TechMan

Looks like we will have to engage Anthony Albanese. The full list is: " HERE is a full list of the ministers in prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd's new federal Cabinet. Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister, Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Social Inclusion. Wayne Swan, Treasurer. Senator Chris Evans, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Immigration and citizenship. Senator John Faulkner, Special minister of State, Cabinet Secretary, Vice president of the executive council. Simon Crean, Trade. Stephen Smith, Foreign Affairs. Joel Fitzgibbon, Defence. Nicola Roxon, Health and Ageing. Jenny Macklin, Family, Housing, Community services and Indigenous Affairs. Lindsay Tanner, Finance and Deregulation. Anthony Albanese, Infrastructure, Transport and Regional development, Local Government, Leader of the House. Senator Stephen Conroy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Senator Kim Carr, Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Senator Penny Wong, Climate Change and Water. Peter Garrett, Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Robert McClelland, Attorney-General. Senator Joe Ludwig, Human Services, Manager of Government Business in the Senate. Tony Burke, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. " http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22842376-5013469,00.html Chris

Despite what Mike has indicated in his statement about visiting the shadow minister at the time, rest assured that RA-Aus did in fact visit him and discuss Rec Aviation and future policies with him prior to the election. This was done while Middo was still here. Now, if only he does actually become Transport Minister.... Chris

Ahh - but it does have NATFLY Mick. ;) Chris

its supposedly a HGFA trike.

Using pre-preg is not necessarily the 'only' avenue for constructing aircraft. Gliders have been built in composite since the 60's and the only ones that have 'exploded' due to voids in the laminate are the very few that have been struck by lightning. Taking that into account, airspeed and (lack of) air pressure will definitely have a roll in determining the durability of a composite structure, mainly due to friction. The Concord supposedly grows 1 foot when its cruising at supersonic speeds and the skin temp is around +100C. Whilst common jet liners do no fly at supersonic speeds yet, the temperature due to friction will certainly be increased. Naturally, they can cope with this using different resin systems, as Burt Rutan had the issue with his Starship one engine which needed to cope with +2800C temps without melting, so saying that the rudder exploded because of voids in the laminate, leaves the outside airpressure to be the determining factor possibly? By the sounds of it someone forgot to stir the resin pot when they made the rudder or the autoclave wasn't working properly and instead of throwing the rudder away they put it on anyway. My 2c worth. :-) Chris

The landings are indeed needed for statistical data. RA-Aus often gets painted with the same brush when it comes to accident statistics, which get applied to airliners. Whilst an airliner may have 20,000 hours, they may only have 2000 landings. This then becomes quite unfair towards RA-Aus operators, particularly school operators, who may do 20,000 landings for 2000 hours (its an exaggerated example I know). We are therefore collecting landing information so that we can reject claims that our sport is horrifically unsafe because we have had 5 fatal accidents in a year, for example, yet we have had over 20,000 take offs and landings. It is also helps in possible analysis of any airworthiness defect trends, if we can see how many hours and landings a certain aircraft had before it failed. Regards Chris

Mal, Operations under RA-Aus are daylight VMC only, no matter what category aircraft you fly. With regard to built up areas, the definition is listed in CAO95.55: (i) in the case of an aeroplane to which this section applies by virtue of paragraph 1.3, 1.4 , 1.6 or 1.8 (snip - this is for certificated aircraft and Special LSA) — the aeroplane must not be flown over a built-up area at a height: (i) from which it cannot glide clear of all dwellings, buildings and persons within the built-up area; and (ii) that is lower than 1 000 feet above ground level; (ia) in the case of an aeroplane to which this section applies by virtue of paragraph 1.2 , 1.5 or 1.9 (snip - this is for ABAA, amateur built and ELSA) — the aeroplane must not be flown over a built-up area except as authorised under paragraph 5.1A; 5.1A CASA, or an authorised person for the purposes of subregulation 262AP (5) of the Regulations, may authorise an aeroplane referred to in subparagraph 5.1 (ia) to be operated over a built-up area subject to the conditions and limitations that CASA or the authorised person considers necessary in the interests of the safety of other airspace users or of persons on the ground or water. 5.1 (ia) in the case of an aeroplane to which this section applies by virtue of paragraph 1.2 , 1.5 or 1.9 — the aeroplane must not be flown over a built-up area except as authorised under paragraph 5.1A; This means that amateur built aircraft (including ELSA) cannot fly over a built up area without prior permission from CASA or an Authorised person. Chris

It would be impressive if it made the "Brown Note". ;) It would be one way to give your enemy the runs..

David, The benefit lies with the manufacturer's and home builders who would rather have the aircraft cheque book built. Manufacturer's no longer have to go through the pain staking process of having their aircraft certified, which costs numerous of millions of dollars. You can ask Jabiru for the cost estimate of what it took to get the J160C through, along with ridiculous farnarcle requirements and double standards that CASA like to impose. Manufacturer's can now declare that the aircraft is built to an acceptable standard, which suits CASA fine as they take no responsibility for the aircraft. If anything goes wrong, it's on the manufacturer's head. The other advantage is that some people who like to do some things by themselves can buy a kit at any stage of completion from the manufacturer and register it as experimental LSA. As long as the aircraft still meets the requirements for the LSA category, there isn't an issue. However, if an experimental aircraft is modified with Retracts, or a turbine engine, then the aircraft can be put on a pole, as there is no category for it. In essence, manufacturer's like the LSA category, but for benefits, the current factory built / amateur built system is more than adequate, especially once we get Part 103 through (600kg), or perhaps if 750kg ever gets through. Regards Chris

No excuses from me. Lets see if next month it is back on track. It should be. I am unsure though on the 'early in the month' delivery of the magazine. That may have been true before I started, though since I have been here, the requirement for the staff columns was to have them in to the editor by the end of the month. Generally, this would see the magazine at the printer by the 7th or 8th of the month, meaning a mail out from the distribution warehouse around the 12th of each month or so. Chris

For those folk that have mode S transponders, be advised that RA-Aus has been allocated 5000 Mode S codes by the CASA. Therefore, if you want to put a mode S in and need a code, let me know at the office and I will allocate you a code. Chris

That depends Brent. If the aircraft was a special LSA (Factory built and factory certified) and the manufacturer ceases to exist, then it will indeed become experimental LSA. The change over to Amateur Built is not possible, as it was a factory built aircraft and does not comply to the major portion rule (51%). The other side is that a once factory built LSA cannot be brought into the Factory Built clause as there is no type certificate for the aircraft and there is no authority that will put their hand up and take responsibility for the aircraft and its continuing airworthiness. An ELSA could be argued that it meets the requirements of the major portion rule, though the proof will be once the builders log is inspected as to how much was actually completed by the builder (remembering that there is no 51% requirement for ELSA). Therefore, you will generally find that once an LSA, always an LSA (of some kind). Chris

Thanks Ian, I have sent an email to this chap to ask for the airworthiness information that he has regarding failures of the Rotecs he mentions. I ask any other Rotec drivers to let me know of any service difficulties with the engine. Thanks Chris

Hi David, Rest assured that your mailing address is not given out to anyone, other than the mailing house for the magazine. It is indeed interesting however to try and figure out how Michael got his hands on your mailing address, if it was not as Brent said, put in to receive information material from one of Michaels consortium's. Chris

I'm impressed, there is actually someone that reads their magazine and doesn't just look at the pictures (like me)

Can I remind all fellow aviators about responding to Parts 103 and 149 to do so before the 24th September. It is important that you all put your response through. RA-Aus will be calling on its members again shortly to voice their opinions on a new imposition - ADSB, which is being steamrolled through the system without much fanfare hoping it will bypass objectors. But for now, please respond to 103 and 149 so that those projects can be finalised asap. Who knows what will happen if there is change of Government. Chris

Have you tried Border Express? Not sure what size they go up to but they were very good on price for me and deal with individuals.. (I was transporting a car bumper at the time. Might be worth an ask. Chris

Not from me. Additional questions from any of our kit manufacturers would be; 'quality of kit components' and 'factory support when things go wrong'. Those are things I would consider also. Once the aircraft is rigged properly, I believe it flies quite well, although they can be very heavy (empty weight). I believe the move to LSA is in progress for the Terrier. I would personally put an Amax or Sub4 redrive in if I were to fly behind a Subaru engine. Good luck. Chris

The latest issue of Microlight Flying magazine has informed its readers about the ceasing of production of the Rotax 447 and 503 engines due to plunging sales of these engines. The 582 will be the only 2 stroke left in the Rotax stable. The Rotax 447 will cease production at the end of 2007 and the 503 at the end of 2008. Spares for both machines will be available for 10 years after the end of production. Those that fly certificated two stroke aircraft like Thrusters and Drifters should think about the ramifications once the parts are no longer available and possibly think about putting a plan (with relevant Engineering Orders) into place to convert your aircraft (if possible) to a 582, or different powerplant. Chris

Stall speed An aircraft stalling at 53kts will interest me also ,particularly if it is RA-Aus registered. Chris

Thou may sacrificeth thoust finest goat (no mangy specimans) to the L2 application holding shed on the mid north coast for appraisal. Thou must have 2 referee's who knoweth the goat intimately though for approval for a L2. Signed The L2 goat valuer general and collector. (ps Bernie, contact me in a few weeks time. I might have a handful of goats to offload at a premium price) ;)

RA-Aus will be there with the tent.. Always looking for volunteers to help put it up ;) Chris

I haven't seen an application for acceptance of it on floats in Aus as yet. Perhaps under LSA, for which I wouldn't need to see any paperwork as acceptance is done by the approved person. There are two Carbon Cubs going to South Aus, and I believe one of them will have floats eventually..?? Not sure what they would cruise at though on floats. Chris

Just envious I guess that we don't have the natural resources like they do in Canada, with the fresh water lakes etc.. where you could put a toy like that to excessive use without having to wash it out afterwards constantly and spray goop all over the metal bits to stop them from disappearing.

Just kidding ;)