Admin

My condolences to all family and friends. He was a very well known member of this site and he will be extremely missed by everyone here

Or one of these:

Hi All

I have just completed the upgrading of the site "Groups" section to the look and feel of the new site style and some other minor changes.

These are now called "User Groups" and they have been moved to a sub menu under the "Forums" main menu tab. This is because the User Groups are community orientated where you can basically have your own forum and members relating to any specific interest that you have...could even be lawnmowers or computers or a specific aircraft type not in the general forums or for you and your local flying club members...etc

When you create your "User Group" you select in which category you want it in:

• Flying Clubs/Schools
   
   
  
• Aircraft Type
   
   
  
• Web Site Chapters
   
   
  
• Special Interest
   
   
  

You can set your own logo, colour of the text of your group name and even set an image as your User Group Name. You set whether you want your User Group where anyone can join or other users have to submit a request to you to join or a user Group where you can only invite others to join.

Your User Group has its own threads and posts just like having your own forum that is specific to a subject, you can copy a forum thread to your User Group to discuss and more.

Wouldn't the ongoing problem be finding an insurer who will take on the RAA as a customer if the last insurer has to make a big pay out?

The findings by the NSW State Coroner were handed down in February 2009. What, if anything, has resulted from the coroner's recommendations. I'm not advocating any of the recommendations, just wanting to know if anything resulted from this affair.Pud

A five million payout would sink the organisation, wouldn't it?

If I was a board member at that specific time I would be "Out of there faster then a speeding bullet"

I could be wrong but last year RAA had $1M in the bank. There was a long overdue published financial report in the Sport Pilot.

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Or to do with the Sting accident:

http://www.recreationalflying.com/images/Smith and Guthrie Finding - Final.doc

Try resetting the device by sticking one end of a paper clip into the reset hole just above the SD card slot, there is a little button inside that hole, once you have clicked the button with the paper clip, the device should reboot.

Your year must be up Pud, you've just been demoted from First Class Member to Well-Known Member.I also reckon that anyone who gets a dollar's worth of enjoyment from this site per week, DONATE $50 per annum to keep this operational. However, there's a little problem, the SITE DONATATION button currently reroutes you to:

 

404

 

Page Not Found

 

The page you have requested cannot be found.

 

• Go back
   
   
  
• Go to the homepage
   
   
  

 

 

Ian, you may have to look into this and let us know when it is working again

Give me a ring Bill...it was setup to click the car icon (top left corner) to start the car navigation and click Favourites and then double click the OziExplorer icon to start OziExplorer...they are all setup that way and checked before leaving here...so please give me a ring and I will help sort you back out to default

I have completed the update of this site to the new styling and all seems to work well, I like the way your user Profile has come out and I have made it so we can soon give you some great options to have in the left column of your profile page, apart from the other users that you follow or that follow you.

All the extra components outside of the core forum software will now need to be tweaked for the new styling but the way the styling has been updated most of that should already carry through to the other sections like the Video Library, Photo gallery etc, all making the site far more efficient for you...this is the next area that I will update.

Hope you like the new unobtrusive look of the site which now tends to emphasise what is important more then to have everything fighting for your focus.

The styling changes have now been completed and can be seen at www.jackaroo.com.au - You will notice that here are many little insignificant changes so the impact is ever so small but they make the site look and feel cleaner to use. some of the little things are for example if you go to use a text field, the background of it turns light yellow so you are aware of what you are doing, the user block to the left of posts is remodelled to give it a more non-imposing look, the "breadcrumb" has been moved higher to just under the main menu, buttons have a more distinct highlight when hovering your mouse over them, the links in posts (edit, delete, report, like, reply etc now float to under the user's signature in posts no matter how long/short the post is, etc etc etc...there are hundreds of little changes. The big thing from my point of view is that more of the style definitions (i.e. color, font, size etc) are used throughout the site more which means a lot less number of different pieces of code are required to be loaded every time you go on to a page.

Have a look and I hope you like it...I will presume if no one comments that it is all ok by you and will implement it here on the live site

An example of just how small hundreds of the changes are, here is 4 of them:

1. The left border of the Home tab on the main menu currently shows...now fixed in the update

2. The 1st sub menu item (watched threads in this example) doesn't line up with the text "Home" of the 1st tab item of the menu

3. The breadcrumb is moved up higher to have the same spacing down as it has in from the side

4. The non-highlighted menu background is now a darker blue to get rid of the "washed or faded" look

So you can see there are many changes but I don't think they will really impact you in any real way

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

Rotax Piston Engines

2012-0097-E - Engine Fuel and Control - Fuel Pump Pressure Side Hose - Replacement

This, and other Airworthiness Directives can be viewed at:

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

Thanks Adam

Unfortunately all the errors are errors on the RAAus web site and have been like it for a very long time...there are many bugs and issues with the RAAus web site and the ADs and ANs page is just an example.

Anyway, I have gone through the ADs and ANs forum here which contains every RAAus released notice and marked every single one that the RAAus have not checked and thus causing their errors with a note saying "if you have an error with the link it is because the error is on the RAAus website", not this site. It's a real pity that it is like this as these are real safety issues and in my opinion deserve the focus on making sure that every single one of them is correct and working properly.

When ever an AD or AN is released I put a link on here within hours of them getting published so I can let you know about it for safety, it even comes up when you next log in and use the "What's New" so you are alerted to any new ADs or ANs as soon as possible.

Thanks for letting me, and everyone else know

You can see the "Work In Progress" of the site update using the current software at:

www.jackaroo.com.au

Comments are always needed...especially ones that will help with getting it right for you

thanks...that's all a site admin likes to hear from time to time to make it all worthwhile

80knots, the Donate button is in the right column of the main forums page

David and Pud, you can see some banner advertisers now also in the right column of the forums main page who support this site/resource for all Aircraft Pilots...their banners will appear in a few more areas with the update...we must really try and support these guys who are supporting this site. Their name will appear in a special box towards the top of the right column on the forums main page when they come on-line so start up a chat with them as they make this site, and its growth of features, possible for all

Whilst the software developers work out integration solutions, if they ever do, I am working on the update to the current software and if i can achieve what I want (what is organic in the other software) before they can solve the issues then naturally we will be staying with this one...there are pros and cons of both but there are some important elements that i want to achieve...Clubs/Schools tied in with their activities/events, better poll services, proper informative sections on specific topic areas like Aircraft, Articles, Pilot Resources, Community (Groups etc), Pilot Supplies (Classifieds, Product Reviews) etc

Sorry to burst any bubbles but I have been having a hell of a time integrating a lot of "stuff" with it so I have had to put that on hold till some solutions can be found...in the meantime I have been working on a little upgrade to the current software that should bring some of the above features to the current site but unfortunately not the "Drafts" or "Edit Post Notes" but it will make the site pull up less code when you view a page.

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May 2012

From the Director of Aviation Safety

John McCormick

Since 2008 a drug and alcohol management regulatory regime for Australian aviation has been in place. The development and implementation of the program was an important initiative to maintain and improve aviation safety by minimising the risks caused by people in safety sensitive positions being affected by alcohol or drugs while engaged in aviation activities. As many people would be aware, the program has two main elements – firstly the requirement for aviation organisations to have a drug and alcohol management plan and secondly a testing regime conducted by CASA. The drug and alcohol management plans are administered by aviation organisations and cover education, testing and rehabilitation where that is appropriate. Testing conducted under the plans includes situations such as pre-employment and after accidents or incidents. CASA has recognised that some of the drug and alcohol management plan requirements are onerous on smaller organisations and we will shortly be issuing an exemption for small organisations with not more than seven safety sensitive aviation activity employees. The exemption will mean these organisations will not need to have a drug and alcohol management plan, provided they formally adopt a special CASA drug and alcohol management program instead. This exemption will not apply to small aviation businesses engaged in or providing services to any regular public transport operation. More information about the exemption will shortly be placed on CASA’s website.

The testing regime conducted by CASA is usually random and may be conducted by CASA at any time. Anyone performing or available to perform a safety-sensitive aviation activity may be tested, including private and commercial pilots, flying instructors, cabin crew, ground and baggage handlers, air traffic controllers and maintenance personnel. In total CASA conducted more than 51,000 alcohol and drug tests between 2008 and March 2012. There were 29,197 alcohol and 22,448 drug tests carried out. During that time 45 people tested positive. While finding even one person affected by alcohol or drugs when operating in a safety sensitive position is concerning, it is heartening that the figures are very low. Clearly the vast majority of people in aviation understand their responsibility to be alcohol and drug free while at work, flying, on an aerodrome or in the workshop. Of those who tested positive, 18 were overturned on a medical review and infringement notices were issued or the matter was referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in the remaining cases. Please remember the alcohol limit is 0.02. Drug limits are in accordance with the Australian standard for oral fluid testing.

Best regards

John F McCormick

Time to speak up on fatigue management

The aviation industry is being urged to comment on a package of proposed changes to the rules covering fatigue management for Australian flight crew and air operators. Under the proposed rules there would be a graduated approach to fatigue regulation so air operators can use the most appropriate set of standards for their type of operations. Some air operators, such as those conducting aerial work, may elect to operate under a basic set of flight and duty time limitations. This would limit flight crew to no more than seven hours flight and eight hours duty in a day. Others engaged in more complex air operations may choose to work under a set of detailed flight and duty time limits that take into account factors such as acclimatisation to time zones, split duty, augmented crew and late night operations. These operators would have the flexibility needed for the demands of daily operations, such as passenger transport, while safely managing fatigue. Other operators such as large airlines would be required to implement an approved fatigue risk management system instead of meeting prescriptive requirements. A fatigue risk management system is a data driven system incorporating scientific principles and knowledge that identifies fatigue hazards and safety risks, as well as providing for continuous monitoring and improvement.

Under the proposed new rules the shared responsibilities of both air operators and flight crew in the management of fatigue risk are clearly defined. Flight crew would be required to use off duty periods to obtain enough sleep, to use in-flight rest appropriately and to disclose anything that may prevent them from meeting applicable fatigue risk management policies and limitations. Operators would be required to provide flight crew members with sufficient time away from work to enable restorative rest and sleep. The proposed standards were developed taking into account the need to improve the current rules, human performance limitations and International Civil Aviation Organization standards. If the proposed rules are adopted they would replace the current fatigue requirements set out in Civil Aviation Order Part 48 and the associated standard industry exemptions.

Comment on the fatigue management notice of proposed rule making, by 29 June 2012.

Tell us what you think about our newsletter

TWe want to hear from you about this newsletter. Attached to this month's edition of the CASA Briefing is a short survey to help us understand what you want from the newsletter. We're asking about how you rate the newsletter overall, how relevant the information is, as well as what you think of the layout, design and the length of articles. There are only five questions, so the survey will take you only a minute to complete. Please take that minute to send in your feedback. It will help us to improve the CASA Briefing to meet your aviation information needs. With more than 11,000 subscribers we know people read our newsletter and we need your views. If you have any comments beyond the scope of the survey please use the feedback link near the top of the right hand side box of this newsletter.

Please complete the CASA Briefing survey now.

Instrument power source warning

A warning has been issued to the operators of all single engine aircraft to check power sources comply with relevant regulatory requirements. CASA issued the warning to operators of single engine aircraft operating to instrument flight rules, as well as to those operating under night visual meteorological conditions. The warning relates to duplicated sources of power and separate and independent sources of power, which are required under the Civil Aviation Orders for particular equipment or aircraft systems. This includes attitude, heading and turn and slip indicators. The airworthiness bulletin says duplicated power sources, or a separate independent power source, in a single engine aircraft is difficult to achieve and demonstrate. Additional engine driven generators or vacuum pumps can be installed to comply with this requirement. An alternate acceptable method of compliance is to provide a separate emergency buss running directly from the battery to the instruments. Another alternative is to fit instruments with an internal battery sufficient to power them in an emergency. This requires additional maintenance to ensure the batteries work when required. CASA says aircraft should be checked to ensure an alternative power source is available and working. Aircraft that do not meet the regulatory requirements should no longer operate under instrument flight rules or night visual meteorological conditions.

Read the airworthiness bulletin in full.

Our best female trainees honoured

Two Queenslanders and a Victorian are officially the nation's top female trainee pilots. The three women pilot trainees were formally recognised at an awards ceremony during this year's Australian Women Pilots’ Association annual conference. The top female trainee is Sara Lang, who passed all seven air transport pilot licence subjects in 2011 with an overall average mark of above 90 per cent. In second place is Kathryn-Anne Gibney, who also passed all seven air transport pilot licence subjects during 2011. Kathryn-Anne achieved an overall average of 89.3 per cent. Third place getter is Kahlie Jensen who in one year commenced her theory exams for a private pilots licence and went on to complete the commercial pilot licence theory, achieving an average of 92 per cent. All three female trainees did not fail any exams. CASA sponsors the Sir Donald Anderson Awards, with $3000 going to the first prize winner, $2000 for second and $1000 for third. CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, John McCormick, presented the awards, saying the results were exceptional. The awards are based on exam results.

Find out more about the Australian Women Pilots' Association.

Closed runway markings under review

Markings used to indicate part of a runway is unserviceable are under review following an incident where a large aircraft attempted to land on a closed section of runway. The investigation into the 2008 incident by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the size of the markings used to show part of the runway was closed were inadequate. CASA has set up a project to better align Australia’s unserviceability runway markings with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. At present Australian standards allow for six metre and 36 metre unserviceability markings, while the ICAO standard is 36 metres. There is no provision for mandatory use of 36 metre markings when works are in progress for less than 30 days. In addition, permanent runway threshold markings are not required to be obscured when a threshold is temporarily displaced for a period of less than five days and less than 450 metres. The project is also looking at total aerodrome unserviceability and restricted operations signals. The main issue under review is the restricted operations (dumb bell) signals, where an aerodrome has an instrument runway and published straight-in approach procedure. For non-instrument approaches pilots can see a dumb bell when doing circuits, however, they are less likely to be visible during a straight-in approach.

Find out more about the runway markings and ground signals project.

Calling all Brisbane and Adelaide aircraft owners

Aircraft owners and maintainers in Brisbane and Adelaide should book a place now at an ageing aircraft seminar. These seminars, which are very important for anyone who owns or operates a general aviation aircraft, are being held in both cities in June 2012. At the seminars you will get details of CASA’s ageing aircraft project. Stage one of the project confirmed Australia does have an ageing aircraft problem, with the main concern being aircraft under 5700 kilograms. The average age of the piston engine fleet is 40 years and rising, with 7000 aircraft over this age. CASA has made it clear it fully supports the continued operation of these aircraft, as long as this can be done safely. In the second stage of the project CASA is implementing a range of actions to assist the owners, operators and maintainers of ageing aircraft to continue to operate their aircraft. This will include targeted education courses and information presentations for industry delegates, licensed engineers and aircraft owners and operators. Education will focus on the consequences of metal fatigue, corrosion damage and wiring issues. There will also be a focus on the safety, legal and financial implications of not addressing ageing aircraft issues.

Book for the 2 June Brisbane and the 16 June Adelaide seminars now.

Mt Isa and Emerald airspace reviews

Airspace studies at Mt Isa and Emerald have been completed. The Mt Isa study covered airspace above and within 20 nautical miles of the aerodrome, finding users are generally satisfied with the current airspace arrangements. Mt Isa airspace is class G from the ground to 18,000 feet, with common traffic advisory frequency requirements in place for the aerodrome. This requires pilots to make broadcasts on the Mt Isa frequency giving details of their operations. There are no air traffic control services or radar coverage. Mt Isa airspace users said there was some concern about frequency congestion at peak times, occasional confusion as to which instrument approach to use when multiple aircraft arrive and concerns that some visual flight rules pilots were not using their aircraft’s transponder. The study recommends addressing these issues, as well as reviewing the current airspace arrangements if total traffic increases by more than ten per cent or medium and heavy instrument flight rules operations increase by more than five per cent.

The Emerald airspace review also covered airspace within 20 nautical miles, which is class G. Pilots are required to make broadcasts on the common traffic advisory frequency. While no significant safety issues were identified, airspace users raised a range of matters. These include an incomplete understanding of position reporting by pilots operating to the visual flight rules, poor radio procedures and frequency congestion. The study found traffic movements at Emerald will continue to increase in frequency and complexity, that radio congestion sometimes occurs at peak times and further education of visual flight rules pilots on instrument approaches will improve situational awareness. It was recommended CASA continue to monitor traffic movements at Emerald every six months and pilot education on correct radio procedures and instrument flight rules issues be conducted.

Read the Mt Isa airspace study.

Read the Emerald airspace study.

Find out how to flight test in safety

Flight testing an experimental, new or modified aircraft presents many challenges for everyone involved. To help the aviation industry meet these challenges CASA has produced a new advisory publication covering flight test safety. The publication is essential reading for everyone involved in flight testing, from test pilots to aviation managers. It should be read in conjunction with the relevant Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. The advisory says flight testing can involve varying levels of risk, from no more than encountered in normal flight to situations where there are significant hazards. It warns some phases on test programs, such as evaluating stall handling or flutter characteristics, must be approached with extra caution. Information in the publication covers areas such as the resources needed for an efficient and safety conscious flight test and evaluation organisation, test planning principles and hazard analysis and risk management. There are also a number of ideas that may help during actual flight test operations. References to other relevant publications and web sites are included. The advisory warns people involved in flight testing not to allow perceived pressures to put safety at risk. It says financial and production deadlines must not interfere with safety.

Read the flight test safety advisory circular.

Pilots, get to a safety seminar near you!

Twelve safety seminars for pilots will be held in four states during June 2012. There will be AvSafety seminars in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. The seminars will focus on human factors in aviation and learning about aviation resources on the internet. Locations include major regional centres such as Wollongong, Bundaberg and Mildura, as well as remote locations such as William Creek and Marree. Moorabbin will host a seminar on 13 June 2012. During the session on human factors there will be an explanation of how an understanding of human performance is important to the safety of all aspects of flying. The discussion is specially designed for general aviation pilots and looks at areas such as fatigue, stress, alcohol and other drugs, decision making and airmanship. Pilots will be shown how to apply the knowledge of human factors in a practical way to everyday flying.

Find the AvSafety seminar near you.

That influence started pre-iron age when the Jutes and the Huns were mixing it with the Angles and Saxons before they crossed the Channel as I recall.Kaz

Hi Ian,Using an iPhone4s with iOS 5.0.1 tonight on the mobile site it has crashed Safari a couple of times.

 

Also, posts in threads don't appear to be numbered.

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

Rotax Piston Engines

2012-0093-E - Engine - Fuel and Control - Fuel Pump - Replacement

This, and other Airworthiness Directives can be viewed at:

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

A poll was done where only 22 people decided to vote one way or the other:

http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/urgent-poll.33606/

So if people don't vote or provide helpful comments then like the RAAus elections, you can't complain about what you get...that poll showed a 9% swing...besides you don't have to use the extra things but when you do then I will know it was worth it.

The current software was implemented for a reason, back when my health was a problem and I couldn't sustain the workload for YOU. however, the current software is extremely limited due to its infancy, the software itself is just over 1 year old. We had a similar problem about 7 years ago with the software we used then and the site only used that software for 12 months but throughout the site's life it has continually grown because of the actions that I have taken...just remember when the new update does eventually go live, if you find yourself looking in one of the other new areas, or voting in a weekly poll in the side column or etc etc, then would you do me a favour and just say thanks!