APenNameAndThatA

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Training to cope with gusts needs the gusts.. If you don't get the "right" conditions you don't get it done . Once a plane is on the ground it should stay on the ground. The way the plane sits is decided by the maker .Prop clearance etc. A tailwheel plane can be pinned on the ground , (prop clearance permitting) by lowering the nose. You can't do this with a tricycle as you will put too much weight on the nosewheel and risk a directional control problem. Jets dump all lift with spoilers to prevent skips and get weight on the wheels to aid braking... IF you are touching down at say 28 knots a bit of a gust ( say 10 knots) changes things if you can't dump lift.. Flapperons are different. It's an extra consideration to cover. Nev

I will check if a potential instructor has dealt with gusty weather. I think they taught in coastal city north of Brisbane. I wonder if that would have more opportunity for gusts.

I'm just saying they're different, 'tis all - we're talking about a "Foxbat" here but are we talking about a 22 or a 32?and yes, I was taught that when I learnt to fly a Drifter...

I have a helmet for sale. 0409224605

Thousands of hours on a type would mean you have long lost the appreciation for any different characteristics" that" plane would have. You have completely coped with anything long ago, even if it's quirky. Students with limited hours are much more confronted by a plane that has markedly different features than the one or two they have become accustomed to. More different plane, experienced pilots have much more ability to adapt, because they have had to .There should be available a summary of an aircrafts flying characteristics available updated as necessary. That would help people choose suitable aircraft for their purposes and abilities. Many hours on one type limits adaptation sometimes, with some people. They keep remembering the last plane and reverting to it for a while.. That doesn't help till you get over it. KR Aviators contribution should be noted. I think it has relevance.. Nev

That's right we have three Eurofoxes, Aquila A210, Piper Pacer and soon the Magnus Fusion 212!! CFI has flown Foxbats a few hours!

How come you would prefer a Brumby over a Savannah or Foxbat? I would have preferred to buy Australian made, but the othet planes have a higher payload at almost 300 kg

Whaddayarecon? Helicopter pilots use helmets, RAA pilots in open aircraft often do, but people in Foxbats and Savannahs never seem to.

Sitting in the Foxbat/Savannah, there are exposed structural beams all around your head. The way I see it, if you crash, there is a high probability that your head will hit such a beam and you will die unnecessarily. The force will be concentrated on a smaller area of your skull and break it. As far as I know, internal roll cages in cars, close to the occupants heads, are illegal.

There less of an argument in a Cessna or Vixxen (relative of the Foxbat), because there are fewer beams around. Likewise, short people would have far fewer problems.

There is some cognitive bias/behaviour where people who have safety measures in place take more risks and thereby decrease the effectiveness of the safety measure. I can't remember what it is called. Sometimes it is used as an argument against bicycle helmets.

It needs to sit more nose down when on the nosewheel so you can reduce lift when rolling after touching down.. Like a Savanna has (nose low when sitting on it's wheels.) Flies better when loaded. If you are landing slightly downhill it floats forever . Now don't tell me I'm approaching too fast because that's not the case. It's got lots of lift, and it's gust sensitive on approach.. Most pilots won't approach as slow as I'm prepared to do. I'm used to putting flying things in small spaces. I don't treat it as a toy. Any plane can embarrass you if you allow it up to. No really low wing loading plane likes turbulence on approach. The Aircraft generally flies fine.. I'm not the only pilot to mention what I have here but I'm not trying to make a large deal about it, either Most pilots will find out for themselves and allow for it if after an hour or two if they operate out of a short strip and that's the sort of operation it was made for. Nev

No problem about flying RAAus registered aircraft in controlled airspace provided it is equipped with radio and transponder. Once that’s in place it’s just like any other aircraft.But there are some factors that are pilot and aircraft specific.

 

Aircraft - If in flying in CTA you have to fly over built up areas then the C of A for that aircraft has to allow it. I have to admit I’m not up on the c of a provisions for RAAus but a VH ( in experimental class) may be certificated in its C of A to fly over built up areas or not. Usually if it is a normal design kit with no engine mods etc then it’s included. If it’s a weird engine or highly modified etc the c of a may restrict to not over built up areas.

 

The pilot must have an RPL, PPL or higher ( to fly in CTA) AND as well have the RPC ( to fly the aircraft). A bone fide RPL, PPL etc student flying solo on an instructor sanctioned GA solo flight in CTA is covered as well. But not if you are on a RAAus Student flight.

 

I have heard anecdotally that there are a small number (maybe only one) of RAAus flying schools who operate in CTA with apparently some form of dispensation. But those stories were always from people who could not actually verify how or why etc. so take that with a grain of salt.

Am curious as to why the Foxbat isn't just another plane, anyone who owns one care to elaborate why they are different?

I could probably teach someone to fly a 737 even though I've never flown one, too... I flew in a FoxBat today (3rd time) for my BFR after 18 months flying my RV and it was different enough to cause a few hiccups. I wouldn't want to try to learn from someone who themselves is learning the plane!Don't stress too much about the RAAus aspect. Learn under RAAus in a Foxbat, send the form off to CAsA to RPL your RPL (sorry, couldn't resist...), and away you go. The only limitation may be if your Foxbat is VH-...

I second the recommend for Caboolture Recreational Aviation. Some very experienced Foxbat instructors there.No reason why you can't do your RAA Certificate there and then go on to Gympie or Archerfield for your RPL.

Either way you won't be able to do your RAA and RPL in the same plane, unless you change it from RAA to VH rego in between steps.

Go to the school at Caboolture, they use Foxbat's. Lots of experience. No way I would get into a plane with someone who wasn't intimate with it. Foxbat's do not fly exactly the same as others, and someone may have a few rough hours until they are used to it. There is no reason you can't find a Foxbat experienced instructor in Brisbane, they are quite common here.

I anticipate learning to fly in my own Foxbat. I was phoning around local schools to see if any of their instructors had time in them, even if the school did not actually use them. One (very experienced) instructor said that he could teach me in it even though he had never flown the type: a plane is a plane and their school had a Eurofox which is simililar. Thoughts?

Maybe Elon Musk will, one day, be thought of like an Edison or Jobs, or not. I have no clue.

Hi everyone. I sat in a Savannah on the weekend. there was only about 2 cm between my head and the cover on the tube that runs diagonally across the roof of the plane. In the Foxbat, the seat base is a sort of tray what is suspended between the front of the seat (beneath your thighs) and the back of the seat (below your shoulder blades). To increase seat room, you just move the tray backwards and down. It could be moved down as far as you like. In the Sivana, the bit you sit on seems solid, structural plate and that there is nothing you can really do without becoming a test pilot. Any ideas? Thanks!

I can confirm the longer delivery times. Mine looks like closer to 9 months until it arrives here in April. Was a bit disappointed with this as I got quoted 6 months at the outside when I ordered as well. That said, it'll be worth the wait for a factory built, very tidy and flexible STOL aircraft. I have flown in Sav's and they are good, but I think the edge is in the factory finish, a little nicer in the detail and amazing space and visibility. As an aside, I'm optioning my 22-LS with the side door and aluminium luggage compartment - 30kg with easy access vs. trying to stuff a bag behind the seats in the Sav, without much success is also a big plus in my view.

I know i'll get crucified for this but I find it hard to go past a fleet of 4 Cherokee 140's for the same price as a Foxbat. Heck you could have two fully refitted and repainted Archers for the same price...

Plane looks magnificent in the camo, btw.

Vne drops to 81 kts. Available for XL but not for S. When you did your flight test, how fast did you go?

There is a factory pod available for under the belly like a caravan, not sure if they do it for the S and XL models, but there were a few VG narrow body ones with them fitted and a few people built their own.

Having flown in both these you will find the Foxbat has much better vision over the nose cowls which is good when climbing out in hilly areas. My Nynja is great on vision forward over the nose etc but these arn't available factory built. The actual slow speed and climb performance of the Sav will always be better than the Foxbat but you may never really need that bit extra. Enjoy your new aircraft. Cheers Mike

Hi APen...I had much the same dilemma and ended up ordering a foxbat which hopefully arrives soon. I have a mate who flies a Foxbat, often times with a group of Savannahs. They have kitted their planes out with big tyres for river bed landings and he reckons the Foxbat & Savannah have similar performance, maybe a little speed advantage with the Foxbat.

 

The Foxbat cabin width was part of the decision maker for me. If I had gone for the Sav I would have built it myself and my spouse was pretty anti that idea, 1 more point to the Foxbat. The cost was not a big factor, I figured the building a Sav would have been 2/3 the price of the Foxbat and even though the wait time for the Bat has been 8 months, I reckon it would have taken me 2+ years to build a Sav. Don't think I would be wanting to park either plane outside regardless of the covering type. There is a bit of discussion elsewhere comparing the two. Good luck with the decision.

 

PB