Admin

The resignation of our former Administraton Manager (Sue Perakovic) on June 13th has left vacant our position of Public Officer. This mandatory position serves as the contact between the Association and the A.C.T.’s Office of Regulatory Services (ORS). Our Constitution is silent on the procedure for appointing a Public Officer however, Clause 6.3 of the ORS’s Model Rules specifies that the Board has to appoint a replacement within fourteen days.

The Secretary declared yesterday that the General Manager, Mark Clayton, has now been appointed by the Board to take over this role.

On Monday June 17th Gavin Thobaven tendered his resignation as Board representative for the West Australia region, requesting that this take immediate effect. This was reluctantly accepted by the President, who acknowledged and thanked Mr Thobaven for his significant contribution since first joining the Board in 2011.

In accord with Section 16 of the Association’s Constitution, nominations (closing 4.00 p.m. EST Friday, 30th August 2013) are now being called for to fill the Board’s West Australian vacancy. Nomination forms can be obtained by contacting the RAAus office

Mark Clayton

General Manager

I quit smoking a couple of years back but at NatFly this year I bought a pack and immediately became hooked again. Not wanting to use the patches/lozenges to stop and cold turkey would kill me I went to the doctor and was prescribed a tablet called Champix.

The objective of this post is to send a warning to everyone that this medication is extremely dangerous. Not only can there be side effects of extreme nausea (believe me worse than Chemo), paralysing headaches, severe depression, illogical decision making but in my case, and many others, suicidal tendencies.

Whilst this drug is thought to help those that have an extremely high addiction to nicotine, the side effects in some can kill you long before smoking ever will. The doctor has now had to prescribe a counter acting agent for some time.

The point is that if you ever get prescribed with Champix be extremely careful and always have someone watching you and this goes for any kind of mind altering drug like Champix as we are in an industry where having being prescribed with a drug of this kind mixed with aviation can have extremely dire consequences...and you may not even know that you are being impacted by a drug as you are pulling the nose up hurtling down the runway on what you think was going to be a nice little flight.

Please be extremely careful and mindful of all medications that we may be taking when we have anything to do with aircraft...and if you know anyone taking Champix, please watch them

The poll has been reopened

Here is a picture of the aircraft:

As you may have noticed the site update has been going slowly so you can get use to new features as they get implemented. The latest being the 1 To 1 Instant Chat Bar that stays across the bottom of your screen so you can initiate instant 1 to 1 chats with any other user that is currently on the site plus when an Aircraft Distributor is online you can have instant chats, exchange files etc...bringing everyone, users and aircraft representatives together much more.

Over the next few months there are some more great enhancements coming:

1. Post Edit History and Logging

An indicator is displayed on posts that have been edited. It is a link that can be clicked to display all the different edits (variations) of a post from what was originally entered as the post to what is currently displayed. The Post Edit History actually keeps all previous versions of a message rather than just an indication that it was edited. This can be used for many things, like handling the "rage-delete" situation, where a user edits all of their content, potentially destroying the flow of many threads or after posting, removing the post content and leaving just a full stop etc. This will prove once and for all whether posts are edited or not and by who...the edit history with its "compare versions" function will look like this when the "History" link is clicked:

2. New Photo Gallery

Currently the Photo Gallery uses Albums by users instead of having each image as a stand alone entry in the Photo Gallery. The new software for the Photo Gallery will remove the Album component and display each image in its own right...and it looks like:

3. New Post/Thread Editor

I have mentioned this before but for those that missed it, there will be a new box and toolbar displayed when creating/editing your threads and posts. The great thing about this is not only does it allow for drag and drop images as post attachments but it works, with all smilies and formatting functions on iPads and mobile devices...it looks like:

4. "Responsive" Theme

Currently we use a different theme that automatically detects if you are using a mobile device (non iPad) and if so, displays a cut down version of the site making it display quicker and lighter for you. Soon the site will use what is called a "Responsive" theme on mobile devices which means that what you will see on your mobile phones will still be fast and light but closer to what the PC version of the site displays and the "Responsive" term comes from the different way you use a web site on a mobile device as opposed to using a Mouse on a PC. You will find it much easier to use with it being a closer match to the PC version of the site.

5. Personal Conversations

Enhancements to the Personal Conversations (PC's or PM's) function of the site are also coming. Conversations will have their own sub menu, which allows us to give a few additional navigation links to specific functions like conversations can be starred. Starring works like you're probably used to in emails; it's mostly to allow filtering. You can also bulk manage your conversations (over multiple pages) using an inline moderation-style check box. You can star/unstar conversations, mark conversations as read/unread, or leave conversations with this. Finally, all participants are listed on the conversation list. They are also listed on the conversation popup.

6. Aviation Industry Supplier's and Services

I have mentioned this before (see: http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/new-business-directory.63254/) and it is like a Yellow Pages Business Directory. Hopefully it can get used to look up supplier's and services for anything you need in aviation...it will look similar to this (the screen shots show aircraft but replace that with supplier details):

I will stop there but there is still a lot more exciting things coming to Recreational Flying but the intent of this is to keep you informed about what is happening on your favourite recreational aviation resource web site...hope you like what the future is bringing and don't forget to always comment on anything that is posted in the Site Announcements Forum as it is your comments that help to make the site even better...oh, also don't forget to make use of the new 1 To 1 Instant Chat feature of the site and get more involved in the Recreational Flying Community...thanks

I don't post much any more and have taken more of a "developer" role and leave the content admin up to the moderators however as "Ian" I also have a right to be able to have an opinion without risk of being ridiculed for having it, the same as every one of you.

Firstly let me say that I have been privy to many different email chains from various sources, of which naturally I won't name, and content in a small renegade facebook group and having seen all of this I congratulate Ed for "acting" on what was needed...but like many of you I also disagree in the method, and as such have spoken to Ed on this, and this is what basically is the main point you are all saying.

Yes, he could have done things differently and Yes possibly if he had the time again he may have done things differently but what is done is done and irrespective of the method, RAAus will immediately benefit of $60k and most importantly CASA has been kept away from our door (and they were about to knock), and they will also be able to announce a great achievement that RAAus has done at a conference next week. To me this is the start of managing CASA...sometimes you have to feed an animal to keep them as a pet.

As I said, the main point in this thread is really that members disagree in the method...that is the crux of it, and also as I said, if Ed had the time again he may have done things differently now being more the wiser BUT, I give Ed top marks for having the guts, the absolute guts to come on here and say something knowing of the potential ridicule by the membership that he would get...to me that is a leader. He made the decision and not only us but he too has to wear the consequences of it, right or wrong and not one of us can say that they have never made a wrong decision although we may have made it with the right intentions. That is what I would like to say..."INTENTIONS" I say that in doing what Ed has done I can see absolutely NO maliciousness intent and only an expressed desire to benefit RAAus and its membership...that is what I see. This is so different to the "intentions" we have been seeing over the last x number of years at RAAus with many board members NOT putting RAAus first and foremost for the members and they are the ones that should be ridiculed and not ridiculing someone that has good intent, methodology aside. No point crying over spilt milk when a lesson has been learnt.

So how do we get out of this? Perhaps Ed could recommend to the board that they make this position only till September and in the mean time proceed with board approval to advertise and engage a suitable person for the role. Naturally Myles could apply and so to can many others but in the mean time CASA goes away happy, and well away from our door, we have time to continue resolving the registration issues, we have an extra $60k that we were not going to get, a resolution that has been dragging on for years has come to a head and above all we have all learnt a lesson so we can get on with getting things done where RAAus will come out a much stronger and better entity for us all.

Now in regards to 2 users mentioning that RAAus should have their own forums...naturally I will always try and protect this site but can you imagine all the threads and posts of this Governing Bodies forum on the RAAus web site...that's what you would get. What you have shown to Ed, just in this thread that when a board member has the guts to say something, it would be an absolute disaster for that board member and RAAus. When they don't make comment, or provide a sanitised comment, you would all go on the war path of keeping the membership in the dark. Board members would be committing suicide in saying something and all you would get would be the same types of threads and posts that are in this Governing Bodies forum. Have a look at them and ask yourself would you like to be on the receiving end of all that and be forced into saying something and then ridiculed again...I think not...if RAAus does start a forum, and I know how much cost and darn hard work goes into running one and then you only get ridiculed for it as you are always in a position of Damned if you do, and Damned if you don't...well I can say, I have loads of popcorn ready, sitting back to watch a disaster unfold for RAAus. I have said many times that perhaps there could be a MoU between RAAus and this site which can help to promote RAAus whilst at the same time allowing for comment utilising the infrastructure that has been built up here.

Finally, the main reason I have chosen to comment is that I am absolutely disgusted to see a user of this site, an RAAus member, being attacked by a few for simply having an opinion different to yours...it is his right to have an opinion the same as it is your right to also have an opinion but it is NO PERSON'S right to attack another person for having a different opinion. I don't moderate, delete or edit posts without the approval of the four moderators however if I was still a moderator I would have deleted several posts in this thread...I am ashamed that this site that gives you the freedom to say your opinion, how you feel about something, makes you think that you can attack a person for having a different opinion to yours...PLEASE, I beg you, wake up to yourself and realise that we are all RAAus members, we all love flying our aircraft, we all may have different opinions right or wrong, different from our own and if they are, simply do not comment in a manner that attacks another human being who also has the same rights as you

Thank you

Received an email from Board Member John McKeown (he does say to pass it on):

Hi all, this a part of a recent email sent to RAAus President Ed Herring. Please forward it on.

Ed, without any consultation with the Board, or a formal Board vote, has appointed Myles to a paid staff position. This is against our constitution and is illegal. Ed also does not have the power to authorise the salary expenditure. Again he has acted as a dictator, and in an illegal manner. He put in writing that the decision is completely his.

Myles, as a long time Board member would be fully aware his appointment is not legal.

"Sorry Ed, all your good worked is now trashed. You alone do NOT have the power to appoint anyone. Add to that you have grossly exceed your financial authority.

Myles appointment is illegal. Full stop.

I am currently in hospital in Turkey, but when I am able I will formally move a Censor Motion against you on the Board Forum. "

These are just magic.Ian there was one done in a Melbourne shopping centre where a group just started to sing Handel's Messiah ... it too was spectacular, but I have no idea where to find it.

Here is another one:

After many years of service to both the AUF and RA-Aus, Myles Breitkreutz has resigned his positions as RA-Aus Treasurer, and South Queensland board member, indicating that he wished for both resignations to take immediate effect.

Myles has decided not to contest the upcoming election in order to pursue other options, and to also allow other members the opportunity of representing the region. We at RA-Aus wish Myles all the best for the future and thank him for his many years of service to the organisation.

Board members have now been invited to nominate for the vacant Treasurer position (nominations closing 5 p.m. EST Friday, June 7th ).

An update:

http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/bagram-investigation-suggests-cargo-shift.63749/

Ian, I plucked it out of the air to represent the idea of a large portion of members not using this site

Over 16,000 different people (unique visitors) accessed the site last month spending on average 9mins on the site. Plus we can see that 81% of those visitors come from Australia. We also know that "Registered" International Users based on the Country selected in their settings is 7% of total registered users. We also know that on average 400 registered users (doesn't include guests) log in to the site every single day...some daily, some every few days, some once a week etc.

With those number we can ask the question "What kind of person would come to a Recreational Aviation web site?"

I wonder then whether it is just apathy as the figures represent a huge amount of aviators visiting the site

This can't happen unless we find a way to communicate with 90% of members that don't use this forum.

Please do not discuss moderation in the forums...if you wish to lodge an appeal then do so with the Chief Justice, the honourable (???) Sir Ahlocks

No, I did not withdraw it - it was removed - presumably by the Forum Administrator.

Oscar, I thought I saw an earlier post from you where you quoted a NSW Coroner's assessment of evidence given at the Smith/Guthrie Sting crash inquest but I don't seem to be able to find it. Did you withdraw the post for some reason? Can you repost it?

Admin submitted a new aircraft showcase item:

Brumby High Wing 610

Brumby Aircraft are proud to announce the arrival of the new Brumby High Wing 610 LSAThe aircraft has proven to be a delight to fly with comfortable cruise speed of 110 knots with a climb rate of 1000 feet per minute.

The spacious cabin is 7” wider than a Cessna 172. The aeroplane is constructed using the same production techniques used by the low wing Brumby and GA aircraft.

 

Best of all this great aircraft is available with a Rotax 100 hp 912 engine for $110,000 including GST.

 

Brumby Aircraft is also the first aircraft manufacturer in...

a bit off topic but Yes River, a great thread and I believe the hard work we have been doing on the site recently to get it all "balanced" is starting to pay off...I haven't gained any friends but the site is well balanced now and working well with some great topics, posts and friendliness

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has published the following urgent Airworthiness Directive:

Rotax Piston Engines

2013-0117-E - Engine Cylinder Head Section - Inspection / Replacement

This, and other Airworthiness Directives can be viewed at:

http://www.casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/index.htm

Put yourself in the cockpits of many of the Queensland Air Museum's historic aircraft. Jet fighters, airliners and helicopters such as Hunter, Mig-15, F-27, DC-3, KH-4, Canberra and Caribou. There will also be aero engine running displays, aerobatic displays, classic cars and lots of food stalls.

Cost: Enrty Fee : $13.00

0458993347

http://www.qam.com.au/

The Gunnedah Airshow, will be an awsome airdisplay with the best display pilots in Australia. The Air Display will feature Paul Bennet Airshows, Pitts, Avenger, Wirraway, The Russian Roulettes, David Salter, Southern Byplanes, Fire Bomb Displays, Model Jets and Aerobatics, Gyrocopters, as well as many fun activities for the whole family.

0408453030

http://gunnedahaeroclub.com.au/

Straddie Fly-in Breakfast

Cost: Breakfast : $20.00

Straddie Fly-in Breakfasts are normally held on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 8.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. All flyers and flyers at heart welcome. Fly-in, drive-in or walk-in(55 minutes from the ferry!). Cost is $20 per person for a sumptuous breakfast that includes: Fruit Platters, Bacon & Eggs, Sausages & Eggs, Mushrooms, Baked Beans, Spaghetti, Creamed Corn, Tea, Coffee & Fruit Juice. Please R.S.V.P. to Pat on 0410 558334 or the crew at Straddie, caretakers Barrie or Billy by phoning: (07)3409 9727. For airfield information, also see our website: www.stradair.com , AOPA directory and ERSA. N.B. Please check this listing at www.aeroclub-beta.com.au/events as part of your pre-flight briefing. Comments: "This is the best breakfast of any of the fly-in breakfasts that we go to".

HRFC Meeting & BBQ

Hunter Recreational Flying Club holds its monthly meetings & BBQ on the second Sunday of each Month except Jan and May. The May meeting is held on the 1st Sunday to avoid a clash with Mother's Day. Meeting runs 11am to 12 noon followed by a BBQ lunch at the Clubhouse - Western side of Cessnock A/port Pokolbin NSW Visitors are always welcome.

0428767279

http://www.hunterflyers.com.au/

Aus Air League State Competition

Cost: nil : $0.00

Start:Sat 01 Jun 2013

End:Sat 01 Jun 2013

Description:Are you PLANE crazy? Excited about what makes aircraft tick? The Australian Air League is a youth organisation, for boys and girls from 8 to 18 years. Which provides cadets with leadership and life skills while encouraging interest and participation in Aviation as a career or hobby. Squadrons from across QLD will meet for the annual competition June 1 at the QCCC centre Mapleton. 70 Obi Obi Road, MAPLETON QLD 4560. OPEN TO PUBLIC FROM 2:00-4:30PM

http://www.airleague.com.au/