Jerry_Atrick

I did an internet search to find out to what extent civvies can use military airfields in Australia and didin't come up with anything. In the UK, the MOD actively encourage civvies to use military airfields.. It isn't always cheap (e.g. £40 landing fee at RNAS Yeovilton if you have the requisite insurance), but in a land of ever diminishing civvie airfields, it is an important option. Of course, it is PPR and at the discretion of the station commander, but I have a few airfields in the log book where there are operational fighting squadrons and training ones. A friend of mine popped into Yeovilton and ended up getting a tour of the F35s (or YF 35s - can't remember their actual designation).. external only.. I recall from my flying that airspace around virtually all military airfields was prohibited airspace - or at least heavily restricted (with some procedures for accessing civvie airfields within military airfield zones). And I recall RAAF Point Cook being opened to the RVAC one Sunday for spot landing competitions - jeez that must have been the lat 80s or early 90s.. It was not normally done, but I think it was one of the best attended comps.. But I can't recall if Aus generally allows civvies a/c into their military airfields. There would be obvious exceptions - in the UK, Boscombe Down (no longer RAF managed, but still a research base and home to Empire Test Pilots School), and the bases that house the Quick Reaction Alert squadrons would be the obvious. Lakenheath also, as this is a joint USAF base and they don't lik their a/c to mingle with civvies. Fairford is also off limits as it is a backup base, and is used by the US as a stopover for their bigger and more sensitive hardware. But apart from that, most military airfields are accommodating subject to operational requirements at the time you intend to visit. Is it the same in Aus, or are they all more or less off limits? Note: From the MOD Policy Statement (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393016/20141218-JSP360.pdf) "is MOD policy to encourage the civil use of defence facilities wherever possible, provided this is consistent with defence requirements, the interests of existing tenants and licensees, and does not unreasonably affect local amenities. MOD airfields in particular represent a valuable national asset, and the income from civil flying provides a useful contribution to the defence budget. The Wider Markets Initiative (now known as ‘Income Generation’) gave further encouragement to public bodies to earn commercial revenue. COs and Heads of Establishments are therefore to consider all requests for civil flying facilities sympathetically."

@bluebird121 - How did you get on getting to Edinburgh? I have been looking for flights back to Aus (Sydney) and with 4 weeks notice and a whole lot of cash, there is a way.... The in laws of a friend in Melb spent $11K each to get to Ireland and back (family bereavement). I know you have Emirates credits, but unless it was business, my guess is they did (or will or would have) requested a top up.

First sentence - agree.. No evidence (yet).. IRS still investigating. Sentences 2 and 3.. I am not sure if you have operated as a company before, but even in the USA, you cannot treat your company revenue as your personal income. You can either a) pay yourself a salary (with appropriate taxes, social security, ambo, fire service, medicare (US) and other deductions), or take your personal spend as dividends and by taking into account the equivalent of Franking Credits, deduct the similar tax from those dividends as you would if you were employed by your company (see above taxes and other typical US deductions).. A company in the US cannot cover personal expenses any more than a company in Aus without the person for whom those expenses are covered paying appropriate tax and other social charges (e.g. super/401K). Using your business jet travelling example: If he was able to meet his mate, Vlad, at Mar-i-lago (or whatever it is called) for a "business meeting", then yes, it could be expensed through the company. Under US IRS law though (much like Aussie tax law), if it was deemed only a portion of the trip (e.g. DT met Vlad for a day but stayed for two weeks), then a portion of the flight, hotel, food, etc would be deemed personal and he would have to pay tax as personal income for the proprotional cost of the flight, hotel, food and any other entertainment. As he owns the resort, you may think that because the room and food/booze that he was given rather than having to pay for would not have to be taxed. Er.. no.. Fringe Benefits Tax is also payable in the US (where do you think we got it from?). Of course, I am simplifying this somewhat, because, no doubt, there will be low tax country ownership and other rorts that governments allow uber-wealthy people (or those that purport to be uber-wealthy) to help minimise the amount of tax they have to pay. My point is, just because the business pays for something does not mean it is a legitimate business expense which can be deducted from revenue/income for tax purposes. Simply, your assertions in those sentences are flawed (or do not contain enough clarification to be valid). Sentence 4 - you and me and the rest of the interested world both (gramatically incorrect, but you get my drift).

@SplitS - this is a very good point.. And I can't remember the numbers, but the number of bombs he has dropped is less than half of the total that Obama dropped during his tenure, so by extrapolation assuming a second term, he will have droped less in existing conflicts than Obama dropped in both existing and new conflicts. My son keeps telling me that Obama has authorised many drone strikes that have taken out may thousands of innocent civvies as collateral damage and then used the excuse thaty the strikes were necessary to save thousands of lives. I haven't double checked, and even if I did, I would be happy to be corrected. Apparently, DT has authorised a handful of similar strikes and collateral damage has been much less. Of course, it could be because drone and weapons tech has moved on... but... But, and I admit, without the facts and only playing devils advocate, could his inaction had cost more lives? He withdrew troops from Syria and that has since escalated with a higher rate of civvie losses than before. It was also seen as a betrayal of the Kurds - assumed to be supported by the US to be left alone against a far mightier foe. OK, Obama may have started it, but the US started it.. so they should have supported it until its conclusion. While not diminishing the importance of any life lost - allied or or other, allied losses tend to be restricted compared to others in such wars of late, and given the USA's position in the "free" (aka Western) world, and the leadership role they assume, are they justified in pulling out. Also, has there been new conflicts that have started, or have existing ones just kept rolling on? BTW, that is not to say his predecesors were saints.. Far from it. I can't speak to Obama, but G-double-ya and Tony Blair went into Iraq totally unjustified and in my opinon, both should be tried at the Hague - they may or may not be guilty - but justice does require a formal hearing. And the shennanigans at Guantanomo Bay has to be investigated - as a collective, we are better than the allegations. And, of course, Gulf War 1 was not about coming to an ally's defence, but defending the flow of oil.. We know that. I have always said DT has done some good things. Some have said a clock says the right time twice a day, but on reflection, that analogy is not appropriate - the clock has stopped working; DT continues to work. He got Kim Jon Ng talkiing (ultimatley, it failed, but at least provided a sliver of hope), he has got the NATO countries investing in defence at the levels they should, he has brokered (probably with his aides) a significant middle east peace deal. OK, some say it is symbolic, but one should not underestimate the significance of the Saudis allowing an El Al passenger carrying flight through their airspace nor the UAE allowing them to land (and presumably providing the appropriate level of security) in their country. Of course, if I were Israel, I would be thinking are they being lulled into a false sense of security - especially given their leader - but DT can take credit for pulling a rabbit out of the hat. Unfortunately, he has too many other policy directions and actions which more than cancel it out. Climate change, domestic division, open racism, cronyism, rigging the postal service to frustrate postal votets (so, corruption), and the list goes on. He has a disposition which grates a lot of people and his command of communication is not great - and while we would expect a press to see through that, unfortunatley, it doesn't. The big concern is he undermines democracy and the rule of law in his own country. The US is polarsied as is the western world... His denial of science and although I will not say the 220K deaths are all his fault, as a leader and steppingin fron (has he proclaims), the steps he has led his population through seem to be the wrong ones - on many counts. |There has been no new skirmish/war for him to deal with.. Maybe he has bullied all minor countured into submission (and maybe not).. If one does flare up while he is in power, it will be interesting to see how he does.

BTW - still think JB will fall marginally short.

This is probably more for socialaustralia.com.au, but given the last few posts, I will put it here. I find this the most balanced discussion about the presidential race and it does discuss some of the above:

That one!

The judiciary committee will hear matters it deems important or that are brought to it.. Given it is a committee of the senate. my guess is Republicans brought it., but unless there was malice from Twitter, I would welcome it if I were a democrat. They are probably doing this under a legal obligation which requires social media sites to remove or flag content that is fake news. In fact, after DTs tweets or posts a couple of weeks ago were removed/tagged, he has been calling for the removal of the law, which, also calls for incitement and hate speech to be removed within a reasonable period of time.. So a president is actively encouraging the removal of a law that aims to circumvent intentional and damaging fake news, hate speech incitement to commit crimes without suggesting how better to handle these (I guess seeing his rhetoric amounts to indirect incitement, I can see why he would want the law repealed). Not only has Twitter been removing/tagging DT and his henchpeoples' posts, Facebook and Google have, too.. So if you're a theorist, you can probably smell a conspiracy somewhere.. Just because an action has been referred to, or looked into by the Senate Judicial Review Committee does not mean that the action is invalid, against the law, or discriminating (which is what BB wants to present). It just means it should be investigated. Frankly, as I said, if I were a democrat, I would be happy as I doubt Dorsey, whos business was flagging unil DT was elected, would be stupid enough to be that cavalier in his treatment of Trump and his cronies accounts.. Of course, I would only be surprised if he was.. not shocked. And if the investigation determines it was valid under whatever the law was, well, DT will look worse to the swinging voters.. and he will just continue.. Further happiness to the democrats. Personally, Trump has done so much wrong, that Biden's son - now reformed from a coke head (where DT is still DT) has little bearing - guess what at least that family can say they are human but fix things when they are wrong.. I am not so sure about the Trump family (maybe they are so wrong, that it is not fixable - and his kids aren't all clean, either). On the taxes - yes, Kerry Packer correctly said something along the lines of "You're an idiot if you don't do everything you can to minimise your taxes". The fact it is so lop-sided is a failure of the system and I will not blame anyone from maximising their resourcces to legally achieve what they want to. But, I am sure KP paid a lot more tax than DT... And USD$750 in taz over many years to find the private lifestyle seems a little foul of doing it all within the law. Back to the Judicial Committee hearings.. until anything comes of it, it is just another hearing.. they have plenty of them..

OME - sorry, but i am on the bandwagon with this one. I had a large number of quotes lined up, but the system lost them, and I am not trawling through them again. So I am going off memory. Firstly, the way in which the question was phrased was that it was a day of exceptionally stable conditions with relatively low humnidity and a decent gap between OAT and dew point - that one had set eveything for cruise and everything (including the ASI) was where it should be. The emphasis on all of this was that most of us interpreted these as being the same at the time of noticing the deviation from flight progress. So, yes, you could normally say that after 30 minutes noticing the difference in expected and actual GS, the IAS would be a thing to check, but if this is the case, I think the question is disingeniously worded to trick us into assuming it was constant - I can't believe most of us would have come to the same conclusion if it were any other way. For me, the other thing that led me to that conclusion that the power or throttle setting at least was constant (yes, there could be a magneto or some other fuel/air/spark system issue) was that the friction nut is set firm. I have never flown with a firm friction nut (no puns, please) and even in some fairly rough turbulence, have never had a throttle move on its own accord. So to me, highlighting it was firm was highlighting power at least, and assuming a fixed pitch, revs was constant (given we were already thinking ASI is constant). Also, even if it were firm and somehow in those conditions unwound, unless the throttle is spring loaded, there is a tiny chance (and in my experience, particularly given the conditions, no chance) it would change the power setting. Of course, a magneto can fail in flight and I have had that happen, with a detectable drop in RPM (in a Warrior). So, yes, I feel the question inferred that the power and ASI was reading as expected after 30 minutes.. And in answer to your question about not doing checks for 30 minutes on those superb flights - er - no - never waited that long. And there are two reasons.. FREDA/CLEAR checks are not really nav related but systems related.. Secondly, I don't want to fly with a fuel imbalance, and thirdly, I want early warning of systems packing up. If I have have waited even 10 minutes to do those even on the most familiar routes I take, I would be incredibly surprised. And I now have a GPS which means I am often checking I am at least on track and it will tell me if my speed is off. Although, I take the point, that was not in the question. Finally, in my tongue-in-cheek and other's more prudent answers, there was at least a strong inference, if not an explicit statement of assuming the VSI was reading as expected... this was not confirmed or rebuked... so for those answers (in so far as they were correct given those assumptions), the answers are just as valid as the assumption you had made. And asserting ignorance or falling short is not fair because that assumption was made. We are basically saying that we checked the IAS (in my answer I said I tapped the ASI), it was as expected so we moved immediatley onto other root causes. In other words, the question was worded in such a way that it was inferred we all checked the ASI (and power/RPM setting) and as it was reading as expected, we started down a path that tried to find faults in pressure systems or the gauges themselves...

Clearly, this is a tech failure.. So as the GPS is nothing more than a fancy computer, diagnostics would start with recyling it (switching it on and off - not turfing it for another) and if that didn't correct the GS, tap it on the screen a few times where the GS is displayed. If it was still showing a low GS, then I would remain suspicious of the unit, but just to be sure, check the ASI isn't busted by taping it on the glass (but not too hard).. Seems OK.. Of course, it could be alternate static air is open and should be closed, but as we are so diligent in our pre-flight checks, that would never happen... Maybe - as in some a/c such as the Warrior; drain the static lines as well... Nah.. we did that during pre-flight. Once done, it would be a precuationary landing and as per the user guide, calling the GPS authorised service representative and wait for a repair guy to take a look...

I wold think there might be some wriggle room in the prices; TB-20s and 21s often come to the market at higher prices as owners like to keep them.. The one on Controller.com has a TT of 890hrs and 150 on a new engne.. That leaves a lot of time left... and assuming all checks out OK on the airframe, bits aren't going to start to require replacement for some time. As it's N reg, you can get a pigy back FAA licence - would you need to modify it for Aus conditions? In the UK we can import them with VAT only.. no need to convert to European spec (even on a EASA licence, though if we want to fly internationally, we have to have the FAA piggy back licence as a minimum). Although, the radios wold have to be upgraded to 8.33khz spacing. Another option, although a little slower, is the Piper Dakota.. 143kt cruise (book), fixed gear 235hp. Also not too common as owners love them... they are sturdy (er.. except for that spar inspection AD), not often used by schools and generally well maintained.. Comfy touring 4 seater with some speed.. And there is the AA5B Tiger is 140kts.. although these sound a little too slow for your mission. Another a/c to think about is the Rockwell Commander 114- book cruise at 160kts, and one for sale in VIc for 125K.. Seems cheap - they advertise here for about as many £. No idea of maintenance costs, etc. BTW, Ian Baillee a/c sales, amongst others, are looking for a new home and that may be the reason they have been unresponsive.. https://www.australianflying.com.au/latest/eviction-notices-sent-to-moorabbin-operators

Have you considered at TB21-TC which has something like a 170kt 75% cruise... the TB-20s are about 150kt.. They provide great visibility, then Gen Twos are roomy and you can often (in the northern hemisphere)get them kitted out with a Farmin EFIS. There aren't too many for sale, and you will prob have to look overseas for them... I have flown TB-20s, Bonanzas, PA32s (Cherokee 6s and Lances), Commanche (250s), and of these, the TB20s are the most comfy. The TB21TC is a turbo-charged TB20. Also, Socata still manufacture spares for them, but they can be pricey. I wouldn't worry about whether it is a 4 or 6 seater... if you have at least 4 seats (and it can take 4 adults and luggage with a decent amount of fuel), you have your mission a/c... If you would consider 6 seaters, the PA32 range is very good also... The 235 versions are OK.. but I would go for the 300. And still has a spares network. Best of luck...

Here is the link to the FAA Manuals.. Note, there are different publications that cover different parts of the theory requirement. Note that weather and Nav will be northen hemisphere based.and of course, charts and any procedures/air law will be USA based. https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/ A quick check of ebay (aus) has some Trevor Thom manuals for sale...

Sadly, Sully isn't a presidential candidate..

Hi Ian, Very sorry to hear about the deterioration to your eyes.. I can only echo what has already been sent... Thanks for maintaining the site despite various challenges - this one the most important.. All the very best wishes, Lance

Or the locks have changed and your now ex-best mate, Davo, sleeps where you used to...

That looks like the icon.. .I think I would rather just do the real thing looking at the potential cost of that ;-)

@Bennyboy320 - can't seen to view the attachments..

Is this a confession? Oh.. there are a couple of lines that I shall foresake...

Well, apparently, it does happen:

Surely it must have been bumpy as....

Is that all we have to choose from? I have about 7 of them... Also... Forgot to check NOTAMS and almost breached a royal flight (you don't have then in Aus, but when a Royal wants to take a jolly, there is a 10nm radius of moving class D airspace from the point of the aircraft... ) Also took off after airport hours (allowed) when GA was shut down (not allowed) in the South East of the UK because Obama decided he wanted to helictoper in to see Stonehenge after a G20 summit in Wales or something. Thankfully I was able to talk my way out of the possible licence suspension as when I contacted F'Borough, they sent me back to my airfield, whcih I complied with and the NOTAM was at short notice because the decision by Obama to see Stonehenge was also at short notice. Forgot to set the area QNH, which meant I ended up breaching prohibited airspace over a nuclear power stations. Thakfully I was working at that powerstation at the time and only got a reprimand. I should have planned a bigger margin. I picked a fight with and AFISO (aerodrome flight information service officer), and thankfully won.. He was a complete posterior hole that enjoyed his power over the radio, but in person he was a coward. Flew across an international FIR boundary but forgot to lodge the flightplan. (well.. I remembered to lodge it, but as I taxied out, I thought I had done it). Apparently read back a hold to cross an active runway, then proceeded to cross it... Thankfully noticed a C310 starting its roll and jumped on the brakes. Tower berated me on the radio and I made up some excuse that my feet slipped off the brakes and it lurched forward, so no call to visit ATC. However, I am dead certain my readback was to cross the active runway. At Moorabbin, on 17L (used for training), as a solo student, I was given clearnce to take off.. I saw an a/c on finals so declined the clearance due to aircraft on final. He may have been a way out, but as a student, I thought I would be cautious (there was no "don't delay" in the instruction). I guess ATC didn't like that because they made me wait until what seemed like all the traffic had left the circuit...

G'Day, Glen - and welcome to the forums! I don't know too much about RAA regs, but sometimes an airport may put their own restirctions of the types of aircraft allowed to visit. This can be for many reasons. I checked the Canberra airport site and found the Light Recreational Aircraft/Light Commercial Aircraft conditions of use (https://www.canberraairport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AVI-LRA-LCA-application-CA-conditions-of-use-June-2020_PROOF-02.pdf) which does no differentiate RAA/GA in their definition of Light Recreational Aircraft. They also have a permit application (https://www.canberraairport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AVI-Light-Recreational-Aircraft-LRA-Annual-Permit-Application-Form-v1-1-July-19-ID-32225_FA-ID-54766-2.pdf), and although it doesn't further define what they mean, it references CASA as an operator.. There is a customer services number - probably best to give them a call.

I think this sums it up...