BlurE

Last week was the drug and alcohol test with CASA. Knock on the door last night. Random firearms inspection. The two ladies from Victoria Police were lovely and as I showed them I was licensed and complied fully with the secure storage requirements. Might put some scones on for the ATO. Sure they'll be around soon.

For the record, on this occasion, myself and the other Pilot that I know was checked were asked if we planned to fly that day. We both confirmed we did. (Had already) If the inspector had wanted to check both engines were still warm and he could have heard our inbound calls on the CTAF. Maybe he already knew, maybe not - but he was pretty savvy.

Sorry "pleasant encounter" damn finger poking...

So I was breathalised and drug tested today at Tyabb. Greg from CASA was lovely and I'm pleased to say that I was clear of alcohol, amphetamines, opiates, cannabis, and cocaine. Probably a good thing overall at 9:30AM on a Thursday morning...but hell that would have been quite a party!! With all the bad things we say about the regulator I must say I can't fault them on this one. Cheers.

Is that the July edition or August?

Funny, I am just messing around in some GA stuff for the first time. After many years an many hundreds of RAA landings using "pitch for speed - power for height" I am now trying to learn "power for speed, pitch for aim point" I and finding it very counter intuitive - especially on a practice glide approach where you don't have power and have to switch back to pitch for speed anyway. I accept that heavier GA is different but a ''152 just feels like a more solid Tecnam. My point is that if GA training teaches you to use power for speed on a standard approach I could well see you being caught short if the fan stops. Personally I really like glide approaches and see them as a fun exercise in energy management.

I think with an RPL (CASA) you can take one PAX without a class 2. Not sure what is involved or if you can dial a PPL/CPL back to an RPL?

I think Merideth is the northern most boundary at around 10 miles. Well short of Ballarat.

Hi all - looking at heading up to Broome maybe August - September and was curious about the chances of hiring a RAA-reg aircraft for a few hours. Does anyone know any schools/Clubs operating near by? (I know near by is a relative term!) I see Broome YBRM has a 10 mile diameter Class-D to surface but maybe there is something just outside that? If it's not possible I know there is heaps of charter up there so I guess I can get up one way or another. Cheers

Thank you very much dsam and scre80. I am still a little unclear about the software than runs on the Raspberry Pi. I think part of the puzzle that is missing is the Ozrunways instruction page that no longer appears online. Does anybody have a copy of this please?

Bit confused and trying to get my head around this - and maybe someone could confirm my understandings or set me straight. So lets say I built a Raspberry Pi ADS-B receiver (ADS-B in) and I plan to use Ozrunways on a 3G ipad mini in an aircraft. 1. I need the Raspberri Pi 3 module - which includes the wifi module. 2. I need a 1090 Mhz receiver and antenna suitable for aircraft (not one of the ground based monsters) 3. I need a stable 5V (USB) power supply 4. I don't need a GPS module as the iPad GPS knows my position. 5. I need to install some software on the raspberry pi. (not sure what talks best with ozrunways??) 6.There is no point having the the dual band as Air Services don't intend to put in transmitters for the ground the based 978Mhz 7. I will not get ADS-B weather as Air Services don't intend to put in transmitters for weather. 8 I cannot provide an ADS-B out to other aircraft location without a "real" transponder-squitter ($$+) [but is not required for VFR /class G/ RAA anyway] 9. Oz runways will show Ozrunways traffic via the 3g iPad data as usual. 10. ADS-B traffic will appear in ozrunways (similar to native ozrunwas traffic?) via Wifi from the Raspberry Pi. 11. ADS-B traffic is (IFR, some GA VFR and new aircraft after 2014) 12. non ADS-B Avplan traffic will not be visible 13. non ADS-B map and compass traffic will not be viable. 14. non ADS-B glider traffic will not be visible (Some vintage also) Comments/clarifications appreciated thanks!

Shocked to see so much green! I know it makes sense, but it's just been so long since we've seen that colour in Victoria.

For the Rotax I believe a straight avgas diet requires a mineral oil rather than a synthetic, and does mean a gearbox strip at 600 hours. I see pmacarhys note that this is only pre 2012 which I didn't know -but you need to to your own research for you particular serial number.

I tried to purchase a BRS second hand (suitable for repack) for another aircraft. Was all looking good until I made enquiries about freight. OMG what a can of worms!! The whole dangerous-goods thing made moving the rocket nearly impossible. Unfortunately it's also a bit too far away for me to collect in person. So for the moment it's firmly in the too hard basket. From my enquiries a new rocket/ignitor is packaged in such a way that its dangerous-goods category is lower, but still a significant issue. Please make careful enquiries before parting with your hard earned dollars.

Maybe we need new regulation to ensure our aircraft are "groundworthy" and airworthy can be their assumed natural state?

I think energy density means practical electric aircraft are still some time off although we have come a long long way from lead acid batteries. However if you were going to play with electric technology the pipistrel alpha is a great place to start. With a rather slippery 17:1 glide ratio the 80hp rotax version has stunning climb performance and requires only moderate power in cruise. Honestly without brakes (in my few hours) I found it a bugger to get down.

I have been really enjoying watching the YouTube videos of an American pilot called Trent Palmer. Seriously fun flying beautiful scenery and exceptionally high standard of video production. Here are some examples. But, I can't help watch this and see so many examples if things that would not be allowed (laws and regulations) here in Australia. So here is the challenge. List the things you see in these videos we can't do in Australia.....go!

I suspect this engine will wind up in a few military applications. There are already quite a few 914 powered drones about and I presume something like this would extend their ceiling to some pretty decent altitudes. The military don't mind spending $60k or whatever on an engine where that is a bit beyond the target market for most Rotax product. All that said I want one!

Taxiing with a sliding canopy back LOOKS cool even in the blazing sun. (So my ego says anyway)

ok, looks like the landing fees scales with the price of the aircraft.

Yes, the EKP iV has two battery systems. - One set for unit operation 4xAA NiMH - And second small rechargeable button battery soldered to the circuit board which keeps the memory (i.e. user preferences and settings) I know they default to vertical if the settings are lost. Don't know about the green background. The manual is available online I can hunt down a link if you don't have it. I agree with Waraton -- sounds like your memory battery may be on the way out.

I'll take a look. I would say it's either been removed, disconnected or is faulty as I would expect a measurable voltage drop which you switch something like that on. Was one fitted on your Storch Neil?

Storch LSA

Yes that is what I have seen in the past but this is simply an electrical switch. I even wondered if it powered a fan or something - but no evidence of that. Got me stumped.

Trying to understand a factory installed switch labled "cabin heat" seems to do nothing, although I can see there are wires attached. No apparent heat or voltage drop so I can't imagine an electric radiator. Nothing in the POH or maintenance manuals. (Flysynthesis) Can anyone please shed light on this mystery?