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nomadpete

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Everything posted by nomadpete

  1. nomadpete
    So, Bluey, was the flash at the instant of putting the nozzle into the fuel tank opening? Or was it after the fuel started flowing?
  2. nomadpete
    Just to add to this very valid discussion... I have heard of two instances of fuel ignitiion whilst refuelling - as retold by witnesses. These were whilst refilling boat tanks but that really doesn't matter. The common factors were: 1. low humidity. 2. both persons were wearing their spray jackets. In each case the ignition happened during the fuelling, not at the moment of putting nozzle to tank. At the time the blame was put on the static from synthetic spray jackets. This suggests that ignition was caused by something that occurred after the nozzle contacted the tank. So the usual suspects were already at the same potential. It is all very well to provide a leakage path between airframe - ground - jerrycan - body. But it is equally important to avoid creating static on your insulating garments. I like the idea of wiping a plastic tank with a damp rag, while your other hand is in contact with the airframe. Bluey, were you wearing a synthetic jacket?
  3. nomadpete
    Way back when we worked with electronic components, we used to go to great lengths to prevent static discharge from destroying integrated circuits. Simply walking across the room was enough to create thousands of volts of static. Ideally one should bond all mobile metal parts to a common potential. Planet - Airframe - funnel - jerrycan and spout, prior to opening any caps. Note that although your Mr Funnel is plastic, I believe that it is carbon impregnated to make it mildly conductive. So your crocodile clip (we don't have alligators in Australia) should successfully 'earth' it. What worries me though, is whether those ever popular plastic jerry cans are conductive. Almost certainly the yellow plastic nozzle won't be conductive, and this could bring about the static spark problem. Now I'll have to get the multimeter out and go looking for some facts. A resistance of some megohms is enough to discharge static.
  4. nomadpete
    Wow, it's nice to see some open communication (even though it was not from our board). I liked my email about the insurance. It answered some questions that were lurking in the back of my mind. Pete
  5. nomadpete
    Briefly, RAAus have achieved: "An affordable safe way to fly for recreation" Now, haven't I seen that statement somewhere else? Also, the RAAus standards of training have improved greatly over the years. Pete
  6. nomadpete
    Specifically, I did say: "ability to operate successfully within the framework of the organisation," In my opinion, that covers what you are saying.... If the tech manager is unable to operate successfully within the framework of the organisation, that definitely includes the possibility of him being (for instance) hamstrung by the board. I am just pointing out that there are multiple factors that must be allowed for when selecting a man (or woman) for the job. Did you consider the possibility that maybe I was hinting that the board could benefit from making changes to the framework in order to keep staff? From what I have heard, there are changes happening to the framework surrounding recruitment. So I am confident that things are improving. Positive that RAAus is working to overcome the problem Pete
  7. nomadpete
    Turbs, With all due respect I was not in any way denigrating anybody. I did, in fact say as much in my post. I was suggesting that there has historically been a mismatch between our needs (regarding the role fulfilled by the tech Manager) and the combination of technical skills, knowledge, ability to operate successfully within the framework of the organisation, etc... presented by each successive person who has been a tech manager. Otherwise, there would not be a turnover of staff in this job. We have had (unfortunately) many good people put a lot of effort into the job. But we still can't keep a tech manager for very long, can we? Why is that? How do we overcome the problem? Pete
  8. nomadpete
    My biggest concerns about the "New Tech Manager Search" are: 1. Is anything being done within RAAus to target qualified and suitable persons for such positions? (to avoid a repeat of the high turnover problem) 2. Is anybody writing up a comprehensive list of KPI's for the position? (to ensure they know what is expected of them, and for us to know if they are performing as required) 3. Is there a proper job description, with a detailed list of duties / accountabilities? (so they know what is expected of them) The above are essential for an incoming person to be able to do the job, for RAAus to be able to see that they are doing the job (these days everything must be measurable), for overload of work to be identified in order to provide support when needed, and in the event of any shortfall of performance, for some control and if need be, a clean termination of services if necessary. Please note I am looking forward, not backwards. I am not suggesting anything about any particular person in our past, but unless all job details are laid out clearly at the recruiting time, sooner or later there will be problems. Anyway, I recently raised these concerns with a local rep, and I am happy to say that I am now reassured that the above steps are under way. That is a big step in the right direction. Pete
  9. nomadpete
    I retract my comment about why we lost our Techman. In the absence of direct information, I was alluding to a previous post by someone else. Suffice to say "We lost our Techman." No offence was intended to anybody. Particularly Wayne. I appreciate the sincere effort that he put in to a very difficult and complex job. Apart from that, nobody seemed to agree or disagree with the rest of my post?
  10. nomadpete
    Profound. Very profound.
  11. nomadpete
    What is all the fuss? We lost our TM due to unsuitable qualifications (or something like that) which could have caused liability issues if anything went wrong. RAAus requires a TM in order to operate. We have a GM who is following 'Due process' and has announced that he intends to advertise for a new TM. We have a capable temporary TM until that time. That seems to be a reasonable process that will ensure transparent appointment of a new permanent TM. Yes, we obviously need to have more resources for the job, but that is another issue, and hopefully the board are taking steps in that direction.
  12. nomadpete
    Some time ago, I was told of a 6 seat WIG that (about 10 - 12 yrs ago) was doing promotional 'flights' on Port Phillip Bay (I think) at the same time of the F1 racing. The operator was trying to raise interest / backing to bring the machine to market. From the description, it could well have been the Cairns WIG.
  13. nomadpete
    There is a kit in the US for a single seat WIG which uses hovercraft method to get up off the water, then uses stubby winglets to 'fly' up to a metre off the surface. Looks like a fantastic fun device but would need a lot of space to play with it. (Google 'hoverwing')
  14. nomadpete
    Welcome to our new age of clear and transparent communication..... (wearing my sarcasm hat)
  15. nomadpete
    analyse that, Bandit....
  16. nomadpete
    KG, Have you offered your audit process experience to our Board? I'm sure they need some guidance in developing this area.
  17. nomadpete
    Wow ! Don't forget that our defence forces also practice low level ground following flight. Hope never to be a bug on their windshield.
  18. nomadpete
    Well I am sorry. I did not expect so many folk to fire up so easily from my Rotax remark. I do not personally take sides on the engine preference debate. I believe that all power plants work reliably if you look after their particular care and feeding requirements. Anyway, Ollie also sometimes employs Subaru power plants (is there a Subaru bashing group too?) and if this A/C had a belt reduction, the failure of that could account for all prop blades broken if it was freewheeling, or maybe it was a partial loss of power. All just speculation but the curiosity is stirred up and it would be great if we could get a definitive explanation (unbiased and without prejudice or blame) Obviously a nice strong airframe, that and the fact that the U/C leg gave way surely contributed to the wellbeing of the occupants.
  19. nomadpete
    Oh.... I hope this doesn't start another Rotax bashing spree by certain biased individuals
  20. nomadpete
    How to Tell the Sex of a Fly This is the cleanest E-mail joke I've come across in a long while! A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter 'What are you doing?' She asked. 'Hunting Flies' He responded. 'Oh. ! Killing any?' She asked. 'Yep, 3 males, 2 Females,' he replied. Intrigued, she asked. 'How can you tell them apart?' He responded, '3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone.'
  21. nomadpete
    T That is matter of apinion.
  22. nomadpete
    So now you're only looking at the pictures?
  23. nomadpete
    There seems to be a shortage of research into the problems caused by various fuel additives ( or other petroleum component chemicals). After my GRP fuel tanks in my Lightwing developed pinhole leaks I did some web crawling and found this informative link: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp I had been using 98 RON but I suspect that I my have settled for a brand of 95 that has Ethanol in it. Although the article is from a boat magazine, it seems that they have actually done some research. It is important to read right through the article because it starts with a talk about polyester resins (which are not generally used a lot in aircraft). Further down the article refers to a test done with "Ethanol resistant" Epoxy. The test showed that it lost a significant amount of its strength after only a short period of immersion in E10 petrol. Even if you avoid Ethanol contaminated petrol, there are almost certainly other potential problems lurking in the fuels also. Worth a read just to become aware of some problems. Peter T
  24. nomadpete
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A couple were lying in bed together on the morning of their tenth wedding anniversary when the wife says, 'Darling, as this is such a special occasion, I think that it is time I made a confession: Before we were married I was a hooker for eight years.' The husband ponders for a moment and then looks into his wife's eyes and says, 'My love, you have been a perfect wife for ten years! I cannot hold your past against you, maybe you could show me a few tricks of the trade and spice up our sex life a bit?' She said, 'I don't think you understand, my name was Brian and I played rugby for Wales . . .....'
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  25. nomadpete
    And RAAus also moves in mysterious ways... But not in very god-like ways!
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