John Nooyen

The way I read it. You are all very naughty. Planes have been falling down due to bad maintenance.(A little birdy told us). We won't tell you which ones, or why, or how many, so just (Trust us). We have employed people to draw pictures and graphs to show how naughty you are. We are withdrawing all your L1 maintanence because you are not fit to hold a screwdriver. you will need a L4 to sign off your maintenence before you can fly. You have to do a course before you can add oil to your aircraft. We will make it so difficult and expensive to fill out all the forms so you will give up and go away. It will all be GA soon anyway. ========================================================================================== The way it should read. We have noticed a trend of engine failures in types XXX, YYYY. Many XXX and YYYY failures had broken part ABCD. Manufacturers indicates this is due to poor maintenance, and step abcd in the engine service manual is not being done correctly. Manufacturer XXX has supplied a video of how to do this step correctly, and what to look for. If you are not comfortable, or able to do this, get someone to help who is, then send the engine away to a repair facility. RAAUS is providing maintenance courses for interested people on brand XXXX DD/M/YYYY at ???? for nominal fee $??? We will not take away your screwdrivers or threaten to ground you. We understand that most members want to improve their skills and abilities, and do not need a cattle prod or threats of grounding.

I had an ASIC card once. It was a total waste of money. Plan your flights to airfields that don't require them. i.e. spend your money elsewhere. If you have to stop at an ASIC airport, only fill the plane and go elsewhere. If the ASIC runs at a loss $$$ then they are going to look closely at Why. Only place I ever had any trouble was Bundaberg. (Avoid like the plague). Why do we have to prove we are not a Terrorist? Isn't it innocent until proven guilty? Make the Terrorists wear a card.

RPL won't work for me either. I had a PPL many years ago from Chieftain at Bankstown. Most times its just myself and the camping gear. (Wife won't camp). Don't see the sense of burning 8 gals/Hr for that. They won't let me fly my 19- registered aircraft into a controlled airport like Archerfield, or Bankstown anyway, so I stay with RAAUS for now.

Done. Everyone needs to submit this and boycott the ASIC card. If the department loses money then they will shut it down.

You think they would fit an E.L.T. in the tail that floats on a long wire released if the fin goes under water. That is assuming it is in the ocean?

Go the Savannah. STOL, 23 Kt Stall 80Kt cruise, Rotax powered, easy to build, and can get them in almost anywhere. Around the $50K new. Don't just look at speed. Go by the $$$ per hour flying time.

Only a rumor: I heard CASA will not accept the online test, and demand a physical course. Some of us did an L1 CASA sponsored course a few years ago, although I'm not sure they will even accept that.

How about a graph of cost of living by country. Australia also has the highest taxes, and cost of living. The high wages are needed to survive. Everything is relative.

We are seeing this in mining also. I call them 'Self sustaining Beaurocracies' They make doing business so expensive and un-workable that companies shut down and move overseas.

They'll be wanting a "Journey management plan" and a "take 5" before each flight. Woops (I better not give them Ideas) !

Education is the answer. I did a basic maintenance course at Boonah a few years ago. (It was basic), but covered some useful stuff.. If more local training was available I'm sure most L1 would be glad to go along and learn something, without being prodded. I'm not sure an online test is the answer.

How many RAAUS aircraft have fallen from the sky due bad maintenance? Are there any stats, or is this an imagined problem? I built my aircraft, and if there is something I'm not comfortable with, I seek help, or with the Rotax, send it away to be fixed. Yet another hoop to jump through.

I have 19-4081. First flew in Oct 10 2004. Still as original with the slats, and the 560KG upgrade. Found the same. the nose-leg nylon plates, bungee, and other minor wear and tear items. Still on the original brakes. Plenty left.

Check the rear of your fuel pressure gauge. The Savannah gauge has a rubber bung in the rear with a small nib to be cut off. If left as is, the pressure reading drops with altitude gain. (The pressure gauge is relative to the outside pressure). Not sure if this is your problem, but I had this problem in the savannah. Cheers

I received a really nice phone call from the acting Tech manager assuring that my rego would be sorted before next weekend. He stated that rego should not be held up due missing photo, or form in the file, however if these are not supplied, then the next rego would be held, until they are. i.e. The aircraft isn't unsafe because a form isn't filled out correctly. Flying = Happy !! I hope there will be no more groundings due paperwork delays.

Emailed photos and renewal well before rego expiry. After expiry, they wanted weights and balance done, and sign off by inspector. 3 weeks, still waiting. Emails to them seem to be forwarded to "Relevant Department". Maybee they are trying to find some other tricky and costly thing to ask me for?? Grounded = Not Happy ! RAAUS = Broken ?

Have a chat to these guys. http://maaq.org/

A group of us flew to Orchid Beach and stayed for a couple days. Anthony runs the rental accomodation. The shop runs the airstrip, and has standard unleaded. Not sure what his number is. Contact Details for Orchid Beach Host Anthony Tasker 0408476631 ( only Telstra works on the island ) Staying at L Bella Viya Orchid Beach

Mine is an old kit 222. Attached is the page from the manual. Cheers

I have a strip in an aviation friendly town. Build a "Machinery Shed", not a hangar. (What you keep in it is your business). I am also lucky that I have great neighbors, and swamp at both ends that cannot be readily built on. You must fly at least 500' above the ground, Unless taking off or landing. If you can get 500' above your own property, that's best. Having a quiet aircraft helps too, and don't do circuits above your neighbors houses, go to a busy airfield. Don't call it an airstrip, just have a well maintained paddock. Regards John N.

Since they closed Hoxton Park, Camden was OK to get in and out through the week. Since the Class "D" came about, Camden is towered 7 days, so I can not get in there anymore. Wollongong is about the closest one to Liverpool. Unless I renew my PPL and go to Bankstown. There never seems to be anyone at Wedderburn through the week, and it's a long walk to the main road. It seems Sydney is fast running out of airports.

Paul. They are one of the best. Go and have a chat with Kevin. He teaches in Drifters, or Tecnams.

Mark. While making the flapperon, it might be an idea to reinforce the ribs where the two halves join. The plates that attach to the two pieces with 3 rivets into the "very thin rib" aren't very strong, and there has been a failure. Cheers

Yes David. There are quite a few large bracings around the muffler that pull pipes apart due uneven heating/cooling. Most of the supports and bracing on mine have been removed, so no more cracks. The baffles seem to be only tack welded, so the tacks are breaking free. I'm thinking of starting an account with the aircraft welders at Archerfield. Mine has 750 hours on it now, but it needs to be thoroughly inspected every 50 hrs.

No problems Mark. Peter knows where I live. You are more than welcome to give him my email, or send his to me. Cheers