XP503

G'day guys, great to talk to like minded "Tailwheel Tragic's" If I had it my way all aircraft would have that wheel at the back. The skills and finesse that Taildragger's DEMAND of a pilot are what flying is all about, I worry that some people are losing that mentality and I firmly believe that you haven't really learnt to fly until you can tame a "taildragon" (and aerobatics but thats a different subject) For those interested I have started a post on the new LOVE OF MY LIFE the Savage Cruiser at Boonah elsewhere in the forums.

Dalby sounds great but not sure at this point, hopefully can hitch a ride...

Good work Tomo. I was doing circuits in the Cub on saturday morning at Boonah and heard a Jabiru overflying for Dalby, was that you? I reckon your next challenge should be to get a "real" tailwheel endorsement, you sound like you won't have too much difficulty with it.

I am reading a book at the moment called "Sagitarius Rising" about a WW1 pilot's adventures and his love of flying (highly recommended to those passionate about aviation) I quote a part of the book where the author talks about instructors. " A good instructor was, and still is, a pretty rare bird. It needs some guts to turn a machine over to a half-fledged pupil in the air and let him get into difficulties and find his way out of them. Instruction demands, besides, an ability to communicate oneself to another person (the secret of all good teaching), and not so simple as it sounds. Add to this great patience, the quality of inspiring confidence, and an extremely steady flying ability in the man himself, and it will be obvious that nobody need look down the nose of an instructor " A small excerpt from an amazing book about flying.

G'day Chris, I fly the Cub out of Boonah as well. I call it the RED ROCKET, it can almost take off in its own length and every flight in it is exhilarating! It can be a very unforgiving aircraft as well but I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I wasn't there back then but I absolutely love the idea of minimalist flying. I do enjoy the mod-cons of say a new Tecnam, especially on long x countries, but I try and fly the Drifter out at Boonah at least once a week and every time I do I have a smile from ear to ear just like Orville and Wilbur would have had back in the day. I just wish I saw more rag and tube paddock hoppers around.

Sure did, I was late finals and a whole flock filled the windscreen, I just cringed and ploughed through them..... I was surprised to only find one dead bird on the runway. (although in two pieces....)

I hit a Galah on finals at Boonah in a Gazelle a few years ago. I was at idle and it went through the prop, it didn't do any damage.

I trust you will be getting someone who knows Drifters inside and out to go over that airframe with a fine tooth comb.

Awesome! Can't wait!

Gee you're a helpful young lad Tomo! .....I should have shopped around for my medical, I did it at Jindalee, can't remember how much it was exactly but well over $200 just for the consultation! Ouch. But may I add - it was all worth it to be able to fly.

Great, hope the weather is good for you and I will probably be out and about then too. Jamie and I flew the Eaglet to Inverell this morning then down to Bundarra where his parents live, landed in a paddock there and had morning tea then flew back to Boonah, it was magic! (But I am exhausted after over 5 hours flying today.....)

Hey Dazza how are you mate. You forgot to add your experience flying those shiny Teccy's at Boonah, and of course the RED ROCKET (Savage Cruiser) which I must tell you is back up and running now the trim cable finally arrived from some other corner of the world. I have just done an hour of circuits in it this arvo and WOW I forgot how much fun it is!!!!!

Yea I got mine through RAAus I think it was $160????

Yeah just apply for it now it's only $50...... But you will need to get a medical certifiicate too, which, unfortunately is not as cheap!

Good on ya Tommo, when you say reccommendation for the test do you mean the GFPT or the actual PPL test?

Oh I want one very badly! Hurry up and win the lotto Dazza you can buy me one for christmas!

Hello, does anyone out there know where one would find a spare knob for an altimeter that allows the pressure to be set...? Anyone got an old one lying around haha Thanks in advance.

Thanks for asking Tomo I am curious too, although I need the MOGAS variety. (Premium ULP)

Wow interesting story, glad you are ok. The undercarriage on a Gazelle is a tough bit of gear so it must have hit hard.

G'day Dazza, I'm going up with Jamie who owns the Eaglet, at this stage we are just going to fly up Saturday morning and fly home in the arvo, would have been good to stay but other commitments unfortunately. Hope to see you guys there and Spin I reckon you should volunteer surely there is someone you can call.

G'day Fly, Peter Stanton flies out of Boonah he is a great instructor on thrusters. Would have to be in your own thruster though as they don't have one available.

Yea I think so. Should be great!