Phildo

Giday Ian, My heart goes out to you and Corrine for what is a heart stopping moment. As disperse stated, a worst fear. Your son can be assured of a good life with such caring parents. Police a regularly called on for missing persons, I would say in my area in Brisbane at least a few times a week. Quite often its situations just like yours with a child who has difficulties. I assure you we take EVERY call very seriously and drop everything to go that job (does poor Daniel Morecomb ring a bell, god I really feel for the parents). Hence, people get upset with us when we cant make it to the next job quickly. You just let them vent about 'waste of taxpayers money' and 'public servant - when are you going to serve me?' comments you get and get on with it. My Inspector has called me to grill me about a missing person investigation many a time - rightly so. Good on ya Ian, a few kind words goes a long way. Perhaps you could write a letter of thankyou to the OIC of the local station (drop a connies name or too!!!)? I know you've heard me rant a few times before about the coppers in other posts, now you know why I think they're exceptional people (mostly!!;)) and why I'm proud to be one dispite the critics (a thick skin helps). My baby boy died recently, my brothers-in-arms were there in droves... not just because I'm a cop but because they cared. Again, I hope Lachlan is safe and happy and I wish him the greatest future ... Phil Brissie.

Man, I am buggered after an hour in a drifter. Sometimes, I feel a little sick for a while afterwards. But I have always felt crook in bouncing around in boats and stuff. I mean, who doesnt feel sick on a show ride. Doing circuits in a drifter is up, down bounce around yawing sideways .... good lord, no wonder we newbs get ill. The stress is real, and I feel that with time the sickness will get less as I become a proficient, confident pilot (of which I am definately not!!) Hang in there man, go get a check up - put your runners on and get busy flying. It will soon pass. I few yesterday and yes I was a bit ill again, so what. Could it be that you got to much U.V from the sun??? Did you keep your fluid up?? Phil.

Sorry gents, But out of interest, could I ask for members to post their tug cost for a launch to 2000 feet, just for interest / comparision around the country. Also could I ask for cost per minute of the glider. That would be great. Thanks, phil. Boonah - $33.00 to 2000 @ .58c Caboolture - $41.80 to 2000 @ .66c

Fm Geoff, Correct. I decided to go up and just enjoy the amazing exprience of flying near the cloud base safely with an L2 pilot onboard. And yes, I agree with the comments you made about the plusses and minusses. It is meant to be a challenge to soar!! Again, I would love to soar ... and feel completely at ease with the instructors who in my very limited expirence (trained, but never finished on RAA, GA - fixed and rotorwing, Gliders and Gryos) offer very professional instruction. I will just have to weigh up the pro's and con's of gliding with the practicalities of RAA flying. Ideally, both would be fantastic... but the plastic wont stretch that far!!! Phil P.S I went to the Watts Bridge Vintage flying meet today ..... Just fantastic. It is an amazing meet that you must get to one day - mustangs, raptides, yak's by the dozen, moths, and much much more ..... entry $5 bucks. Great stuff. Phil ....

Well Nath, I got a tug today a Caboolture for a 'trail flight' and towed to 4000 ft. Due to the cloud inversion only got about 28mins air time. This flight cost $245. I can fly my Drifter for $120 per hour, and I dont have to worry about support crew or weekend only flying. As much as I love the idea of gliding, its just not economical to do, neither in time or money. I would love to do a bit more gliding but I feel that Boonah may be the only (and cheapest) option. No one said flying was cheap but gliding is as you say 'recreational' and to be enjoyed by the masses. However, its a real discipline sport for the dedicated few. I respect the blokes who do it though, very high level of pilots as it would seem. Enjoy your flying mate. Phil Fly safe.

Pylon, Good on ya mate. Well said. I love to 'give it' a bit to the more 'well heeled' aviators on the field. But, you got to admire the battlers who 'give all' for the sport, eh? Nice pic mate. Phil Fly safe

Hey Nath, I am thinking seriously of going over to the quite side .. I have had about 5 flights over the years just for fun. However, since playing around with the drifters again for a bit, I really like the idea and challenge of hunting for thermals and soaring. I have made all the enquiries with Caboolture and Boonah and cant decide if I want to go that way. I gues the stick and rudder time would'nt hurt!!! I'm getting closer to a midlife crisis everyday and I am looking for a bit of a 'club' enviroment for the social side and a bit of flying to boot. I also love my RC planes and heli's and enjoy that heaps. The problem I see with gliding is that it's an all day thing. Where as a drifter can be up and running with minimal assistence and dependance of others. And as I work shift work, weekends are a rarity and hence gliding is more of a pain as the older you get, the less time you have. And time is worth a lot more money later in life then when your younger. I see your in air cadets. Good on ya bloke. I was in air cadets in Toowoomba many many years ago. I moved onto full time Navy (patrol boats) and 6 years later went into full time ARMY (Armour) for another bunch of years (Army is better!). I worked with a lot of Air Farce personnel. I'll reserve my opinions on that one but no one will doubt that they are rich cousins in the defence world with very good conditions although they work in isolated areas for much of thier careers. (Truth is, I would love to work there now). Went and spoke to a few people today about it (gliding/Raa flying) .... I may run with both for a while until the wife finds out!!! (But at $450 membership and $70-90 per launch, gliding aint a cheap sport!!) You wont want to know how much I can spend at the model shop on RC gear. One bit of advice, keep on flying. Dont stop when you start working and start drinking with your mates .... you can do both (just not at the same time). The key to flying is to start young when you have little commitments and expendable cash (although little pay checks to start with). It's easy to drift away from flying and god knows heaps of people do it. But keep going, even if you have 3 minutes shy of 1 hour ..:big_grin: It doesnt matter. What matters is that your in it. Time will reward you with exprience, and you cant buy that! Phil Fly Safe dude.

Here is food for thought Tony, CoG changes if you have a big lunch!

United we stand. Nicely done.... I bet that will raise a few eyebrows in the GFA.;) Phil

Fm Tony, Well Tony, I think you being unreasonable. Of course the ADSB inforced system is for the betterment of ALL aviators, including puddle jumpers like ours .... :hittinghead: In the mean time may I interest you to a prototype (see below) with a pre preduction base cost of only $50,000. I am willing to offer one of my protypes complete with safety markings/colours .... free, for a quick sale prior to the regulators assessing its needs also for a ADSB in/out setup for use under FL 10. ;) Nice post tony ... !

From Tony, Two words Tony, CHOOK RAFFLES!! LOTS AND LOTS OF CHOOK RAFFLES!!:big_grin: Phil.

Seal, Oh,.... I didnt mean that your not smart. That's my point. You've got it worked out my friend. Good humoured envy ... that's all. I appreciate my well heeled friends who could spend their hard earnt cash on a multitude of 'toys' but choose the aviation route ... more power to you I say. Good bunch of fellas. Always open to a stickie beek on their machines and a friendly chat. Phil

Good on ya mate. I bet your starting to feel much more confident yes??? Phil

Well done .... John. Have you flown since the 17th? Phil.

Ha! Ben ... I know what you mean. I work in the Archerfield area and I cant help look up when talking to people. I starting to feel really conscious of it !! Too bad, It's an adiction. Phil

Re: trailer Geezz ... you've got eyes like a hawk bigblockford545, I did'nt even noticei_dunno... It was taken next to the merc. You get the point though. Phil Fly Safe.

HA! Nice one rick-p! I would .... but the taste of moth balls would be too much !! :thumb_up: Phil

Now I know right off the bat that this is going to stir the nest - the empty nesters anyway!!!:big_grin: Now I've got your attention - I would like to draw your attention to the prolific greying force that is popping up everywhere!!!! Like speed cameras in the holiday period - you don’t see these buggers until its tooo late !!!! What I mean is these cashed up, tanned, healthy looking, expensive European car driving individuals are taking over. With time on their sides and a mortgage long since being converted in investment properties and managed funds hedging inflation and rising living costs ..... these fella's are like oil barrons looking for good time in a third world country!!! Everywhere I go there is a Triple B, "Bl**dy Baby Boomer" talking up the big talk with a fist full of cash and wink in his eye that screams at me "I bet you'd love to own this too, would'nt ya mate!". Of course he is standing next the latest and greatest toy. Of course by toy I mean, a brand spanking new LSA, that being a 300+ knot, hair on fire machine with matching leather seats with a surround stereo system with a GPS/NAV system that plugs into your backside and gives you a hologram image in your eyeball of the terrain at night in fog with 100% reliability. Which brings me to the crux of my tale. My other great aviation love is model aircraft (poor man's flying??). . The other day I was yet again counting the beans in my penny jar for some real Drifter type 'flying money' to release me from my earth bound woes. Thwarted in my fortnightly quest of expendable cash I went to my other interest/mistress and grabbed one of my more favorite scale plane and gear and went to the local model club in Brissie. (a simple formula for working out 'flying money' is as follows;) PAY $$$$ minus - MORGAGE - INSURANCE - MAINTENANCE - A WHOLE PLETHERA OF OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES PAYED OUT - EVEN THE DOG GETS A BIGGER BUDGET IN DOG FOOD EQUALS = MARRIED MANS FLYING MONEY (enough to at least get a bus ticket to the airstrip usually - but only one way!!) Low and behold, I turned up at my model club to see a troop of yet again ... European sedans with models in tow. And when I mean tow … I mean TOW !!(Have a look at pictures below!!) Strewth!!! What’s a bloke to do. A bloke being in the age group of 25 – 45 years. We're suppose to be the COOL KIDS ON THE BLOCK…. NOT YOU FOGEY’S WITH YA SLICK WAYS AND MEANS !!!!(And deep pockets too!!) There was a time when us younger blokes revelled in the fact THAT AT LEAST WE HAD THE HAIR AND COULD PULL THE CHICKS!!!! NOW ... NOT SO, VIAGRA and Ashley bl**dy Martin fixed that too!!! Throw me bone here … but can you Yuppie older folk with your chino’s in the right hand and your latest I-pod phones in your left (with the European sedan car keys in your hip pocket – next to your gold visa in your wallet) cut me a break and at least look like you’re a frail old barst**d fearful of being in gods waiting room!! I mean even your old dreary old wives are starting to look hot!!! What’s the go with that !!! AAHAAAAA …. I give up. You’re too good. One day ….. I’m gunna get me that European car and slick carbon fiber speed machine and get my Million dollar hamburger, from Byron of course. To quote the RAA web site; Our purpose To foster, encourage and continually improve the safe, responsible flight activities of powered recreational and sports aircraft within an easily accessible and low cost environment At least I can always just stare at your shiney new purchase at the field - that is if you dont mind the drool. Never a pretty look. Some say that if your that worried about the cash - you shouldnt by flying. I say - that didnt stop the Hinkler flying across the planet did it ?? He worked for several years to get the Avro. I put it to the peanut gallery. And yes ... I await the broad side from my grey elders who must be in the majority here!! :big_grin::big_grin::black_eye::black_eye::yuk: Let's hear from the fiscally challenged middle aged men out there who have crook necks from always looking upwards .... (I doubt it though ... their to busy working to pay the mortgage, maintenance, ect .. ect to read this!!) Of course, this is all said tongue in cheek, I just want to have your stuff - except your prostate check ups ;)!!! And be nice ... someone is going to have to push you around the airfield one day. Phil Fly Safe. BTW - the fellow who owns the vehicle below is a amazing man of great building talent - a real gentleman.

After seening a photo Ian's sim, I reported his power outage of three monitors to the EPA for assessment re industrial emissons tax. :big_grin::big_grin: Nice post Rocko.... well thought out and with plenty of foresight (Optometrist ... foresight .. get it .. huh huh!!) Phil Fly safe

No ... No It doesnt supprise me at all. What really amazes me is that hardly anyone has a licence at all!! Seriously, few people drive with a full 'open' licence. But anyways, Its a tough call. Phil Fly safe.

AND .... on top of all that ... People want to kill you for $20 at the ATM. Stuff that for a living. Get a different day job and fly for fun I say. Still, It's interesting to hear from current PNG pilots but ... Alais, I doubt will get em to say much (dont bite the hand that feeds .....) Phil

YEA GODS !!! WHOA !! YOU BLOKES ARE SUPER GEEKS!!!!:big_grin::big_grin::big_grin: I thought I was bad with sim's but geezz .... you fellas make me look like a kindygarden punch up!!! (but I got to tell you ... Im a little envious ... and a little bit disturbed!!) All you need now is a good hydraulic planform and a boeing contract for a AIR2000 project. Let me guess .... you blokes all had Atari's when you where rug rats ... tell me I'm wrong???;) (and I was the nerdy mate who turned up wanting a go..) And Ian, you need to notify Australian Protective Services to conduct patrols of your 'Airside' perimeter on Saturday nights!!

Hah ha ha ..... Nicely typed ... had me going the whole way!!! Phil

Years ago I had a CP flatly refused to note that the elevator had rivets missing in a drifter once.... I walked away. The next student took it up though, no prob. Should I have pushed harder.... I dont know. People always take it as a personal attack if you question their methods and practises. Observe for a bit longer ... you may have spooked him. Phil Fly Safe.