skippydiesel

I used road rated (to 120kph) small (similar to a wheelbarrow) trailer tyres (& tubes to suit) on my ATEC Zephyr. From memory, they were 6 or 8 ply, road tread and I inflated to 25 psi. Fraction of aircraft tyre price, did the job without any issues.😈

ROTAX 912 SPARK PLUG CAPS It would seem that NKG is no longer supplying spark plug caps NGK Vd05FMH stock number 8425. Alternatives are few. So far have only found the following, available from motorcycle parts suppliers, that appear to meet the Rotax specifications; K&S PN 10-422MH Whites PN WPC 014 😈

Got the Bluetooth headset adapter yesterday pm . Will charge & plug in over the next day or so. If all OK, will apply for the AvTraffic 4 month trial. Will let you know the good & bad (if any)😈

RAA is great! It has facilitated my ingoing flying activities & small aircraft ownership - not sure this would have happened, had I stayed with GA. Being a long time supporter of RAA, does not prevent me from expressing my disappointment, in their supposedly premier event, the 2025 , Fly'N For Fun, Parkes & fear for the standard of the future 2026 event. I recognise that an event of this kind must present some challenges for RAA; Their staff are trained in/focused on, matters aviation. Taking valuable staff/work hours away from "core" business, may not site well with RAA staff & management, limiting enthusiasm for and time available for event planning & management. Organising & budgeting for an outdoor event, subject to the vagaries of weather, (minimal to overcrowded patronage) is at best a financially terrifying exercise. Parkes is almost 300 kilometres from Canberra, their home office. The distance may present logistical & communication difficulties. Working with volunteer organisation (those providing services at the event) is often problematic. Staff availability and competence can vary wildly and with it service standards. Holding an event of this kind, on a Security Controlled Airfield (ASIC), likly has non negotiable regulations, not present on non ASIC airfields. This rigidity likly has a negative impact on the "open" atmosphere of non ASIC fields. Aircraft arrival/departure marshalling - A safety & efficiency service . Can only be staffed by ASIC holders, at an ASIC field. Providers must have basic training in aircraft movement signaling. Parking area must have some form of recognisable parking lay out. Setting up & manning a UNICOM - This is basic safety system is a must for ALL fly-ins. Staffing with competent controllers may be difficult. Random thoughts; 1. Event Management; RAA membership is a potentially great resource for finding/using existing skills in this area. 2. No suggestions. This is challenge faced by all managers of outdoor events. Inevitably there will be a weather related financial "wash out" as well as the possibility of a much larger crowd than planed for. Free Pre booking helps with the latter (payment on the day for late comers). 3 &4. Planning, Preparation & Staffing on event days: Again RAA members may be able to fill this gap - Many would jump at the chance of a bit of FIFO (own aircraft) for the cost of landing fees, bed & a few meals. 5. Move the event to a non ASIC field - Consider having event in a diffrent State each year or so. This action alone would likly "solve" many of the existing issues. 6 & 7. Call out to the RAA membership. Sufficient numbers must be recruited so that short shifts (each overseen by an experienced supervisor) can be applied at peak arrival/departure aircraft movement times. 😈

It wasn't an "attempt" - its a unambiguous statement, of how you come across to me. Nothing rude about it at all. As for Parkes 2026 - If you get there, I hope for you and all other attendees, it is everything you might hope for. For me to attend, I would have to be assured that the majority of disappointments, that I experince 2025, had been addressed - only a masochist continues to place himself in an uncomfortable and unsafe, environment. I am told that the past events, at Narromine/Temora, were managed by two particularly enthusiastic (talented?) RAA employees, now no longer with the organisation - what a pity. I am disappointed that my fellow pilots would seem to be so accepting of a second rate event, so diffrent from those of the past.😈

Hi BrendAn, Even though I feel a bit of an idiot, felt it's important to post my concerns in this matter - may help another Forum member.😈

Hi Neil_S, My commentary on the Parkes event was not a single point. The statement & Q, "why Parkes ?" is but one, is both rhetorical and actual ie Parkes is such a bad choice and why did anyone choose it? What of the other half dozen?? "....this is a forum where matters can be aired, but as none of us had anything to do with the organisation" If you: attended 2024/25, you most certainly had something to do with it. attend 2026, you are, in effect, making a statement of support/approval for the proceeding management. Little, if any change will result. choose not to attend, you are making a democratic statement, that may, if sufficient numbers do likewise (boycott), lead to a change of venue & how its organised. It is clear that RAA have gone ahead with the Parkes venue, despite significant feed back, suggesting this may not be to the liking of a number (?) of members. What organisational changes they make or not, will only be known after the 2026 event (don't hold your breath). To the best of my knowledge, the promotion of the 2026 event has been in RAA eMail contact & Sport Pilot article - there were no organisational / management changes flagged. In fact you would think that 2025 was such an outstanding success, they will be following the same format. Spoken (video) & in print , suggests the public have & will be able to wonder through the flight line (parked aircraft) talking to the pilot/owners - I wish this was true, as it was for Temora/Narromine. Unfortunatly ASIC has not & will not, permit this and even if it did, the parked aircraft are some 200 ++m from the centre of the event, behind hangers, security fence & trees -, hardly accessible. "So let us know why when you contact the organiser..." Ah! the defence of the fence sitter. Tell you what, I have (at 2025 Holbrook) made my concerns known to the RAA rep of the day. I am willing to go further, put it all in writing IF you commit to do likewise 🤣. 😈

I hope I am not being alarmist or offending a possible private supplier. I placed a "WANTED" advertisement this Forums . After 30+ days, I received a Personal Communication from Mikearthur002 (supposedly from Oregon USA) saying he had the part for sale. "Still interested in purchasing the tail wheel? i have one for sale" I answered yes & asked for details, photo, asking price, etc 7 day later, I received aswears from someone calling themselves Rex. Negotiations proceeded, price arrived at, etc The price, considering condition of part (new) and its delivery from the USA (high shipping costs) was good . Rex then asked me to pay via PayPal to his daughters account "....send payment as family and friends, this will enable me get quick access to funds in order to process shipping. After payment is made kindly send a copy of payment slip." I started to get "cold feet" - asked internet savvy, young members of family - they thought dodgy. Younger family member did an internet search and found Mikearthur/Rex to be selling, internationally, a range of unrelated items, through various forums. Concerned, I asked Rex the following questions: Your name is Rex however your pen name is Mikearthur 002 (Mike Arthur?) – What’s the story? How did you come by the API tail wheel you are offering for sale? Please take a photo of the wheel ,with your handwritten email address and date. You want me to transfer funds to your daughter – not you ????? Payment as “family and friends” offers me no protection through PayPal.??? After payment I am to send you a “payment slip” - why not your daughter? You have zero activity on the Recreational Pilots Forum – how come? 8 days latter, no response 😈

My landings are inconsistent. Going from "have I actually landed" to that was so bad, I had better check for damage. I thought I was the only one, that is until I saw this video of just how bad a professional pilot can be;😈

Hi Neil_S Pleases quote where I have been "rude and insulting as always". If unable to do so, please retract this personalised sweeping statement. "negative" Yes! absolutly about the location of this event and the failings that I observed/experienced. "Like everyone else I think the ASIC is a money-grab and totally useless" I do not disagree however you digress, this is not about ASIC per say - its about a badly organised/run event, that is in large part due, not exclusively so, to the ASIC regulation's. If for moment we imagine Parkes without ASIC: Its geographic, central NSW location is attractive for visitors from the eastern States. The local itself, due to airfield lay out, is still inferior to both Temora & Narromine. There are likely other locations should Narromine /Temora not be available. (The lay out is exacerbated by the ASIC requirements) "I assume the organisers had their reasons for choosing Parkes" - staggeringly obvious statement BUT what might these reasons be, that resulted in what is surely a much less desirable local, than the two former event locations, much more successful in attendance & ambiance . "why don't you organise it yourself " Sure, Give me a workable budget and I will deliver. You seem to be very accepting of the pitiful performance of the organising RAA salaried professionals, with a budget allocation, compared with the superior events, which small voluntary clubs seem able to deliver - why is that? "I had NO PROBLEM with the food. Describing it as awful is just insulting." Food appreciation is a personal matter. When I pay for something, my expectations are significantly higher than when its "free" I found the food (poor quality) & service (very long queue fora lunch) to be unacceptable. You clearly you do not, good-on-yah! By the time I got to the food, I had been at Parkes about 2-3 hrs and had already formed a negative opinion/state of mind, of the event, for all the aforementioned reasons . "I think UNICOM would have improved the event" .. "Improved" ???? - Maaate! A basic safety matter. Tiny club fly-ins can deliver on this, why cant the professional RAA?? "Sport Pilot......." You digress again. My mention of SP was to slam the article(s) within, about the supposed outstanding success of the Parkes event. If you want me to answer the rest of your SP comments, raise it in an SP specific thread. "So instead of asking US" - I stand to be corrected, is this not a forum where aviation matters/concerns, can be aired & support elicited? May not opinions, aired in this forum, not filter down to the ears of RAA staff? "....let's hear what reply you got when you asked the organisers...." True! I have not approached RAA directly, on this particular matter. Past experience does nor auger well, should I do so. I will think about it.😈

"I have an ASIC, so that side of things was not an issue for me. " In your nice little individual comfort zone, you seem to have completely missed the points I tried to make. THIS EVENT SHOULD NOT BE HELD AT A SECURITY CONTROLLED AIRPORT. From this brain dead decision, flows many of the points I raised; Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft. Public have no access to the flight line. Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. "...the food was what I expected at this sort of event. " Yea Gads!! - Why should anyone settle for awful food, at any event, let alone RAA's signature annual one???? I don't expect Le Cordon Bleu - good quality plain cooking, will do me just fine. Check out how the volunteers at Clifton/Holbrook Fly-In's look after their visitors. 2025 was my second & successful attempt, at attending the Parkes Fly-In - I had intended to stay over, on the Saturday night, but cut short my visit and flew back home. I was astonished at how badly it was run & awkward/isolating the ASIC requirements made, of what should be an inclusive event. The lack of a UNICOM & departing aircraft marshals, was the "icing on the cake of disappointment". The articles put out by RAA/Sport Pilot on the success of this pitiful event, are far worse than just "Gilding the Lilly" marketing spin, they are very close to terminological inexactitudes. I ask again, what was the problem with holding this event at Narromine/Temora/ or some other better suited (non ASIC) field???😈

Since when did you have to "surrendering his pilots license"?? Subject to not misbehaving, to the extent that my license is actual taken from me, I expect to depart this mortal coil, some time in the distant future, as a licensed (not current) pilot.😈

Unlike - As far as I know (ERSA) Parkes is still a Security Controlled Airport. This is the main factor that then leads to most of the other issues.😈

My landings are inconsistent. Going from "have I actually landed" to that was so bad, I had better check for damage. I thought I was the only one, that is until I saw this video of just how bad a professional pilot can be;😈

I recomend BOYCOTTING the Parkes RAA event. Its a completely inappropriate venue for a RAA fly-in. Being a Security Controlled Airport: Requiring pilots to hold an ASIC or be escorted to/from their aircraft. Public have no access to the flight line. Aircraft flight line/parking, a long walk from event centre. Yes there was an infrequent shuttle bus - walking better than a long wait in the heat & flies. Last year there was no control of arriving/departing aircraft, resulting in potential dangerous appossing circuit operations. Nor was their adequate ground marshaling of departing aircraft. On site catering was woefully inadequate, with long ques for the 2 (?) providers of pretty awful food, once you got to order. What was wrong with the Narromine/Temora venues??????😈

By "reviews" you mean BFR's ? If so, you have verified & validated your license every two years. An active, unregistered/lapsed license holder, should be obvious, to at least instructor's/CFI's, as it would eventually become known that they were not being assessed at the BFR intervals. The above may take a while - 1-3 BFR's, say Max 6 years. It appears the pilot being discussed has been flying unregistered for something like 10+ years😈

Wiered! The informal flying community, that I hope I am part of, would seem to be intersted in the welfare, flying exploits & challenges of its members. I doubt an unlicensed pilot would not be found out at some point. An unregistered aircraft may escape notice for a long time, as I know of no feedback system from RAA or CASA, that might bring such a situaton to my notice or anyone 😈

Three points : What is in the can ie what is the fire suppressant? How would it be secure in the aircraft? In an aircraft context, how & where would you use it? 😈

There is usually a flying instructor / CFI (GA and /or RAA) somewhere in the vicinity - I would have thought that someone flying illegally, over many years, would have come to their notice - where were they in all of this????😈

Having done a "speed" read of this conversation, I i have not found a reference to : Where the aircraft was kept - ie property belonging to the offending "pilot", public or private airfield, other. Culpability of those others who knew, or should have known, that neither the pilot or aircraft, met the minimum standards for flight. This comes down to the single question - how did this unlicensed pilot and his unregistered aircraft fly for so long, without coming to the notice of the relevant authorities? It seems to me that there may be other guilty parties in this matter😈

No experince - I understand that a Wankel has a much greater power to weight advantage over a 4/piston engine. This may mean that a relatively small engine can be substituted for a larger = fuel consumption? once started, will get you "home", even with considerable integral problems. Safety enhancement. veeeery smoooth /low vibration. Reduced airframe & pilot fatigue. compact/low frontal area - cowling design could take advantage of this for improved airframe efficiency. When you consider the 160+ years the IC piston engine has been in production/under development, compared with the 60+years of the Wankel, I don't think the rotary is doing so badly.😈

I thought as you do, however I was advised, by CASA, that there no legal/practical problem with using my SE2 IN/OUT & my ADS-B Out at the same time😈