BirdDog

I don't think it's piss poor - just not their issue really - but the factory yes. I guess it would be interesting to see what they are fitting to new aircraft.

Thanks sfGnome. That's what I am reading too - and yes it is a Rotax with the Ducatti regulator. That said, I am surprised it can handle a lithium battery without a BMS, as voltages are not the same with a lead acid. I have had no issues with this current battery, but it is now getting long in the tooth, and should ideally be swapped out.

Yep! Done that, and as expected, the advice was to find a battery that fit. I would not really expect the sales agent to have any further information, to be honest!

Hello All, So my Bristell is in need of a new battery, and the one in the machine is Lithium. The company that makes the battery still makes them, but now they come with a BMS, and they have advised not to use the new battery with the BMS in the Aircraft. I have done a bit of searching around the Internet, and have mixed information. I see EarthX have batteries with BMS but seem to be aimed at the aviation market. I have no room to install a standard Lead Acid, plus the knock on effects of the change to CoG etc. So I need to come up with a solution. I would love your opinions? Cheers John

I never said it is a perfect machine - no aircraft is. There probably isn't a model of aircraft in the market that has not been in an incident. My exception was to your comment that they have "has some serious handling issues", which they actually don't. The problems were the data was wrong, which resulted in aircraft being poorly loaded. You do that with anything in this class, and you will get the same result. I agree - this latest incident raises more questions than it answers, and given the little bits that we know, there is no way of knowing what happened. But the lack of comms etc, as you have mentioned, leans me away from an aircraft issue - but sadly, we may never know.

Yep! 100%. The Datum issue was a real problem, and yes, someone at the factory has a lot to answer to. The CoG of the Bristells are tight - no doubt about it. I am lucky, myself and my wife are lightweights, so we don't have an issue. I would hate to have a couple that are 100kg each. But then, the Bristell is no the airplane for them. I have had my machine re-weighted and balanced by a CASA Auth, and made sure all my numbers are correct. After the debacle with the data, I wanted to know. Because we are light, I am able to add weight forward of the firewall, and removed the sleeper from the rear, so now I have a nicely balanced machine. For the record, I have stalled my own Bristell, and was requested to do so on my last BFR (Not my Bristell) and it does what just about every other aircraft in its class does. No surprises.

LOL! Nothing about being defensive, and for the record, I know just about everything about every fatal incident the Bristell has ever been involved in. So how long have you got? So let's look at what you posted shall we... "The Bristell exhibits different handling characteristics to the other aircraft type the student pilot had previously operated" What part of that gives it serious issues? The incident you speak of was an inexperienced pilot, that had no business being in the cockpit in the first place - Nothing to do with the aircraft! He had zero experience with it. Next one... The report you have quoted, has now also been sorted - otherwise, if they did not meet the standard, they would be off the market. The aircraft has now been proven to spin recover. (there is video if you have 5 minutes, not hard to find) Now the tendency to drop a wing... How many do that at stall! LOL! My Sportstar did that! Sheesh! Facts? - LOL! That's funny! I am not being a defensive aircraft owner, but if you are going to speak facts, then make sure you get the facts right, or you just look silly.

Serious handling issues?? And you have proof of this information where? I’ve owned and flown one for 5 years mate. There’s no “serious” issue that I know of, or have ever experienced, so I’m curious on your statement. Care to elaborate??

According to reports it’s a Cessna Caravan.

Details are thin but reports in are that both pilots passed away. https://7news.com.au/news/two-people-fighting-for-life-after-light-plane-crashes-in-kelvinhaugh-near-toowoomba-c-19416458

Appears no mayday call either. RIP old mate. 😞

Great result. Wonder why it went down

Thanks lads. All very good points. I am in no rush to go out and change. I am using pen and paper for now, which is working. Thanks again for your input. Very much appreciated.

Sorry for the really late reply - I have been away. To answer one of your statements - "For the most part you will not be asked for your ASIC, no one will see it" I get asked for my ASIC every time I need to get back to my aircraft at Canberra. If I land, and leave the AD (which is what I do all of the time) they will not let me airside without it. Mr Security Man asks me for it - EVERY TIME - Even though he likely knows my face now, he will not let me past the gate without it. I have also been bailed up and asked for it the last 2 times I visited Shell Harbour. In fact, I was reprimanded because it was in my pocket and not yet around my neck. They are the two main security ADs I visit (Oh.. and Albury) but I have not had anyone ask me there yet, but have only been twice. Plus.... I travel OS a lot and get the fees waived for money exchange when I go - which is nice. Meh - it's a non event to me. But understand some may take exception! Each to their own! Cheers J

Thanks Burnie. It will not be used as my primary Nav. I currently have an iPad Pro that will still come with me in the cockpit. I also have a full glass Garmin cockpit, and an also an Iphone that also carries Oz Runways. This is more for scratching things down. Things like checking weather, ERSA and other data needed on the fly. I am thinking Mini might be the way to go here.