Neil_S

Hi guys, Hope to go to Temora, and was going to take a Netbook with me, but was wondering which USB modem would be best. So if any of you went last year and used one I would be interested to know a) which provider you used (Telstra, Optus, Virgin, Vodafone, 3 etc) b) how good was the reception c) would you recommend it Thanks in advance Neil

Hi Tomo, Superb pix :thumb_up: - Tassie sure is a lovely place. Also love the Pietenpol! :clap2: Very nice build. Cheers Neil

Pardon?

Hi Crezzi, Being from the UK I am somehow not surprised they make it complicated....so I guess NPPL(M) is closest to the RA-Aus certificate then. I seem to remember reading somewhere about Simple Single Engine Aircraft (SSEA), and I guess the M would stand for Microlight.....which for the UK means :- Microlight Definition: A microlight aeroplane is one designed to carry not more than two persons which has a Maximum Total Weight Authorised (MTWA) not exceeding: 300 kg for a single seat landplane. 390 kg for a single seat landplane for which a UK Permit to Fly or Certificate of Airworthiness was in force prior to 1 January 2003 450 kg for a two seat landplane 330 kg for a single seat amphibian or floatplane 495 kg for a two seat amphibian or floatplane 315kg for a single seat landplane equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system 472.5kg for a two-seat landplane equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system A microlight must also have a stalling speed at the maximum weight authorised not exceeding 35 knots calibrated speed. Cheers Neil

Hehe Slarti, Now you are showing your age! I remember seeing Jethro Tull at Birmingham University in the UK a LOOOOONG time ago! I also just saw Santana for the first time last week at Rod Laver Arena....only waited 40 years....excellent stuff! Cheers Neil

Hi Jake, Glad you want to carry on flying and get your licence - you will be rapt when you do! Good luck and keep us posted! Cheers Neil

Hi JT, Hope you enjoy your trip to Aus. I believe the UK's NPPL is somewhat similar to the RA-Aus Pilot certificate, but NPPL allows you to fly planes of greater weights than RA-Aus (currently 600kg as previously mentioned) and probably more than just the 1 passenger that RA-Aus allows. Cheers Neil

Hi Rod, I wondered if it was you as I also recall talking to an ex-Ag pilot a while ago at Penfield. Glad you have decided to press ahead with your flying! WRT hangar space at Penfield I am pretty sure there is room, but check with Terry or Rod to be sure. Terry's number is 0438 002578. Hope to catch up soon! Cheers Neil

Hi Rocket, I learnt to fly in a Texan at Penfield, and now co-own a Gazelle which we hangar there. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with! Happy to have an excuse to fly over to Ballarat as well. Do you know David Halls who I believe flies the Gazelle over there too? Cheers Neil

LOL - brilliant!

Hey FlightyGirl - well done! :clap2: Getting that XC endo is the icing on the aviation cake.... Happy Landings Neil

Hi Jab200, I started learning at 53 after wanting to fly pretty much all my life, and I am really glad I did! I now have my licence, PAX and XC endorsements and am thoroughly enjoying not only the flying but also meeting all the other pilots. My only regret is not doing it earlier! Hope you enjoy the rest of your training - keep us posted on your progress..... Happy Landings Neil

Excellent stuff! Good on 'em.

So where can I nick one from?? :big_grin:

Hi Relfy, Nice set of pix. Looks like a great trip. Particularly like the plane parked with the utes in front of the pub! Cheers Neil

Well done, Acky! :clap2: Yes - it's a pretty stressful time, but worth it when you pass. Keep us posted on your pax & XC endorsement progress.... Cheers Neil

Hi Latestarter, Sue has correctly suggested looking at the RAA web site for detailed info. Be careful when looking at weights - essentially you need to look for a plane classed either as Light Sports Aircraft (LSA), where the MTOW (Max Take Off Weight) is 600kg or less, or an older spec (non-LSA) plane where the MTOW is 544 kg or less. For seaplanes it is 614kg. Max stall speed 45kts. MTOW includes everything - fuel, passenger, luggage. But there's also Empty Weight (no pilot, payload, ballast, or usable fuel), Basic Empty Weight, Zero Fuel Weight and others! As for 2-stroke vs 4-stroke, well I am sure you will generate lots of views from members on this site, but it may be worth bearing in mind some moves afoot (in the US at least) to move away from 2-stroke. Your choice of aircraft will likely determine the engine anyway, unless you intend to build one yourself. As for which aircraft - well everyone has their own views, but it is generally a good idea to get a fly in as many different types as possible, and then make a checklist of what characteristics are important for you. If you look in the classifieds on this site or the RA-Aus magazine you will see a variety of types and classes for sale. There were some Gazelles for sale in the latest RA-Aus mag, and as I fly a Gazelle I can recommend one for fun, slow, reasonably-priced flying as long as you don't mind a short endurance, but there are plenty of others that would meet your stated minimum requirements... HTH - you will no doubt get plenty of other views from other forumites....... Cheers Neil

Hi Bruno, I also fly out of Penfield. Learnt in the Texan, and now fly a Gazelle. I am sure we will meet up at some stage. I also think you made the right decision! Glad to see another pilot in their 50s - it must be some mid-life crisis thing :waycon: Happy Landings Neil

Hi Guys, I learnt in a Texan, and thus got my certificate as HP, but then bought a Gazelle for which I had to get a LP endorsement. As I understand it the HP/LP thing is based on cruise speed above/below 80 kts, and the Gazelle is rated at 70 kts cruise IAS (75 kts TAS). I usually get 70-75 kts IAS at 4800-5000 rpm which feels comfortable, although in gusty conditions the other day the ASI was jumping up over 80 kts from time to time. Rgds Neil

Hi Doug, Very cool. What fun that must have been! I have sent it to a Russian colleague at work who is from Moscow. Cheers Neil

I happen to have my ERSA handy - 02 4932 8888 Cheers Neil

Hi Doug, It never fails to amaze me what contraptions actually fly..... Great link. Thanks Neil

Hey John & Sue - that is GREAT news!! Look forward to seeing the piccies, and hope we can meet up in the Gazelles at a fly-in or something soon. Have a great Christmas, and enjoy flying that Gazelle! Happy Landings Neil

Hey Johndl - congratulations!! Nothing like that first solo. Let us know how the rest goes.... Cheers Neil

Hi Planey, Thanks for finding that footage - it was very interesting. Shame it was big bucks for no result. Cheers Neil