Happy New year for 2025

[Thruster88]

Interesting place, what were they mining just south of Coodardy? Is that an abandoned railway running to Cue? Is the mine strip still usable. 

[onetrack]

Thruster88, the Big Bell Mine is a large, old-established gold mine just S of Coodardy, and it has produced huge amount of gold over more than 120 years of operations. It is still in operation today, but it has had periods of inactivity, largely due to low gold prices or financial problems of the mine owners/operators.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bell_Gold_Mine

 

The Big Bell Hotel was a mainstay of the area for many years, and even abandoned today, it's still impressive.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syL77b0b_HA

 

And yes, there was a rail line running at one time from Cue to Big Bell. See "Railway" in the link below.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bell,_Western_Australia

 

 

[Moneybox]

I didn't really have to look at the forecast for my flying next weekend but I decided to look anyway.

 

 

😒

[BrendAn]

6 hours ago, Moneybox said:

I didn't really have to look at the forecast for my flying next weekend but I decided to look anyway.

 

 

😒

Looks ok. 

[Moneybox]

I did get to training this last Saturday and Sunday but not everything went to plan.

 

After sitting on cruise at about 115kmh for several hours Friday I pulled up in Wongan Hills to boil the kettle. The Hyundai iLoad was running well as usual until halfway between Wongan Hills and Northam, the airport, I had to stop for roadworks and there was an awful rattle coming from under the bonnet. It was only at idle, as soon as I touched the accelerator the engine ran smoothly so I just reduced my speed and continued on the Northam.

 

Once there I lifted the bonnet expecting to find the noise coming from the timing chain at the front of the engine. It was not. The heavy metallic noise seems to be coming from the rear of the engine and the engine shakes quite badly at idle but runs smoothly with light acceleration. It seems like a loose flywheel or clutch. It can't be gearbox because I can stop that rotating by selecting a gear with the clutch depressed, that makes no difference to the clatter.

 

One thing that springs to mind was a similar experience with a 6.5L GM diesel many years ago. You'd have sworn the engine had blown up, the owner did and it was near new on warranty. Upon inspection the fix was as simple as replacing one fuel injector. Of course these engines are altogether different but the heavy metallic knocking was similar. One difference is that the 2.5L common rail diesel Hyundai only rattles at idle.

 

Anyway it stuffed up my flying lessons to some extent. I was meant to do a little work on my plane Friday and then make my way to Serpentine airport for a 4:30am start on Saturday. We'd planned to fly the Jabiru 160 from Serpentine to Northam for circuits etc. Prior to take-of we'd do the preflight W&B and flight plan, another stage of training. It didn't happen because I couldn't drive the Hyundai any further.

 

We commenced circuits as soon as the Jabiru arrived at Northam at 5:50am in cool calm conditions. I hadn't been up since April and it seemed like I'd never learned to land a plane. My landings were all over the place. Some too high, some too low, some too fast, some too slow and some simple to crooked to land properly. 

 

 

I didn't track the Saturday morning's flights but the pink track was some of the afternoon.

 

 

The yellow was Sunday while I was still in the Jabiru instead of in my Sportstar where I was meant to be by then. I did repetitive circuits sorting out little problems one at a time. I'm wasting my time trying to get everything right together.

 

I had to sort out the best way to handle the stupid electric flap switch that is located forward and right of centre. I can't use the right hand because that is on the stick so the left must reach across beyond the centre of the panel and the process from one stage of flap to two takes a good five seconds. Last time I chose to only use one stage of flap but I had to get it right this time.

 

Then there were all the other little things like holding a steady 1000' while turning, using the radio, setting the trim, going through the various checks etc. In general I was all over the place.

 

We did some stalls, emergency landings, steep turns etc to help break the monotony and that helped but in the end the biggest challenge was to get a string of neat successful landings before going solo again. I didn't achieve that until after the first five hours of Sunday but I managed 1.1 hrs solo instead of the 2.6 that I needed.

 

The Sportstar was difficult to start, perhaps the 12 month old fuel is the problem. It runs well once started but getting it to fire the first time is difficult. My trainer was meant to take it up for a test flight and then I was to spend some time in it as well. As it worked out he realised he couldn't fly it anyway because he hasn't got his variable pitch prop endorsement. Hopefully that will all be sorted out next weekend. I have to go back anyway with a trailer to retrieve the Hyundai.

 

We just got home just after dark tonight. Weather permitting we're back into it on the coming Saturday.

[jackc]

21 minutes ago, Moneybox said:

I did get to training this last Saturday and Sunday but not everything went to plan.

 

After sitting on cruise at about 115kmh for several hours Friday I pulled up in Wongan Hills to boil the kettle. The Hyundai iLoad was running well as usual until halfway between Wongan Hills and Northam, the airport, I had to stop for roadworks and there was an awful rattle coming from under the bonnet. It was only at idle, as soon as I touched the accelerator the engine ran smoothly so I just reduced my speed and continued on the Northam.

 

Once there I lifted the bonnet expecting to find the noise coming from the timing chain at the front of the engine. It was not. The heavy metallic noise seems to be coming from the rear of the engine and the engine shakes quite badly at idle but runs smoothly with light acceleration. It seems like a loose flywheel or clutch. It can't be gearbox because I can stop that rotating by selecting a gear with the clutch depressed, that makes no difference to the clatter.

 

One thing that springs to mind was a similar experience with a 6.5L GM diesel many years ago. You'd have sworn the engine had blown up, the owner did and it was near new on warranty. Upon inspection the fix was as simple as replacing one fuel injector. Of course these engines are altogether different but the heavy metallic knocking was similar. One difference is that the 2.5L common rail diesel Hyundai only rattles at idle.

 

Anyway it stuffed up my flying lessons to some extent. I was meant to do a little work on my plane Friday and then make my way to Serpentine airport for a 4:30am start on Saturday. We'd planned to fly the Jabiru 160 from Serpentine to Northam for circuits etc. Prior to take-of we'd do the preflight W&B and flight plan, another stage of training. It didn't happen because I couldn't drive the Hyundai any further.

 

We commenced circuits as soon as the Jabiru arrived at Northam at 5:50am in cool calm conditions. I hadn't been up since April and it seemed like I'd never learned to land a plane. My landings were all over the place. Some too high, some too low, some too fast, some too slow and some simple to crooked to land properly. 

 

 

I didn't track the Saturday morning's flights but the pink track was some of the afternoon.

 

 

The yellow was Sunday while I was still in the Jabiru instead of in my Sportstar where I was meant to be by then. I did repetitive circuits sorting out little problems one at a time. I'm wasting my time trying to get everything right together.

 

I had to sort out the best way to handle the stupid electric flap switch that is located forward and right of centre. I can't use the right hand because that is on the stick so the left must reach across beyond the centre of the panel and the process from one stage of flap to two takes a good five seconds. Last time I chose to only use one stage of flap but I had to get it right this time.

 

Then there were all the other little things like holding a steady 1000' while turning, using the radio, setting the trim, going through the various checks etc. In general I was all over the place.

 

We did some stalls, emergency landings, steep turns etc to help break the monotony and that helped but in the end the biggest challenge was to get a string of neat successful landings before going solo again. I didn't achieve that until after the first five hours of Sunday but I managed 1.1 hrs solo instead of the 2.6 that I needed.

 

The Sportstar was difficult to start, perhaps the 12 month old fuel is the problem. It runs well once started but getting it to fire the first time is difficult. My trainer was meant to take it up for a test flight and then I was to spend some time in it as well. As it worked out he realised he couldn't fly it anyway because he hasn't got his variable pitch prop endorsement. Hopefully that will all be sorted out next weekend. I have to go back anyway with a trailer to retrieve the Hyundai.

 

We just got home just after dark tonight. Weather permitting we're back into it on the coming Saturday.

The dreaded Jabiru electric flap system is a death trap in my opinion, I have a way to fix mine, but being 24 reg, I cannot touch it 🤢

[skippydiesel]

6 hours ago, jackc said:

The dreaded Jabiru electric flap system is a death trap in my opinion, I have a way to fix mine, but being 24 reg, I cannot touch it 🤢

Correction: You can "touch it" BUT this may have negative ramifications, should the aircraft be involved in an accident😈

[jackc]

Just now, skippydiesel said:

Correction: You can "touch it" BUT this may have negative ramifications, should the aircraft be involved in an accident😈

I can redesign it very simply BUT it would need Jabiru to officially sanction it by approving my engineering.  I know that will be a lengthy process, without guarantee of success.

[skippydiesel]

You miss my point - you said "I cannot touch it" 

 

Literally: If course you can touch it - you do, every time you operate the flaps.

 

I take this to mean, you feel you will be committing some sort of crime, if you do a non factory / authorised modification.

I merely pointed out you can do it and the only repercussion is likly to be incurred, if the aircraft is involved in an incident. Then your dastardly deed may  be discovered and you maybe sanctioned. The sanction may be severe if the modification was found to be a contributor to the incident.

 

My bet - there are lots of aircraft flying aground, with a little mod or several, that have not been authorised.😈

[facthunter]

THAT advice is worth what you charged for it. That's why VH EXP exists. Stay within the Law or Dog only Knows what you could be charged with. Nev

[jackc]

32 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

You miss my point - you said "I cannot touch it" 

 

Literally: If course you can touch it - you do, every time you operate the flaps.

 

I take this to mean, you feel you will be committing some sort of crime, if you do a non factory / authorised modification.

I merely pointed out you can do it and the only repercussion is likly to be incurred, if the aircraft is involved in an incident. Then your dastardly deed may  be discovered and you maybe sanctioned. The sanction may be severe if the modification was found to be a contributor to the incident.

 

My bet - there are lots of aircraft flying aground, with a little mod or several, that have not been authorised.😈

I won’t go down this road on a 24 reg aircraft, it must be all be totally approved.

Look, I will cheat on a 19, AFTER I have done my own risk assessment. Had an AP look at my work etc, BUT I won’t go down the MARAP path, because it even been outsourced now and I would question IF RAAus insurance would even pay a claim, now a third party is involved in MARAP engineering. 
The devil,is in the details we won’t ever know until things go pear shaped 🤢

[sfGnome]

9 hours ago, Moneybox said:

I'm wasting my time trying to get everything right together

Not a waste, MB. We’ve all been through the “nothing seems to be working” phase, and time on the controls is the only way out of it. Take as long as it takes, and don’t pressure yourself to get there quickly (I know that your circumstances makes it difficult, but difficult is better than dead 🫣). As for the flap switch, reaching across and starting the change at the right time will become second nature; it’s just that at the moment everything seems to be coming at you so fast…

[skippydiesel]

1 hour ago, jackc said:

I won’t go down this road on a 24 reg aircraft, it must be all be totally approved.

Look, I will cheat on a 19, AFTER I have done my own risk assessment. Had an AP look at my work etc, BUT I won’t go down the MARAP path, because it even been outsourced now and I would question IF RAAus insurance would even pay a claim, now a third party is involved in MARAP engineering. 
The devil,is in the details we won’t ever know until things go pear shaped 🤢

Absolutly your choice.

 

I have flown VH & now RAA - little "adjustments" are common & I doubt approved. If all care is taken and a bit of engineer/common sense applied  .............

 

As for 19/Exp - thats the beauty of going down this track - whatever mods/personalisation suit you. I would strongly advise doing the research BEFOR  getting on the tools.

 

😈

[Moneybox]

If it was my Jabiru it would simply have a second switch on the left side of the panel. The slow action is not as bad as having to reach to an uncomfortable position to activate it. It will be a simple six pole momentary on switch with an open circuit when not active. The addition might take an hour and a $20 switch. If necessary put the switch a little out of sight but within easy reach.

[Moneybox]

I'm back home after a good and bad few days down Northam way. I got my RPC so that's one hurdle I've managed to clear but somebody is running ahead stacking a few more up. The Sportstar has been getting hard to start so I dropped the old fuel and replaced it with new 98. When I tried to start it I found I'd left the Master on for more than a week so my nice new Odyssey battery was dead as a doornail. I managed to get enough charge into it by running a battery charger off the Hyundai but it never fully charged. At least the fresh fuel sorted out the Riotax starting problem.

 

I hear plenty of people knocking RAAus but I've had nothing but polite friendly and prompt service. I worked my but off on Saturday getting through my test flight and numerous questions. I passed but he was probably a little generous with some of my answers however he knows I'll continue to work hard to become a better. My instructor processed my application late on Saturday but he had a prior arrangement to have my application dealt with quickly so that I could get my variable pitch propeller endorsement done Sunday. I checked Saturday evening and the application had been processed but with an error showing that I was still a student pilot. I called my instructor and he said "No problems I'll call him in the morning and get it sorted out in time". Sure enough Sunday morning the corrections were made. It now shows Recreational Pilot Certificate. How's that for service?

 

Sunday the CFI who was due cancelled due to weather conditions however it was dead calm from when I got up at 4:45 until about 10am.

 

Anyway I had other problems. I left home with the little Mercedes Vito towing the car trailer. My plan was to tow the sick Hyundai from Northam 106km up to Wongan Hills to have the rattle diagnosed and repaired. I would normally do the repairs but I'm trying to learn to farm work out. I may as well be doing what I enjoy, digging a bit of gold to pay for it. 

 

When I tried to load the Hyundai onto the trailer it just lifted the Vito of the ground and each time it just ran away. I ended up hooking the trailer onto the back of the Hyundai and then loaded the Vito onto the trailer. That meant driving the Hyundai heavily loaded for another 106km. It was not the best thing to do because it was obviously sick but it did make the fault diagnosis easier.

 

Even though it hasn't been pulled down it appears to have a collapsed piston. It's done about 440,000 so I think I'll be opening a can of worms so my best option is likely to be a replacement engine. Too much to deal with right now so it's just another job that has to wait a while.

 

Right now I'm waiting to see if my LAME can test fly the Sportstar and deliver it to Cue.

[rgmwa]

You've done very well to achieve all that in pretty quick time.

[Moneybox]

1 hour ago, rgmwa said:

You've done very well to achieve all that in pretty quick time.

Twice the time I planned on. When I turned 70 I planned to learn to fly. It took me a couple of months to sell sufficient assets to finance the entire project and another three months to come up with a plane. About six months the commence lessons and bring the plane home from Queensland and then it all dragged on with delays for various reasons. My biggest delays has been dealing with very poorly organised flying instructors. For a project where I'd raised the money prior to starting out it should have been reasonable straight sailing but I didn't count on having to deal with other people. When I want something I want it NOW. I turn 72 on Friday and I still have to get the plane here, get my prop endorsement and do my navigation. I feel it should have all been done a year ago.

[BurnieM]

Everybody feels like that.

It took me 23 months (including cross country).

Did the paperwork for RPL and now I have run out of money.

Need to get job so I can finish it then ...

 

 

[rgmwa]

I was a late starter too. It took me about 20 months to get my PPL and then four years to build the plane. It all takes time (and money).

Edited Tuesday at 08:55 AM by rgmwa

[sfGnome]

Private aviation? The land of wait-a-while… 🫤

[BrendAn]

took me 4 years.   once i found a good instructor that wasn't just there to build hours things progressed quickly.

every time an instructor left , the gap in training would put me back to square one. you need consistency.

[Moneybox]

1 hour ago, BrendAn said:

took me 4 years.   once i found a good instructor that wasn't just there to build hours things progressed quickly.

every time an instructor left , the gap in training would put me back to square one. you need consistency.

Yes, certainly need consistency. I hadn't flown since the Thursday before easter and it took me a full two days to get back to where I left off. That's why I started out by getting the plane, I wanted to get my RPC and then keep it up until I actually feel comfortable jump into the plane and scoot off anywhere.

 

It looks like I should get the Sportstar up here within a week or two. I started out training in the Evektor Harmony because it is basically the same but I ended up in the Jabiru J160 and J170. The first J160 scared me when it came to practising stalls but the one I had last week was as good as you can get, it would just stall and fall, rarely dropped a wing at all and if it did it started out as a steady roll that was easy to arrest.

 

I'm back on Coodardy for a couple of hours morning and afternoon from 27th until 9th December. I'm hoping to have the Sportstar here for some of that time. The station owner invited me to fly in whenever I want to.

[facthunter]

Stalls should NOT scare you whatever the Wing does. You should be wary of getting into one unprepared. I doubt you have been taught Properly. The course is inadequate. Just box ticking.  Nev