bauple58

Looking to buy a plane with a 2008 Rotax 912UL, 780 hours TT. Rubbers have all just been replaced. It doesn't have the overload clutch, and hasn't been running avgas. As a newbie (to Rotax) I am wanting to determine what mandatory costs, other than routine annual maintenance, I can look forward to. I am led to understand for example that the gearbox will have to be inspected at 1,000 hours. Is this correct and if so, what have others had to pay for this? Thanks

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has been able to purchase a stand-alone policy covering the cost of aircraft recovery, and the cost of non-accident related repairs (such as engine failure). Neither of these eventualities, I learned today, are wholly covered by my aero club's existing insurance policy, which is capped by an agreed hull value. My hopes for flying long distance in a club hire plane appear remote, unless I can purchase a separate (and affordable) aircraft recovery policy. Thanks

Thanks David (and SDQDI)

Back in around 1975 the Sport Aircraft Association convened a meeting at Archerfield, to determine if local ultralight enthsiasts were sufficiently numerous - and interested - in forming some kind of self-administering organisation. The half dozen individuals who attended formed the 4/400 Group (max wing loading of 4 lb/square foot and maximum all up weight of 400 lbs) which conitinued on for some years, eventually being overshadowed by the AUF. I would love to hear from anyonw who might have been involved with that Group, either directly or indirectly. Thanks Mark 0415 900 554

Would love to hear from anyone who might still have Sky Sports magazine copies. The first issue of this privately published magazine appeared in 1986, and it appears to have remained available for at least a few years. Would also like to contact the Editor-Publisher if anyone can help on that count too. Thanks Mark 0415 900 554

Anyone know how I can contact Ozzie, the well known male member from the Hunter Valley who was last active on this site in August 2016? Thanks Mark

Happy to be corrected, but my take on this is that only plane (a RAAF Fairey IIID) has ever flown around Australia, and that was almost a century ago, in 1924. Every so called 'circumnavigation' since has essentially been a cross country, even allowing that some sectors might periodically pick up the coast. While young Oliver O'Halloran and his ilk deserve every encouragement, and accolade, his route falls well short of a circumnavigation (which is something he would probably also concede). Take just one sector for example. By bypassing Cape York he reduces by two-thirds the distance needed to properly circumnavigate the Cape. But clearly, I'm envious.

Thanks pmaccarthy for these prompt and helpful suggestions, both of which seem to be worthwhile lines of enquiry.

In 1975 the Queensland Museum received a large collection of Kingsford Smith's personal effects, these having been gifted by relatives in the United States. Amongst these was an item of whale's tooth scrimshaw attached to a plaited plant fibre 'necklace' and inscribed with the word AIMEKI (or AVIMEKI). Since the collection includes numerous presentation items, it's tempting to conclude that the scrimshaw may have also been presented by an appreciative Pacific - or Tasman Sea - community. https://www.flickr.com/photos/38049473@N00/.../in/dateposted/ I would be most interested to hear if anyone here can identify its origin, or the meaning of the inscription? Thanks Mark

Queensland Museum has a Resurgam II, presently dismantled and stored at the Museum's Hendra storage facility. Unfortunately however, it has no obvious airframe production or AUF registration numbers. I am happy to take another look if someone can tell me where Resugam production numbers are normally found? This machine was formerly owned by Bill Knight. Would anyone happen to have a photograph of this aircraft (before it was purchased by the Museum), or know how I might get in touch with Bill Knight? Thanks Mark

Sharing this new app link which allows you to readily convert tacho and Hobbs meter times to either decimal hours, or hours and minutes: https://ellsclytn.github.io/AirCalc/

I'm trying to identify and locate the oldest surviving Austflight Drifter SB582, my understanding being that these were all built at Boonah (Qld) rather than Ballina (NSW). According to the RA-Aus fleet register this would have been 55-0744 (serial DR93-1001SB). Would anyone happen to know if its still exists, and where? I'm also wanting to contact anyone who was associated with Austflight ULA Pty Ltd during the Boonah phase? With thanks. Mark