Mick

Hi Peter, Can you recommend some accommodation close to the airfield and reasonably priced? Thanks Mick

I believe there are a few of these in central Qld. There was definitely one at Raglan this year.

Bernie, With your background in the goat industry I am sure you are now qualified as a Lame, L3 and LSA inspector Cheers Mick

Me Too!!! Guys, I plan on flying the Skylark down from Maryborough Qld. Cheers Mick

Perfect Skies Saturday @ YMYB These 2 pic's of our Skylark 24-5123 taken from our Sportstar 24-4010. My wife Hellen piloting the Sportstar and me flying the Skylark. Almost the best fun a married couple can have!!! ;)

Maybe we could have our own low level aerobatic races!!! ;):confused: Not!!!!!!!

I plan on flying the Skylark down, never need much of an excuse to go to that part of the world, have family in Dubbo:laugh:

The Bundy Shuffle We too made the trip to Bundy, from just down the road at Maryborough Qld. For us it was a bit of a shuffle. We went up on Thusday. Hellen flew the Sportstar 24-4010 and I flew the new Skylark 24-5123. We dropped the Sportstar off and I flew us back to M'bro so Hellen could drive the car with all the gear for our display. I flew the Skylark back up again. Have to say we heard some ordinary stuff on the radio on Saturday morning with one RAAus pilot stating he was going to land on runway 12 ( Bundy does not have a 12!!!!! ):;)1::confused:. This sort of thing cannot help our cause as Recreational pilots. After displaying for the three days we did the reverse shuffle to get the 2 aircraft and a car back home. Both trips were not the smoothest air, but it was a thrill for Hellen & I to fly together but in seperate aircraft for the first time. Attached is a pic of the Skylark and Sportstar together @ Bundy. Cheers Mick

This is not really a trip report, more a flight report about something I feel the need to brag about:keen:. About 2 weeks ago while in Redcliffe assembling the Skylark the chance came to go for a ride in VH-JMU, a privately owned PC-12. This aircraft is fitted out as a 6 pax executive machine. Flash leather interior with all the mod cons. Acceleration was impressive and we did not use much more than half of Recliffe's 850m strip. We climbed out and quickly departed the circuit to the North cruising up the coast in no time. We then headed out over the water for a few turns that were much steeper than one would normally expect in this type of aircraft. It was then back to the circuit for a landing that was impressively short for such a large and high performance machine, although reverse thrust played it's part in stopping so quick. We than taxied back to reverse park this fine machine. Can't help but notice the similarities between the PC-12 and the Skylark, low wing with winglets, long nose and T-tail. I reckon the Skylark wants to be a PC-12 when it grows up:laugh:.

Classic's Tiger on approach and Chippy overhead. Taken at Bundy airshow August 5. Higher res pic's available.

First Flight in Australia These may not be the best quality pic's. But how often do you get the chance to capture the first flight of a new aircraft type in the country? Taken at Redcliffe on the 1st of August about 8.00am. Aircraft is the Dova DV-1 Skylark. Higher resoution pic's are available. Cheers Mick

Guys, The Skylark made it's first Australian flight at 8.00am today. She has done about 3 hours today with no problems. Heading for Bundaberg tomorrow for the Airshow. Cheers Mick

Guy, I recently assembled such a model for our local school. It was purchased from the local hobby shop. Actually intended to be an electric powered radio controlled model. It came with aileron, elevator and rudder, I did some mods to create flaps. I also fitted a small electric motor to spin the prop slowly. It is a PC-9 in Roulettes colours, but there are lots of options available. It is a little larger than most class room models, but does that really matter? Cost was around $100.00

The first Skylark is now on Australian soil...................

Incoming Trojan!!! Taken at Raglan 2005. Standing on the road below the approach end of the strip. This image has not been cropped, it WAS that close!!!!! Higher resolution image available.

A Skylark's View of LA A view of LA city taken from a Skylark LSA aircraft.

My wife Hellen taking off in our Sportstar just after type conversion about 2 years ago. Going to miss her when she is gone , she is up for sale as I have a new one arriving soon. ( the plane that is!!!!!!!;) ) Higher res pic available.

Last figure I had heard was 26 Sportstars in Aus at Easter this year.

Guys, I was talking to the publishers about a week ago. They told me there had been a hold up in getting the July issue to print. It is related to info regarding the RAAus Board elections. Cheers

There was a Pulsar that made a short stop at Maryborough Qld on Saturday ( day before this accident ), I suspect it may have been the same aircraft.

My first landing in the Dova Skylark.:) This photo was taken at an airfield in the Czech Republic. The pilot with me is a member of the Red Bulls Aerobatic team, they fly Zlin Z50's. This is his personal aircraft.;) My Skylark should be on the boat to Australia at the end of next week:keen: :big_grin: :)

A very sad incident and a lucky escape. Hope the pilot makes a full recovery. Congratulations to those on the ground who acted so quickly and selflessly to assist the injured pilot. I have nothing but admiration for them. Just have to wish the media would get their facts straight. This was not an "ultralight", nor a "Recreational Aircraft". The photo's show a VH rego on the aircraft. I believe the BD-5 cannot be registered RAAus as it's stall speed is too high. Not wanting to point fingers, after all we are all aviators. It just bugs the hell out of me the way the media sensationalises this sort of thing. :;)1: RAAus flying does not need to suffer from bad press that is so mis-informed.

Anounced yesterday - MAJOR PILOT TRAINING FACILITY FOR MARYBOROUGH Queensland Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced Hong Kong-based Flight Training Group’s (FTG) decision to establish a professional airline pilot training facility in Maryborough, Queensland. “FTG is a subsidiary of Young Brothers Aviation – a global aviation company with aviation interests in Europe, USA and Asia and long-term relationships with airlines such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, China Airlines, Emirates, JAL Express, Vietnam Airlines and Air China - Zhejiang Company,†he said. “FTG owns an airline pilot training college in Adelaide which has been successfully operating since 1982 and the group plans to duplicate its operations in Queensland in the heart of what is becoming a major regional aviation hub for the State.†“This Greenfield development will employ modern design principles to create an integrated campus incorporating operational buildings such as a hangar, classrooms, simulator section and flight operations with residential accommodation, dining and recreational facilities sufficient to cater for up to 200 students at any one time,†he said. “When fully operational the facility will employ more than 100 staff, be home to approximately 40 training aircraft and fly more than 38,000 training hours per year, making use of facilities at both Maryborough and Hervey Bay airports.†Mr Mickel said the development would bring significant economic benefits to the region, with a wages bill in the order of $7 million and a turnover of approximately $22 million a year. It will be interesting to see how this effects the locals. There is a relatively active RAAus movement at YMYB, including Pro-Sky RAAus School. Could also make life difficult for the local Aero Club. Cheers

Guys, Here's one that is a little different and can invlove a little luck. Spot landing Poker. Mark out sections of the approach end of the strip with chalk as card numbers and the king, queen and jack. 5 landings, where you touch is the cards you get, best poker hand wins. Watchyas reckon?

Hmmmm, It does look a bit like a big Sportstar!!!! About that new paint job, will it have as many stars as 3978?? Congrats on the new toy, look forward to hearing your thoughts on the comparison between the CT-4 and 3978. Mick ( Sportstar 4010 ). PS. Since I had flown your last aircraft, when do I get a go of this one!!!:) :big_grin: