snarf007

Go to the live ATC website and choose your favourite class D airport and have a listen.

My preference is a stick. I started with a stick in RAA and moved on to GA with a yolk. My biggest hurdle was getting used to landing an aircraft with a yolk. Flaring / hold-off with a stick is easier and XW inputs are more intuative. A yolk makes getting in and out easier and you can put charts in your lap.

Ido Segev used to be one of my RC flying idols. Have never seen such a fast, low altitude rolling circle in a 1/3rd scale RC plane. Sad day for Australian aviation.

Good documentary, but disturbing to watch.

They have a 206 in the fleet too. 2 planes down in a few weeks. Beach operations are really tough on the aircraft. Glad to hear the pilots are OK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH1IlTYmBmg

Why does this happen in this day and age. It makes me so angry!! And to think Iran wants Nukes... Have they not heard of Flight Aware or Flight Radar apps?

There is a “hanger for sale” at YHBA. Looks like it can fit 3 planes if you can mix low and high-wings. Was told it is $200k for a 20yr lease. Sounds like a bad investment.

I have been on this site for 3 years and with the software change I stopped visiting. Guess I just did not like the new layout, but honestly can’t say what I don’t like about it. I first stumbled across recreational flying when looking for pilot resources and enjoyed the educational/ tutorials that were hosted on site. The fact that it is mainly Australian content is awesome and I love the weekly emails. If I see a topic I like, I will check it out. I am also a member of VansAirforce and spend a lot more time on that site and make the yearly donation. The more technical forms are more interesting to me. Look at how VansAirforce presents adverts, might be a way to cover the sites costs, without diminishing the user experience. Frans

Hi from Hervey Bay and Maryborough. The Maryborough Aeroclub is now open most Saturday mornings and only a short 30min flight from Gympie for most RAA aircraft.

These kind of accidents makes me angry. Marginal VFR and high terrain.... ADSB track disappears 1nm west of Mount Moombil

My RPC took 23 hrs. Only did 5hrs PIC during training, so after getting minimum of 10hrs PIC I did my passenger endorsement. 10hrs for XC endorsement (2 nav’s with instructor, solo nav and exam nav). Cost $10000 over a year. After 110hrs logged in RAA I did RPL conversion. RPL conversion took 7hrs of ground school and 5hrs of flying with BFR included. Cost $3600 (medical and ASIC included) Controlled airspace took 11hrs of ground school and 8hrs of flying. Cost $4100. GA is way more expensive than RA and I recommend the RA route to anyone wanting to fly. GA from start is only better if you want to do CPL, so you have more GA hrs logged. Next step for me is PPL theory exam ?

The planes get a good hose down at the end of the day. I have seen the Air Fraser GA8’s up close and it must be a full time job keeping them serviceable, given the harsh environment they operate in. Wonder if it was the same aircraft that lost a wheel a few years back? https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/1287920/ae2009045.pdf

Home made “engine saver” could be a good solution for high humidity areas. Fish tank air pump plumped into a chemical dehydrator to pump dry air into the crankcase via the oil filler cap. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/engsaver.php

I have the Uavionix Ping and it works as advertised.

I just completed my RPC to RPL conversion yesterday. Took 3 days, 10hrs of ground schools/ briefings and 5 hrs of flying (incl 2 hrs of instrument flying and x-country). Once I receive my RPL, I must still do a flight review and complete my 172 endorcement. My plan is to proceed onward to PPL. The cost has been a real shock to the system and makes me question if it is worth it. My cost for RPC to RPL so far; Medical exam $280, processing fee $75, english exam, ASIC $234, foreign police checks $500, plane rental $756 (thankfully tach time), instructor $2316, still have to add the cost of C172 endorcement, flight review and controlled airspace endorcement...

Allows you to access NAIPS and to file a flight note if you are so inclined.

Thank you for the info. I am doing my RPC to RPL conversion next month. Have heard of a few people doing conversion over a weekend, but seems to depend heavily on the CFI’s attitude towards RAAus.

Wonder if the new airport manager is the driving force behind the landing fees?

I have no info about Bundaberg, just my personal speculation.

Just got the email, the rumours were true. Council is introducing landing fees for all users (recreational aircraft included) at Hervey Bay and Maryborough. Seems like they are following in the footsteps of Gympie. Bundaberg beware, you’re next.....

But none of them has got a nice club like Gympie!

Depends on how often you fly.... On average most people take 25-30hrs according to my instructor and most solo around 13 hrs. He also refused to instruct more than 1 hour a day, his reason was that the student gets tired and does not learn any more ( so true in retrospect). Took me 28hrs and 10months for RPC. Add 10hrs PIC min for passenger endorcement and another 10-15hrs for cross country endorcement. Enjoy

Shocking news! Just went to coucil website to see what the charges are..... could not find any info. a 10yr old can design a better website Surprised they did not sign up with Avdata....

I followed the build on Mike Pateys channel and it was amazing to watch. Some serious and inovative engeneering. I was really impressed with how fast he fabricates carbon fiber parts and while working full time. Hopefully I will have a man cave like him in my next life.... he has got money to blow on toys.