Neil_S

Hi guys,

After many years trying to find something that worked I came across the wonderful strap wrench. Available at Bunnings in multiple sizes for <$15. Works a treat!

Cheers,

Neil

17 hours ago, Lukeh said:

Neil, is there a parachute in 310,5kg?

Hi Luke,

No - no parachute.

Cheers,

Neil

My Savvy S with standard steam gauges, long range tanks, carpet, adjustable seats, centre stick, manual flaps and 15x6.00-6 tyres is 310.5 kgs.

Cheers,

Neil

Hi Kogg,

I have a Savannah S with the normal 15" x 6.00 x 6 tyres. Had it for about 9 years.

I normally only use 1 stage of flaps for landing as it still lands plenty short. I am light and flying solo usually the plane would be about 500kg (1100 lbs)

I approach at about 50 knots (57.5 mph). As you are aware, the plane is draggy and those big tyres of yours would just make it more so.

I reduce to about 45knots (52 mph) on flaring and touch down at about 40 knots (46mph), nose high to keep the wheel off the ground for as long as possible. In gusty conditions I do a flapless landing slightly faster.

I prefer using the one stage of flap as it also means I don't have to reconfigure for a go around. My hangar mate has a Savvy VG with slightly larger tyres than mine (maybe 18"), but smaller than yours. I'm pretty sure he always does a flapless landing. 

If I feel the plane descending a bit too rapidly just before touchdown I add a bit of power to cushion the touchdown.

My home strip is about 1200m grass, so we don't really need to land short, although I am usually stopped in about 200 - 300m anyway. 

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Neil

23 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

Did the Parkes thing yesterday. Arrived  about 11:30 ish. 

I started listening to YPKs at about 20 Nm out and was astonished at the confusion ref the ACTIVE  runway.

While its the PIC's prerogative to land on whichever runaway he/she deems appropriate, it is customary/considerate of others, to fit in with traffic already in the circuit.

Runway 22/04 seemed in favour, with pilots (I think there were 3-4 involved) declaring for both within seconds of each other.

It all worked out okay in the end, with all opting for 22.

Unsure of the legalities however I feel that the RAA's decision not to provide some sort of ground to air guidance to arriving aircraft lead to unnecessary confusion (reduced safety).

I agree - and made that exact suggestion of UNICOM to RAAus after my arrival on Friday. There should have been a nominated runway that people could hear about 10nm out so they could plan their approach accordingly. Particularly if wind was light (as it was on Friday). Hopefully this has been taken on board. As I was on downwind for 22 I saw an aircraft taking off from 04, presumably because a) it was more convenient for them with less taxiing/bactracking from the terminal area, and b) the wind was light. 

Cheers,

Neil

44 minutes ago, Blueadventures said:

I use the RAAus log book.

Me too. 

On 06/04/2024 at 4:58 PM, skippydiesel said:

 The front mounted distributors needed waterproofing - tried all sorts of fixes - the best was synthetic skin (left over from shingles treatment) sprayed around HT leads and cap to base joint.

 

Hi Skippy,

Yeh - the front-mounted distributor was a pain on earlier models - my mate used to spray everything with WD-40! Later models like mine had a cover, which seemed to do the trick.

Cheers,

Neil

Hi FlyingBaz,

I also spoke to an avionics guy a while ago about setting up the ADSB OUT on my Trig 21 transponder. He also said I would need a certified GPS source (my Garmin Aera 500 is not certified apparently). I think he mentioned the Garmin 335 too. It would therefore cost thousands, including his labour, to buy and to hook it up.

He said to just get the Skyecho, which I did, and was able to claim the government rebate with no issues at all. Total cost was about $450 (it was a while ago).

Cheers,

Neil

17 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

My Mother had a succession of Minis and their bigger relatives the Morris 11/1300 - hated them all, with a passion. The early Minnie's had the most uncomfortable sling seats, dog begging driving position, slide windows that were not weather tight & the central located instruments were fare from ergonomic. In my opinion their only attributes that they were economical to run, only required a small parking space and some (??) considered them cute (UGH!).

Hi Skippy,

I used to own a Mini in the UK. Absolutely loved it. Could park anywhere and with the low CG could sling it round corners in narrow country lanes with ease. The only drawback was changing the oil filter - I have small fingers but I still used to lose the skin on my knuckles every time. Hate the newer BMW "Mini" - total crap.

Cheers,

Neil

19 hours ago, turboplanner said:

From Area-51 "There is chatter on the horizon about Ra access into controlled zones somewhere in the future of things; so if you are doing ga just to access airspace you may be wasting time and money but still be ahead of the curve."

 

The chatter as you say was about a decade ago.

According to retiring RAAus Ops Mgr Jill Bailey last week they are hoping for CTA access for appropriately equipped RAAus aircraft late 2025 or early 2026.......

They wanted to get 760kg stuff done first.

22 hours ago, Deano747 said:

Like the idea of all EFB's talking to each other -

The Govt has gone some way to help us though.

The rebate for ADSB devices is pretty good - this will show ALL traffic with an ADSB out on your Oz runways - don't know about AVPlan or Garmin or Foreflight or any of the other contenders.

 

Hi Deano747,

AVPlan also shows the ADSB-IN info from your Skyecho (in green to distinguish from other AVPlan users in blue).

OZRunways did not want to share their users' info with AVPlan, instead saying people should all get Skyechos. Now they are Boeing, who knows?

Cheers,

Neil

21 hours ago, LoonyBob said:

 the vortii(??)

Hi Loonybob,

"Vortices" - sorry, many years of painful Latin lessons at school forced me to tell you......

Cheers,

Neil

Hi all,

Having started replacing broken VGs (about 8 so far) on my Savannah after about 8 years I would be wary of using superglue as it implies permanence. Mostly the vertical part has got brittle and snapped, leaving the base.  Getting the old ones off without removing all the underlying paint is the challenge. I have found that careful use of sidecutters and/or Stanley blade works quite well, and if a lug is left in the hole then I just push it through. I then put some clear, neutral-cure silicon on the bottom of the new VG and insert the lugs into the two holes. Ones I have replaced using this method have been fine for a year or more now. 

HTH

Neil

8 minutes ago, RFguy said:

but as I understand it, 24-experimental is NOT carte blanche. TMK it is for a specific item to be waived, like say, (stupid) calendar limit on the Rotax  engine , and is not perpetual ??

 

Neil, please let us know your experience.

 

Hi RFguy,

I haven't actually changed anything yet, but it was mainly to have the options mentioned above. It pi$$ed me off not to be able to run on condition when I had run the Rotax on condition for ages in my previous plane. Also, although I have not done so, the option to change the prop makes sense to me as loads of home-built Savannahs use Bolly props. Larger tyres also becomes an option.....

So it was really to move away from the more onerous restrictions which IMO are somewhat unnecessary. I don't intend moving away to anything radical that 19 reg Savannah pilots have not done before. I don't want to be a test pilot. 

Cheers,

Neil 

On 04/02/2024 at 5:14 PM, jackc said:

Nev, it’s a 24 reg Jabiru plane and we can’t change it, I want a panel rotary switch with 0, 10, 20 deg flap settings so I can select what  settings I need and just fly the plane.  The existing system as fitted from the factory is dangerous in my opinion. 
Manual flaps would be OK too, but because of stupid rules and Jabiru won’t approve a change, I am stuck 🤢 IF I was 19 reg, it would have been the first mod I would do, along with an increase in main wheel size. 

Jack - you could change to Experimental. I have done so with my 24 reg Savannah so I have more options for things like running on condition, changing the prop etc

Cheers,

Neil

1 hour ago, FlyingVizsla said:

The son put our plane on Facebook Market Place and referred all enquiries to us.  We weren't ready to sell, but heaps of enquiries.  It hasn't sold.  Be wary of the guy who wants to buy without inspection for full price - not sure what the scam is, but spending $10s of thousands on the basis of two pictures is suss.

 

Ask a few questions, if you're not in a rush, relegate the "tyre kickers" to a date suitable to you.  Ours was a RAAus taildragger - yet we got "going to learn soon..." No tailwheel endorsement, Helicopter pilot, "my brother is good on the tools (reseller), the guy who rings regularly to check that it hasn't been sold and to offer even less than last time and trying to do "deals" - we know he is a reseller.  Even people who have no interest in flying but think they could make $$ out of parting out or tarting up.  Mr FV was livid when his old car he sold to an "enthusiast" was on FB within the week for $10k more.

 

Our best outcome was through the Classies on this forum.  Someone saw the Sonerai and mentioned it on a group dedicated to that make and it had 3 firm buyers, but one got in ahead with a larger offer, paid then picked up.  So steer clear of generalised selling platforms - Gumtree, FB etc.

I would echo your advice to steer clear of Facebook Marketplace - I was looking for a small trailer and replied to an ad for one. The first thing the guy did was ask for my mobile number so he could call to arrange for me to view it. Never heard from him again. Called Telstra to get them to block any attempt to port/transfer my number and the lady also said to avoid FB Marketplace as full of scammers. 

Cheers,

Neil

Hi folks,

Just FYI I had some friends in another plane check that they could see my Skyecho paint on their EFB from about 10nm away, and they confirmed they could. I could also see their Skyecho paint on my EFB from well before, so I guess that indicates that my Skyecho with its velcro/ziptie mount is located reasonably well. 

Cheers,

Neil

Hi guys,

As the weather was half decent today I went for a fly and took some pix of my Skyecho mount.......

Cheers,

Neil

2 hours ago, djpacro said:

Seems to me that some would benefit by reading CASA’s AC on EFBs especially the explanation on airworthiness regulations for mounting them 

From the above manual I would say that this section probably applies (as the Skyecho is not an EFB) :-

3.7 Installation of small cameras and similar devices inside aircraft

Note: This section is only applicable to mounting small devices inside an aircraft. It is not applicable to mounting
devices on external surfaces – the regulations and safety considerations are different in those scenarios.

3.7.1 From time to time CASA receives enquiries about the rules and requirements for
mounting small cameras and similar devices inside aircraft, in particular about whether
the airworthiness regulations are applicable and a Part 21 modification design approval
is required.

3.7.2 The airworthiness regulations are primarily about certifying the approved design of
aircraft and required operational equipment, manufacturing those products and
thereafter ensuring they remain airworthy. The continuing airworthiness and
maintenance regulations are framed in relation to the approved design and the terms
aircraft components (CAR) and aeronautical products (CASR). Aircraft components and
aeronautical products include parts of aircraft as specified in the Part 21 approved
design of the aircraft, and equipment required by the regulations for operation of the
aircraft.

3.7.3 A small camera, or similar device, is not an aircraft component or an aeronautical
product if it is:
a. not included in the approved design of the aircraft; and
b. mounted in a way that does not affect the approved design of the aircraft; and
c. not required equipment for the operation of the aircraft.

3.7.4 Mounting a small camera, or similar device, in accordance with the above criteria is not
a change to the approved design of the aircraft and is not maintenance of the aircraft. A
Part 21 modification design approval is not required in those circumstances.

3.7.5 The approved design of the aircraft would be affected by physical changes to a part of
the aircraft, such as drilling holes. The approved design of the aircraft would not be
affected by mounting means such as a suction cup.

3.7.6 Under CAO 20.16.2, a small camera, or similar device, that meets the above criteria is
cargo. It is therefore the operator and pilot in command’s responsibility to ensure that
the device is used, restrained and stowed in compliance with CAO 20.16.2 and such
that the safety of the aircraft is not adversely affected for the particular operation. A
formal approval from CASA or an ADO or authorised person is not required in these
circumstances.

3.7.7 The assessment by the operator and pilot in command will necessarily be on a case by
case basis considering the device, the mounting means, the mounting location inside
the aircraft and the operation. The physical size of the device is a relevant consideration
for mounting and safe operation, in particular, the mass and dimensions of the device
are relevant for determining the suitability of the mounting means and the mounting
location.

Personally I feel that using suction cups alone, as from our experience they frequently fall off in mid-flight, would be better augmented by something like velcro as some of us have described. 

Cheers,

Neil

16 hours ago, Garfly said:

I was wondering to what extent the lump of metal up-front puts traffic just below and ahead into an ADSB shadow.  (Like it does to the pilot's eyesight).

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting point, GF.

I don't think it can affect things that much as I had an aircraft crossing about 1000ft below and in front of me the other day (boy was it hard to actually see!), but it showed up on my AVPlan display the whole time, including while it was actually blocked from my eyesight. 

Cheers,

Neil

5 hours ago, sfGnome said:

I always listen to area (as a second frequency when I’m within 10 miles of a CTAF AD), regardless of the activity on there. I’ve been warned a few of times about other traffic, and once (embarrassingly) that my transponder had failed and showed me flying through the middle of Sydney’s northern approach when I was actually under the step. I think it’s worth putting up with a bit of chatter. 

I do the same. 

Have also had ATC warn me of traffic at 12 o'clock one time. Got me to squawk IDENT on my transponder so they could positively identify me.

As I'm based within a few miles of Tullamarine it's good to hear the commercial stuff and pick out where it is - I can usually see it on my AVPlan display from my Skyecho - and then eyeball it. 

Cheers,

Neil

Not sure about J230s but in my Savannah I have taken the suction mount and put velcro on it, then put velcro on some of the cockpit tubing at the top left side, then once attached by velcro I have put two zip ties around as well. This arrangement keeps the whole thing securely in place (I also had the suction mount fall off the lexan). 

It seems to work so far, and I can't really see any way it can fall off now. Where it is placed allows the required clear view upwards and forwards. 

When the weather improves (haha) I will be going out to the airfield and will take a picture or two.

Cheers,

Neil

Hi,

I have the GME MT610G.

Cheers,

Neil

About 45-50 minutes. Closer would be nice, of course, but I've been doing the drive for about 14 years now, so I am used to it.

Neil

23 hours ago, turboplanner said:

Self declared Medical

A short time ago in Melbourne a driver who fatally struck five people and injured several others at Daylesford appeared in the Magistrates Court charged with  5 counts of culpable driving causing death, 2 counts of negligently causing serious injury, 7 counts of reckless conduct endangering life.

The driver was an insulin-dependent diabetic who needed immediate treatment at the scene.

 

With a Self declared Medical you are on your own without the statutory protection of someone like a DAME, so the outcome of this case will be of interest to those thinking of going down the self declared route.

For RAAus if you are either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic (or epileptic, have heart condition, or mental illness) you require an annual form signed by your GP saying your health meets or exceeds that required for a driver's licence  - ie that your condition is under control. However, it is still the responsibility of the individual to take the meds that give that control.

For some reason this driver apparently ignored 9 warnings that his blood sugar was low and he needed glucose (eg jelly beans, or can of full-sugar coke). I cannot imagine why he would ignore the warnings. Same irresponsible behaviour as drinking alcohol and then driving. 

People I know who are insulin-dependent carry a pack of jelly beans in their car so they can stop and increase their glucose in such a situation.