BirdDog

Easier said than done when your licence is not rated for it. My information is, unless you are enrolled as a student, you can't fly a GA aircraft - with an instructor or otherwise, but correct me if my info is bad.

100% prevention is better than cure. BUT, with all due respect, it happens. Is it pilot error - probably - but if we didn't train for situations we could possibly find ourselves in, then there is lots we wouldn't be trained on. Remember - "the pilot stalls the aircraft" but yet we practice stalls. 😉 My point is, we should not simple say... "don't fly into cloud" because that leaves the pilot completely unprepared in the event that he or she does. There should be at least some tools provided to give them half a chance at surviving. Of course - Do your best as a pilot to fly legally and safely, and avoid non VFR conditions. However, thinking it will never happen, and not being prepared is asking for trouble. We are forever students!

Yep. But let's play this out... Let's say you are flying in hills etc. You hit cloud and BOOM! You are no longer VFR. I would assume you would not be currently on a head on collision path with a hill. So... my first reaction (as my instructor trained me) would be to hit the AP Auto Level. I would then proceed to check my charts to know what is around me. Maybe, I need to climb 2000ft to get above the hills I am in. So be it. Dial that in to the AP and get above the terrain. Then, dial up a heading and head out of trouble. That is what I was trained to do in my current aircraft. It was drummed into me.... "The AP will save your life!!" If someone is flying around hills with no charts reflecting surrounding terrain, then I guess they are more silly than they should be I guess. If you don't have an AP, then that is totally different I guess. I have even showed my partner how to engage the auto level in case I ever become incapacitated. She can instantly level the machine and buy us some time.

Have to agree with the autopilot comments. Hit the heading hold mode. Dial in 180 and sit tight.

Hi All, I have used Caltex 95 in both of my aircraft (912 ULS) and have never had an issue. My aircraft at one point would have sat for 3 months. Yep the fuel would have deteriorated, but topped up with fresh, and it never skipped a beat. I use AVGAS if I am out on a big nav and need to top up. It mixes well. No issues there. Cruising at 9500 feet - no probs. I use the square jerry cans that sit on the wing and drain well. They have spout tube so does not spill much.

That was quick.

ATSB Simulation already? Was only today!

Oh man. So bad this close to Xmas. ☹️

Surely this thread is taking the piss? How is RAA not a cheap way to get flying? Obviously there are costs, and I actually don't think they are that high! FIrstly - you need to be trained. Someone has to buy that aircraft (and keep it safe) THAT has a cost. Then, someone needs to pay the instructor (which they still are underpaid) THAT has a cost. You are going to have to wear those costs - PLUS - The school is in business to make money - not the goodness of their heart - so you are going to have to wear that cost. All that said - $4000 to $6000 is not what I would call expensive to be trained in decent aircraft to have your arse in a chair in the sky and stay alive. Next - your aircraft of choice. You can spend cock all - like above 6 grand and away you go! Put Mogas in it. Maintain it yourself, and it's cheaper to run than your family car. What more could you ask for!! If you want to spend big and get a fancy machine with glass etc, because you can - Excellent!!! I congratulate you on working hard and rewarding yourself in life (as I have) Why does everything in life have to be cheap! LOL! Things cost money. That's how it is. You can't get it all for free. Personally I don't think it's expensive - but there are expenses along the way you will have to pay! That's the way the world works. I am SUPER happy that RAA gave me the opportunity to get into aviation at a level that is above wood and paper mache glued together on a prayer. I fly a pretty sophisticated machine at a price point that I think is decent, without the complex crap of GA, and I can maintain it myself - WINNING! As far as CTA. I converted to also hold a Part61 RPL, and went and did the CTA endorsements! It's easy, and not that expensive. Now I can fly into anywhere! How could I possibly complain!

My Rotax 912 has a fuel pressure of about 5PSI and a flow rate of 22Lph at wide open and full pitch. I don’t know anyone that has had issues running Mogas in their 912s. The flight school where I learnt to fly ran mogas in all their machines for years - never had a problem. like anything we do in aviation, sure there is always a risk, but the stats show they are low, in my opinion.

For what it's worth I have been running 95 on my 912ULS engines for the last 5 years, and never had an issue. I mainly use CALTEX, but there is now a brand new servo next to the AD which sells 95, so I use it. I always do a fuel drain, etc, and makes sure no water etc has come along for the ride. I use AVGAS when I have to, but not often.

Hmm So I will stick my neck out here and say it has little to do with contacting CB APP, and more a broadcast to anyone else in the area. Same for when a Parachute plane calls a drop. The reason it's on CB APP 125.9 is because that is the frequence you should be on in Class G (under the steps) so that is the best freq to broadcast.

Can't quite agree here. My previous aircraft had only a ModeC transponder, and it was used to great affect many times. I used Flight Following a lot, and it was by others who could see me. Was contacted many times by Melbourne Centre to want of converging aircraft - so that's a good thing - AND - Was used to enter controlled airspace (which we can actually do with the right aircraft and gear) Yes. Of course you will need a part 61 licence, which I have. But the fact remains, an RAA registered machine can enter CTA. ANY transponder is better than none - but I do agree, ADSB is far superior - which my new bird has both in and out.

Yep! Mode S, and just added ADSB in.

Maybe they just stopped for picnic! 🙂

Ahh... forgot about them buggers!

Which is why I asked the questions above. For example.... If you are private hiring the machine out, you can't do the maintenance as the owner. If it's GA - Well, you can't do the maintenance unless you are a Lame etc.

Actually - They do. Most of us use this form. https://members.raa.asn.au/storage/maintenance-form.pdf It allows for both hours logged, but also Maintenance Release on when it was done, when it's next due, and whatever else you need to note.

Was it just me or was anyone else uncomfortable when he got out of the seat with the engine running?

Well. Questions need to be asked first... What is the Rego? Is it GA, or RAA. Are you the owner? If so, do you hire the machine out? Need a better understanding before a full answer can be given.

I do a similar thing after being taught and shown what can happen if you relax that back pressure on landing. The machine can easily want to fly again and a "bounce" can start. Keeping that nose up also means you are basically keeping the aircraft in a stall - so assisting in preventing it from wanting to fly again - keeping its wheels on the ground. It's also really handy on gravel runways to try and prevent your prop from throwing crap up.

Agreed Skip. The only thing I’m very cautious of is handing over too much power to government and relinquishing our freedoms. Remember, we we still a democratic country, and yes I want leadership, but with checks and balances. And just to restate. I’m not anti nor pro vax. I’m just a normal dude.

Yep. There a few sources I trust, that’s for sure. A bunch i don’t as it becomes very clear of the agenda. It’s amazing how polarising it is. It’s the new religion and I’ve seen friendships end over it because one person has a different view. We just need to all respect the next persons right to believe in what is best for them. We don’t tell people which mythical creatures that apparently lives in the sky, they should believe in. we respect their faith and smile and say, good on you. If we don’t hang on to that mutual respect we are doomed, and sadly the fear mongering from the main media is appalling. But it sells I guess.

And what might that be mate? I’m not allowed to think for myself. You dont think I deserve that respect. I’ve probably lost more people I know from Covid now than most of you. SEEYA!!

Just to be clear - I don't have a view either way. I am certainly no expert. Just looking at the data and trying to understand it. But understand this..... 2 weeks ago, my friend (double vaccinated) caught covid. Gave it to his mother (double vaccinated) She died. (over 70) Today, one of my flying buddies tells me his wife (Double Vaxed) is now in hospital fighting for her life. (over 70) Like i said... Just trying to make sense of the data without influence from so called Drs and Scientists who are paid for the pleasure.