from the smokestack, not the steam from the cooling towers)

They've done a lot of effort to reduce particulate pollution but doesn't seem to be working today....

Be aware that the main spar does not extend all the way to the tip on the Savannah. The last 600mm is an extension made from light sheet in a form that is strong enough for it's purpose there, but on impact it can deform without carrying the load directly to the main spar. This is an excellent design feature that can absorb just such a impact as described without overloading the main spar. 

Weather was perfect for my traditional New Years morning 'Greet the Sun' flight.

This time over Somerset Dam, SE Qld.

Take-off at first light and climb to meet the sun at 5000ft.

Sure is a better way to start the new year than with an aching head under the pillow.....

The early 'wet' finally cleared from SE Qld, so a chance for a flight at last....

Went out to check on the construction of the Coopers Gap Wind Farm out near the Bunya Mountains.

It's a major construction project, with hoards of equipment and utes everywhere. They have permits at present to set up 123 turbines, but hope to get permission to double that in the future. 

The first three turbines are complete, and they're working their way up the line. You can see dozens of bases and first stage towers in the distance, and lots of tower sections waiting for the big crane.

Assembling that giant crane.

Now that's a giant crane!

Must need a lot of skill and and a calm day to lift and fit those enormous aerodynamic blades.....

No spare blades seen on site at this time, but I hope to see that process on future flights.

They're still preparing foundations. It needs a strong foundation to hold up an enormous turbine in any wind conditions.

They dig out a circular pit and then set that central cage and heaps of reinforcing all round.

Then cover it with concrete, then backfill and pack it down hard.

They have their own concrete batching plant on site.

Flying gives such a great chance to view the process.

More to come as the project progresses......