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Everything posted by Thruster88
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Vans Aircraft suffering cash flow difficulties
Thruster88 replied to rodgerc's topic in Aircraft General Discussion
Builders of Van's aircraft could cheapen the job by using an LS engine. Cletus who is a fixed wing and helicopter pilot and Carbon cub owner declined a ride. Aircraft starts at 4 min in. -
The current CEO Matt is moving on. The scary part is it seems like only yesterday he came on board, not three years ago. Fly and fly while you can. From the CEO Dear all, 2023 has been another busy year here at RAAus. We’ve had our 40th birthday celebrations, promoted RAAus at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, joined forces with the AMDA Foundation to make ‘Fly’n For Fun’ 2024 at Parkes in April a reality, supported numerous initiatives such as the award winning Touch the Sky series and Loss of Control series, and our staff have been busy attending various locations around the country to meet with members, audit flight training schools, and generally promote recreational aviation. We’ve also been involved in assisting members achieve their dreams, like Hayden McDonald who the week before last completed his solo circumnavigation of Australia to promote inclusion, particularly for neurodiverse people such as himself – so great! This year we’ve spent a significant amount of effort on finalising the approval for our new Group G that will enable members to operate aircraft up to 760kgs maximum take-off weight. We’re so close now and our final approval from CASA is imminent. Now that we have a high degree of confidence around the requirements for Group G, your RAAus team is now working feverishly to finalise internal processes, and develop training and educational material so members understand the requirements and can easily take advantage of this new privilege. So what does 2024 look like? I can confidently say that Group G will finally become a reality in early 2024, and with CASA having recently consulted on controlled airspace access for recreational aviators, I’m also confident this won’t be too far off either. RAAus members have eagerly awaited both of these for more than a decade and therefore we’re so excited to make these both a reality. Also in 2024, our Board has been clear with their direction to diversify our business model to ensure we keep recreational aviation affordable for all. What this means is that we will be seeking other revenue opportunities to enable, in effect, a cross-subsidisation of the aviation side of the house, because that will always be our core function as a company. From a personal perspective, having seen out my three-year contracted term, I’ve decided to move on from RAAus to a different role within the industry. I’ll be taking some leave over the Christmas break before returning to the office in late January, then finishing up in mid-February. Leading the RAAus team as CEO has been an incredible privilege. I cannot emphasise enough how hard this team of 20 staff work to make your interactions with us positive, to enable new privileges like Group G, to assist you in being safe aviators, and to support our flight training schools across the country. We take immense pride in all that we do at RAAus, which has grown from humble beginnings into a professional and modern organisation that exists to enable our members to take to the skies. I also want to thank our Directors who are voted in by members and give up a significant amount of their time to oversight RAAus without any remuneration. I cannot stress enough how important it is that our Board is made up of people that not only have a passion for aviation and members’ interests, but also have the experience to govern a modern business that manages risk, oversees a large remit, and understands the duties of being a Director. We are incredibly fortunate to have people that fit this bill, so congratulations go to our members for electing such a diligent group of Directors. As a CEO it’s typical to report to the Board through the Chairman, and during my tenure this has been Michael Monck. I can honestly say that Mick’s passion, commitment and tenacious approach for members is unwavering. Although he also has a ‘day job’, he regularly puts in 20-30 hours a week of his own time to make this organisation great. He has been a terrific mentor to me, and as a member of RAAus I am immensely grateful to have someone like him leading our Board. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved in the past three years. Whilst coming out of COVID was a challenge with our staff working from home through lockdowns, we continued to provide uninterrupted service to members, managed to implement Part 149, put systems in place to maintain assurance, finally got Group G over the line, and above all, strived to enable our members to operate with as little fuss as possible. Thank you to those many members who have interacted positively, shared war stories, had a laugh with me, and supported the direction of RAAus. Just as importantly, thank you to those members that respectfully shared their grievances or concerns with me to enable us to work towards a solution. I can honestly say I worked as hard as I could to achieve this. The Board will communicate with the membership their plans for my successor in due course. Whomever this may be, I wish them well and for RAAus, the success it deserves. Finally, I’d like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season. Fly safely and I hope to see you around the traps! Matt
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Fatal Accident 7-12-23 Beech Debonair (USA)
Thruster88 replied to rgmwa's topic in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents
It reminds me of the two 737 max crashes. -
A cowl flap is the go for maximum speed. I seem to recall some of us said the original cooling system would not be successful.
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Recreational Aviation Constitution Amendment - URGENT!
Thruster88 replied to Airsports's topic in Governing Bodies
I was admitted. Basically RAAus legal found there was no valid resolutions from the previous meeting and the meeting was closed. Today's meeting lasted less time than it took to type this. -
The pros and cons of defecting to Group G.
Thruster88 replied to NT5224's topic in AUS/NZ General Discussion
My RV6a would be eligible for group G but I will not be changing because, it will cost more, I would have to repaint the rego and the paint is very beautiful now, I need to retain my casa license to fly the mighty Musketeer. Maintenance does not change. The only reason to change would be if one cannot get a class 2 medical. -
A thought about WWII turbo chargers longevity
Thruster88 replied to danny_galaga's topic in Aircraft General Discussion
That is indeed the case Spacesailor, we had Steiger tractors with straight pipe Cat 14litre 3406 turbo diesels and they were fairly quiet. I think the noise produced also has a lot to do with cam timing. Straight pipe Lycoming engines are not head turning due mild cam timing. -
Ultralight crash north of Grafton 12/12/23
Thruster88 replied to Cosmick's topic in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents
Low flying is only one way to kill yourself or innocent passengers. As a new pilot by reading you can become aware of the other common scenarios. We don't get this from RAAus so I would encourage you to read at the ATSB. https://www.atsb.gov.au/aviation-investigation-reports -
Ultralight crash north of Grafton 12/12/23
Thruster88 replied to Cosmick's topic in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents
Another example https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2022/aair/ao-2022-027 -
Ultralight crash north of Grafton 12/12/23
Thruster88 replied to Cosmick's topic in Aircraft Incidents and Accidents
I believe all pilots should be reading all the accident reports applicable to their class of operation. I was aware of the Maule power line "accident". -
Just swap the Oring to your old one.
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Vans Aircraft files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Thruster88 replied to KRviator's topic in Vans/RV
I dont think that is the case here. Van's outsourced to meet increased demand. With the benefit of hind sight they should have just increased the kit price to make the company profitable or more so which may have subdued demand to the point where the out sourcing was not necessary. They are not selling lowest cost widgets, it is a niche product with strong demand. Most successful kit manufacturer and I think it will remain so. Van's total performance, it is a real thing. -
Mmm, if it does indeed cruise at 150knots indicated on 80hp that would be beyond Vne? Perhaps the ASI came from a different aircraft.
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Vans Aircraft files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Thruster88 replied to KRviator's topic in Vans/RV
The way I see it if management had been managing the kit prices for those in the queue now would have been somewhat higher. The cost is what it is, you have to pay to play. -
Vans Aircraft files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Thruster88 replied to KRviator's topic in Vans/RV
As a Van's aircraft owner I see this as a positive. -
Rotax have progressed the 912 steadily with the 914,915 and now the 916 all on the same basic platform with enhancements were required. Lycoming did a similar thing with the O-235 then O-290,320,360 and finally IO-390. Both engines have flying web crankshafts, 3 main bearings for a four cylinder. Must be a good idea? Rotax 9xx engines have nothing to do with their other BRP products.
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My spies tell me Jabiru has been sold
Thruster88 replied to Kyle Communications's topic in AUS/NZ General Discussion
1500kg Porsche with 380? Hp v the cyber truck. Will they save the planet? -
Before RAAus start deleting aircraft I would like to see a current snapshot of the register made available for viewing by members in perpetuity? Not sure if that is the right word. No owner info, just what we can see now. I am doing my bit to keep interest in thruster aircraft in my area. When we find these gems a check of the RAAus register is the first step. I am sure I will not get a call about 10-1467, if I was not a current member it would just be deleted. RAAus probably don't have contact details for this fine example of type, will it be deleted?
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My spies tell me Jabiru has been sold
Thruster88 replied to Kyle Communications's topic in AUS/NZ General Discussion
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It is interesting how the fire seemed most intense right near the cabin air intakes. My RV6a has a piano hinge type cowl fixture all the way up each side, I don't see that on the accident rv9. A good reminder to shut off fuel in engine fire situations. I will be conservative and stick with the dinosaur lycoming.
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Perhaps turboplanner could send a carefully worded question to casa regarding the requirements for pilots to have a current security check. AVID or ASIC or nothing required, which is it? .
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I believe casa license holders must have a current ASIC or AVID. The AVID is only $126 and lasts for 5 years. My understanding is RAAus pilots and aircraft operators are subject to all the same CAO's except those they are exempt from. Anyone have the exempt list handy ?
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AOPA - response re Class 5 self declared medical declaration
Thruster88 replied to Bill's topic in AUS/NZ General Discussion
I wonder which section of "the working group" proposed the one passenger limit for class 5 medical.