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BirdDog

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Everything posted by BirdDog

  1. BirdDog
    Wow! Fair call. That said, my rego for my bird is not what I would call expensive. In fact, it costs me more to register my car than it does my plane, and the licensing and rego structure here means I also benefit from included insurance, so I am happy to pay it. :) I trained up to be able to do my own maintenance legally etc, so that also keeps the costs down. I am happy with where we are at for that side of things. I know some are not, but you can't please everyone right. ;)
  2. BirdDog
    LOL! So is your bird unregistered?
  3. BirdDog
    OMG!!!! That must have taken some serious self control old mate. You are better than me!! I might have accidentally tripped and used his face to break my fall! ;)
  4. BirdDog
    AHAHAH! Yeah man. I started in 2006 custom building drones etc, and then in 2014 I gained certification from Civil Aviation Safety Authority to open the first Multirotor RPAS Training School in Australia. It was a very different world back then, and wow, how times have changed. Looking at the video, and not knowing exactly what the Typhoon will do if it loses track, I would say it did just that. It lost you, and was trying to sort itself out. It's strange, as I would have thought if it lost track it would simply stop and hold. But maybe it continues on its way??
  5. BirdDog
    :) Awesome!! :) Lucky you are in US, the drone laws down here may prevent you from doing some of those videos! Glad you go the drone back, and yeah, drone Vs tree, doesn't often end well. I have been building drones commercially now for over 13 years, and the tech that is now available is amazing! I hate to think where we will be in the next 5 years.
  6. BirdDog
    Thats a cool video man! :) Very entertaining!
  7. BirdDog
    Yep. I witnessed a classic example of where it could all go bad. I was at the Airfield and when I am prepping etc, I turn my hand held on and listen to the radio while I am getting ready. Now I knew there was a bird in the circuit because I watched him go up and I could hear him. Now he assumed as there was nobody else around, he wouldn't bother making calls while he bashed a few circuits. Then.... I heard the distinct sound of a 2nd aircraft. He, probably thought, because he could not hear any calls, there was nobody around, so he just blasted right over the AD (and through the circuit). When the other guy came down, he was furious the 2nd guy didn't make an inbound call, to which I stated, "if you were calling your corners, I bet he would have" Both assumed as there was silence, there was nobody else around. It is dangerous to assume.
  8. BirdDog
    It still surprises me at the lack of radio calls by some pilots. I just don't get it.
  9. BirdDog
    Yeah - Did you notice plastic props and the machine was stopped before the bird sat on it. Now imagine a machine with Carbon and it does not stop. 1 damaged eagle - Guaranteed!
  10. BirdDog
    Yeah wow!! I have come across a number of pilots where I have asked how much they "practice" and got the response - "never, really" Crazy I think! But maybe thats because I am still sub 100 hours?? Maybe??
  11. BirdDog
    Oh yes... I am happy that I have it - that's for sure.
  12. BirdDog
    Yeah! I did a lot of reading about my 912ULS and everything I read said that they don't often suffer ice because of how and where the carbs are mounted, but mine has it, so I use it. Yes there is some talk about unfiltered air etc etc, but I would rather that than no go when I need it!
  13. BirdDog
    WOW! How could you not make the airfield from downwind!! 1000ft up - I could glide WAY past the field and end up on the dead side somewhere if need be!
  14. BirdDog
    Yeah - I hear ya Skip. I guess we can't equate for everything. I think from memory my manual and check lists states to turn it off on downwind.
  15. BirdDog
    Yeah man! My instructor was of a similar thinking. He asked me once.... "So, do you think we should use Carb Heat?" When I said I think the conditions might be right for ice, he said... "They installed Carb Heat in this plane, so let's use it. If we didn't need it, who cares" We even practiced what it's like to go around with Carb Heat on and a full aircraft. I could certainly feel it. I had to lower my departure angle to gain speed etc. Was good to understand the effects, and it proved it's worth not long after when I forgot to turn the Heat off and went around. My first thought was...Hmmm... Why does she seem like she is struggling! My mind went straight to Carb Heat, and low and behold, it was still on. I now have this process of verbalising "Yes, we will make it" and with that comes turning Carb Heat off. Again, another technique that came out of my training, as my instructor would always ask me... "Can we make it yet" and I had to respond.
  16. BirdDog
    Just take your time and don't set any deadlines. Planes come and go all the time. Keep your eyes on the various sites selling etc.
  17. BirdDog
    I am with Skippy, If I am up high, my top of descent into the airfield is a long way out so that I can descend with power, and with Carb Heat. Then after the flyover and windsock etc etc, I join the circuit at about 70-80kts with a full fine prop which brings my RPM down a bit. keeps the engine warm, but not working its nuts off. Back to idle at the base turn - Carb Heat off on final (once I am certain of making the field) Just my way of doing things though.
  18. BirdDog
    No probs. Don't be scared to ask questions - Lots of experienced guys in here willing to chip in.
  19. BirdDog
    As someone in the drone industry, this is just crap! The eagle is likely to come off 2nd best, especially with carbon blades attached.
  20. BirdDog
    I put up a post a while ago about how my purchase unfolded, but the underlying message was... No matter what machine you are going to buy, be prepared to walk away. Don't get emotionally attached to it AT ALL. That way if there is something wrong with it, or you can't settle on price, you can walk without issue. I had to have this attitude when I flew all the way to Townsville to buy mine. I was prepared to get back on a Qantas jet without it.
  21. BirdDog
    Whatever the outcome, make sure you fly it! If you can fly a few different machines, you might get an idea for what you like and what you don't.
  22. BirdDog
    Hmm... Interesting read. I was taught by a very experienced instructor, and we practiced the crap out of glide approach. In fact, I setup for it on every landing now. Recently I have been surprised at how little is being taught to new pilots, as I was put through the ringer. We practiced engine outs every where. Take off, in the circuit, over the coast, in the middle of nowhere etc etc. I good deal of attention was given to things like side slip , and how to get down quickly if running out of room etc. Forced landings were practiced heavily away from the airfield. Short field and soft field landings etc, and then mixed it up with simulated engine failures with a short field, then a soft field etc etc etc. We called it "how not to die training" Most of my landings are now all glide, with only a very occasional need for power if I have hit a good head wind on final. But a good look at the windsock and I can generally pre-empt that. I also spend about 2 hours every 3 months or so going over emergency sequences again. Forced landings, stall recoveries, side slips, soft and short fields - the whole box and dice. I own the bird so the costs are low, and I like to keep my skills up, instead of just take off, cruise and land.
  23. BirdDog
    I know right! They have to first get into my canopy. Then they have to bust the key lock or hot-wire the damn thing!! LOL!
  24. BirdDog
    Hmm.. But the knob on the end just unscrews right? Then you slip that piece off and go fly!
  25. BirdDog
    No it won't. I had a read of the regulations and I can't remember it verbatim, but it stated that it needs to not be a physical change to the aircraft, and be visible from outside of the cockpit. I will see if I can dig them up and post.
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