LEJ

How much is an engine rebuilds? Insurance should sort out accidents. Heard a lot about hangar rash but do not know anything about this. Care to share?

Understand what you are saying here, but I do not think that a syndicate would take it to a flying school. However given the 4 or 5 person syndicate, perhaps others might make use of the aircraft and I would enjoy it for the 15 odd hours with my monthly fee.

Lol... you are dead right there turbeplanner! The last time I flew, I had to get an instructor with me to refresh me. But time is so hard to come by these days with a young family. I can't wait for my next fly but I do not know when that would be. sigh...

Hi everyone, it has been a while since I last posted here. But here I am! I read a lot of syndication in QLD and in NSW, but there does not seem to have a lot in VIC, especially in Melbourne. Further a lot of the aircraft on syndication are high wing with little low wing cruiser. I suppose that there are those who would like to have a fly ever so often to site see the surroundings, but would people be interested in a cruiser? I have found an aircraft which I am keen to bring into Australia. It is called the ALTO TG by Direct Fly. Cruises at 110kts on Rotax 912 UL, an all metal construction. Their website says all. The main reason for this post is, would anyone consider syndicating this aircraft with me? I am thinking a 4 or 5 person syndication with a total price fly away price of approx AUD$100,000. I would most probably fly about 15 hours per year, perhaps a little more since it is new :-).

Disappointed with the overall presentation of the mag. Looks like it has more ads rather than quality articles. Bring back the old version, new this time is definitely not better.

that was in 2008, the cost of fuel has push the prices up now. :-( but still cheaper than GA :-)

I would suggest that you make a time with Peter Harlow,he is the distributor of the Sportstar here in Melbourne. Just google search sportstar in google and you will see him. On his foxbat website (he is also the distributor for the foxbat as well), there is a demo sportstar for sale.

You can try RVAC at Moorabin. They have 2 Sportstars there but since they are GA registered, the dual rate will be slightly more in costs than a RAA registered plane.

Thx Dazza, I am based in Melbourne and was curious as there is no such plans here. Even syndication is limited. Looks like the hiring and syndication is more active in QLD. The cheapest hire for a Teccy is about $120-$130 wet depending on the flying school. But am looking at options.

Redcliffe Flight Training is currently operating Access Airshare. For memberships between 3 and 6 years will allow the member to hire a/c at $77 per hour wet. I am interested to know the experiences of members if there are any in this forum. The question, I suppose would be, pay the $12k for a 6 years membership, no ongoing costs like hangerage, maintenance, insurance and etc, would this be better than joining a syndicate and the ongoings but have an asset at the end of the day? BTW Merry Christmas everyone!

Good to have a Goal Jason. Keep working on it and I am sure you will be a fine Airline Pilot one day.

Great, I will PM you closer to the date if it is ok with you. Do not mind following someone, I will most probably book the Tecnam for the trip.

I have the opportunity in both Tail wheel and Nose wheel. I agree with John Birrell that if you start off with Tail wheel, it is an easy conversion to Nose wheel. However the reverse is a lot harder. Turning a tail wheel aircraft is not as easy but with experience, it is not that hard, just a lot of pedal work and burst of power ever so often. Also with the tail wheel, depending on the aircraft, the visibility of what is in front of you is restricted. Landing the tail wheel is also a lot of fun especially the 3 pointers', and you will slow down a lot faster than a nose wheel would. I now fly nose wheel predominantly these days as I have not been able to find a tail wheel aircraft for hire in the Melbourne area. Anyone knows where I might be able to hire a tail wheel?

Thanks all for the replies. I look forward in making the trip, weather permitting on the day. I did think of just driving but then again, why drive when I can fly. :-) @Kaz, what time will you be flying from Coldstream?

Hi all, RAA published "Houdini - Centenary of Australian Flight" held at the Melton Airfield Victoria. Any suggestions on how to fly there from Coldstream/Lilydale VIC with only a RAA certificate? IE no GA endorsements thus no CTA. What is the easiest, safest, and quickest way to get there? Regards, EJ

Hi Mike, If you need my help PM me and let me know what you would like me to do. More than happy to assist where possible. If there a template of data and you would like to see and how every field should be populated? Regards EJ

If the Victorian government is going fund an Indian Company after they bought our Aussie made product, then what is the point of selling it off shore? The Victorian government may as well fund the local manufacturer! I just do not get it. Further, remember the super IT corridor which an Indian company were to invest substantial amounts of money, but before they started to invest internally, the Victorian government had injected a substantial amount of money. But the company has since pulled out and we the tax payers are still out of pocket. Why because our dear Victorian government is still paying Indian companies to buy our products.

I would prefer syndicating with less people but the question is will this deter people from joining a syndicating for a given aircraft like the SportStar? The plane procurement and the ongoing costs will be a lot higher :confused:.

I suppose another question were to be if the number of syndicate members were reduced, would this be a better option?

Hi Shafs, I think that the engine is the same with some face lift. I know that there is a demo aircraft in Tyabb right now which I have flown! When the engine is going, it is rather quiet with the top opened. I was rather surprised that the canopy is rather ridget as the prop wash did not bother it much. If I had a deep pocket I would get that aircraft, NVFR, auto pilot (height and turn), toe brakes (I think they come std), carby heat, heating and cooling in the cabin, EFIS, GPS, Transponder, 2 channel radio, constant speed prop (in flight adjustable), trim/autopilot/radio on stick, and the list goes on. What a Plane! Even tough I will not use some of the features, it is a fantastic plane. Regards, EJ

Good point. Will monitor this and see if it does sell for this price.

Saw the ad in the RA Aus mag. Not sure about this one as it has 2800 hours on it already, with 270 hours to go on the Rotax. A new engine will be approx $25k so at $85k I do not think that we will go for this aircraft. There is a demo aircraft with approx 30 hours which I think would be a better deal. However having said the above, it does show how the SportStar holds its value, even after 2800 hours (approx a quarter of its life, based on certification of 12000 hours TT). Another reason to consider the SportStar. ;) BTW is there anywhere we can find the certified hours for aircraft types?

Thanks Brent, where is this list where I can put my name on it? Well that is if the members are also happy to hanger the aircraft there. The aircraft will most probably be a RA Aus aircraft with CASA allowing certain restriction removed, eg increase weight and CTA (when they do come into act) it will be cheaper to have the aircraft registered RA Aus.

I might give Adelaide a call and find out more.

Well to have 3 or 4 members, the membership does increases and it might not work unless the members have deep pockets. There is an option which is to get the demo plane which is cheaper but the outlay will be the same but about 2 members less. I am sure with the ONLINE booking system the members will be able to work it out.