Thruster88

Skippy a question. Some time ago you were dead keen to get a CS prop, asking for advice etc. Now that you have one on a pretty high performance aircraft you don't seem so convinced? What has been your experience?

I would also question the value of putting a CS propeller on a 100hp 100-120knot machine. It won't go 10knots faster like the sales person will say. 75% cruise power can be achieved with either propeller type. Trent Palmer removed the CS prop from his bush plane and went fixed, he is in the process of fitting another propeller now, also fixed and that is a turbocharged engine which should get any benefit from a CS. Fixed allows static RPM to be checked with confidence. A foolproof way to check engine health. I have a hartzell CS on the RV6A, if it ever goes bad it will be getting a fixed Catto like many other RV's have.

No radio required Jack, sounds perfect. I guess there was 100-150 aircraft at the ultralight field last year so not super busy.

In perfect VFR conditions with no mountains within a couple of hundred miles I once flew a Thruster T500 powered by a BMW 800 boxer coupled to a rotax C gearbox. Similar performance to a 582.

Probably the least stressful way to fly into Oshkosh. Down low away from the madness. My Thruster flew at the Oshkosh ultralight field in 1988. It was good to go and see it last year.

They won't say anything because the less said the better for legal reasons.

This is the best vid I have seen this year. It will be interesting to see how this young self made guy can develop his latest acquisition. Something like this near Canberra with 200 hangars would be nice.

Training, a transponder with CAO 100.5 compliance and a minimum of a class 5 medical seems to be the requirements.

From the May CASA email briefing. Access to Class C and Class D airspace We're developing a policy proposal to allow sport and recreation aircraft and pilots access to Class C and Class D controlled airspace after a wide-ranging response to our discussion paper on the issue. The discussion paper, released last year, received 130 submissions from a variety of stakeholders, including recreational and commercial pilots, air operators, air traffic service providers, flying training operators and sport aviation bodies. Feedback and ideas received have helped us consider the options for increasing sport and recreation opportunities as part of our General Aviation Workplan. The consultation asked about current standards required of pilots in controlled airspace in relation to pilot and radio competencies, English language proficiency, medical fitness, aircraft equipment and priorities for airspace access. An analysis of the responses indicated broad support for the concept of expanding access to Class C and Class D airspace for sport and recreation pilots so long as equivalent skills and standards are met. There was also broad support for consistent standards to be applied, where appropriate, across different licensing schemes. The policy proposal we’re developing would allow approved self-administering aviation organisations (ASAOs) to issue certification for sport and recreation pilots to operate in Class C and Class D controlled airspace with the appropriate aircraft and pilot certification. We’ll engage with stakeholders, including ASAOs, and plan to publish the policy proposal for consultation before the end of June 2024.

You could try your local LAME. CJ Aerospace may be an option.

If you can make a mayday call in a calm voice will continuing to fly the aircraft (air speed) it might ensure fire and rescue will arrive in a timely manner.

Jill has retired, the CEO has moved on and the instructor has passed away. The only good thing that could come from this "accident " is if it was added to the syllabus along with some others so new pilots can get real world experience. The junior GA reporter is one of the best things on Facebook. A new crash to read about each day. Same shite over and over.

Lives in Tasmania now. It was a very nice aircraft for the money.

The ATSB is investigating this one because it is VH reg. Diverted from track about 15 Nm north east of Tumut, shame it fell 300 metres short. At least we will know what actually happened, hopefully. Aircraft is a A32 Vixen. https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2024/report/ao-2024-010

I don't believe that is correct. The 2400rpm propeller will be more efficient and produce more thrust if the hp was same. Rotax could have chosen any ratio for the gearbox.

The cessna 414 I have been working on recently has such a system. A bottle about 15cm and a hose running to the front, electric valve to release the goods. Could be retrofitted to an experimental.

These numbers seem a tad rounded and they do not make sense re the turbo 100hp v non turbo 100hp in respect to altitude performance. They are not credible.

The zongshen clone has the same usefulness as a time expired Rotax for flying schools. The ready supply of good used time expired ex flying school rotax engines will limit the zongshen clones appeal for experimental users. Some of the capital is recovered with a time expired rotax.

On the way home from Japan in an Qantas A330 last night. Waited till the moon set behind the winglet at 4am est. Phone did a good job to get the shot. Might have to fly the thruster tomorrow.

Flying a thruster makes one a well rounded pilot. Use the stick to achieve the outcome (air speed) required regardless of what that looks like. A steep 30° banked turn engine off all the way to the runway is just one of the fun things one can do in a thruster.

If you keep it Hangared those skins will last a life time. They have much better UV resistance than dacron type skins like a thruster would have. I replaced the original skins on my 1988 thruster in 2017, Alan the sail maker tested them and they were still in spec. Always hangared.

Comparing wikipedia or even manufacturer performance is a waste of time. Adsb shows anyone interested how they cruise in the real world. Cessna 182, 120-130 knots all day every day.

The impossible turn is only impossible if the pilot stalls the aircraft. No stall anything is possible. As they say in the vid, you might not make the runway but it may be better than landing in suburbia. A better pre takeoff briefing, I WILL NOT STALL THE AIRCRAFT IN THE NEXT TWO MINUTES.

The target for next year is 8 thrusters, only 4 this year. I am doing my bit to stimulate grass roots flying in this area. One guy now has three, high hour commercial pilot, he loves them. Drifters are a bit rare down here, have seen one at Cootamundra, I think it is blue drifter, a member on here.

Maybe they are investigating it because the vertical stabilizer broke off. I would want to know how that happened.