tcsmith

One of my friends just told me that he has signed up for Starlink. New zealand refused Fibre networks nationally , and are using Starlink. He told me that he travels with his offroad Caravan and 4WD Rig to a lot of remote areas and always has Comms and TV and NAV. Pricing he gave me looks reasonable. Has anyone else gone this way? Cheers Terry

Hi Aro, Thanx for your response. The purpose of turn back exercise in Gliders is handling rope breaks on takeoff. Assuming a 30 to 1 Glide performance for an IS-28 , the instructor in the back will yell out rope break, the trainee will expect something to happen, and initiate a 30+ deg bank to the left. Provided response is timely, the glider will be pointed back to the strip quite quickly. Maintaining 50Kt in the turn from a 65Kt tow, this works. Traffic is held on the ground, and the site is chosen for a safety margin. I have done this as part of yearly checks on various occasions. Again, dont try this with a Powered Aircraft..... Terry

Re impossible turn. We included a turn back on takeoff in the gliders. using an IS28 aircraft, we would pull the cable release at 200 feet after training, from a 65 Kt Aerotow and initiated a medium turn back to the airstrip. This gave experienced pilots a clear landing with no problems. Not for beginners. Dont try this with powered aircraft!!! Cheers Terry

Where can I purchase an EFB? What does it cost for the device and software? Cheers Terry

Hello Folks, I was a member of the gliding club at Benalla for a lot of years, and saw a lot of ground loops. Typically more experienced pilots got overconfident and relaxed back pressure on the stick during the landing run. You could pick them. The elevator was a visual warning for those watching. No Names!!! Cheers Terry

I usually fly with a WAC chart on my knee, portable gps on the top of the panel which I switch on if I want it. I typically look at ground features, possible landing sites, ink in POI's on my map. The GPS can give me progress, Wind speed, and is useful for emergency diversion info. I have spent a lot of time towing gliders, often two at a time, on long ferries, and keeping track of paddocks and other landing areas was important. Tel

Hi Barry, As a member of GCV and GFA, I have an Independent operators rating. This does not absolve me from having to have 2 separate DI's if I rerig the aircraft in event of an outlanding. Cheers T.

Good Memories. We flew gliders in NZ south Island to 24,000 feet on Oxygen. Hard to fit an Oxygen mask on an Eagle.

I have seen them over Kosciousko at around 10,000, They tend to like strong lift, either thermal or ridge Tery

A few summers ago, I was flying a Mosquito from Corryong back to Benalla. The day was rapidly cooling, the thermals diminishing, and I had been back to the same thermal 4 times. As I climbed out at around 200 Fpm, I caught a flash of brown coming at me out of the sun, and heard a large bang in the rear of the glider. I headed out over the valley, and pulled some G to see if anything was falling off. felt Ok. I landed in one of the paddocks below, and looked around the aircraft. Under the Right hand wing, I found Blood traces, and 3 Talon marks in the leading edge. I think my assailant was a wedge tail eagle I had spotted some time before. I have thought of him defending his territory since, with some feeling of guilt. Terry

Some time ago I dropped a glider off near Tocumwal and flew 150km generally east to find a private strip with my GPS. Found myself musing over the uselessness of 100 Billion dollars worth of gear spinning in space and me with flat batteries. I get there IFR; I Follow Roads!!

Re; Heart attacks I had congestive heart failure a year ago. Woke up one morning with sweats, pain on front and back of chest. Told my partner that she had 5 minutes to get me to Box Hill hospital (vic). She stopped at a red light and i asked her what she was doing. She had never run a red light before. I was on the operating table within half hour of arrival, had 2 attacks in 2 days. I now have 2 Stents (perforated Titanium tubes) fitted. A few months of losing weight and exercise, and I am now on yearly checks. I am on medication for ever.I have started flying again, dual at present, but I will be be going back on the PPL in a couple of months. 1. I ignored warnings I did not identify for about a month, thought it was back pain. 2. I could have controlled an aircraft for an Hour or so maximum, though uncomfortable. 3. The Rehab people tell me that the suspect age for australian males is 45 to 65 years If you are overweight, or in that age group, please get yourself checked 4. They are getting very good at Angioplasty these days, so it is not necessarily a death sentence. Regards Terry:)