Traveldoc

Thanks everyone for great advice. Yes, probably not wise to buy an aircraft before basic training is complete. And I need to think some more about where I will fly to. Aircraft type will be governed by runway that I can fit onto the farm at reasonable cost. Unlikely to suit a fast low-wing type. Geoff thanks for that data. The Hanuman might be what ticks the boxes. Worth knowing about. Steve

I am interested to hear more. My farm is 1600 X 800m but fairly hilly and with plenty of big eucalypt trees. There are only two potential airstrips @ 400m but quite a few more if less distance is needed.

Breaking news (for me anyway).....First solo today!! As predicted by nearly everyone it was just a matter of practice practice practice. Probably the best tip I had was to "try flying 1 foot above the runway and prevent the aircraft from landing". About 15 landings ago everything suddenly seemed to click and no big problems since then. Now looking forward to finishing my RAAus certificate / cross country endorsement and maybe/probably my own aircraft. What do forum members reckon about the Foxbat for use on farm airstrip?

That's good to know. Landing with power at idle in Jab 170. Only using 1/3 runway usually. "Eyes long" doesn't seem to help much. I have often had some mild variable crosswind gusts also not helping much.

Long EZ flown from Cairns.

Progress report: Have done 14 hours in Jab 170. Feels comfortable and natural most of the time but my landings are not very smooth. Had a few good ones but not able to replicate them at will. Seems I am either flaring a bit late = hard on the nose wheel or too early = ballooning. While concentrating intensely on the flare my feet are "going to sleep" according to instructor and I usually run to the right side of centreline. Fortunately the runway is wide enough. I'm guessing the answer is more practice. Stay tuned. Steve

As a newby student RAAus pilot I thought it was great. Less than 4 hours driving from Kurrajong via Mudgee without breaking speed limits. Cheap room at the Court House Hotel was adequate. (Last minute cancellation from a flyer who was "fogged in" according to hotel lady) Got to see and sit in several of the aircraft I am interested in either 2nd hand or as kit builds. Spoke to several builders and received some valuable insights. Interesting talk from Jabiru boss fella as well as SAAA talks on Airworthiness inspection process and a really interesting talk about test-flying a newly built aircraft. A very logical sequence. Although I have little interest in warbirds or aerobatics the flying displays were quite captivating. The sound of Grumman Avenger is something to remember. Cant understand how Paul Bennett can jump into such different machines so quickly and master them all. For me the highlight was wandering around the underwing camping area (um, was this allowed?) snapping photos and chatting to owners. Loved the Rutan Long Eze that flew non stop from Cairns. Biggest disappointment: Just Aircraft Superstol wasn't there. Final observation: Jeez you guys are old. :-) I am "in transition" from bicycles/motorcycles and the demographic change is very stark.

Early dementia??

Jabiru 170 in smooth air: straight and level not too difficult. There is a Zenith 701 in the Bathurst Aero club hangar. Anyone know about it? Apparently hasn't been flown for a while. I'd be keen to talk with the owner. Steve.

Wow, what a great welcome. 2nd lesson tomorrow "flying straight and level" Could be challenging?.....probably not. Planedriver I used to live in Woolcott Street 1970s. Nice part of Sydney.

Re Monash Course: Well it was a fair while ago. Was run at that time by Prof Rod Westerman at Clayton campus, Monash and Pt Cook. Plenty of hands-on stuff such as in chamber and ride-along with Qantas domestic aircrew. A lot of emphasis on human factors in aviation safety. (In some ways it was actually a bit boring) At the time I was an ED medico with a part time job in international aeromedical retrieval and not ideally suited to become a DAME.

Thanks I did a Civil Aviation Medicine course at Monash 20 years ago. Hypobaric chamber etc. Qualified as a D.A.M.E. but never worked as such. Did a few years Careflight in Sydney and Orange. Bell 412, BK117 and Agusta Koala

Thanks for the welcome. What's this about a trophy?

Gday. New member reporting here. Finally have resources to follow a life-long ambition. Started RAA licence training at Bathurst last week in Jab 170. Have done gliding, paragliding and Careflight helicopter aircrewing in the past. Completed BAK exams years ago but never enough time or $$. Until now. Thinking about building or purchase of STOL aircraft to fly out of farm at Oberon. Maybe a Zenith or Savannah. I have a few flattish areas about 400 to 500m long. Will that be enough? This looks like it will be a very useful website for my needs. Cheers Steve