Camel

Ada, I'm sure you are a very intelligent person, have you seen the flight safety magazine questions ? I'm always find them poorly or confusingly worded, your thoughts ? I never get them all because half the time I don't understand the question ! Bloody Geniuses!

Ada, I understand where your coming from but I don't think you have looked at or care about RAA history and just briefly to help you, our system is good and our instructor system is good, do you realise a lot of accident are ex GA people ! Our former CEO and ops manager and board member Paul Middleton was ex CPL, ex CASA and was proud and happy with RAA with the aim to keep it simple, I meet Paul many times and had friends who knew him well, his heart was with RAA to keep flying affordable and FUN ! He flew a drifter and his property he called the bunny farm. He was keen to keep RAA simple and fun. Since RAA has had the plastic fantastic people want more gadgets, faster and heavier machines. Safety is about sharing experience and knowledge and not taking risks. I can assure you people who fly seat of the pants aircraft like drifters and trikes make better pilots than some of the products of full time CPL and university Aviation Genius, I have met them and it's embarrassing that they can't even fly a plane in adverse conditions let alone basic aircraft handling. Junior RAA instructors have to work under direct supervision of a CFI and you don't get far teaching in RAA unless you are keen, I can assure you of that from personal experience. Many GA instructors teaching RAA are not able to fly as well as some RAA instructors for sure , I've met them, I was shocked ! I will also tell you without any doubt the hardest student is an ex GA person trying to convert to RAA ! The hardest part is to get them to use the rudder pedals for what they were designed for not footrests !

Just like to say thankyou for the forum too and think Hugh has a hide to whinge on your site, it really is weird of him.

K-man, I don't quite follow, why would you not just get the RPL now then or is your argument that RAA should have CTA access and that's it ? Also because Airservices can't get RAA info on registered owners this would also become a barrier as they want to charge ! Do you agree ? I thought that Ada Elle made sense in her Questioning ( for once ) and I think you were a little harsh on her. Before you go off at me I'm only interested in the reason for not getting a RPL as Ada was asking and believe you are saying why should you have two licences ? My reason for wanting transit rights only for RAA and not full access is to increase safety in passing Coffs and Williamtown as examples, if full access was granted we then start having regulations on the standard of the aircraft increased and before we know it we are GA reinvented because if you look back in time that's how RAA got to exist because of what we couldn't do and slowly we are getting all those things ! Years ago you couldn't cross a road ! I am worried about the future of the freedom of RAA and what SASAO is doing is watching us likes Hawks to justify their existance. Your argument is fine but are you not wanting all freedoms of GA on an RAA budget ? Which would be fine for a while until the costs go up and the regulations esculate and effects everyone flying RAA that don't use or need CTA. I also have a REAL licence, and have to do Two Bi- annual reviews as I hold an instructor rating, plus class 2 medical so it's a pain but that's the game, but the benefit is I have a plane in the shed and can fly anywhere I want and the best part I can maintain it ! That to me is a big advantage and to be more specific I am a Motor Mechanic by trade or for want of a better title an Automotive Engineer, when my GA plane was serviced I always found faults they had made so I always tried to stay with it and watch and help. I also worked on other aircraft helping LAMEs and I consider myself competent. If I could not maintain my aircraft I would not bother any more and hire aircraft is not an option for me as when I have preflighted I find things neglected and that's GA as well. I'm not saying all LAMEs are bad just human as I've seen plenty of auto mechanics make mistakes including myself. If CTA was granted we may get forced into more stringent maintence inspections and in my opinion this will add cost and not nessecarily make it any safer but more dangerous in my opinion.

Is it the resevior at Falls Creek Vic.

Geoff 13. RAA operates under regulations laid down by CASA, the rules for single seat home build 95.10 trikes 95.32 and LSA, kit SLSA, approved kits etc are under 95.55 here is a link but I think there is a later version but I know for a fact there were no major changes only wording. Section 7 and 7.3 is the main part, enjoy. https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/g/files/net351/f/_assets/main/lib100072/cao_95_55.pdf

You are WRONG, 19 that have approval from Raa can access CTA.

Easily found and interesting reading and plenty of it below. As I said, For those wanting extra weight and no medical should join SAAA and help them. As I said I support SAAA being an RAAO but as "Nobody" said it may not be in the interest of members ! and I agree ! If I wanted extra weight and CTA I would be building a suitable Kit plane registering VH and maintaining PPL and be a member of SAAA, do all SAAA courses so I can maintain the aircraft myself ! Very unlikely to ever happen for many reasons and the best reason is I'm happy with RAA restriction at the moment, http://www.australianflying.com.au/news/the-last-minute-hitch-8-may-2015 http://www.saaa.com/Portals/0/Home%20Page/President%20Chat/Presidents%20Chat%20July%202013%20Rev%201%203.pdf http://www.saaa.com/Portals/0/PDFs/Sport%20Aircraft%20Association%20of%20Australia%20Minister%20Reply.pdf http://www.saaa.com/Portals/0/PDFs/CASA/SAAA-Recreational%20Aviation%20Administration%20Organisation.pdf http://www.saaa.com/home/news.aspx

Same could be said for the focus on RAA ultralights as Kasper points out ! Without any doubt you make a very valid point ! Some here may remember some history regarding SAAA and RAA some years ago when talk of a recreational Licence began !

Agree 100% with you ! I have a PPL ! I have owned a GA 4 seater plane for 9 years previously ! I have owned a Trike ! I now fly RAA and keep my PPL current ! So do many others ! My point is if you can't get a medical for RPL or PPL then you have to enjoy and appreciate RAA and the cost is way cheaper than GA. if you want GA privilidge on an RAA budget then Kasper is right about another category of RAAO and the most likely organisation that fits this description is the SAAA and it would be great to see them pick up the 600kg plus catergory ! SAAA is the obvious choice in my opinion and I would love to see it happen ! More power to RAAO's but it may not change much, solves weight but back to the problem of medical ! This to me is the major issue and can be a real safety issue to some ! So what is it going to be ? Is the medical the real issue ? My suggestion is push SAAA to become a RAAO and issue licences for over 600 kg, no medical, CTA and carry heaps of people ! GOOD LUCK. !

Just for your thoughts ! In disscussion a friend said he liked the new Jab roller cam follower engine, I said what about Camit, " he suggested mix and match, camit heads and barrels, Jabiru cam, hydraulic roller followers and valve train ". what are the thoughts on this mix and match theory ? It all sounds feasible but I have no idea if it could be even considered ?

Maybe casa could try organise chook raffles at fly-in ! Nah they would over complicated it as chooks can fly and would need some serious paperwork.

I support transit of control but I don't support access as if you want it a RPL or PPL will provide this. Extra weight is something that will go on forever and there will be a price, older Jabiru LSA55 have a MTOW of 420 I think and that was where the weight were much lower, they gave us 544kg and 5000 feet, they gave us 10000 and 600 kg, a lot of Ultralights and LSA cannot meet 600 let alone higher, in fact your aircraft may not even carry 600kg according to specs on web. So the weight increase is no help to you. I have a 230 Jabiru and is capable well over 600kg, the observance of weight is important and mine is basic to reduce weight. All the bells and whistles take up weight, if you want all the gadgets, extra weight, CTA and plenty of seats buy a GA plane like I did before and find out what it really costs. RAA is affordable flying, basic and sometimes seat of your pants and that is what may save your backside, the ability to feel the Aeroplane and feel the weather. The J230 was not available when I bought a C172 and I loved my plane. The J230 is a compromise, I would love to have my C172 back but not affordable. I maintain my GA Licence by BFR and Class 2 medical and maintain a RAA instructor rating by PE flight reviews. From your own statements you have trouble getting a medical and many GA pilots came to RAA because they lost their medicals and that is fine, CASA could force all to hold medicals and that is not what members want, they want affordable flying without the strict medical. I also will not take overweight people flying and I make no apology as these are LIGHT aircraft and not meant to carry HEAVY people. I need to lose weight too as I'm reducing my fuel and luggage capability. Weight is a big safety issue and it starts with crew weight and BEW. A Car drivers Licence is a privilege not a right ! A pilot licence is a luxury and will take some work to keep it, I have never regretted a penny spent on training. If you can't get a medical you should be so grateful that RAA exist to allow people to fly. Many RAA members hold GA licences and understand the issues. Express your opinion by all means but respect others too ! When you became a member of RAA you agreed not to bring RAA into disrepute ! That is in the ops manual ! I found your BS comment a little off and part of the problem as I know the safety programs is well intended. When you loose a friend by a simple mistake it hurts. Pioneer 300 Kite, is this your aircraft spec ? Engine power: 100 Hp DIMENSIONS Wing span 7,55 m Wing area 10 mq Length 6,25 m Cabin width 1,05 m WEIGHTS Empty weight 315 Kg Max weight (VLA) 560 Kg LOADS In flight load factor +3,8/-1,9 g @ 560 Kg Tank capacity 80 l Baggage volume 300 l Max baggage load 20 Kg

As you have read the mail out Geoff you would understand the focus of the safety promotion is not hi vis vests. Any promotion of any kind is good and communication with members is very important and I applaud you for keeping in touch with your FTF and posting here your opinions ( good or bad) . To others I read this site to gauge people's opinions and like to help those seeking assistance or inspiration. I feel I have a lot to offer as I have hours, instuctor rating, L2, extreme weather and mountain experience, GA, RAA, HGFA and have had a few close calls. The close calls are things I have the answers for and have addressed them and teach students the faults I made, there is a saying in aviation " you must learn from other people's mistakes as you won't live long enough to learn from your own mistakes " The mistakes I made are easily made and I feel I already have made a difference by preventing other from making the same mistake, one of my instructors sat me down and explained to me how his two former students died in an accident and how he dealt with guilt knowing the cause of the accident, that also gets passed on. Another two GA instructor also told me of deaths and the causes but the saddest is my mate, my mentor who introduced me to flying, a simple mistake cost him his life, I teach this to my students too. It can happen to anyone if they become careless or do not get made aware of possible things than can attribute to accidents. The flight safety magazine gives stories of accidents for people to learn from, I'm glad RAA have taken a step to educate and improve safety but safety is an attitude and a mind set to be good at what you do, And be mindful of others. After a freigtening experience at a local airport I set about to change something so it wouldn't happen again, I succeeded and am proud I made the difference and may have saved lives, I didn't whinge to anyone I wrote constantly to CASA and got the change. I applaud Board members and others who try to make a difference for posting their views and opinions on this forum, we are lucky they don't get put off by some as has happened to me many times.

Maj, congratulations on your well put support for RAA . The packages that was sent to CFI's was well accepted and was obviously well intended to address safety issues that have brought RAA into unnesssecary controversy. The safety issue seems to focus on Non compliance of rules and regulations and is about getting this situation under control by greater awareness. It is not BS as Dr Zoo puts it as many have died because of it! If DrZoos is not happy with RAA then he should go get a PPL ! And if he can't get a class 2 medical then he should thank RAA for having him !

The reality is With the Australian dollar weakening imported engines are going to get expensive to buy and repair, they already are and will get worse, I would prefer the Australian product especially if they get more bugs out of it. I would have preferred to own a Holden than a Toyota but they didn't have what I wanted. Holden will be gone soon and so will Jabiru if you don't watch out.

Since I have updated when I lock screen I can't unlock it, the only way I do it is turn off and on iPad anyone know what to do ?

Not unchangeable, here is link to the flying car weight increase http://aviationweek.com/technology/terrafugia-s-roadable-aircraft-faces-weight-hurdle As far as airspace privilidge it could happen very quickly as it is a safety issue, but I believe transit only for RAA and for entry get PPL or RPL with class 2 med. for transit it wouldn't take much training and a RAA instructor with a GA PPL or better should be able to train.

LSA is 600 MTOW and that's it, but the Terrafuggia flying car got approval for a special weight increase. I think getting the weight increase and getting a LSA increase are two issues. Remember that Europe mostly build 450 kg stuff.

I also am in the same position, but the J230 being LSA can still be only go to 600kg, it would need to be full experimental to go to its weight limit. Or am I missing something ?

Yes right here, enjoy reading. http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/

Seems the problem has to be part of the solution.

Take a look at this, wonder if it can be used in your favour. http://www.ano.gov.au

I apologise if I was too harsh but my view remains in regard to transit not full entry only for the reason not to cause more problems as an approved aircraft with suitably endorsed pilot can already do it. So if you want full CTA It seems to me it is best to get a RPL or PPL and understand the correct way to do things as far as transit it's a safety issue, as a controller you would understand better than anyone the issues about transiting Coffs. As far as doing something I'm sure if you offered your assistance to board members as regard to how to implement and train they would be more than interested, Don would be a classic example as he is only RAA and is not over familiar with procedures as most RAA members. I think you would have a wealth of knowledge to share and if full access was an option maybe you more than anyone would be aware of the best training methods and limits if any. One of my horror stories was heading north Willy VFR lane Stockton Beach and heard Canberra Bomber getting South Bound Clearance, I was scared I would have to go to sea at 500ft to get clear of wake, he was directed to go over the top up high. So how would a very light deal with wake turbulence

Coffs use to close for lunch on weekends, has it changed ? Don't you work for Airservices as a Controller ? If so you should be helping get transit privileges for RAA as RAA is about the members and being able to fly affordably, oh that's right you want full access and don't seem to want to improve things, look after yourself eh ! I have a PPL and I would like to see transit for RPC holders as I want to improve the situation and remove the danger of getting around. If you want full access you need a PPL or RPL and that's it, very simple and it won't come cheap. I spent plenty and spent lots of time studying, I'm saddened by those who are in it for themselves as I could easily not worry about transit rights as I'm OK ! Board members do it for nothing to help others ! Most RAA FTF don't earn big bucks, they like sharing the knowledge and joy ! RAA was about sharing aviation and being affordable ! I have taken people flying that would possibly never get that opportunity including camp quality kids, disabled and that has brought me joy.