rocket1172

You da man kaz!! signed: inland crew!

Good onya guys for the honesty. We can all learn from our mistakes, and others. We are only human after all. And like others have said already, could have been alot worse, but it wasn't. Ego's are damaged easily, like aircraft, but the strong rebuild them quickly. And above all: It doesn't make you any lesser of an aviator by making mistakes. It's just how you learn and manage them. Rod.

Thats what makes a tailwheel take-off and landing, that little more special and skillful. All good fun. How many times did you yell out "Go around dude!!", while watching that video? It's a balancing act between aileron, rudder and braking, especially when x-wind is present. Two things I was taught when doing my endorsement, act quickly and comfortably, and stick that tail on the ground. When I was getting ready to be signed off, he told me the only thing I have to demonstrate on landing, was pull the stick into your guts!! The thing about Ag work, is that you have plenty, and I mean plenty, of practice landing with different conditions. The most landings I had to do in one day was 70! All of them where wheeler landings, which when you have airstrip length and x-wind, is the only way to go. Anyone who may be put off with that video, don't be. 1 tailwheel landing is worth 4 tricycle landings to your ego. (biased maybe, but) Rod.

For me I would head inland. Less weather, traffic, terrain, but plenty of places to land and get fuel. The only potential problematic part of the journey, would be the Great Dividing Range at the start between LTV and Albury, and at the end around the gap. Just my thoughts, but I would go Latrobe, Albury, West Wyalong, Narrabri, Gundy, then Brisvegas. But as for scenery, definitley can't go past the coast!!

Hi Ralf. A couple of options for you, depending on how close to the city you wish to be. If you land at Ballarat, you can catch the V-line train straight into the city, and also Bacchus Marsh which is closer, catch the same train. A taxi can get you from both these aerodromes to the respective stations, or if you let us know when you will be here, someone could give you a lift to the station. I live in Bacchus Marsh, and could be of assistance if the time is right. Cheers, Rod.

Hi all, soon I will be lucky enough to be able to purchase my own plane, and have a few choices in mind. So I am asking any Savannah, Zenith 701, Lightwing, and Rans S6 owners in Victoria that would kindly alow me to have a gander at there aircraft and maybe a chat aswell. I know Natfly is obviously the best stage to see all these in one spot, but I guess I am impatient and wish to start my research earlier rather than later. Any help much appreciated. Thanks, Rod.

Hi Linda, please keep me updated as to when you guys will be at the airport. I was busy tonight, but would like to catch up with you guys soon. let me know if you will be there on the weekend. Just a query on hangar rates out there? Thanks, Rod

Hi Matt, do not actually own a plane yet but am in the hunt for one. But if you do find the details you are after, I would be keen to share the info as I am researching my future purchase at this time. Thanks, Rod.

Always up for a cuppa. People used to ask me how did we spray crops at night, and my answer was "coffee!!" Yes, the little yellow one at Ballarat, nicknamed "Tweety". Let me know when you guys will be out there and I will see if I can get out there. I have been known to drive around there and have a sticky beak! Thanks, Rod.

Hi Linda, I would be very keen on a Bacchus Marsh hangar, seeing I live close by. (Darley) I don't have an aircraft yet, but am planning on aquiring one very soon, hopefully by Easter. Any help from you will be very much appreciated. Thanks. Rod. P.S. would be good to know some local flyers also.

Practice, practice, practice. When I was flying Ag in AT502's, it was important to have balanced turns so minimal crossfeed of fuel between wings could occur. Its much easier to achieve this with 300+ turns a day. But practice is the key and the ball is there for that reason. Is the aileron working into the turn or out of the turn?

Thanks DJP. Bloody nice ride you have there, by the way.

To all aviators in the know!:big_grin: Does anyone know of any hangar oppportunities or have any contacts for the following locations: Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Melton, Kyneton. Or any private strips that may be of interest? Thank-you Neil for Terry's number regarding Penfield hangar space!! Thanks all. Rod.

Hi all, just wondering if there is an aviation minded Accountant among us, prefrably in Melbourne, that could possibly help with some advice regarding aircraft ownership, and also regitering a company. Any info will be helpful. Thanks Rod.

Thanks Neil, would like to catch up with you sometime. I would love the excuse to head to Penfield also. I will get my 5 hours out of the way, then I will be free. I do remember meeting you along time ago out there while lurking around. It was just after you bought the Gazelle, and you were just about to head out on a cross country. Anyway, we will meet again soon. By the way, is there any hangar spaces out at Penfield? I would be interested to know. Thanks, Rod.

Hi guys. A whole lot of factors have to be considered on the day in question. but they have to be put into an order of priority. I did my Ag training with Col Pay in Scone, and he taught me land uphill and take off downhill regardless. Gravity is much harder to overcome than a tailwind. We used to take off with a tailwind regularly, but with enough airstrip to do so. 60 kts is always 60 kts, but you would normally take longer to get there, but by taking off downhill, gravity gives you a little extra boost to overcome the tailwind, so they kinda cancel each other out. Just be careful and think about the takeoff, even before you land there in the first place. Happy flying!

Thanks for the welcome Donny. I was glad to read your post on the savannah, as this tasty little morsal is on my list of potential aircraft. I hope to learn more about it. And as for the Texan, for along time now I have watched one flying around Sunbury Airfield here in Vic, and love the look and layout of it too, but she is a "budget buster" for me at the moment.

Hi Gundy, I would be interested in the savannah pics if you could email them to [email protected] Thanks, Rod

Hi all. My name is Rod and this is my first post. Ex GA Ag, but have been out of the seat for 4 years. But finally that has changed as of last weekend out at Ballarat Aero Club, in the Gazelle. I will be entering the aircraft owning sector shortly so I will be asking for some info (in other threads), which may have already been asked before, but bare with me. I live in Bacchus Marsh and would love to hear from others that may be close by to share stories or anything else with. Thanks, Rod. Wow!! That WAS painless! You may not be able to shut me up now! lol :big_grin: