Birdsville Races 2017 (and a bit of touring)

[Jerry_Atrick]

G'day all...

 

I am planning a 2017 Birdsville + touring extravaganza. I will land in Melbourne as that's where my family are based and go from there.

 

I have an Aussie GFPT and an EASA PPL; I tend to get my Aussie Medical at the same time as my EASA medical (we have an AME that is authorised to dispense medicals for almost every country under the sun), which is actually due, ahem, last week (but its winter here, now). So my questions are:

 

• Should I go for an Aussie PPL off the back of my EASA one (air law/procedures exam + flight test) or go for the temporary certificate of validation? Is there an RAA equivalent licence/temp certificate that can be awarded with a foreign PPL
   
   
  
• If I go for the conversion to an Aussie license, how does one take the exams these days? Is it online from home, designated test centre, school, etc.? Does anyone know the approx. costs?
   
   
  
• What RAA aircraft are generally around for hire - if I don't bring any pax, I don't need heavy lifting capability, and would prefer the speed/cost of RAA's v. CoA aircraft (in the UK, LAA types include pretty well much any 4 seater under I think 2400lb MTOW - but would have to check the regs to be sure).
   
   
  
• If I fly an RAA type, what restrictions other than Day VFR are there (besides those that apply to PPL/CoA aircraft)? Can one fly over a city, for example?
   
   
  
• What is the recommended flight planning software.. .There are a couple of decent ones here, though the one I used dropped the Aussie charts from their offering as I presume the cost to run them versus the market was too high. I tried Oz Runways - are there any others - especially any where you can plan on a desktop and stick the plan on a tablet/phone?
   
   
  
• Are Electronic flight bags/planning tools OK by themselves or is there a legal requirement to carry paper maps (the distance will use significantly more maps than I am used to)?
   
   
  
• When is the best time to buy VTA and WACs (i.e. what month are they usually published)?
   
   
  

 

 

Other than that, I presume not much has changed in.. ahem.. 20 years...

 

Thanks in advance for any advice - and of course, any stick as well..

 

Rgds,

 

JA

 

 

[Nightmare]

Hi JA,

 

I can only speak about RAA,

 

• What RAA aircraft are generally around for hire - if I don't bring any pax, I don't need heavy lifting capability, and would prefer the speed/cost of RAA's v. CoA aircraft (in the UK, LAA types include pretty well much any 4 seater under I think 2400lb MTOW - but would have to check the regs to be sure).
   
   
  
• If I fly an RAA type, what restrictions other than Day VFR are there (besides those that apply to PPL/CoA aircraft)? Can one fly over a city, for example?
   
   
  
• What is the recommended flight planning software.. .There are a couple of decent ones here, though the one I used dropped the Aussie charts from their offering as I presume the cost to run them versus the market was too high. I tried Oz Runways - are there any others - especially any where you can plan on a desktop and stick the plan on a tablet/phone?
   
   
  
• Are Electronic flight bags/planning tools OK by themselves or is there a legal requirement to carry paper maps (the distance will use significantly more maps than I am used to)?
   
   
  
• When is the best time to buy VTA and WACs (i.e. what month are they usually published)?
   
   
  

I'm thinking a Jabiru J160, J170 or J230 could suit your needs, they cruise at 100kts, and have 135L fuel tanks (6 hrs endurance) Tecnam Eaglets cruise at 100kts with 90L tanks, A few Slings and Sportstars around for hire which would be suitable. A few other options around as well. RAA are restricted to 600kg MTOW.

 

Maybe you should consider emailing or calling RAAus or a flying school near your departure point and discussing your situation so you can ascertain what you need to do to fly in Australia. See the RAAus website for recommended flying schools and browse their websites

 

After you sort your licensing out for Australian flying, you may need to be type certified on the aircraft you want to hire, so be prepared to spend a few hours with a CFI to do this.

 

RAA pilots can not fly into controlled airspace or into controlled airports at this time. If you hold a higher license with a Controlled Airspace endorsement, you can. But there is a lot of G Class airspace, which RAA aircraft can fly in, even around and over the populated cities and towns.

 

The latest charts become effective 10th November 2016, and are good for 6 months. That includes VTC's, VNC's ENC-L's which all includes airspace boundaries. I'm not familiar with a VTA. WAC's (currently 19th edition) don't actually seem have an expiry, but do not include airspace or FIR boundaries. See the Airservices site for the latest aeronautical charts for Australia.

 

I'm still using paper charts, but am seriously considering getting Oz Runways on an Ipad Mini. Oz Runways subscription is $99 per year, vs $11 per chart per 6 months. I will be having maps as a backup, just in case the Ipad battery fails. Another backup option could be having Oz Runway on my phone as well, but will have to investigate whether this is legal or not. The phone screen size may be an issue.

 

I hope that helps you.

 

Cheers, Tony.

 

 

[Robbo]

I have an Aussie GFPT

No such thing anymore, need to do a flight review, flight review exam, radio exam and english test to convert to an RPL.

 

iPad's are legal, but iphone screen is to small. But if it's a backup and its not primary use you should be ok.

 

 

[Jerry_Atrick]

Many thanks gents... Unf I couldn't find the edit button on my phone when I spotted the error.. VTA should have been VTC...

 

Will contact some "local" RAA Schools.

 

Another question - I hear of some sort of security clearance/badge - will this be needed for any but airports with RPT?

 

thanks again,

 

JA

 

 

[Robbo]

Not just RPT, any security controlled airport.

 

Your talking about an asic card.

 

 

[Nightmare]

Many thanks gents... Unf I couldn't find the edit button on my phone when I spotted the error.. VTA should have been VTC...Will contact some "local" RAA Schools.

 

Another question - I hear of some sort of security clearance/badge - will this be needed for any but airports with RPT?

 

thanks again,

 

JA

Have a look on ERSA to see if the airports you are planing on landing at are security controlled. You can access an online version of ERSA through the AIP at Aeronautical Information Package (AIP) | Airservices.

[Cosmick]

Does this reg still apply - Post #2 from 440032 no asic

 

I can't see why she can't fly herself - Airport operators are required to provide visitors ID card (VIC) and an ASIC equipped escort to those who do not have an ASIC.

 

When she lands, if any goons approach, they will have an ASIC, and can be her escort! Make sure she identifies herself as just a visitor, and is requiring a VIC and an escort.

 

Or MAYBE fax or email a request in advance to the airport operator so that she can take a copy with her. Don't ask for permission to land - it's a public airport. ASIC has nothing to do with permission to land.

 

Just say "I am coming in on this date. I have no ASIC and will require a VIC and an escort to and from my aircraft, as required by Regulation 3.15 of the Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005." Job done.

 

Your friend seems to be not eligible for an ASIC as she does not seem to have need for "frequent" access - ie, more than occasionally. Lucky girl!

 

Aviation Transport Security Regulations 2005

 

6.26 ASICs—application for issue

 

A person who has an operational need may apply to an issuing

 

body for the issue of an ASIC.

 

6.01 Definitions for this Part

 

operational need means:

 

(a) a requirement for frequent access to all or part of a secure

 

area of an airport where persons are required to display an

 

ASIC, for either of the following purposes:

 

1. the operation of the airport or an aircraft;
    
    
   

 

 

3.15 Requirements for airside generally

 

(3) The responsible aviation industry participant for the airside area of

 

the airport must ensure that the area can be entered only by:

 

(a) a person authorised to do so who:

 

(i) properly displays a valid ASIC; or

 

(ii) properly displays a valid VIC or TAC and is supervised

 

by someone authorised to enter the area who properly

 

displays a valid ASIC;

 

 

[Cosmick]

When I and 32 other small aircraft landed at "Brisbane West Wellcamp" a RPT, an ASIC was not required and we were supervised.

 

 

[Yenn]

If you fly RAAus you will be limited to one passenger. Have to be GA for 4 seaters.

 

Flight planning if you have an ipad or similar there are OzRunways and Avplan. Both very good I believe. I use Avplan so am not conversant with OzRunways. The charts are updated and accepted by CASA as being approved.