robinsm

You would fly without pre flighting - Really???!!!

I think you mean Ranga as in o ranga tan dont you??

whats a ranger?

I notice that input from identified board members is a little thin o0n the ground. If the situation is sub judicae then fine, but please, someone from the other side enlighten us and lets put this puppy to bed. Ian owns this site and as such can post whatever he likes. I feel this site has done tremendous good for the sport and cannot figure what the hell the powers to be have a problem with. If I was in a position of elected responsibility, surely it would be in my interest, and the interest of the membership to have the FACTS out in the open so any accusations of collusion, hidden agenda's, cronyism or other garbage could be dealt with in the proper manner. Ian, can I suggest that your lawyer consider his advice and allow you to put your side fully to the members of this forum and I call on the management of Raa-aus to do so as well, if not in this forum, then on the Raa-aus website so that things like this will not fester and detract from the joy that many people have with this sport. I believe, overall that Raa-aus is reasonably well run by the day to day staff and the elected members of our board, I am still flying, my aircraft is registered and the office staff polite and helpful. Please people, Raa-Aus is not a vehicle for your plans of world domination, screwing your enemies or an avenue for your own aggrandizement, it is an organization of like minded people who are (or should be) interested in flying, manufacturing and generally being around recreational aircraft of ALL types. Lets cut the crap, get this out in the open, settled, and move on.

I look forward to the day when our organization stops acting like a secretive boys club at the top end and becomes open and transparent in all dealings with its members. Personal vendettas and prima donna behaviour from the top elected, and appointed management seem a little childish. What is the stance of the CEO in all this. He has been very quiet re any involvement.

Where does Runciman get the idea that he runs Raa-aus. He is an elected rep and can be voted out. I thought this was about flying not bloody politics. What does the board say in this matter.?

surely you mean taxiway....?

To add another idea to the mix, if you start in Raa and later wish to go to GA, why not study and get the full GA ppl exams. These are usable for Raa, give you a better grounding in the theory of it all, and it is there when you want to go furthur.

Happy with the one I have, it goes about my speed. (slow and steady).

Dont see why not, they have a vari-eze on the books and the stall/max cruise of these is way outside the limits. Rules for them and rules for us. To some in the know, the rules are suggestions only.

ta

OK, I have an icom a4 portable. How do I tell if it is Australian approved? What markings does it have to have.?

fuel availability, contact numbers, surface, accessibility etc. Able to camp with plane or not?

Contact the Tech manager at Raa-aus and see if he can help with contacts re the sapphire. Worth a try.

Any reason the knee dock is no longer available. Used mine a couple of days ago and they are great.

The skyfuel shell card will not operate at the shell pumps. Ring skyfuel to verify that. My shell card from them, and every other one that I know of for a private operator was disabled about 12mths ago.

You can have a shell card if you are prepared to buy more than 20000 lts/yr. Damn, close but not that close. For us average fliers, no shell card.

When the ASI reads 65 knts, I get excited, fair rattling along. VNE 82kts. Makes your 120kts look a little sick eh.....LOL

Be interesting trhen to see if any of the long distance ferry flights with fuel bladders are legal???

Nope, the wright bros weren't the first to fly a heavier than air machine, try pearce in Nz and one or 2 other non americans.

Standard weights are all very well, but which part of my body do I have to remove to be that ideal weight. The Xair has flown with 2 hefty blokes well over the "ideal weight" - I am 110kg, my pass was 105kg - and handled it very well. Plane doesn't seem to fly one side down with only me in it. Still climbing out at 650ft/min at 2100ft. Ideal weights are just that. Imagine an aircraft with 4 passengers, all the calculations done on ideal weights and then having 4 large passengers at 100 plus kg. What does that do to your take off distance, weight and balance and fuel figures. Maybe better off plugging ion real figures if you want to be safe. The ideal will get you killed.

An Aussie icon, a true gentle man, a free spirit. This man was one of the inspirations that got me flying a few years ago... He wrote and self published 2 books. One about an overland motor cycle trip he made from England to Australia many years ago (Dick was a motor cycle nut - fearless), and the other book is about his experiences in the early days of flight in the southern states with his beloved Stomp and Tiger moth. He tell of the time he took the world aerobatic championship in England and many other anecdotes about himself and other early pilots. He outlines his barnstorming days etc. This man, and his attitude, to me, is the quintessential Australian larrikan in the best sense of the word. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Rest well Dick, you've eared it..

There was a Savannah? at Natfly doing short take offs that make this look like a long take off. The natfly one was sensible in that he gained speed in ground effect before climbing. The natfly guy was Bl....dy impressive.

That is one seriously nice looking aircraft.

No worries, I only have one weekend off a month but I am sure something could be arranged (even if I drop into Polo flat). Its ok, I dont do subtle, what you see is what you get.