Riley

You cunning devil!

So Motz are you telling us that it was returned from a factory bulk strip with no gasket installed under the inlet manifold, or is it meant to be a metal-to-metal face seal? Only back in the air 40 hrs - small wonder you're a trifle pee-ed. Like Alice in Wonderland, this gets "curiouser and curiouser". cheers

Thanks Alan. Did it look like you were enjoying yourself too much? - you bet it did! cheers

Welcome home Big Boy. Lightwing refurbishment? - it's kinda like wiping ur Rs on a wagon wheel (viz) 'the more sh-t you get off - the more sh-t you get on', but we're gonna beat it. Flew it to the Calingiri gig last weekend but still not totally happy. Should be good for Wesfly. I expect to see you at Bindoon for the Battle of Britain Fly-In weekend two weeks hence, wherein we can discuss planning for the fly in you're gonna host at Pol's strip at Gabbin. And you are well aware that I only drink beer to give the wowzers a 'raison d'ete'. Cheers.

It ain't so much my eyesight that's the problem nowadays, it's the remembering what I'm supposed to be looking at before the slap comes.???

Slightly off-thread (but then, crunched classic aircraft aren't a good topic) however, when I was in the SE highlands of PNG I had exactly the same thoughts but 180 degrees in reverse. I reckoned that some old-time Canadian bush pilots (provided they survived) could add an exciting chapter or two to their prowess diary by flying off some of those New Guinea strips. Thankfully I was only ballast at the time so carried no responsibility for getting anyone home alive but I am still in awe of those charter and God-botherer pilots who threw themselves at any hole in the sky.

Quite true Wayne. Where I grew up in northern central Canada there were no airstrips, just lakes & rivers so it was floats in the summer and skis in the winter and absolutely no concern about cross-wind landings. Thinking then was 'why would you depart or land anyway other than into the wind'?

Methinks, if Mr Runciman's personal or career requirements are suddenly so demanding that he must forego attending the AGM meeting that is so important to some 10,000 paid up members that he is supposed to be guiding, then maybe it's time he recognizes and acknowledges,(despite whether his past efforts have been effective or not), that he is not properly filling the position and as such, should tender his resignation. Nobody gave me the money that I fund my flying with - I'd hate to see part of it being used to finance an unnecessary and frivolous defence. Is it too hot in the RAA kitchen? I'm Not Happy Jan!

Greetings All. Just a follow-up note with public recognition and thanks for assistance received from forum members skeptic36 and Jack Harry. A very welcome result to my plea for Sapphire information was received in the form of a CD mailed from Victoria with a wealth of detail on the subject (and Jack wouldn't take any recompense). Once again Forum members have bridged the gap between wanting/needing to do something and being able to do it. Much appreciated. Riley

Kaz, you've inspired a domestic between dear wife and self as regards what basis AA should be wary of me. I prefer that her caution should be lothario-based but dear wife opts for grumpy old curmudgeon (even added in something about smelly). We need some specific criteria here or I may have to cook my own tea. Despite all of that, welcome on board Miss AAviatrix. Hopefully both Drifters & Biggles books will help you maintain your equilibrium during uni. Great to have you on the forums. All the very best.

Greetings Ross Guess I could be labelled a doomsayer or bit of a nancy but... you would be wise to investigate the flame rating of any insulated (or otherwise) flying suit that you look at buying. In an accident when everything around you is turning to s++t, what you don't need along with spilt fuel and a hot exhaust is combustable nylon or synthetic clothing. Melted/ burning plastics make a horrible mess for plastic surgeons to patch up with skin grafts. Spend the extra bucks and go for Nomex or similar flame retardent materials. cheers

A sagacious old prophet (I think it was Pud) once said "The more I learn about women, the more I love my aircraft". Does this mean by default that Australia will ultimately get another bloody foreign migrant or is your daughter marrying an Australian ski instructor from Whistler? Enjoy yourself in BC and safe travels. cheers

Top Fun Aviation @ Bindoon (1ookm N of Perth) have a Skyfox in the school for tailwheel training/emdorsements. <<[email protected]>> or o429 853 633 cheers

Pass on felicitations & regards when you do catch up with Pud. Also get his instructions as to how many beers I have to consume on his behalf at all the fly-ins that he's missing in the West whilst he's on the wallaby. Lightwings..... provided the refurbished radio/comms doesn't speak Urdu and not too much smoke escapes from the wiring when we flash it up, hope to get my 912GR in the air this weekend after many months of medication ( it, not me). cheers y'all

Tomo Assuming you go with the alloy tank it's worthwhile (even tho it's a pretty compact vessel) to consider incorporating a baffle to preclude both surging and sidewall drumming. I had no end of hell in the progressive 'rat-killing' of weld cracks in the Hummelbird tank as they appeared due to vibration. Think I had the tank out on 4 occasions before the problems were resolved by going to solid rivetted, 'Pro-sealed' flanged tank-ends. Also IMO, tho it's a fine remedy for rusted vintage car fuel tanks, I'd stay well away from any 'Slosh' type internal coatings if you possibly can. cheers

Maj Pud flies a Thruster - shouldn't that make him a legume rather than a legend?

Just back fm the regular three-day weekend in the bush to find that the internet billy has been boiling in my absence. Muchas gracias to those who offered a possible resolution to my dilemna. I've been in contact with skeptic 36's referrral and now have the promise of a CD-full of everything I ever wanted to know about Sapphires being put in the mail shortly (thanks Bill). Again, my appreciation is extended to all. cheers

So, from the total lack of response thus far to my plea for assistance/info, must I assume that I have the only Sapphire LSA Mk11 in Oz?? Surely a forum member either has the goods or could put me in contact with someone who does? The former owner/proprietor of Sapphire has shut down the operation and is now an interstate school teacher so isn't available for product queries. Standing by for some help here folks.

Some months back a bent and totally dis-assembled Sappire LSA Mk 11 ended up in my shed. All the loose hardware bits & pieces arrived in a 60 litre drum without a bolt or fastening left on the hull. I'm now piecing it back together and, despite it being a very simple design, there are some areas where my bruised old brain just can't see the assembly process. I borrowed a 20 year old copy of a Facet Aircraft handbook but it doesn't contain much detail and absolutely no dimensions, so does any owner/builder out there have a modern build manual or assembly instructions that I could get a copy from? Very happy to re-imburse any resultant costs. Pm me with your contact nr & Ill give you a call. Tks in advance.

Onya Brett. Guess this means that the next time we see you at Bindoon, it'll be in the new machine?? Will PM you a listing of what's happening down south over the next few months & hopefully you might be able to join in (even if it means drving to the first few events). Congratulations.

Might not have been your intent but at the very least, this post smacks of being rather pompous

Maj. I googled & I concur however, take your age & add my age and divide by two and you're bound to find a bracket full of whole bunch of geezers who reckon that anything with a high wing, radial power plant, tractor configuration and a tailwheel (or tail ski, I recall as a kid) such as the Monocoupe is beyoodiful. Even more so if it drips/oozes oil all over everything. Love em!

Certainly not intending to put down any of the lovely 'newby' taildraggers pictured in this thread (currently own & fly L/Wing GR912) but if we're talking pretty, have a dekko at this sweet little number (and it got a hell of a lot sweeter when it was brought unto the RAA register as a '25' series rego under the new weight limits). 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC w/ 85hp Cont. I'm too old for lust but I'm certainly in love again (with my wife's permission)

You have a PM regarding an experienced sardine can builder.

Flyerme, I got both amusement and great pleasure from your enthusiasm displayed in this post. You share Helmet's inspirational status to lukewarm aviators. Cheers