HunterJ

Hi Guys Just dropped in to see what was happening in the 'woods' and noticed this thread. The Stewart System is gold - no dangerous goods shipping costs that are greater than the cost of the product!!! Very user friendly and above all forgiving and it works well with Ceconite. Just my thoughts - check out the online YouTube vids at and see how good it is. Cheers HJ

Hi Andy Give me a call and I can go through it for you. The Calidus is a 90kt machine with 75lts and has a 3 1/2 hour endurance with a conservative reserve and definitely a solid xcountry machine. We flew from Manila to Gatton and back last weekend for their annual flyin and had no problems with our butts - the seats are padded you know! Gyro design has in the past few years has taken great strides forward and the 'new generation' gyro certaimly has significant advantages over the more traditional designs as pictured. By the way, this is an awsome pic. Cheers Hunter Jones 0412 048 679

The first one is due into the country late August so any time after that for your trial flight. Clearances are such that your prop is safe. Cheers HJ

Hi Turbo In reading the post from David which outlined in detail the events at the meeting I agree, the behaviour is dramatically less than a membership should expect from any elected representative. Running an organisation such as RAAus openly and transparently and with vision takes leadership, guts and especially the ability to listen - not seeing it here! Time to do some Articles of Association ah sorry Constitution gazing I think as that is one area where a'boys club' can hide! Many people are not aware of the subtle differences between the two roles (CEO/GM) butany way many thanks for your response. Unfortunately, the majority of not for profit interest based organisations suffer from this malady in cycles, the 'bad' guys make a mess of it and the 'good' guys fix it only for it to all happen again later on. I'll go back into my corner now and keep watching with interest. Cheers HJ

Evening Gentlemen and of course Ladies if present. I'm generally not one for supporting the potentially destructive functions that forums can have but I do read and watch to see what is happening and I feel compelled to make a number of comments at this time. Having had significant experience in the executive management of Not For Profit organisations and consultancy in business structure and development, I am dissapointed to see a familiar pattern developing with our governing body that is not healthy for its own existance, its staff and certainly its membership at large. If what I am reading and and hearing is correct then there needs to be some serious consideration given to how the whole deal operates for the future. Whether we like it or not RAAus is a 'business' and the elected directors have a duty of care to ensure that the organisation is conducted properly in all areas. This does not mean that the directors should manage the organisation from the board table. Their role is oversight and policy development and the day to day management of the 'business' is the role of a competetent CEO/General Manager (or whatever label you want to attach) who is a business manager in every sense and has no conflicts of interest percieved or otherwise. In many cases recruiting a person from outside the industry is a better option as they are clean and fresh. Too many organisations feel the need to reinvent the wheel and not take advantage of successful models that are already in place. I hate comparisons with the US but EAA IS a successful model and many parts of it would certainly be adaptable and applicable to RAAus. An organisation needs to have a relevant mission statement, a 'business' plan which outlines short, medium and long term goals and objectives and in our case due recognition and promotion of all facets of the industry - its an old cliche but hell its true, if you fail to plan you plan to fail! Apologies if I offend anyone with my following comments but please take them as constructive and not personal attacks. I guess I will be tarred and feathered by some but lets look at the issues clinically. To many individuals, the election and appointment as a director of a not for profit organisation is seen as a position of status and power - somewhat like a CFI needing to wear four bar epaulets to prove who they are or a veterinarian having the need to call themselves doctor. It is also seen as the opportunity to go to town a clean up a mess - actual or percieved. Many people have agendas, generally short term personal ones and not necessarily progressive or visionary for the organisation. In many cases those who seek election are highly passionate and well intentioned for which they should be acknowledged but they may not have the business maturity and acument to fulfill their role which sees them at a disadvantage. Simply, the appointment as a director is an appointment to a lot of damned hard work for no return other than the satisfaction of playing a part in success and growth or the pain of ridicule in the case of membership rejection. There are a number of areas in whic RAAus as an organisation has to step up to the plate and some of these are being addressed but certainly well overdue - the magazine is one but the main areas that need the most attention right now is corporate professionalism and efficiency for the sake of members and newcomers to the industry. I'm happy to expand any comments that I have made and again, please do not take them as derogaotory or personal attack, they are more to motivate discussion on the bigger picture. Sincerely Hunter Jones RAAus 019706

Hi Ross I have a K2 project that I want to sell. Was advertised in the RAA mag. PM me if you would like the details. Cheers HJ

Hi Howie Have a look at this one too!

The field at Somerton is now controlled by the model aircraft club and is not really seviceable for 'real' aircraft use. Much harder to get into TMW from Nundle. Godfrey's strip is further to the north east of SkyRanch near Manilla. Cheers HunterJ

We have the power to make magic happen! SkyRanch is secure so you can go to town without worrying about the plane. Give me a yell as you get closer to launch date and we will see what can be done to accommodate one of our 'Mexican relo's' By the way - go the Swans. Cheers HunterJ

Hi drizzt1978, Yup - no PPL no TMW. SkyRanch is 42km by road to the west of TMW and my base. Quirindi is quite a way out of town too but not as far as SkyRanch is. Are you transiting and need fuel - happy to help if I can. Some basic accommodation at SkyRanch also. Cheers HunterJ

Sounds like a plan. We aim to be off by 07:00 at a 90kt cruize tracking straight to Dubbo and back in the air after refuelling by 09:15. Will redo my plan tomorrow to bypass Parkes to the west I think, unless you can suggest an alternative, then overfly Forbes and track straight to Temora. Will send my contact details by PM. Cheers HunterJ

Yup - just got the NOTAM, Parkes it is. So, you up for it Skyhog? Cheers HunterJ

Don't be offended Skyhog - nothing personal! Was told today that the National Aerobatic Champs are on there over Easter so thought it best to give them their space and track to the east a bit! Will get the Notam overnight to confirm but it sounds like my informant may have it all wrong. Quite like Forbes actually, have been there quite a few times by road and one of the places we had considered for an o'nighter just for the hell of it. Cheers HunterJ

Greetings all Just wondering if anyone from up North was transiting through the Gunnedah area very early on Friday morning who might want to form up with a flyin 'virgin'? The 'cook' (her first trip) and I are flying in a Tecnam P92 leaving at first light (if the weather gods are good to us) from SkyRanch (Lake Keepit) stopping at Dubbo to top up fuel then straight (bypassing Forbes of course) to Temora. Cheers HunterJ

Hi All Used my Moov 370 in the Tecnam over the weekend - took the missus for her first jaunt with me in preparation for our odyssy to Natfly. As Norman May said "Gold Gold Gold" - standard mounting bracket clung to the panel like you know what to you know what, no problems with the sun and a snack to use in the air. Did a number of waypoint changes and flew the tracks - all good and even the 'boss' in her abject terror was able to read and operate the unit. Its hard not to go exploring through the back end of this gadget - yup I did and got a bit wayward a couple of times but worked it out in the end - again all good. Found using a stylis very handy which gave quick and accurate selections - may be handy for those with larger fingers but not essential. Only down side was that I could only get 2 hours out of the battery soooooo in goes the cigarette lighter socket tomorrow. Slarti is going to be very intoxicated at Natfly when those of us who will be there shout him to thank him for his help and knowledge. Cheers HunterJ

Hi all I'm one of the 'quiet' observers in the background. All I can say is these things are gold - trust me, take up guru slarti's SD card offer, you won't regret it. Cheers HunterJ