BirdDog

Well, I am a new Bristell owner, and I am actually not concerned at all. You stall pretty much most LSAs at 500ft on the final turn, and well, the results won't be pretty. to be fair, go back and look at the fatals in the link above, and see how many of them have nothing to do with the aircraft. I tend to agree that these might not be the best aircraft to be training in. The are like a sports car in the sky, and maybe too sporty for a pilot with little to no skills at all. I don't intend to stall mine anytime soon. I have been trained on stalls and spins recovery, and I think everyone should. More importantly everyone should be trained how NOT to stall and spin. Prevention is better than cure.

1. Do you have any confidence in CASA and RAA to provide service, better freedoms and better outcomes for our RAA sport. CASA - Meh.... RAA, well right now I can do everything I want and need to do with my aircraft and enjoy my flying with little interference from anyone - so yep! I am confident we are good. 2. What do you expect to be approved this year in RAA to provide more freedom to our flying Hmm... I don't need anymore freedom. I can fly around the country at will - Sure - can't hit CTA, but then I don't really want to. 3. Is RAA doing a good job for the members? I have nothing to complain about right now. It costs me more to keep my ute registered on the road!!! 4. Do we finally expect any MTOW weight increase THIS year? Meh - Does not interest me anyway! 5. Are YOU happy flying around in our toys compared to say 5 - ten years ago? Are we better off now??? I have only been flying for 5 years, so for me, I am happy as! Just upgraded to a new bird, and I am smiling! I know RAA cops a flogging sometimes, and I really don't have any incite into the organisation other than if it lets me jump in my LSA and scoot across the country at a whim, with little inconvenience, then I am good with that!

My understanding is not ALL RAA aircraft can enter CTA. I believe you need a transponder, and to be NON home built. Only then it can enter CTA. That's my understanding, but happy to be corrected. If that is the case, then the add is not misleading. Sure the Aircraft has what it takes to enter CTA, but I also get your argument that the pilot will also need quals.

I didn't know it was a requirement beyond 50nm from departure point. I carry one. Always have. Even on short little blast not far from the AD. I have mine on the belt of my pants - NOT in the cockpit pocket. That way if I crawl out of a burning aircraft, the PLB comes with me. And yes mine is registered too. 🙂

So here's a question.... How many of you know the requirements of having have an ELT or or PLB when flying an RAA registered bird, and how far away that kicks in? I learnt something new today.

Skippy, I spoke to RAA today, and the E24 rego can be reverted back to 24, if the engine was replaced. So a scenario like this.... At TBO, I apply and get issued an E24 rego. That allows me to continue running on condition. Then, 3, 4, or 5 years later (or whenever) me or a new owner can simply put a new motor in, and revert it back to 24 Rego - PROVIDED that any other mods done are approved by Evektor (Glass etc). If do those mods unapproved, there will likely be no way back to 24. Hence why I need their approval, or no glass gets installed.

Not quite! Because when I sell it, if the new owner wants to rent it, train in it etc, all they would need to do is replace the donk. Without Evektor approval, it will NEVER be able to go back to 24.

I don't know the time for PPL, but the RAA theory is not what I would call tough. You can self study at home with the Bob Tait books in between ground and air time with the instructor. If you then wanted to move into full Rec Licence, there is a short crossover course.

UPDATE - I have preliminary approval from Evektor to install glass if I wish. I am just waiting on the LOA. They have provided info on 3 models they approve. D700 D1000 and a Garmin unit. Will keep you updated.

Yep! It's a head scratcher. So what happens when a few pilots are flying between ADs. For example, many many many pilots simply follow the magenta line. So let's pic 2 ADs..... We will call them Simpleville and Dopeyville. These 2 ADs are popular and the route between them is a popular nav route on the way to other places. How do pilots safely separate? If you have even 2 or 3 aircraft travelling between these 2 ADs, remaining between 500ft AGL and 1500ft AGL how do they ensure they are not head on? Everyone will basically sit on 1000ft. Then what? It's doing my head in!

Nothing - Was just thinking about long navs over various elevations as apposed flying around your home AD.

I was talking to mate about this just today (and sorry if it has been mentioned) but how does one quickly determine 1500ft AGL when navigating across the county for 5 hours?

Yep - As stated above, weight is your issue. RAA currently have MTOW of 600KG. My bird has this but is limited once you add 1 pax and fuel. You could go CASA Rec Licence which will allow you to fly a larger machine - still cheaper than PPL.

G'day mate, and welcome. I cant answer all of them, but I can give you my experiences. I am RAA Rec Certified pilot, and aircraft owner. The first question I would ask is why do you want PPL? Do you need it? As in, do you expect to fly more than just you and 1 Pax etc etc? Can you get away with it in RAA. When you answer that question, you will start to get an idea on costs etc. I will give a small comparison to start, but there are other factors, RAA Cert with a Nav - you could realistically gain this for as little as $8000. Maybe less depending how you go. PPL - Somewhere around $16,000 RAA Aircraft are cheaper to maintain (you can even maintain it yourself) If you are PPL and in the GA space, then your maintenance costs go up for sure. My aircraft carries 2 and has about a 6 hour endurance (less with a good reserve) and burns regular unleaded at about 17L/H. In a larger GA bird, you will be burning AvGAS ($2.50P/L) and more litres per hour depending on the bird. My aircraft is in rented hangar space that I share with the owner of the handar. Works out about $60 a week. But you could get it more, and you could get it less. RAA registered birds can start pretty cheap, but can also cost a fortune, depending on what you want. The PPL learning curve is obviously more than the RAA learning curve. It will take you longer in the books, and in the air - for obvious reasons. So the first question you need to ask yourself - Do you NEED a PPL? Then you will know what way to head. I fly RAA because it allows me to have fun in aviation, at a reasonable cost. If I was in GA, I don't think I could afford it. Just my 0.2

Yep! That's about where I am sitting at the moment. I think if I can't get Evektor to come to the party, I won't install unauthorised and just leave as is. Will sit and decide whether to sell now or not etc. So will wait and see. I have no problem going to E24 for "On Condition:" if I have to, as an quick engine swap, should enable the 24 rego again. So really just a paperwork exercise for nothing! LOL!

OME - Just in response to your comments, I would like to add.... Firstly - Thanks for your input, it is most valued. Secondly - Yes, the aircraft sat idle for some time before I got to it. I have owned the machine for 4 years. When I purchased it had just had it's rubber replacement done. I ordered an inspection by a LAME and his report came back good, and so I purchased. For the first 2 years I owed it, it was under the care of a LAME, and then I took over maintenance after completing L1 with RAA. I still have my LAME looking over my shoulder, so to speak. The bird is now flown very regularly and rarely sits idle at all. She is in great condition. Always hangared and looked after with loving care! LOL! She is my other woman you know. 😉

I spoke to RAA personally and have been advised we don't need to move to E24 unless we modify the aircraft without authorisation. We can continue to run on condition as, yes, we must follow any maintenance requirements like Rubber Replacements and SBs etc. (all of which are in place). I am L1 and maintaining it anyway, and so it still can't be used for hire or reward (training etc) I have not heard back from Evektor yet, but having gone through the process with them when we added the RPM gauge, I am not holding my breath!

Thanks lads. Looks like it's a worthy investment.

My investigations say it does. For example, if I put my bird up for sale, flight schools will be interested! If I am not 24 Rego - Then flight schools can't even look at my bird. So yes, there is an impact. Exactly what that number is - that is the question.

So I have Mode C Transponder in my bird, and wanted to know what the benefits are to getting my hands on a SkyEcho2? Cheers J

Yes. 24 Rego means the aircraft can be hired out. I don't hire mine out. Losing the 24 Rego with say unauthorised Glass mods, means it could never go back to hire, and so resale value will likely be affected. Yes, true, it can't go online if on condition, but a new engine would get it back online easily. Mine only has a VDO, so the time on the clock is the time the engine has been running (Ground and air)

So I find myself at a crossroads, with a few options to consider, and so, have a read below and throw in your 2 bob! First the background. I own an Evektor Sportstar 2007 model with a TTIS of 350 hours. The ROTAX will be TBO in 14 months. RAA have confirmed that I can run On Condition as long as I continue to service the aircraft (rubber replacement etc) However, I have been thinking on upgrading to something else, with Glass etc, but have been thinking.... Option 1 Sell the aircraft now, and look to buy something in line with what I want. (Cost - Unknown) Option 2 Leave everything as is and run On Condition. (Cost - standard maintenance etc etc - No Glass) Option 3 Sell my current 350 hour engine, and replace with a new 912ULS (Cost $30k less what I get for mine - Still no Glass) Option 4 (and this two possibilities) a) Run On Condition. Install new Glass with Evektor approval and retain 24 Rego b) Run On Condition. Install new Glass without Evektor approval and move to E24 Rego. At the end of the day, she is a really good bird, and I would rather keep her and get her to where I would like, but I feel if I don't get Evektor approval, which may be hard to get, then I will have to lose the 24 Rego. I am waiting on a response from them now. Losing the LSA status may be a good or a bad thing, depending how you look at it. ALSO here's a question.... When does the clock start on the TBO? So go on - fire away. And Happy Aus Day to you all. 🙂 Cheers J

Hmmm.... Maybe now is the time to sell 4912 and upgrade. Hmmmm.... Interesting!

Thanks all. I know a couple of my mates use a dash cam, but it does not record the audio. I like the fact the GoPro does both. So If I can find a solution where I can pump the audio feed into the DashCam, we would have a winner. I might buy one and see if I can do some surgery.

Why are you dumping anything?? If I need to fill up on AVGAS, just fill up!