Captain

...... European Corvette (particularly the 904S), and a .........

............ know that I mentioned back in post # 7801 that it was, effectively, the night before Xmas .............. well for those in the know, every night up here in Coffs is "the night before Xmas", particularly down at the "Green Oyster" which I franchised from Ahlow, where IT Guru's are kings (and sometimes Queens), ERROR403 is considered to be erotic, procurement is not a dirty word, we do some real creative stuff with our empennages and a SAAB is known locally as a ...........

you've got things arseabout ..... unless you down your fly to take a dump...no no said tubby I always try to take a dump before flying...that way im almost sh!tless before I can scare myself that way...Mrs Tubby doesn't have to threaten me with violence to my plonker...... And as we all know when talking SMS's there is a very high risk of excreta and propellers interacting in a most displeasing way, why just look at what Mr Ed did to........

...... Wilbur, aided by the jar of peanut butter (NTTIAWWT) that they also used to make Ed look like he was speaking. (The Moderati Magnificenti do stuff with Peanut Butter & a broomstick all the time when off in their private Moderati staff Forum, so it must feel OK).

"What Mr Ed did to Wilbur is similar to what the Tubby Plonker has been trying to do to the small Italian SportsCar" observed Salty "And I, for one, have been wondering how it would fit."

"Well" said Andy, who is an expert in such matters from his experience each time he squeezes into Coffs with a SAAB up his empennage, "What you do is ................

....a rather attractive young man came up to him and said....

..... "G'day, I am the Tubby Planter and I represent the ICKY-AO, CRASS'A, F'AA & F'YEZAll, where I, as a rather attractive young man often ............

..... the possum (of which Tubby has a few).

"Let's have an EGM to discuss the need for a SMS for the FTF's when the CFI will tell you to stick it UYA" said FiatBambino.

"You can't do that, so POQ you AH" replied the Vette, "Because AOPA, IACOCCA and ..........

...... he is captivated by the stoush on another thread between the Corvette owner and the small Italian Sportscar, when ............

The financial statements raise a few questions. Interesting that our employee expenses and key personnel expenses haven't changed much, but some of the related costs have.Legal costs...

And just from a quick look, some of the other expenses and revenues are interesting.

 

dodo

On 1st reading it is hard to see the result of the recent Court Case on our finances, other than that the legal costs have gone through the roof, and it looks like there has been no provision made for any future court action.

But I wonder how much of that legal cost was SR & Middo related re the resignation that wasn't .... and in their exercise at & leading up to the EGM.

The CASA contribution to the administration of this part of Aussie aviation looks particularly puny in the overall consideration of what it takes RAA to do it.

It worries me that the current executive still aren't complying with the constitution. Where's our financials for the 2012/13 year?I'll cut the new exec a little slack because they have only been there since 9 July but a little communication wouldn't go astray...

The slack-cutting that I mentioned in my post # 914 started to run out at end July.

There clearly needs to be some updates, posted on the RAA Website that explain whatever is the current situation in a number of key areas, and it needs to happen quick-sticks.

Ed and Myles saw the urgency for the SMS and did something but alas not the correct way according to the noisy majority.

I think things are quiet because the industry has been hurt, hurt very badly over the last 2 years under a poorly performing RAAus Management and more specifically over the last 9 months. We see an unprecedented amount of aircraft up for sale, we see anger at its peak and much more, so over time it simply wears people out, wears them out to a point where people just say "I've had enough" and move on.Apart from a possibility that the uptake of boating or motorcycles may increase from the spill, I believe it will take at least 1 to 2 years before some degree of confidence, and enjoyment, returns to our industry and a possible return of those that have recently left in disgust, plus with a newly found confidence and return of vigour in "recreational flying is fun" again, we will start to see this radiate out to the general public which can only support the promotion of our industry and growth with the influx of new members.

 

Those board reps, and a CEO, that have recently left along with a few that still remain have a lot to answer for in the complete destruction that they have caused in a whole industry...that will always be known as their legacy

I have been staggered at the size of the For Sale section in the magazine over the last couple of months, and surely that is a clear indication of the members voting with their wallets, unless these are all going on to buy new aircraft.

That many for sale will also surely erode resale prices.

I agree with you that what we are seeing now is the result of ratsh*t management & administration of RAA and it will take some time to recover from that battering.

But I also have to say that Board size, impending legal action and the ongoing rego issues aside, I get the vibe that with Mark as GM/CEO and with Rod and Jim settling things down, and progressing Board issues, at Board level, hopefully we are in for some smooth air and progressive good management that will go a long way to turn things around.

Regards Geoff

So the logic is now, if you don't hear anything that means things must be good?

However, look on the bright side, as at least no examples have immediately or yet come to light where this President and/or Treasurer have straight away decided to operate outside of the Constitution or the principals of good governance. Given where RAA has been in the past, that's a reasonable thing to celebrate in my opinion.

Given that gain, all I proposed was to cut them a little slack to allow them to progress their responsibilities before they start to communicate effectively what they have done.

Regards Geoff

Keith,We had lots of silence when things were going bad. If you look at the RAA Members Only portal you will see there is more information than we have been used to. Weekly rego updates, monthly financials (up to end of May now - will give it a look tonight) - minutes of meetings, documents suggesting change, audits, Deed of Agreement etc. Ticking along nicely. Rather should I say whispering along.

I will be at the meeting at Ausfly to hear from our leaders. Communication works both ways.

 

Sue

I agree, and while more communication would certainly be welcome, I am prepared to cut Rod and Jim some slack on communications for a month or so as I am sure that they are flat out sorting out issues that they have prioritised.

It is a sad reflection on past Executives that it is a relief (at least to me) that since Rod and Jim took their seats on the Exec, no glaring governance or procedural issues have come to light as part of, or as a result of, their actions. We haven't had an Executive like that for years.

Regards Geoff

The place has gone quiet, is that good/bad? BADAll this fuss started about a Safety Training Compliance Coordinator being incorrectly appointed, the big barney is over with people resigning, fighting, procrastinating, bragging, shoving their egos out there so we all could see and all that stuff --------------NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

Some one did rouse on me and I am not going back through the posts to find out, I made the comment when the new executive was instated asking them to get off their buts and do something quickly, I was told give them time.

 

I ask how much time??????????????????????

 

Looks like Ed and Myles are 100% correct and the hounds did not like their speed of work so the hounds pulled them back to their speed. ((((((Stopped))))))

 

Must be correct--------- As the hounds are quiet and still, not even a little yap.

 

When is something going to be done regarding the Safety Management System??????????????

 

What is going to happen??????????????????????

 

Regards

 

Keith Page

Lots of capitals and question marks and even some bold red bits ............. but wrong never the less.

(Your mate Myles reckons that words in emails with capitals or bold are yelling and that red writing is extremely rude, so lucky you aren't directing this at him).

From what I see, RAA may just be functioning more smoothly at the moment and from what I understand, the meeting of our Board with CASA went ok, if not well.

It seems like the new Exec is getting on with running the show without panic or outside of the rules.

If I am correct, then that is good (and a vast improvement). And I just know that you are trying your best with the above post to help them even further, so thanks for that.

Regards Geoff

I agree with ultralights' post # 2.

When I had my 230 I always felt that the 230's wing was happiest cruising at about 7,500 to 8,500 or a tad above. It just felt sweet & balanced purring along around 120 knots ....... like cruising a BMW bike at 180 (kph). And at that level the nice cool air was great for keeping the heads happy.

But the governing factor for "long cross-countries", which is the key criteria of this question, has to be wind direction vs height (but also perhaps turbulence on rough or marginal days).

When on a longie my practice is to plan for the best winds and if not as predicted, or if varying over the 400 - 500 miles of the sector, go up or down chasing best wind and hopefully be able to then move to an appropriate cruising level with that wind. And if that happens to be up near 7500 - 8500 then woo-hoo.

But Huey didn't play the game too often and my 230 attracted adverse wind direction most of the time. Why is that?

Those sticking-out bits always bothered me, Geoff. Mine are both 45 degrees off vertical to keep them off the road. The Italians can build a bike with curves to remind me of Gina Lollobrigida.

It would break my heart if I was to put these carbon fibre rocker covers down the road at a track day. They are a work or art ......

I can also remember when Gina was HOT.

...... there is also the possibility, as Andy the defacateur chapeau suspected, that Madge uses the spare G-String in case the rubber band breaks inside his 912.

So after he slips it into the 912, he winds and winds (and the Filipino lass whines and whines) until ............

...Fillopino girls , especially when they go flying with him wearing gold Lamay G-strings !..... However.........

...... he drew the line when AhLow came out of the Blue Oyster similarly dressed and giving his best impersonation of a Fillipino lass, G'string and all (not that there is anything wrong with that), ...... but why does Madge prefer his lasses wearing more than one G-string? Is it because ...............

My Aunt was sitting in the jardin last night sipping on Absinthe, and she reckons that "Montpelier" sounds tres romantique. She is interested (& particularly if the 304.8 mm'er should be up there wearing his boardies).

....have my Maj service your Jab engine for you.........

..... as he is nuts ..... about Jabs, and likes nothing more than the easy jobs like replacing the flywheel setscrews, but then again Madge also likes ........

Noice!!Haven't been tempted to rip the engine out of the R1150 to use in an aircraft?

They are 1200's so even better, with the balance shaft in them.

The HP 2 engine would be a cracker in an aircraft, what with its carillo rods and 135 hp, but the new water cooled ones might be even better.

G'day too OK. Yes. I just love that boxer engine in bikes. For every day riding, the torque and feel and "vibe" are wonderful.

And to the Ballpoint, I use my HP2 for a few track days each year and a bit of road riding up around the Snowys. It is a great bit of gear, pulls like a train on the track and the Ohlins suspension is magic. But I haven't been on any of the safaris. Was going to do the last road one up to Qld with a mate but was flat out at work. Must do that some time.

Regards Geoff

Nothing off road? IF I have learned to ride, that is where I did it. Nev

I rode 2 day Enduros on IT400 Yamahas when younger, but now know how much it hurts, so my GS Adventure never gets dirty off-road and is a GREAT road bike anyway.

Regards Geoff

The current brood .....

The current brood ..................

......flying with me. Slows that damn thing down slower than a Storch with full flaps out. That way we get to spend hours up in the scary sky just doing ..well you know what.!...once I lost my gold Lamay G-string in the Lightwing for days, and finally found it wrapped right around Majs control stick. He said I had to do special things to get it back, which I did of course. That Maj is just so exciting, why he even..............

..... is a leading banker. I heard Andy say so."

"Sorry Pamlee" said Andy apologetically "You misheard my central coast NSW accent, and I had a cold. I didn't say "banker", I said ...............

Crap on to the ULP girl, then it was back to the chocked LW.Madge who didn't believe in HF forgot about the chocks and gave it full throttle which on a 912 is about the same as a Singer sewing machine doing a buttonhole.

 

Nothing happened.

 

"The sound that crows make! I've been ducked! he said, and everyone.....

... smiled a knowing F'n Q type smile while watching Madge peddle the Singer like buggery to finish the buttonhole.

"These F'n Q'ers are strange buggers (NTTIAWWT)" said one of the ducks.

"Strange?" asked Pamlee "That's noth'n. You should see Madge when he's ..............

...released her tie downs (aviation TFP (term for Planey))"The ducks are lined up in a row" yelled Pete Gonetoseed" and as usual no one had any idea what he was talking about. "told you we needed a governess" he added, and now it all fitted into place.

 

"So that's.........."

............ up, up and away, off into the wild blue yonder to the glories of recreational flight" and he pushed the 912 to full throttle, the sprag did its thing, the thrust was very thrusting, but the LW didn't move.

"WTF (aviation term)" said Andy, who wasn't used to such feeble power and no forward trajectory (AvRef TFP).

And then Andy looked down to see that Pete Gonetoseed had used 2 of the ducks to chock the wheels.

"Quack & that noise that crows make" said one of the ducks "Thank goodness he didn't use us to chock Andy's 230 or we'd be as flat as one of Pete's posts by now."

"You go sort this out, Andy darling" said Pamlee "And I'll just fill in some time with "Capt Rat/Een" until you get back."

As a result the LW was de-throttled, and due to the application of full power (sic) for so long, Andy checked the fuel tank, tucked his Gerald Can under his arm and headed down to thumb a ride to the nearest PULP pump where he could ............