Admin

You're a fledgling Matt. I have 32 years in IT. The systems I started on took entire rooms, had no disks or monitors, and even the smallest of them (with a whole 16k of memory and in a 20 foot long bench) produced enough heat to dry my bike jacket on.We still got paper tape from the RAAF bases every night. Punch cards were a step up.

Guys, I hear ya - I have been working on something on the side for a while now when I get spare moments - but I don't want to say any more as owners of other forums come here and copy my ideas so I don't want to let the cat out until I have finished it but I will say...it will compliment us all and everything here and at Australian Flying...ALL pilots and has a "computer" component to it.

In the mean time I will ask my hardware supplier to put together a special bulk deal price on 3 types of PC setups that will all run MS Flight Sim as well. I won't add anything to it myself but if enough of you want a new updated PC then we may be able to get a really good price for bulk - it's at least worth a try just in case it helps any of you.

I will also soon start a "Tips" section for the forums as there is so much here plus so much more planned - an aviation newspaper, a separate aviation movies page, complete the menu items that are not yet done, plus many other things that are currently hushed up ;) (you watch I bet some other forums will suddenly have an aviation newspaper appear now).

Anyway you know me - anything you want, anything at all, just let me know and I will add it in here!

I just had a look at your settings palexxxx that you had set for yourself and you had the DST settings incorrectly set at DST always on. I changed it to "Automatically detect DST settings" for you so your time should be right now.

Oh, also I will be getting to my emails soon - sorry for the delay!

It is probably your Time Zone settings that are set incorrectly

1. click "User CP" on the main forum menu

2. click "Edit Options" on the left of the page that opens up

3. 3/4 down the page are your "Time Zone" settings - check they are right for your location

Please let me know if this is the problem - thanks!

A bit cruel!

[ATTACH]5548.vB[/ATTACH]

here is some good photography

I have had enough of technology! Just spent days getting my computer and internet going extremely fast but had to endue a lot of pain to get there. Some hints on what you may be able to do are below.

To start with I had a $650 Denon DVD player that broke down just out of warranty - the repairman said the cost to fix it wasn't worth it.

The kids $39 DVD player has been faultless for a longer period and suffering harder treatment

The TV set top box also just out of warranty jammed up - again not worth fixing - so went out and bought a new twin tuner hard disk recorder as the VCR was also playing up and didn't want to spend the $40 just to find out that it may also not be worth fixing.

The wife goes through a new hairdryer every year and at $99 I reckon it is cheaper to simply use a razor and shave your head

I have a $1,000 Seiko watch which may last 10 years - after 3 years the glass is already has scratches all over it and a battery that lasts 2 years costs about $40 to replace - do you know that I have to pay 5.5 cents every single day to power my watch - I also have to pay 27 cents every day to have my watch - total cost of watch is 32.5 cents every single day - looking up at the sun is cheaper i_dunno

have we ever stopped and calculated what our lives cost us per day - we would be horrified when we add it all up like the cost of our shoes, our clothes, the replacement of the lounge suite, the carpet we walk on, the cost of washing the bed sheets calculated out to a daily cost. Add every single thing up especially all the replacement costs of the things we don't think about and you would be shocked to know how much you really have to earn per day - you also start to think about things like buying a $10 throw away watch whose battery may only last a year - that's only 2.7 cents a day

Anyway, my internet has been causing me grief over the last 3 to 4 months. I am on Optus cable and have been since it first came in 10 years ago (did you know I have spent over $7,500 on internet access in 10 years ). Then the other day my 19" LCD monitor started playing up (2 years old) - it wouldn't come on if I rebooted but would after letting it have a nice little rest for 30mins or so. It was alright when I turned it on in the morning and left it on all day

I have had enough of technology so I went all out and spat the dummy. I went and bought a 22" Samsung wide screen monitor ($350 over say 2 years life - by experience - 48 cents a day :yuk:). Complained to Optus - I mean really complained but luckily I knew enough not to be flogged off by the rubbish the help desk guy was telling me and asked for a line technician to call me back. When the techo phoned me I asked him to do certain tests of loading, packets etc. The next day he called and said WOW, you do have a problem, we will send a technician out. He came yesterday, went up the pole and replaced a gadget - he said they only have a limited life - well SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE.

In the mean time I completely trashed my PC - wiped the hard disk completely clean with a re-format and did a complete clean fresh reinstall of windows and everything else. I normally do this every 6 months or so which was due at Christmas time but didn't have the time. It gets everything cleaned up and working at it's peak.

WOW, WHAT A DIFFERENCE - the internet is like browsing my own hard disk - I'm talking milliseconds for a page to come up - getting consistent speeds of around 800k to 900k a second - a web page may only be around 50k to 100k (disclaimer on that statement). The huge screen, the completely clean computer and a heavy complaint to Optus has left me with a big :big_grin:

When was the last time you did a clean install on your PC?

Now I will be busy today working out the cost of flying - hmmm, cost of car to drive to airfield, replacement cost of fuel drums, daily cost of ERSA and Maps - anyone have a humpy on the bank of a nice clear water creek, some dirt for a vegie garden and some wild animals running through the forest for a Sunday roast

:big_grin: :big_grin: :big_grin:

Dave, I know that Floods have it but I will check my source tomorrow to find out who sent him the information about the oil and try and get a list of sources for it

Hi Nick

Glad to hear you are coming back into things - hope all is well with you now after last year?

Just out of curiosity - when you asked the members in your area about the RA-Aus setting up forums, were they aware of these ones?

Time then to begin the competition for April. To win the next three editions of Australian Flying magazine for absolutely FREE, simply post your pictures or stories in this thread. The best of Aussie luck to you.

Oh, also don't forget a Caption for your image and just say if you also have another copy of the image that is:

• jpg format
   
   
  
• at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) at a usable size (say 6" x 4" or around 16 x 10 cms)
   
   
  
• and if to be considered as a cover pic - in vertical format
   
   
  
• aircraft(s) identified in caption
   
  

So if you win, your picture could go into Australian Flying magazine.

This should be a big month for flying, so get snapping and get the pictures into this thread for your chance to win.

AND a HUGE thanks to Australian Flying for supporting this great competition

Try contacting Shell as you may get a supplier more local and cheaper but at a last resort Bert Flood has it

[ATTACH]5521.vB[/ATTACH]

AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is the first oil specifically developed for light sport aviation piston engines such as the ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series. A mixture of low cylinder head temperature (compared to air cooled engines), low oil consumption and the engine internals requires a blend of high quality hydrocarbon base stocks, incorporating synthetic technology which allows full performance with different fuel types. This oil can be used in all climates.

Technical Data Sheet

Typical Physical Characteristics

10W - 40

SAE Viscosity grade 10W - 40

Kinematic Viscosity ASTM D 445

at 40°C mm2/s 94.2

at 100°C mm2/s 14.46

Viscosity Index ISO 2909 159

Density at 15°C kg/m3 ASTM D 4052 871

Flash Point COC °C ISO 2592 228

Pour Point °C ISO 3016 -33

Specifications

Meets or exceeds highest international specifications:

API SL

JASO MA

VW 502 00

Fully approved – all ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series engines, ROTAX ® Service Instruction SI-912-016/SI-914-019 ‘Selection of suitable operating fluids for ROTAX ® engine type 912 & 914 (series).

Please consult Operating Handbook/Manual to confirm the correct lubricant specification before use.

Applications

AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is intended for use in four-stroke aircraft piston engines which are of an original automotive design and therefore cannot use traditional Ashless Dispersant aircraft engine oil types. These engines include carburettor, fuel-injected and turbocharged types such as the ROTAX ® 912 & 914 series.

AeroShell Sport Plus 4 is to be used in integrated gearbox and wet clutch systems.

AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 can be used in engines which operate on both unleaded and Avgas 100LL. Correct type of additives and good solvent properties allow the oil to handle lead by-products, which can form a semi solid sludge in the oil, which in turn, can restrict oil passages and compromise lubrication. AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 is superior in this respect to those oil types designed for automotive/motorcycle application.

Please refer to Operators Handbook/Manual for the correct oil drain interval when operating on different fuels.

Features and Benefits

First specific oil for Light Sport and Very Light/Ultra light aircraft engines

Promotes engine cleanliness

Helps keep engines sludge and varnish free

Helps reduce oil consumption

Helps engines reach TBO (Time Between Overhaul)

Protects highly stressed engines parts against scuffing and wear

Anti-foaming additives to maximise lubrication effectiveness – especially for those engines operating an integrated gearbox

Better cold flow characteristics for easier starts and quicker protection

High thermal stability for longer-lasting and safer lubrication

Can be used in any climate

Advanced anti-rust and anti-wear package

Do not use AeroShell Oil Sport Plus 4 in engines that are designed to use Ashless Dispersant aviation piston engines oils such as AeroShell W oils. This includes aircooled Teledyne Continental Motors, Textron Lycoming and Jabiru engines.

How To Create Your Blog

Hi All

Just thought I would clarify how you can create your Blog.

1. Go to the Blogs by clicking "Blogs" in the menu bar

2. On the left of the Blogs page that opens up is a box titled "Options"

3. Click on "Post to your Blog" - a page opens for you to create your first post in your Blog

4. Click the Post Now button just below the smilies

5. That's it! - your Blog is created

Also in that Options box is "Blog Control Panel" where you can set your options. When you click on your Blog control panel the Options box changes to your Blog Control Panel Options. In this box you can create categories for your blog, your Blog Title and description and more.

When you click on the "Your Blog" in the Options box your Blog will open and the web address that is shown in your browser address bar is the web address that you use to tell your friends the address of your blog

I hope this helps

RAAF Hercules transports 240kg patient

Queensland Health says it was forced to charter an RAAF Hercules to take a 240 kilogram patient from Mt Isa to Townsville on the weekend.

However the Rural Doctors Association says other - less expensive - options should have been considered.

Association state president John Hall says he hopes Queensland Health does not make a habit of using expensive aircraft to transport patients.

"They do have access to some LandCruiser-type ambulances that do four-wheel drive retrieval work, which may have been able to take that pay load," he said.

"Again, it would be a concern if this was a trend where by we were outsourcing to Defence on a regular basis."

Like most things I believe we will go full circle and end up back with segregation - the "ultralights" and the plastic fantastic and up.

However, I feel we need to go through this "combined" stage before that full circle can occur. If we get 750kg and then say in 10 years it may be 1,000kg and then it may become segregated to 1,000kg assuming MTOW is the driver. If speed is then 100kts - a more likely scenario for ease of differentiation of rules in my opinion.

It is great that whilst this is all happening aircraft across the board are developing in both potential categories as the current rules have allowed this

This I believe is all to do with evolving and it will take time but again and in just my opinion, we need to get to that crises point before this may happen

Other thoughts?

John, I know I did say that I wouldn't further comment but as you have brought into the conversation statements about me personally I feel I should respond.

Firstly, let me say I hate balloons ;) and re my new aircraft - it can always be done through the SAAA but as you have pointed out and to which I confirm whole heartedly, I support the RA-Aus and as seen over the years there may be times that I disagree with the board, as we all do from time to time, but the Board is ONLY a small part of the RA-Aus.

I firmly believe it is the 8,500+ members that make the RA-Aus what it is, not the board, . I will always (subject to me obeying the rules) be able to go and get in my Gazelle and just go and fly and this is what the association is all about and what most of us just want to do. The board will never change that as that would infringe on why we exist in the first place so really the board is relatively minor in the scheme of things. Irrespective of what aircraft I have I also have on my wish list to learn to fly a trike and a thruster - again this is what the association is all about and what I hold dear to me.

If any of the scenarios that you have pointed to about my feelings/actions towards RA-Aus ever did occur, which is highly unlikely, the RA-Aus always does have the option of starting their own forums at that time, and they would have not lost anything but rather gained by it all for that duration.

What is being offered to the RA-Aus completely FREE is such a huge range of communication tools and RA-Aus sociality (as in the meaning of the word "Association"). Anything can be achieved within reason to suit the RA-Aus needs without any cost, without any time requirements by anyone else.

For example if you look at the TOSG website (http://www.thrustersupport.org) there is a menu item there that says "Forums" just like what could be done on the RA-Aus website. Clicking on that menu item opens up just the Thruster forums and there is a link at the top of them to click to go back to the TOSG website. TOSG utilise all the infrastructure and functionality here, at no cost, for a dedicated Thruster group of forums and so to can the RA-Aus. The fantastic group of moderators here can continue to moderate an RA-Aus section or an RA-Aus person can moderate it themselves. All the security is in place, forums can be locked to password only, they can be set for title viewing only but post reading only to RA-Aus members, there are so many combinations that can be configured to suit the RA-Aus's needs. All the regular software updates are done for you, the hosting is free (forums require a high amount of resources in disk space, ram etc) and everything overall is maintained without RA-Aus having to lift a finger or cost them, and the members, a single cent.

Imagine the RA-Aus having available to them for free, absolutely for free, the ability to conduct secure Instructor forums to instructors all around Australia by video and speech without any of them leaving their home or requiring anything other then a speaker on their PC. Imagine the RA-Aus having available to them for free the ability to conduct surveys by using the survey software here. Imagine the RA-Aus being able for free to hold informative interactive discussions on possible RA-Aus policy change using the Video Chat Room. Imagine the RA-Aus being also able to again for free use the disk space and traffic to distribute documents such as the new Ops Manual to members who have a PC and internet connection by using the Downloads software here - it even tells you who downloaded a copy for your records. There is so much being offered to the RA-Aus all completely free enabling members money to be used for bigger and better things yet I just can't seem to understand nor have I been given any specific reason why the RA-Aus don't capitalise on this offering.

Are you aware that an independent 3rd party's opinion on setting up an RA-Aus forum was sought and the report they received back was advising AGAINST setting up your own forum, so why was that advice ignored? We also need to consider the political reasoning of this initiative - are you aware that I will be standing for the Board at this year's election? Last time I could have used these forums as a means of sending out an email to all Victorian members to vote for me, unlike others who used their database to do that I didn't as that would be an improper use of these forums for political gain. Is it possible that there are some people who are scared of these forums no matter how much common decency I may have.

I feel we need to look just at the objective that is trying to be achieved then to play any political games - there is a far better offer on the table - for the future sake of the "Association" and its members.

With ALL due respect!

Mate - the blogs don't have to be about Aviation - they can be about anything (within reason ;)) - they are your blogs and you make them what you want - you can have different categories like one about your car, one about your family, one about your work - anything!

I will stay out of this and let you all make your comments however I will say and without any further comment by myself, that I would strongly support the RA-Aus if they and these forums could come closer together. :big_grin: Information distribution on the Internet is offcourse only available to those with the internet so only a % of the membership would hear about it anyway and any announcement that the RA-Aus would place on their forums would be placed here as well as I being a member of the organisation would have the right to do to advise every other RA-Aus member in any way I can so in my opinion it could just end up a waste of money and time and I know how much money and time it takes to run forums like this. PLUS, we have here the News Box at the top of the forums home page which I have used to announce RA-Aus news items and which anyone can read - you don't have to be a forum member, you don't need to have anything to do with these forums, but if someone wishes to comment on the news item then they will need to register, pretty well as much the same as you would have to, I assume due to moderation, with the RA-Aus one. I could very easily just change the news box to a heading of RA-Aus News and that could assist them. I vigorously support most of the Board Members as they are devoting their time to represent the members in their area much the same as I do here although for ALL RA-Aus members Australia wide and if the RA-Aus and these forums could come closer together then perhaps I wouldn't need to stand for Victoria in the next Board Elections

Our sister site Australian Flying which is dedicated to helping GA Pilots has the AOPA Board fully supporting it and I am discussing the same with the SAAA. The Australian Flying Magazine is also supporting it. Their support is in no way financial or any other way nor have I asked for anything in return - just simply saying they support the good that the site will do for pilots and after all isn't that what is trying to be achieved here.

I would love to have a box on the left of the forums saying..."Supported by the RA-Aus...Become a member today!"

When coming in on final with a bit of crosswind we have two options - to either keep the aircraft straight by dropping a wing or to crab her in. The technique we individually use I think...could be related to the way we are taught i.e. our instructors preference, but what are the pros and cons of either technique?

I mean we have seen a lot of landing videos and we see some dropping a wing and landing on one wheel and then we see some crabbing in and then kinking her around to land straight. Is your decision at the time dependent on aircraft type or the wind condition at the time?

All the flying test performances will be placed on the Master's website very soon - email I have received from Luisa advises that she is getting it all together plus ordering etc information and placing it all on their website some time in the next 2 weeks - hope that helps!

Be kind - that really is Caitlin and she now has a link on her desktop to the forums - my nickname for her is "Beaut" (pronounced boot) - short for Beautiful so beaut ask away on anything you don't understand and everyone here I am sure will help you to learn all about the weather :big_grin:

Thanks Matt - I will sit Caitlin down in front of her PC now and let her go for it!

I got stumped yesterday so I am asking for the help from all parents out there.

My 10yo daughter asked me during the wind gusts yesterday "Daddy, what makes wind?".

I thought quickly and realised that my 10yo daughter isn't going to be able to understand about air pressure, weather charts etc etc etc so I said the first thing that popped into my mind that I thought Caitlin could relate to...like thunder is when clouds bump into each other...'When God runs around the earth he gets puffed out so that is what wind is" . Unfortunately my little girl is growing up...Caitlin looked at me and said, "No Daddy, really what makes wind?". (- no comments please about onions etc)

I had pressing matters at the time so I just simply said..."I don't really know".

Now, how good is it being a parent?...my daughter then replied with "But Daddeeee, you know everything"...what can you say to that?

So, I am asking for your help in How can I explain what wind is in a way that a 10yo would understand? :confused:

Power finally came back on at 6:30 this morning :big_grin:

Darn power is still off, laptop battery went flat, running the generator now - at least we still have gas for the caffeine . Went out to get petrol for the generator and heard on the news that we were getting 120km gusts - would make good cross wind training - not.

Anyway I hope everyone in Melbourne have come through ok with no damage to loved ones or posessions - the streets here in Watsonia look like a tornado has gone through