Admin

I looked at both products and OzRunways in my view is far better. Cheaper too. To get the same functionality using AvPlan you'd have to buy the base version - $75 - and add on the GEO upgrade - $60 - for a total of $135 compared to $75 for OzRunways. For just $110 you'd get the IFR pack as well for OzRunways (another $60 add on for AvPlan).I am yet to find a feature in AvPlan that is not in OzRunways. Add to that the fact that OzRunways is an authorised provider of charts, AIP's, etc. and it's a no brainer in my opinion.

Several people said to me at NatFly that they believed AvPlan was far superior than OzRunways, especially the about to be released new version...Just saying what was said to me as I haven't used either so I don't know...AvPlan does support this site though. AvPlan doesn't seem to have the marketing hype that OzRunways does so just thought I would mention that if anyone was considering to get something like this that it may definitely be worth a look at both before anyone decides...one person said that he has both and prefers AvPlan because it has greater functionality...click their image in the right column of the main forums page and see for yourself

This year AusFly at Narromine is on the same weekend as the Australian Federal Election. Do you think that the election will impact the turnout at AusFly?

I would be very wary of inexpensive Chinese aircraft engines & parts.

I take that offensively so I suggest you go visit a taxidermist.

Bex, Aldo said he would be wary of inexpensive Chinese aircraft engines & parts...By your own admission you said:

I popped into Supercheap and bought a 4" grinder for $19.99 (over 10 years ago) and it lasted 3 hours

and Aldo, give the guy a chance...find out more by asking more questions and give him the benefit of the doubt instead of making a blanket statement that is sure to get up the noses of others

The point is guys, there is far too much attacking each other going on in the forums lately and we must try and curb this...often it is because we don't read posts properly or choose to take the negative side rather than the positive one...we are all in this recreational aviation scene together so lets hang together and help each other...that's the only way we can all win...together

Ian,I have missed the last two Natfly weekends, I did get to the three before that and I have an image in my mind from the last one I went to, of your tent with all the legs pulled off resting on top of all the stock as a storm front went through, Does that make three years in a row that you have been toweled up by the weather?

Lachlan and I arrived before lunch on the Thursday and very quickly both Mr H and Storchy Neil came out to help put the Recreational Flying tent up. We got the frame and the roof up but the wind was proving to be a troublemaker and considering that the tent might end up beating me back to Melbourne we pulled it down. I asked around and received many different predictions on what the weather was going to do for the next couple of days so I was at a quandary of whether to wait till later to set the tent up, meaning I would be pushing it to set the whole site up, go back home and give it a miss for this year given there seemed to be a lot less people at this stage of the event, or see if RAAus could put me up in the hangar.

Lachlan and I sleep in the Recreational Flying tent and last year we were awoken at midnight on the Sat night with the tent attempting to make its way back to Melb before us...I am sure many remember the storm that came through last year...and here I was, standing in just my jocks, hanging on to the tent for my life with it blowing around all over the place so I was determined not to go through that experience again...see pictures at:

http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/temora-2012.33584/page-9#post-210599

Here is a pic from Capt's lot showing the Recreational Flying tent partly up to the right of the food van behind Storchy Neil's car:

Decision time was 2pm but luckily before that the girls in the RAAus tent made available for us room across the back of the hangar that had the static stands in them so we were able to put up 4 tables filled with all the shop stock (Pilot Porn). NatFly is this site's biggest opportunity to obtain the necessary funding to keep this site alive for everyone so the event, and your purchases, is necessary for its contribution towards hosting costs, software licences, enhancements etc.

Again Mr H and Storchy Neil helped with pricing stock and the set up of the tables:

Overall the Clear Prop Shop was down about 50% of what it would normally take with some of that I think was from being out of sight in the hangar so stay tuned for some bargains to be posted here at Recreational Flying.

So with the shop in the hangar, Lachlan and I had to sleep in the car and not being prepared for that, the back of a Ford Wagon whilst having the room, was very hard on this old body. Caught a massive cold and by Saturday night I was sick as a dog so after dinner at Carol's place, the official unofficial NatFly dinner, Lachlan and I gladly took up Carol's offer to sleep in her spare bedroom.

So while I was busy in the shop Lachlan went for a walkabout taking snaps...here are his choices:

Firstly check that the name you want isn't already taken by going to the Members section from the main menu and do a member search in the search box in the right column.

Then send a PM to me stating the name you want to change to and I will do it for you

Hi All

As many of you know we run this site with Moderators who give up their time to help the site remain as a valuable, professional and respected resource by the recreational aviation community. The site maintains a style of management likened to the "Separation of Church and State" where an attempt is made to keep separate the Management and the Moderation...Moderators try not to influence the management and management tries not to influence moderation...this is evident when those darn moderators even moderate me

This works well and provides for the checks and balances that is needed to maintain integrity of a site that is in an industry that attracts the traditional Alpha Male along with the enormous popularity that this site/resource has worked hard over many many years to achieve.

Traditionally we have had 4 independent, and anonymous, moderators although some time ago Ahlocks came out of the closet losing his anonymity as a moderator. One other moderator, who is in the Police Force, has had to focus more on work so this has left a vacancy in the moderation team.

So it is my great pleasure in announcing that a very long term user, Slartibartfast (Ross), has kindly agreed to join the team of moderators (yes, he is out of the closet as well).

For the first couple of years that this site operated, the moderation was left to me. For a further 5 years or so Ross was an Assistant Administrator and in doing so also took on moderation. So Ross is very aware of the trials and tribulations that this site goes through on a daily basis in trying to maintain a happy, friendly, informative and fair environment for all recreational aviators so they can have their say but at the same time be friendly, understanding and courteous to each other.

A note to everyone is that the role of moderation is an "extremely" hard one as you are ALWAYS "Damned if you do and damned if you don't" and there is very little thanks for the hard work that you do, so I am so very grateful to Ahlocks, Slartibartfast and the other two moderators for their help and support that they have given in the past and continue to do so for every one of us here.

Thanks Guys and welcome back Slartibartfast

And as a final note, No Mr. Baker, you cannot have my name and phone number and in all my time on the internet no one has ever asked for it. Are you lot that thin skinned? Says a lot really.

Rule 1.6:

"The site Administrator or one of the Moderators have the right to ascertain the true identity of a registered member at any time."

as I, this site and its owners will not take the risk of any come back from your actions here, so we have the right to ascertain the true identity of any person contributing to that risk and if you don't accept that then no name, no site use...this resource strives to be professional and remain as an above board resource for all its users that value its contribution to the recreational aviation community and not for fly by nighters...goodbye

Where can the donations be made?

David, There were some posts from a guy called Tim "Ausadvance' I think. He was allegedly going to give us banking details for Wayne's girls. But I have just gone back to get you a reference and all his posts are gone including a quote on one of his posts that I made.So to echo David's post can someone tell us where donations can be sent please.

Until something publicly is announced, the only way I know of finding out is to ask, by way of a Private Conversation, the site user Ausadvance

A forum user has asked me to post a link to REPCON:

https://www.atsb.gov.au/voluntary/repcon_aviation.aspx

and a reminder that anyone can use this system to confidentially report an aviation safety concern to ATSB.

REPCON Aviation is established under the Air Navigation (Confidential Reporting) Regulations 2006 and allows any person who has an aviation safety concern to report it to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) confidentially. Personal information will not be disclosed unless permission is granted by the individual concerned. Only de-identified information will be used for safety action.

Can someone fix the spelling in the title of this thread? It's driving me crazy.

Good luck Andrew

Thought I would get opinions on where to now with GPS units etc.

The whole GPS unit market has dwindled considerably due to online Apps on mobile phones and tablet PCs. One advantage the GPS unit had for a while was its size of around 5" making it ideal for mounting into or on top of a panel compared to the small or large sizes of mobile phones and tablets. That advantage has now also dwindled with the size gap narrowing...Samsung Note (5.3") and the 8" tablets.

You have full planning and moving map apps like AvPlan but one problem of these apps is the platform they use...you have to either have Android or Apple devices. This means that you may have to be locked in to a high cost device that you don't like just to be able to use the app of your choice. GPS units historically have used the same mapping software, i.e. Jeppesen, whether you choose an Avmap or a Garmin etc.

So, as a topic for an interesting discussion, what is going to happen, which way are we going to go, what is the market going to steer towards (the old argument of whether technology tells us what to use or we dictate what technology we want to use)...what would you like to have/see happen in the area of GPS and in-flight navigation?

Is it a generational thing? Nev

Wait for it...I can here a certain Recreational Flying user's brain ticking over in forming a comment..................................................(guernsey)

$1,100 for a raw space stand is far to rich for me...all profit would go to paying for just the stand leaving nothing left to go towards the costs of providing Recreational Flying for everyone.

There is plenty of camping space, just need to book it, and if you need a tent we have them for only $15 (let me know if you need one so I can bring extra)...plus you can always post here to see if anyone else is coming from your area and perhaps share the cost of petrol if driving...the more the merrier and don't forget to drop in to the Recreational Flying tent and say hi (free coffee/tea for forum members)

From the Director of Aviation Safety

John McCormick

At CASA we devote considerable resources into providing everyone in aviation with information and tools to help them operate safely. There is a wealth of information on our web site, DVDs, multi-media such as OnTrack, booklets and Flight Safety Australia. Recently we also launched a YouTube channel so our videos can be viewed online at any time. Plus we have aviation safety advisers whose job is visiting and talking to people in all sectors of Australian aviation about safety and regulatory issues. This month we have launched yet another tool to help aviation people reach the highest possible safety standards. It is a powerful new online package of safety and operational information about visual flight rules flying in regional and remote Australia. Called Out-N-Back, it is a six part multimedia package showcasing a 6000 kilometre round trip operating to the visual flight rules across four states.

The package focuses on each leg of the trip, which was undertaken in a Cessna 172 flown by an experienced chief flying instructor with a non-aviation passenger. The journey starts at Bathurst in NSW and continues through outback South Australia, across Bass Strait to Tasmania and back through Victoria to end in Bathurst. The whole trip is filmed from inside and outside the aircraft, with stunning shots of scenery interlaced with vital aviation safety messages. At each location local aviation experts are interviewed about practical safety and operational issues such as aircraft maintenance, safety culture, outback survival and weather. The video is supported by web site information on a range of safety topics relevant to the operations being undertaken. These include daily inspections, fuel management, GPS use, planning routes, fatigue management, flight notification, navigation over featureless terrain and operations in controlled airspace. Supporting episode five is a section on the use of iphones and ipads in the cockpit.

I believe the Out-N-Back multimedia package is now an essential tool for all visual flight rules pilots. While the video mainly follows a trip through regional and remote Australia, it also covers operations in controlled airspace and at major regional aerodromes. There is a wealth of practical safety and operational information for all pilots flying in all parts of Australia. I urge everyone to have a look at Out-N-Back now. All pilots, not just those operating to the visual flight rules, will enjoy watching the video and the safety messages are vital to everyone.

Watch Out-N-Back now.

Best regards

John F McCormick

Don't be caught napping – find out about fatigue now

Everyone involved in aviation must have an understanding of fatigue. Given the 24/7 nature of aviation operations fatigue is a risk which must be effectively managed. Changes to the current rules covering the management of fatigue for flight crew are being made in 2013 and work to develop fatigue management rules for cabin crew and air traffic controllers is in the pipeline. To help everyone better understand fatigue management a new booklet has been produced which provides essential information on the issue and sets out the flight crew rule changes. The booklet looks at the causes and effects of fatigue, warning signs, fatigue-fighting tips and case studies.

While the booklet is important reading for pilots, the information will be valuable for all aviation people. Civil Aviation Order 48 has been revised to create the new rules for flight crew fatigue management. Under the new rules air operators and flight crew have a shared responsibility to manage fatigue. There is a tiered system under which operators can choose how they manage fatigue based on their operating environment and needs, while taking into account current fatigue science. The new rules are needed because the current regulations have been in place for more than 50 years, without significant review. This means the existing rules are out of step with the latest scientific understanding of human performance limitations and sleep. The current rules are also not in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

Get your copy of the fatigue booklet or read it online.

Rules to address remotely piloted aircraft realities

New regulations covering remotely piloted aircraft will be developed over time to make it less onerous for commercial operators to use smaller machines. The new rules will be part of a package of changes to the safety regulation of remotely piloted aircraft aimed at ensuring current realities are addressed while safety remains the first priority. Regulations will be proposed with weight limits that will define the complexity of regulatory requirements for various categories of remotely piloted aircraft. In addition, consideration is being given to simplifying the process of obtaining a certificate to operate a remotely piloted aircraft by better matching the regulatory requirements with the complexity and risk of proposed operations.

CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, recently told an Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems Australia conference 90 per cent of the remotely piloted aircraft operating in Australia today weigh less than seven kilograms, are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible to individuals through the open market. He said: “We have to address the current reality. There is no point in CASA writing regulations that can't be enforced. The principal objective of a fresh aviation regulatory framework is to achieve and maintain the highest possible uniform level of safety. In the case of remotely piloted aircraft, this means ensuring the safety of any other airspace user as well as the safety of persons and property on the ground. Development of the complete regulatory framework for remotely piloted aircraft will be a lengthy effort. This is not a knee-jerk reaction, it is an evolutionary process, with regulations being added or amended gradually. In the first instance, non-binding guidance material will be provided in advance of the regulations for use by the industry. Close adherence to the guidance material will facilitate later adoption of the revised or new regulations and will ensure harmonisation across the industry and with the rest of the world.”

Read the Director's remotely piloted aircraft speech.

Check Velcro mounts for emergency locator transmitters now

A warning has been issued about the potential failure of Velcro fasteners used as mounts for emergency locator transmitters. This follows several recent aircraft accidents where emergency locator transmitters on a Velcro mount have detached, causing the antenna connection to break and making the transmitter ineffective. The problem was identified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration, which has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin. CASA has supported the US bulletin with its own airworthiness bulletin, drawing attention to the Velcro fastener issue and warning of the potential for transmitters to break during accidents. Aircraft owners, operators and maintenance organisations are urged to read the US bulletin and review any instructions for continued airworthiness in relation to emergency locator transmitters and Velcro fasteners. There should be annual inspections of the transmitter installation with particular attention given to the Velcro fasteners if fitted. In addition, the inspection should look for battery corrosion, operation of the controls and crash sensor and the presence of a sufficient signal radiated from the antenna. Velcro fasteners can degrade over time due to wear, vibration, temperature changes and contamination.

Review the emergency locator transmitter airworthiness bulletin now.

Dates and details for engineer exams

Dates and details for the 2013 program of aircraft maintenance engineer licensing examinations have been released. The exams are being held in April, June, August, October and December at examination centres throughout Australia. Prospective licensed aircraft maintenance engineers will sit for exams over a three day period in each of the months – Tuesday through Thursday. All exams are held over three hours. To apply for an aircraft maintenance engineers licence an applicant must complete examinations that relate to the type of licence category being sought. Examinations are designed to ensure that a person has the level of technical skill and legislative knowledge to hold a licence. There are five types of examinations depending on the licence category being sought. Detailed information on the current requirements and conditions relating to aircraft maintenance engineer licensing exams has been published in a new airworthiness advisory circular. The circular covers applications, payments, re-marking, requests for cancellation, the exam syllabus and reference texts.

Find full details in the maintenance engineer licensing exams advisory.

New study highlights corrosion inhibiting risks

New advice has been issued about the risks of applying corrosion inhibiting compounds to aircraft structural joints. Research has shown caution should be exercised in the use of corrosion inhibiting compounds on structural joints which are highly loaded and/or fatigue critical. Aircraft maintainers, manufacturers and operators should ensure corrosion inhibiting compounds are applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. CASA has issued an airworthiness bulletin outlining the findings of a recent study into the effects of corrosion inhibiting compounds on aircraft structural joints. The study was the basis for a PhD thesis which was funded by CASA. Overall, the study found corrosion inhibiting compounds can offer substantial benefits when used appropriately. Any change in use should be done in close consultation with the aircraft manufacturer. Where corrosion inhibiting compounds are used in structural joints that rely on friction/clamp up force, such as aircraft lap joints, there may be a reduction in fatigue life. In fatigue critical joints the fatigue life may be reduced by half. The rate of growth of fatigue cracks also increases.

Find out more about the effects of corrosion inhibiting compounds.

Islander control cable failure warning

Operators and maintainers of Britten-Norman Islander aircraft are being warned about the potential failure of a control cable component. Recently two Islander aircraft have suffered failures of a control cable swivel end fitting. The component is used on the throttle, constant speed unit and mixture control cable assemblies. The failure of the swivel end fitting causes some loss of engine control functions. In one failure the pilot reduced the throttles for descent but no change in power was obtained from the left hand engine. The engine was then shutdown for landing. In an airworthiness bulletin CASA recommends replacement of control cable swivel end fittings if the age of the component is unknown or can be established as more than 10,000 hours time in service. New or used fittings with less than 8000 hours time in service should replace the aged components. Where there is any doubt about the serviceability of a component the manufacturer should be contacted for advice. CASA is asking for any fittings that are removed from an aircraft to be sent to its airworthiness and engineering branch. Further investigations of the problem are underway.

Find out more about the Islander control cable issue.

Barrier Aviation’s certificate cancelled

On Wednesday 13 March 2013, CASA cancelled the air operator’s certificate held by Barrier Aviation Pty Ltd. Barrier Aviation was a Cairns-based charter, aerial work and flying school operator, flying in Far North Queensland, the Torres Strait and the Northern Territory. CASA suspended Barrier Aviation’s operations on 23 December 2012 due to a serious and imminent risk to air safety. On 22 February 2013, the Federal Court of Australia made an order prohibiting Barrier Aviation from conducting operations. CASA conducted a thorough investigation which confirmed Barrier Aviation had been operating aircraft with serious and known defects, as well as directing pilots to fly these aircraft. Known defects were also not being recorded on aircraft maintenance documentation. Following the Federal Court order and the completion of CASA’s investigation, CASA was not satisfied that Barrier Aviation would not operate aircraft with known defects if allowed to resume operations. CASA determined Barrier Aviation had a poor safety culture and placed commercial imperatives before safety. In a statement CASA said it regretted the inconvenience the cancellation of the air operator’s certificate has caused for passengers and Barrier's employees. However, CASA's primary and overriding priority must be aviation safety.

Time to review aerodrome safety management systems

Certified aerodrome operators are being asked to review their safety management systems to ensure they are in line with the latest CASA policy. An updated advisory circular on safety management systems for aerodromes has been released which includes a new framework based on an International Civil Aviation Organization safety management system framework. The CASA policy is for a four component, fifteen element framework. The safety management system components are: safety policy and objectives and planning, safety risk management, safety assurance and safety promotion. In the advisory circular aerodromes are told their safety management systems should identify each of the components as well as the underlying elements. The degree to which each element is addressed will depend on the complexity of the aerodrome. Aerodromes may need to undertake a ‘gap analysis’ of their current safety management system to what changes may be needed to meet the new policy and improve their system. Certified aerodrome operators are required by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations to have a safety management system. Registered aerodromes are not required to have a safety management system but are encouraged to do so.

Read the aerodrome safety management system advisory.

All you need to know about passenger briefings

Most people outside aviation rarely fly in a light aircraft. That means it is very important to make sure passengers understand all aspects of safety before pilots take to the skies. CASA has a short video which is an ideal tool for pilots to use to ensure the key issues for passenger briefings in light aircraft operations are covered. The video covers pre-flight information, safety on the apron and what to explain once inside the aircraft. By following the tips in the video pilots can make sure their passengers are relaxed, safe and ready for an enjoyable flight. The video emphasises the pilot in command is responsible for the safety of passengers, which includes showing how to board and leave the aircraft safely. It is recommended pilots explain as much as possible about the aircraft to give passengers a clear understanding of how their flight will proceed.

View the passenger briefing video now.

Hi All

Suddenly thought...my old business cards have the wrong contact details on them and I need business cards for NatFly...Don't suppose there are any printers on the site who are going to NatFly that can print up some business cards for me...or even if you are in Melbourne and can get them to me before Wed mid afternoon?

Please let me know if you can help...thanks

That's a bummer OK...why not drive?

Thur looks like rain but Fri/Sat/Sun all look clear, sunny and low 20's

I noticed that after I posted my comment. That`s all I need.Save one for me I will be there on Friday.

Jeff

poterooThe 695 looks pretty good and a couple of hundred cheaper too.

Anyone got any guesstimates on what the weather will be for NatFly?

If it was a car he would have had it confiscated under hoon laws