Jerry_Atrick

Somehow, I would not equate these fellas to your stereotypical RC flyer. And while I have a warped sense of perception, I doubt very much too may people will, too. In fact, as a member of the suffering public who was put to great inconvenience because of drone flyers flying their drones too close to Gatwick, I would welcome this sort of RC Flyer.. The drone flyers have a small minority that stuff it up for the rest of them.. these guys aren't in that league. I understand why CASA had to go for them.. it's a shame as they were only endangering themselves and showed ingenuity.. HOw many pioneers have suffered an early end so we can fly safely today? Without them, where would we be? (I know, I know.. but you get my drift).

Do you know.. I think I was ahead of myself when I stated Europe's airpspace has beome more dangerous.. Last email today from our maitenance guy... in response to a question of whether it is due back this coming week: "No, it has been ‘delayed’ pending the arrival of a new localiser / glass slope antenna from the US (that was broken during the respray). Rudder can’t be put back on without fixing this antenna. " Flipper knows when that beastie of an antenna will be back.. At least the paint is complete! I guess it's not all bad.. The UK has been battered with storms normally reserved for th Atlantic ocean.. so at least it has been snug in a hangar rather than being snowed, p!$$ed, sleeted and ratted on..

Rwy 2/29 is over 1,000m long.. Not the longest, but suitable for most, aircraft... The structure is a few hundred metres from the end of the runway and as an ex RAF airfield, I am guessing that the strcuture was built then - the road layout suggests it.. However, looking at google maps there is a holdiay part just off the eastern end of the 55/07 runway..

Travel safe on the trip, Marty - sounds like it will be a cracker.. The WA post from John could have been read for the UK.. Exmouth, Carnarvon (misspelt, of course).. @John Robert, I may nick that and send it to one of our blokes in HK, who is German and wants to move to WA... I have suggested a road trip around Aus to SWMBO a few times.. Unf, she still has memories of a dash from Melb to Lightening Ridge by car, and eating a pubs all the way - there was only so much chicken schnitzel and kiev she could take.. So post all the cullinary delights your family partake in and I may convince her of the idea!

Yeah, but they are a handy landmark... Once this carp weather passes, I may take the TB20 (if it gets out of the paint shop alive) up to Caernavon..

PTSD right now...

Blimey - I must be a virtual hermit - never even heard of the movie.. But then, maybe, "Honey, I shrunk the kids" was the last movie I saw... Anyway, back to our bad habits.. I have to admit - with the tech on the LAA/RAA side of things compared to Contipolis and Lycosauras tech, I am tempted to go to the dark side...

FFS! The shop was ready to turn it over to the mechanics to put togeher and they noticed the "forgot" to paint the undercarriage wells and fairings... The whole effin reason it went into the shop.. On my way home yesterday (Friday), I thought I would pop in.. abot 3pm... They were shut and had gone booine, I guess... 5 months + now and counting. I haven't flown in that time.. Decided last weekend I would rent a club PA28.. Of course, Storm Ciara decided to pitch up.. So thougth I would do it this weekend.. Storm Dennis! I tell ya, I was never religious or really believed in the big fella upstairs... But I am changing my mind. My father.. who passed away about 8 years ago, hated me flying... hated anything that may have resulted in his children being injured or worse.. from a sensationalistic point of view.. Well, since his passing, and given his resolute stubborness, there have been countless challenges thrown up - mainly wx realted that has restricted my ability to get out and take to the blue yonder. My guess is somehow, he got through the pearly gates and looks down, has a sqizz at my booking sheet and then cajoules the bog fella into throwing wx events to stop me flying... Either that, or the guy that looks after the lower regions of spiritual life has more control than we think. (p.s. I am not religious.. .I am frustrated)

I used to fly from YCEM when RVAC were there..... Nice little airfield...

Out of interest, are gas venting sites not marked on charts in Aus?

Well, so far, not much flying this year.. though the account to fund flying is building - so that is OK, I guess... Just got an email from the paint shop - er.. they forgot to paint the undercarriage - and given the whole reason it is in the paintshop is because someone belly-landed it, seems incredulous. A 4 week paint job in for our 4 months! A non-equity syndicate in a C172 near me has just opened up - min 6 months membership.. may join that for 6 months while waiting for this to get out of the shop.

Hmmm I will relegate myself to WUA..

I am showing my shallow knowledge of aircraft types.. I would have thought a Cessna of some sort - But the cowl, spinner and fin don't look right... Early C150?

4 months in to a 1 month job and it is almost ready to be put back together, My iPad is still in there apparently, but my guess is that it is useless asn I can't remember the passcode..

Bloody miss flying in Oz sometimes.. Here they don't do PAL much at all...

Gawwwd, Peter... When are you going to post a PA28 Warrior?

Hmmm.. Put my hand up.. a confirmation bias thing.. Seeing them instantly shouted non-CoA.

Doing your research is a sure fire way to mitigate the risks/pitfalls a lot of people make. I am not sure about Qantas or other airliyou to have ne sponsorship program in Aus; but over here they don't accept applicants with anything more than a couple of hours in their logbook - guess they want to embedd SOPs from day one or something. Now, if you're like me that had eyes at the time that technically required minor corrective lenses, my understanding is that military aviation as a pilot anyway is off limits in Aus (it was when I went to join the RAAF and becoming what is probably now a defunct role, a weapons officer, was not my idea of fun). At around the time I was thirty, I was in the UK and working on a defence project. I had to get to a meeting PDQ so hired a Warrior from the flight school literally down the road to my office and flew the RAF base the proejct was based at - ahh the good ol; days when yuo could expense almost everything.. Anyway, one of the flight officers walked up to me and asked about my flying credentials.. and then suggested that I may want to join the RAF and although too old for fast jets - could fly Nimrods or such.. When I explained I wore specs (part time, then - mainly for night driving and lectures - where I always sat at the back), he said they got rid of that rule years ago - they wanted to spread their net as wide as possible to get good pilots (not asserting he necessarily thought I was a good pilot). So, come over 'ere and apply to jointhe RAF or Fleet air arm... Now that we have got Brexit upon us and the likelihood is any trade deal with Aus will include movement of people, it is good fun (and the Red Arrows - Roulettes equivalent - still use jets, to boot)

Yes.. I saw it in a Pilot magazine (UK) write up = quite favourable. Unf, a couple of things were conspiring against it.. a) It was released at the height of plastic fantastics being hailed as the panacea to an ageing training fleet, solution to costs of aviation and a fashion statement. The Whitney was solid but old school.. Second, the Aussie Dollar was probably at its all time high (I know it sold in US $, but their costs were ultimately in AUD even if his suppliers billed in USD). I think at the time it was around $1.43 to the £.. And was the Aussie worth more than the USD at the time? I can't recall.. So from memory, a two seat trainer was smething like USD $200K or thereabouts. Compare this to a C150 at the time going for, say, USD $30K with reasonable hours, the extra investment if required meant a scholl had a hardr and proven trainer that would go for many more throusands of hours at, say a quarter of the price. Even though it is out of production and finding spares can be a pain in the proverbial. There;s a reason why Cessna no longer male them.. they made 'em good and as a result even they can't move new ones for the same reasons. Also, with a plentiful C172/PA28 and in Europe, Tecnam fleet now, it is just too tough for a new trainer. Shame.. With respect to comparing Soar to Oxford, I am not sure the photos do Soar justice. When I was out there, the Soar aircraft parked did look impressive for an RAA training fleet and were tidily parked up, even if the colour is a little lacking some class. But that is the point I made some posts ago - it is an RAA fleet, not a GA fleet and given one needs GA licences on their way to an ATPL, why on earth would Soar (or at least an RAA certificate) feature in a commerical training course? The CAA here are doing a consultation about allowing ab initio training for a PPL being conducted in permit/LAA (equivalent of RAA) aircraft.. but it is still for a PPL. Oxford are clearly an outfit to train to ATPL level. Over here, they have three tiers of students - Airline sponsored, Self-Sponsored and those that are just getting a PPL because they are convenient to the student (not even sure they accept the latter anymore). There is apparently a clear distinction amongst the ranks, with the first looking down on both the others, and the second looking down on the third. I think Box Hill (of which I have been a student of) have something to answer to.. Thy seem to have minted a training course with not bothering to unserstand what is entailed to obtain the qualification they coveting (for want of a better word).

Using the VET scheme, I would think there would be a good income (not going to make $66M; maybe just $33M) if one acted with integrity and didn't accept any old bozo who walked through the door... Can you imagine if you were offering instruction through the VET scheme.. Can charge $50/hr more than regular schools - have a steady stream of students while the so-called pilot shortage is around.. Good pass rate - more people want to go through you.. You then hit critical mass where you can be very selective an your pass rate rockets up to 99%... They are on loans, you are getting a darned good rate and you are at capacity (inc spare planes for when one goes U/S). We have an ex stude who has paid.. ahem.. $80K for a sub ICAO ticket.. I think tis time to look at the Upper Cumbucta West TAFE college to deliver the theory, grab a couple of well proven (aka used) PA28s/C172s, establish an operation at Numurkah airstrip (it will have a certificate to say it's licenced) charge $250/hr for the privilege and sip pina coladas on the way to the bank (leaving enough to bribe the plod with the breathalizer). Seriously, there is a good living to be had.. if one doesn't become too greedy... I may have to see if I can entice my old instructor/examoner out of retirement...

I would call that precision flying - look how well it is parked...

I occasionally fly from Dunks when I need a hit in the Warrior.... Good aerodrome by UK standards. and only 20 mins from my real house.. Booker is great (esp when it was British Airways FC - as it was a real FC). WHite Waltham is the home of the only real flying club anywhere near London - the West London Aero Club.. but the runways are.. bumpy... Dunsfold - would love to get it in my logbook, but if onew is not home based, it has a terrible reputation for allowing others to arrive... They tried to turn it into a housing estate. I actually have not looked at Dunsfold for ages... There are a couple of private strips south of Fairoaks.. .and then there is.. Fairoaks (my fave airfield around that side of town - I am at the Bushe (EGLK), but it is too namby pamby for me.. @derekliston, does Phil fly his own or rent from DSFT (or privately). If there is a private rental there, would love to know.