rick-p

I'm not not specifically refering to the operation of the PLB I'm speaking in terms of having an overall situational awareness and dealing with it in a fixed manner the same as we deal with daily pre flight checks etc. Survival is commonsense but you are not born with it you acquire it through global learning and have a set understood procedure to follow that gives the best end result, is important and essential. It's no different than learning CPR or first aid it gives one an edge on survival. Knowing how much water you need to carry to survive in certain situations is a plus to that of guessing. We learn to fly why not learn to survive it could save a life, maybe your own. Really it's no different to us undertaking the Human Factors course. If you are going into a remote area in a vehicle most people don't go blindly forward they acquire an understanding of what is needed in the event of an emergency whereas a lot of us pilots fly, because it is so easy to do, to or over remote areas really a little unprepared and unwise as what to do if the worst happens because we are insulated from all that which is down there on the ground. Where I fly for the best part the lay of the land is good but on a hot day is still too far from anywhere, I always carry enough water and other supplies in the event of having to make a forced landing somewhere. When flying over Kroombit Tops probably some of the roughest country in Austarlia it's good to know that I have certain aspects of the flight covered. There are places you can come down in ok but getting out of there without having some understanding of survival matters is just not on. My point, why not learn a skill that could save your life one day. It is no different to that of learning to swim. I have experienced this first hand after an engine failure in another country where we were stuck for 6hrs (before being rescued) in hot steamy muddy water, unable to walk out because to attempt do so would have been extremely unwise. Fortunately, common sense prevailed and I had taken sufficient water and food for such an event even though the flight one way was only just over an hour. My companion had said to me, "why are you taking that?" and I replied that it was my procedure and that I was sticking to it. He was to say the least very appreciative of it when we were stuck in 40 plus degree heat with extreme humidity and knee deep in undrinkable water, for 6hrs. Rick-p

Yes good point, did anyone find out if they were in fact carrying a PLB as I would have thought that the fact that they were in a remote area some 50 k's from civilization would have warranted the use of it. Also did they make a Pan Pan call as to their plight, very interesting! It's good new's that they are safe and unhurt but it could have all to easily been different. Maybe there should be some sort of endorsement for flying in remote areas, food for thought? Rick-p

This action each and every time you fly is 100% necessary because the one day you don't do it the wheels will fall off and you will come to grief. You need to always say it out loud in the same order each time, looking at and touching everything on your list to see if it is ok. An accident is no accident it occurs through a series of events that are either overlooked or ignored and they lead up to the occurrence of the incident. This can occur in anything we do in life. Situational awareness and stay focussed at all times don't lose place or your position because if you do, go back to square one and start again. I lost a friend recently in very sad circumstances that could have only been so easily avoided just by thinking about the consequences of what was being done if the obvious occurred. He was electrocuted when a power lead fell on to a hot muffler, melted through the insulation and energized the piece of machinery he was charging the battery on. Always look at the big picture and say what if! Even I myself had a serious accident the other week when I temporarily forgot about my surroundings, more engrossed on the job I was doing, got distracted and suffered a serious injury to my leg because of it. Very lucky that I didn't lose it. I had only an hour or so before warned my friend to be extremely careful of the particular situation of danger. Anyway, in a nutshell do ALL YOUR CHECKS OUT LOUD, TOUCHING PULLING AND PUSHING ETC AND IF YOU DO GET DISTRACTED START OVER AGAIN IT MAY HEAD OFF THE FIRST STAGE OF A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO AN INCIDENT YOU MOST DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN. :thumb_up: Rick-p

Nev spot on again, but shutting it down hot still means that you should idle the engine for a little before you shut it down as this process does, as I understand it, help despose of some of the moisture produced during flying or hi rev operations. The value of plugging the exhaust where I live is basically good for stopping the mud wasps or other nasties getting up inside it with their house, family and friends. Rick-p

727 lucky bloke it's a really nice part of the world up that way, I know because I lived at Kuranda for a while in my younger rebellious days. Enjoy as life is far to short to waste it. :thumb_up: Regards Rick-p

Congrat's Keith and well done it's never easy but always worth it in the end. Rick-p

Great to hear that all is well Mike. It's funny about the left and right hand being like that or even the feet. It's a case of what was the first position of learning. I know that when I had my Super Pup a few years ago that it took a little time to get comfortable flying with my right hand on the stick and left on the throttle but now it's a case of either position is ok. When I first started learning to fly it was a dam nightmare with my feet because when a kid I was right into billycart racing which for those who have built and riden the old style ballrace cart's will know that the steering was done by applying force with either leg to a cross axle at the front of the cart. If you used your right foot the cart went left and left foot, right.You can probably see the problem I had on an aircraft rudder pedals. It was a case of the wrong direction unless I was giving the matter my full attention, which is a little hard when you are first learning as there is so much going on around you. It made for some interesting moments. Rick-p

I remember when I was a kid, many years ago now, that you could buy from a toy store this bazooka (they were recalled within about a week of being released) which operated on high velocity compressed air. From memory you pumped it up with a leaver, but anyway we worked out that you could fire tennis balls and even cricket balls if you modified it. It was devastating, it could at 50 yards punch a hole through three of the old style wooden grocery boxes placed back to back. I think that it was a GI Joe toy called the Sonic Cannon. Can anyone recall this so called toy? Rick-p

That is what in medical parlance is known as a PYLE driver and the subject and his medical team are know as RICHARD CRANIUM'S!::csm:

Hi Dexter, it's a nice feeling when everyone walks away happy after finalising a deal and all parties have achieved their goal in the transaction. Regards, Rick-p

I should also get my computer keyboard fixed so it puts spaces in between the words.

Yes and that's what I thought it was as I didn't read the later posts just posted FOXBAT? meaning is that corect please don't make it any worse for me I'm embarassed as it is. I should knowbeterto read all.

You may not believe this but I honestly didn't read the previous post saying Foxbat I must have been on a previous page, what a goose! I will now go and hide.:rolleyes:

Foxbat?

Skyfox it is Nev, my old CA21 the one that many were interested in but never came to see. I always said that first to see would buy. Mike who bought it off me came, looked, made an offer and I accepted on the basis that the motor ran ok (my rule) as it hadn't been started for more than a year. Despite some private mail comments I received from some who were interested but stuffed me around with a million and one questions wanting everything supplied to them about the plane before looking at it I wasn't disolutioned as I knew that a genuine buyer would come along eventually and I wasn't in a rush, I was prepared to wait. I am a great believer in looking first then asking questions later. If you are not interested in travelling first don't bother as I know only my time will be wasted. I have sold a couple of aircraft over the years and been led up the garden path on a number of occasions so now I am very cautious in my dealings. I might add in my 55 years plus I have never had a purchaser of either an aeroplane or motor vehicle of mine make a complaint to me about my ethics. I have only had one complaint from a prospective purchaser of the Skyfox being a member or former member of these forums. The complaint wasn't valid and based only on subjective emotion and I'm glad I didn't sell it to him as he probably would have whinged about it until the cows came home. Another guy who had previously been interested came back in but ended up pulling out because he allegedly was told by the RAA for a couple reasons it couldn't be put on line for flying training, I believe they were wrong but that didn't bother me and at least he was frank with me. It sat in the shed for about another 6mths or so, I lost track of time, when this really nice down to earth guy Mike rang me and told me that he had a referal re the Fox from a friend of mine. I said come and have a look, in the meantime I sent him minimal info etc just advising him that he needed to look at it first. Mike came tomy house looked at the plane, I supplied him with the info he needed, nothing held back re the history and condition and he made an offer which was near what I was thinking but a little less, not much, but as he was so straight with me and genuine I said yes it's a deal so long as the motor starts without any hiccups. He returned a couple of weeks later with a friend, we pulled it out of the shed put a battery in it, kicked it in the guts and it went on the second attempt after a couple of seconds and ran sweet as. We gave it the thumbs up, loaded it onto the trailer and Mike, aeroplane and his friend departed the next morning. No complaints from Mike have been received by me, only a couple of questions and I think that he only found 2 minor things wrong with the plane that I hadn't told him about and of which I was unaware of. He has done a great job of putting life back into the old girl and got a good aeroplane at a reasonable price I would think that Mike would support me in everything I have hereinbefore stated so those who are quick off the mark with their tonuge learn to bite it first and instead be quick of the mark to look first look then ask questions later. Thanks Mike you have been a great person to deal with. I hope that you have many many hours of safe and enjoyable flying in the old girl. Also that someday you fly down here and come for a fly in the Lambada with me. With your gliding experience you should be able to teach me a thing or two. Regards, Rick-p

Welcome to the real world of fun! Rick-p

It means that when you are flying the Space Shuttle and you are attempting to land back on Earth basically, you miss and you just then continue for infinity off into outer space. Of course if you hit a lump of rock on your journey then it's the bits of you that are "unstopable" Rick-p

Thanks eastmeg2, based on my enquiries here (Singapore) today it would appear that your observations are correct. It looks like Malaysia is the nearest point of UL operations in this region. Much appreciated. Rick-p

Hi All, Does anyone know if there is a following or club in respect of recreational sport aircraft in Singapore? I can recall something to do with a fly-in some years back at which turnout an ultralight got trashed by an overflying egg beater. If anyone has any info as to wether or not there is and if there is where, why and how it will be much appreciated. Thanks, Rick-p

The pop up advertising travel insurance doesn't instill confidence in the situation, does it!

Hi Howard, I was out and about the other day in my Lambada and Mido's famous words came to fruition "always expect the unexpected" and that is exactly what happened. I was doing a bit of a refresher with my friend who is a CFI etc etc etc when cruising with throtle back at about 80kts indicated and a probable ground speed of 100kts, at 3,000 feet, when I spotted a small object in front of us. This object was coming straight at us and it grew from spec in the sky to something the size of a trike in the matter of a few seconds. I recognised it as a bird, not just in bloody bird but a flaming humungus wedge tail eagle. I was mezmorized by it as everything suddenly went into slow motion, frame by frame. I could see every detail, it's wing span was huge, it had it legs pointed forward with it's talons open. It was in attack mode, I have no doubt about this. It's intentions were obvious, it wanted to take us on for invading it's airspace. Thank God for the very quick reflex action of my trusty passenger, he was a split second ahead of me, he rolled us very quickly and steeply to the right and the eagle, at a great rate of kts, went past and under the raised wing. I have no doubt that if it had hit us that it would have been all over red rover. In the past on occasions when gliding and even in my Skyfox I have encounted wedge tail eagles but they have always been travelling in the same direction and have not displayed any agression. I have had one soaring in a thermal just above the canopy of the glider not threatening in any way and I was not worried at all as it was simply amazing to watch. Yesterday though was another story, it scared the c:sad:p out of me. Lesson well and truly learnt. Rick-p

Hi Bacchus, no you are not 'overreacting' in fact I think that you have done the right thing posting your concerns. In fact I think that you should report it to the RAA before someone less worldly comes along and purhases the aircraft and kills themselves and/or someone else. It is the type of Bull:censored: that you have been put through by this person that needs to be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later. We don't need used car salesmen selling defective aircraft to the innocent. It is nothing more than an act of fraud. Regards, Rick-p

I would say it's much better than good, it's a classic. It really makes you appreciate what we do. Thanks for sharing I would not have found it on my own. Rick-p:clap:

Yes J I decided to go even though there had been a club fly-in arranged at Theodore for some time before the Monto one even got on the drawing board. Even though it was a little tiring having to drive so far (family with me) Bilo to Theodore Saturday and Sunday Theodore to Bilo then up to Monto. I thought that it was well worth it and the more of us Northern members attending could see it brought to Monto on a permanent basis, which would be great. It's too far to Temorra for my liking, Naromine was the limit for most of us up here. It was discussed a little between a few of us as to whether Thangool would be a better venue having a cross strip and much better positioning for spectators but in the end Monto is probably the better venue having a much nicer area in which to camp and enjoy the green surroundings of Monto as apposed to the very dead wintery look of Thangool and Biloela at this time of the year. I will catch up with you one day when I can slow down a bit at work. Regards, Rick-p

Hi Ian, yes it wasn't quite the same as an old station fly in or even a Smokey Creek one but for a first time event on short notice it was a fantastic effort on the part of the RAA and all others involved. There are a lot of dedicated people out there involved in our sport and hats off to them for the result that they did achieve and that includeds all those members and otherwise that made the effort to attend. Next year will be much better I'm sure, it will happen as we have demonstrated that we want it and need it. We have the numbers now lets make it work. We in the North can ensure with a little effort that this event will grow and continue into the future, as Natfly has.:thumb_up: Regards, Rick-p