docjell

Robbo- drifting off topic?? This post has undertaken a fatal low altitude turn back - how appropriate

This is absurd. I have read the Koran- I'm sure since you all pontificate so eruditely you have as well? It is frightening, as was Mein Kamf. Everything projected is coming to fruition as it was n the 1930's And you still Twitter on about virgins- from a standpoint of absolute ignorance. After Ross's funeral tomorrow perhaps we could revisit something else more relevant?

I'm missing something here Frank . Is not the observation by several ground observers ( including pilots) that Ross attempted a turn back good enough? The passage of time or waiting for a coroners inquest isn't going to change facts. The only persons really qualified to comment were there as it happened. Windsor 68's "it appears to me he was going for the cross strip"is fascinating

As an avid follower of Prof Avius I don't think so- not Ross's style- but there's could be a story? Les see if he or she resurfaces?

Phat Phil- line drawn! Cheers and fly safe Chris

Hi Teckair- just FYI - the Lightwing involved, 25-431, was apparently,co-owned by Pat McGrath and Bill Clayton prior to being sold down south some years ago. It was purchased by my neighbour Marty Wheeler who flew it for a yew years prior to its recent sale to Glen(surname Unknown) who hangered it at Stark Field, just up the road from Marty's strip. Cheers

Very sadly Ross - I like his analogy to- very appropriate. RIP

Like Frank- I am loath to comment. Suffice to say support for this 'award' would not be necessarily a consensus. I would be extremely angry to discover that part of my RAAus subscription had been used to fund this. Perhaps all his supporters should fund this themselves.

Dazza- hang up whatever you feel appropriate- but Ross's demise on Sunday just gone was - some would say- predicable, very sadly. My old PPL instructor, who had known Ross for many years up here, said it was a 'matter of when, not if.' He had a wealth of experience in absolutely every aspect of aviation , military and civilian, and told us so at every opportunity . The last time I heard Ross holding court was about the dreaded EFATO, and how many stupid 'badly trained idiots' had done just what he did last Sunday morning and died. This was witnessed by a number of spectators including some private pilots- so to those who would leap straight to the "awaiting the results of the inquest/enquiry brigade " this is cut and dried folks - even though not 'legally' Various contributers to this thread have expressed dismay at this event and opined tha we need to'tighten up training procedures' - they are fine - our training in this field is perfect. Ross - operating from Starke Field 8kms up the road from my shared airstrip, was hugely experienced , very opinionated and rather arrogant , I believe turned back because his long experience made him believe he could outfly the laws of physics. I humbly have no idea how I would react to the same scenario - I would probably die. Stake Field is not a venue for an EFATO- but at least the direction ahead of him( to the north ) had clear areas to carry out a forced landing. This awful event, that has traumatised many, should remind all of us that experience , flying hours, and having the 'right stuff' is not necessarily going to guarantee our survival.

Dansmusic! How great to hear from you and to hear how G-MUSO is going. Your posting was completely unexpected and livened up an otherwise uneventful Sunday evening hear in Far North Queensland. Still getting 30 degrees at midday (end of our "summer") . from your name I assume your connection with Music - MUSO was built by myself(a GP) , a professional Horn Player, amd Mike Moran, a professional musician and writer. I woulld really like to get in contact - MUSO's history is interesting and involved with one or two very interesting charatcters. I wouldn't necessarily want to share part of my past on this forum so please email me asap on [email protected] I'd love to catch up. Fanatastic how this site has potentially bought together two completely unconnected aviators from the other side of the world. Bring it on!

Frank- you and I know him well- I would suspect he doesn't actually know what he is talking about ( situation normal )

Thanks Deb- fascinating thought it may be to know who can or cannot urinate where , or meaningless comparisons to the automotive industry are of absolutely no help to this thread . I posted a while ago- and got no sensible responses at all- to the effect that the raw figures promulgated so far comparing Jab with Rotax failures are just that- raw data. They are not 'statistics' as been suggested. The "0.03%" failure rate figure being thrown around is a data figure not,a statistically relevant analytical figure. CASA are indeed frightening in that they seem to have the ability to propose unilateral impositions on almost anyone at will, with potentially devastating results , and yet have no accountability . I own a Cessna Cardinal, purchased with the specific intention of getting my instrument rating and staring to fly missions for Angel Flight. CASA have decided that my aircraft age demands a SIDS inspection ($25.000 plus) which I do not have. Without the SIDS my plane is only worth scrap aluminium and like a Jabiru owner I now own a worthless aircraft, despite not one single incident that suggested the age of the A/C was a problem . Angel Flight are now under the pump- despite over 16,000 'missions' without one single incident CASA are attacking Angel Flight for no obvious reason except they can - what is happening to us? Why have we allowed this to occur? Lee Ungermann was a dyed in the wool Rec Aviation pilot from round here. He taught my neighbour to fly, and many others in the localty.

No Marj- you didn't get a lot of votes locally because we all know you. We weren't voting for a friend, we were voting for an appropriate representative and ambassador for local,recreational flyers of which there are many up here. No one is whinging anywhere let alone on the sidelines- we just just hoped that our elected representative would behave in an appropriate manner befitting the position especially at flying functions.

Thanks Fly-Tornado - I didn't approach Jabiru for the data analysis but CASA- since they are basing their NPRM on it. Perhaps they too don't realise that raw data needs analysing

A couple of posts in this thread have mentioned 'statistics' - I haven't seen any. The raw figures comparing hours flown and failures between the Jabiru and Rotax engines are just that- raw. I have not been able to track down any meaningful statistical analysis that would determine whether in fact there is an increased overall incidence of in flight failure in Jabiru engines or whether this is due to chance. Lee Ungerman at CASA has failed to reply to my request for this analysed data, and the RAA seemed unaware that such a thing a statistical analysis exists. My knowledge of stats is rudimentary so I cannot work out which of the many tests would be applicable - any statisticians out there,with nothing much on at the moment?

Funny you should say that fly-tornado - the Long Ez I helped build in the UK is now owned by an ex RAF tornado pilot- he obviously feels at home! Rage83 I recall the LongEz was very easy to handle in a crosswind because it's so fast and slippery. Flying the approach "relatively slowly" is something of a misnomer, but I can't now remember the numbers - only that to approach at a speed I felt comfortable at required a very significant nose up pitch which compromised visibility. However EZ is much better qualified than I am to comment, and is flying a Long Ez currently so I'd like to hear his comments . Maybe now with many more hours under my belt and access to a 1500m sealed strip I'd feel a bit more positive about the aircraft!

Thanks New Member for a useful and reasoned appraisal of your Long Ez - an opposing opinion to mine but much more helpful for Rage83 who is trying to garner opinion of the aircraft. And yes - my 'crap' comment stemmed from irritation with the thread rather than reasoned commentary! Continue to enjoy your Long Ez!

Maj- you have no idea at all that " most owners own and fly these aircraft with a passion" this is pure confabulation- how many owners do you know? They are a niche product with very limited appeal which is why they are comparatively rare. Your mesmeric meanderings regarding the round -the-world voyager, the Virgin Galactica, Jeanna Yeager and Dick Rutan have rather strayed from Rage83 's original request for INFORMED comment regarding this aircraft . I won't repeat all my earlier negative comments- but if Rage83 can live with all those and find a continuing supply of AVGAS he'll race through the skies very economically. That are probably almost unsaleable too, so one should be available for a song.

Awesome Facthunter! Exactly what does being a Bert Rutan fan help? Aerodynamics? I owned and flew one - they are crap

Hi Rage 83 - I was in a three man syndicate in the UK in the eighties and we built a Long Eze - rego G-MUSO - looking back I cannot imagine why. Building was fun, but flying was not. I can't offhand remember how many hours I flew in it, but I was happy to sell my share. It's cramped, uncomfortable, and very idiosyncratic to fly. The visibility is limited, there is no luggage space, it's really only practical off long sealed runways (?Edwards Air Force Base), and use in and out of grass strips is interesting to say the least (don't). We had the belly brake , but still needed an inordinate amount of nose up attitude on approach such that the forward visibility was seriously impaired - or alternatively cross the the hedge at a blistering pace. It's ONLY saving grace was high speed economical cruising. Maj is extolling the virtues of an aircraft I suspect he has never flown since he clearly knows little about it! G-MUSO was ultimately sold to a wing commander in the RAF- used to flying Tornadoes- and as of last week he still has it. Be very very careful - good luck and keep us posted.

Yes- significant extra maintenance costs! In addition to the normal 100hrly costs all the TSO'd instruments required for IFR flight require annual re certification which is expensive as I discovered. The last 100 hrly on my cessna 177RG was in excess of $9,000 - ironically the reason I bought it (PIFR ticket) has evaporated as our local flying school has just lost it's only IFR instructor and I don't have the time to go elsewhere!

Thanks guys - I'll follow up and let you know. Cheers

Does anyone have any information on the availability of aircon units suitable for a Sporstar? I'd be prepared to make a weight scarifice in exchange for a degree of midday and afternoon comfort - the Kroger shield just isn't enough. grateful for any info