Neil_S

Me too.

Hi Skippy, Yeh - the front-mounted distributor was a pain on earlier models - my mate used to spray everything with WD-40! Later models like mine had a cover, which seemed to do the trick. Cheers, Neil

Hi FlyingBaz, I also spoke to an avionics guy a while ago about setting up the ADSB OUT on my Trig 21 transponder. He also said I would need a certified GPS source (my Garmin Aera 500 is not certified apparently). I think he mentioned the Garmin 335 too. It would therefore cost thousands, including his labour, to buy and to hook it up. He said to just get the Skyecho, which I did, and was able to claim the government rebate with no issues at all. Total cost was about $450 (it was a while ago). Cheers, Neil

Hi Skippy, I used to own a Mini in the UK. Absolutely loved it. Could park anywhere and with the low CG could sling it round corners in narrow country lanes with ease. The only drawback was changing the oil filter - I have small fingers but I still used to lose the skin on my knuckles every time. Hate the newer BMW "Mini" - total crap. Cheers, Neil

According to retiring RAAus Ops Mgr Jill Bailey last week they are hoping for CTA access for appropriately equipped RAAus aircraft late 2025 or early 2026....... They wanted to get 760kg stuff done first.

Hi Deano747, AVPlan also shows the ADSB-IN info from your Skyecho (in green to distinguish from other AVPlan users in blue). OZRunways did not want to share their users' info with AVPlan, instead saying people should all get Skyechos. Now they are Boeing, who knows? Cheers, Neil

Hi Loonybob, "Vortices" - sorry, many years of painful Latin lessons at school forced me to tell you...... Cheers, Neil

Hi all, Having started replacing broken VGs (about 8 so far) on my Savannah after about 8 years I would be wary of using superglue as it implies permanence. Mostly the vertical part has got brittle and snapped, leaving the base. Getting the old ones off without removing all the underlying paint is the challenge. I have found that careful use of sidecutters and/or Stanley blade works quite well, and if a lug is left in the hole then I just push it through. I then put some clear, neutral-cure silicon on the bottom of the new VG and insert the lugs into the two holes. Ones I have replaced using this method have been fine for a year or more now. HTH Neil

Hi RFguy, I haven't actually changed anything yet, but it was mainly to have the options mentioned above. It pi$$ed me off not to be able to run on condition when I had run the Rotax on condition for ages in my previous plane. Also, although I have not done so, the option to change the prop makes sense to me as loads of home-built Savannahs use Bolly props. Larger tyres also becomes an option..... So it was really to move away from the more onerous restrictions which IMO are somewhat unnecessary. I don't intend moving away to anything radical that 19 reg Savannah pilots have not done before. I don't want to be a test pilot. Cheers, Neil

Jack - you could change to Experimental. I have done so with my 24 reg Savannah so I have more options for things like running on condition, changing the prop etc Cheers, Neil

I would echo your advice to steer clear of Facebook Marketplace - I was looking for a small trailer and replied to an ad for one. The first thing the guy did was ask for my mobile number so he could call to arrange for me to view it. Never heard from him again. Called Telstra to get them to block any attempt to port/transfer my number and the lady also said to avoid FB Marketplace as full of scammers. Cheers, Neil

Hi folks, Just FYI I had some friends in another plane check that they could see my Skyecho paint on their EFB from about 10nm away, and they confirmed they could. I could also see their Skyecho paint on my EFB from well before, so I guess that indicates that my Skyecho with its velcro/ziptie mount is located reasonably well. Cheers, Neil

Hi guys, As the weather was half decent today I went for a fly and took some pix of my Skyecho mount....... Cheers, Neil

From the above manual I would say that this section probably applies (as the Skyecho is not an EFB) :- 3.7 Installation of small cameras and similar devices inside aircraft Note: This section is only applicable to mounting small devices inside an aircraft. It is not applicable to mounting devices on external surfaces – the regulations and safety considerations are different in those scenarios. 3.7.1 From time to time CASA receives enquiries about the rules and requirements for mounting small cameras and similar devices inside aircraft, in particular about whether the airworthiness regulations are applicable and a Part 21 modification design approval is required. 3.7.2 The airworthiness regulations are primarily about certifying the approved design of aircraft and required operational equipment, manufacturing those products and thereafter ensuring they remain airworthy. The continuing airworthiness and maintenance regulations are framed in relation to the approved design and the terms aircraft components (CAR) and aeronautical products (CASR). Aircraft components and aeronautical products include parts of aircraft as specified in the Part 21 approved design of the aircraft, and equipment required by the regulations for operation of the aircraft. 3.7.3 A small camera, or similar device, is not an aircraft component or an aeronautical product if it is: a. not included in the approved design of the aircraft; and b. mounted in a way that does not affect the approved design of the aircraft; and c. not required equipment for the operation of the aircraft. 3.7.4 Mounting a small camera, or similar device, in accordance with the above criteria is not a change to the approved design of the aircraft and is not maintenance of the aircraft. A Part 21 modification design approval is not required in those circumstances. 3.7.5 The approved design of the aircraft would be affected by physical changes to a part of the aircraft, such as drilling holes. The approved design of the aircraft would not be affected by mounting means such as a suction cup. 3.7.6 Under CAO 20.16.2, a small camera, or similar device, that meets the above criteria is cargo. It is therefore the operator and pilot in command’s responsibility to ensure that the device is used, restrained and stowed in compliance with CAO 20.16.2 and such that the safety of the aircraft is not adversely affected for the particular operation. A formal approval from CASA or an ADO or authorised person is not required in these circumstances. 3.7.7 The assessment by the operator and pilot in command will necessarily be on a case by case basis considering the device, the mounting means, the mounting location inside the aircraft and the operation. The physical size of the device is a relevant consideration for mounting and safe operation, in particular, the mass and dimensions of the device are relevant for determining the suitability of the mounting means and the mounting location. Personally I feel that using suction cups alone, as from our experience they frequently fall off in mid-flight, would be better augmented by something like velcro as some of us have described. Cheers, Neil

Interesting point, GF. I don't think it can affect things that much as I had an aircraft crossing about 1000ft below and in front of me the other day (boy was it hard to actually see!), but it showed up on my AVPlan display the whole time, including while it was actually blocked from my eyesight. Cheers, Neil

I do the same. Have also had ATC warn me of traffic at 12 o'clock one time. Got me to squawk IDENT on my transponder so they could positively identify me. As I'm based within a few miles of Tullamarine it's good to hear the commercial stuff and pick out where it is - I can usually see it on my AVPlan display from my Skyecho - and then eyeball it. Cheers, Neil

Not sure about J230s but in my Savannah I have taken the suction mount and put velcro on it, then put velcro on some of the cockpit tubing at the top left side, then once attached by velcro I have put two zip ties around as well. This arrangement keeps the whole thing securely in place (I also had the suction mount fall off the lexan). It seems to work so far, and I can't really see any way it can fall off now. Where it is placed allows the required clear view upwards and forwards. When the weather improves (haha) I will be going out to the airfield and will take a picture or two. Cheers, Neil

Hi, I have the GME MT610G. Cheers, Neil

About 45-50 minutes. Closer would be nice, of course, but I've been doing the drive for about 14 years now, so I am used to it. Neil

For RAAus if you are either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetic (or epileptic, have heart condition, or mental illness) you require an annual form signed by your GP saying your health meets or exceeds that required for a driver's licence - ie that your condition is under control. However, it is still the responsibility of the individual to take the meds that give that control. For some reason this driver apparently ignored 9 warnings that his blood sugar was low and he needed glucose (eg jelly beans, or can of full-sugar coke). I cannot imagine why he would ignore the warnings. Same irresponsible behaviour as drinking alcohol and then driving. People I know who are insulin-dependent carry a pack of jelly beans in their car so they can stop and increase their glucose in such a situation.

He looks rather catatonic to me!

My AVPlan HUD on my iPad mini has both GPS Altitude and Baro Altitude. In my experience they can be very close (within a few feet) or sometimes disagree by a few hundred feet. So, as others have said, I believe it is best to use your biennially-calibrated altimeter with the correct QNH. Checking it right now sitting at home they are within a foot of each other..... Cheers, Neil

If you didn't vote you can't complain.

Hi FD, It was the iphone, not the iPad Mini, that was not up to size spec. Cheers, Neil

Hmmm - works OK for me....