3-axis endorsement

[Guest FlashWayne]

Hi. I have a Thruster I purchased last year and I'm getting a little sick of taxiing up and down the strip. Does anybody know an instructor in Qld. with whom I can get my 3-axis, tail-dragger endorsements? :confused: I have a RA-A pilots license for weight-shift and I've done a few hours in a Lightwing and Gazelle but would prefer to get these endorsements in a Thruster or Drifter or similar type of aircraft. Cheers, Wayne i_dunno

 

 

[monty]

Hi Wayne,

 

There was a FI at Woodstock with a Drifter, about 40km west of Townsville. His name is Steve O'Donald I think and number is 0414304893. There are a couple of instructors and strips around that area I think. Just hang on and someone from around there will let you know for sure.

 

I am sure That Maj Millard can help you.

 

Monty

 

 

[Guest FlashWayne]

Thanks Monty,

 

I have been to Woodstock and flown Steve's Gazelle but it was supposed to be in his Thruster which he had previously sold to another guy. When I got down there(after a 4.5 hr drive) the other guy hadn't left the key for the Thruster and I think something else had to be done to it prior to it being ready for flying. I've been trying to get down there and fly the Thruster for the past 5 or 6 months but it's either bad weather(raining, strong winds) or Steve having to be somewhere else.

 

I'd sooner jump on a plane and fly further south if I know I can do the flying with someone in a tail-dragger. Next month will be a year since I bought the Thruster and to date I have not flown my own plane! All I want to do is get my 3-axis and tail-dragger endorsement!

 

I'd appreciate any contact names and numbers further south for CFI's so I can get this show on the road.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

 

 

[Spin]

Hi FW, sounds frustrating! I don't know anyone with the right aircraft up your way, but if you're of a mind to come to the big smoke (Brissie), the folk at Airsport out at Boonah have a Drifter and several instructors rated on it. Might be worth considering a few days down here if you can't come right closer to home? Greg Neale is the CFI.

 

http://www.airsportqld.com.au/

 

 

[facthunter]

Difficult.

 

getting hard to get this type of training. Since you are going to be flying a thruster It would be best to do it in a thruster, as there is nothing quite like them. Is Wally Rudin still instructing? Nev.

 

 

[Guest Crezzi]

Since you are going to be flying a thruster It would be best to do it in a thruster, as there is nothing quite like them.

I'd definately recommend this also. IMO getting your tailwheel endorsement in a Drifter won't properly equip you with the skills needed to fly a Thruster.

 

A few years ago I met husband/wife instructors from Northern Vic who taught on both a trike and a thruster. Unfortunately I can't remember their name - perhaps someone from down there might know them.

 

Cheers

 

John

 

 

[Guest FlashWayne]

All input very much appreciated. I'll try to follow up on the leads you've given me.

 

Of course if anything else comes to mind, please let me know.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

 

 

[pudestcon]

I'm with Facthunter and Crezzi on this Flashwayne,

 

I did my ab initio training in a Drifter and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but a Thruster it is not!! I found getting endorsed on the Thruster a whole new ball game that took some 8 hours to get right. I'm not saying you will have the same trouble but doing the tail wheel endorsement on a Thruster if you can would be my advise given that is the aircraft you will be flying. Jeez it must be frustrating for you eh? Sorry I can't help with an instructor - unless you want to come to WA:loopy:

 

Pud

 

 

[Guest FlashWayne]

WA

 

Thanks Pud. Yes, that's a long way to go. I'm running my own business and can't really afford to be away for more than a few days at a time. If a Thruster isn't available I may have no alternative other than a Drifter!!

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne

 

 

[facthunter]

Alternative.

 

I'd try a Skyfox. It'l keep you on your toes Nev

 

 

[Guest FlashWayne]

Skyfox

 

Hi Nev.

 

I've flown a Skyfox Gazelle. What I need is a tail-dragger like a Drifter or Thruster.

 

I was flying a trike for a couple of years and I've done some flying in a Lightwing as well. I want to get a 3-axis and tail-drag endorsement. The Gazelle I flew was a nose wheel.

 

Thanks all the same.

 

Wayne

 

 

[facthunter]

Skyfox.

 

I'm not talking about a Gazelle. The Skyfox IS a taildragger and will try you out. You must get to 3-point it, competantly, as you should be able to 3-point the Thruster. You don't have to do it that way everytime, but you should be able to do when needed. Nev

 

 

[Guest FlashWayne]

3-pointer

 

Point taken Nev.

 

I spoke with Greg Neale today and it looks like I'll be going down to Boonah in early July to do the 3-axis and tail drag endorsements in their Drifter.

 

I will come back online to report the outcome in July, after the event.

 

Cheers,

 

Wayne :)

 

 

[facthunter]

Correction.

 

In my last post, I said Drifter when I meant to say Thruster. The drifter is like, 1/2 way to being a tailwheel, and is a bit easier in some ways than the other two planes mentioned. Sorry for the seniors moment. Nev

 

 

[Methusala]

Thruster training

 

G'day All, I don't think that Wally Rudin is still in business. Last I heard from him was when I did my last BFR. Anyway he does not own a Thruster anymore. He said that he was moving from Nerrandera to the Latrobe valley. I also concurr with Nev about there being no aircraft quite like the Thruster. Because of a design

 

glitch (flaw?) the stall does not occur in ground effect until the deck angle is quite nose high. This means that the flair must be timed to the moment before it runs out of flying speed. It can be quite unnerving and has caused some learners to give up before mastering the technique. Never the less, I am in the Tony Hayes group who believe that there are few better planes out there. Regards, Don

 

 

[dodo]

Wally Rudiin gave up being a CFI June or July of last year. Don't know much more,

 

Dodo