FlyingVizsla

The dates are a little obscure, but looks like 18-21 October 2018 (dinners). The sponsors are more GA than AUF

Yeah, we miss Major Millard. Gone too soon. He got to Springsure, took a picture of my plane, but he never managed to drop in on us. We ran into him at Monto and other places. We finished moving from Springsure this month. I spent most of my career in Western Qld, including Longreach and certainly know where Prairie is. Regarding the plane - put an advert under Classifieds on this site - its free - and see how much interest you get.

The Update from RAA today says:- RAAus is pleased to advise our members that we have made significant progress with CASA’s new General, Recreational & Sport Aviation Branch in recent weeks on the topic of increased weighted aircraft allowable onto the RAAus register. Importantly, the weight increase will require an amendment to the Civil Aviation Orders which will require CASA to seek industry comment on those changes proposed. RAAus and CASA have agreed to advance a staged approach to increased weight. Stage one will see aircraft weighing 760kgs enter our register, while stage two will see aircraft up to 1500kgs enter our register. RAAus has agreed with CASA on the framework to allow this process to be implemented prior to the introduction of Part 149. The framework has a range of steps that RAAus must undertake, each of those steps designed to ensure our safety record remains at its current high levels. The framework will see Part 149 ‘like’ outcomes in place, prior to the actual commencement of the regulation. This resolution is an excellent example of a mature, collaborative approach which has resulted in both RAAus and CASA achieving their respective outcomes and in particular, RAAus advocating the outcomes our members seek. RAAus views a weight increase as a positive shot in the arm for aviation in Australia as it will generate economic opportunities for maintainers, create education pathways for people entering the maintenance profession and offer flight training schools greater flexibility with the aircraft they use for flight training and hiring. Owners of heavier aircraft will also have choice when registering an aircraft: they can continue with the VH system of registration or move their aircraft across to RAAus. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages and ultimately the decision will be with the aircraft owner. RAAus offers a self-declared medical framework and public liability insurance coverage for pilots and aircraft on our register. We also offer advocacy, training and education opportunities as well as access to highly skilled and qualified staff. One of the key talking points around this topic has been the maintenance protocols to be implemented. RAAus and CASA have agreed that any aircraft used for hire or reward as part of a flight training operation will be maintained by a level 4 maintainer. This has always been RAAus’ position. In essence a level 4 maintainer is LAME qualified. This process will ensure existing LAMEs livelihoods are maintained and even strengthened as more aircraft enter flight training under the RAAus banner. For privately owned aircraft, RAAus and CASA are continuing to work on the final arrangements to be implemented and we expect to make further announcements shortly. Chairman of RAAus Mick Monck said: “We take our role as a major player in General Aviation in Australia very seriously. In fact CASA reports that RAAus flying makes up 7% of all general and commercial flying activity in Australia. We are committed to strengthening the sector at large and creating pathways and opportunities for every aspect of General Aviation. We have seen sustainable safety improvements as a result of our commitment to safety and evidence indicates our safety record is on a par with other forms of aviation. With regard to our accident rate, some headline figures are quite demonstrative of real improvements. In 2013 our rate of fatal accidents per 100,000 hours was 5. In 2014 this rate had reduced to 2.65. Today the rate runs at just over one fatality per 100,000 hours. Heavier aircraft on the RAAus register will create positive economic opportunities for flight schools, hiring companies and maintainers. We look forward to continuing to work with CASA as we finalise plans for our weight increase in the second half of this year.”

Brian no longer does the AOPA magazine either https://aopa.com.au/paul-southwick-appointed-as-editor-australian-pilot-magazine/ Part of the reason Brian Bigg was awarded the magazine contract was because he was doing AOPA Australian Pilot. Those who have been around long enough would remember the howlers and gaffs by the previous non-aviation editors and the cries of "does anyone in RAA read this before it goes out??" RAA had to warn members that they did not condone the behaviour or advice printed in it. The copy was sent to Board members before it was printed, but it seemed most didn't bother reading, or the editor didn't heed their advice.

See kgwilson's post above for the link.

Did mine, but have to wait till we get home to Mr FV's iPad for him to do his, as my computer says "You have already completed this survey", I guess that's to stop people doing hundreds of responses on the one computer. One question was intended as a multi choice, but would only allow one response - so I put them in Other. I'll keep an eye out for the results.

ELAAA was talking about re-registering GA as VH-9999 ultralight. That was in an email some time ago. I suspect they are waiting for their documentation to be approved before they can say exactly what will happen, regarding maintenance, pilot certificate, rego etc.

Heard at Caboolture 16/17th May from RAA. 750kg has been talked about for years. It was discussed in a 1991 AUF magazine. ☺️ My C152 won't fit in 750kg, being 759kg. Only need a LAME if being used for training, otherwise L1. ELAAA Ltd were talking of 760kg.

We have a RANS Courier S7. The wings fold back for trailer-ing and I have seen one with floats. The seating is one behind the other with plenty of shoulder width. Husband is over 6' & 100kg and fits happily in the front. I found the rudder pedals to be too far away for me in the back seat and the stick too far away. Being a home built we could remodel the stick with a goose neck and rudder extensions. The visibility is fantastic with window either side and above from the back seat. I am chief photographer. So I guess someone bigger than me would fit right in. It is good at short take offs and landings, depending on your definition of short. It needs little runway. It is a tail wheel. Very much like a Cub. Another one we looked at was the Sherwood Ranger from England. The wings fold back even better than the RANS for a more compact purpose built trailer, but I have not seen floats on them.

He manages the Facebook site, so if you "send a message" he checks them and replies within a day or two. I am the Secretary for the Club and he's better than me at getting back to people. I don't think he's in a rush to sell as, by the videos, he is having too much fun. He told me he wants to sell to buy an aircraft he can instruct in.Regarding the RANS build, I said 2 years (but I am a very organised planner), he said 4 years reflecting his haphazard approach to things - will work that out when we get to it .. and discover we need to order something that will take 3 weeks to arrive.

My yet-to-be husband started building the RANS S7 in his backyard shed over 6 years. But he had a slack-attack, the wife got cancer which meant many trips away for treatment, she died, he moped for 6 months, chased me for 13 months and finally got it finished the month before the wedding. Without all that excitement he may well have had a plane in 4 years, while working full time "& doing it properly" he says. It is like a big Meccano set with only the fabric and painting challenging. If you want to just buy one, there is one available at Childers. It is a slightly longer version; the S7S. This one won awards; the guy who now owns it didn't build it, but went halves in it with a student so he could "learn to fly in his own plane", thus saving money. Now both want to move on to other aircraft. You can see a lot of videos of it on Facebook - Isis Flying Club (Childers Qld) Here's a link Isis Flying Club It is the white one. Chasing cows in C152s - my girl did a bit of that until CASA changed the regulations - not a scratch on her. Ahh, them were the days. Sue

Welcome Joe! Unfortunately you won't get away from CASA by marrying the daughter RAA! However the exemptions do give us some freedoms. We have a RANS S7 Courier (home built from a kit) and love it. I did my conversion from C152 to ultralights in a Lightwing and we are looking at doing an airstrip at home. There's plenty on establishing your own airstrip on this forum. Depends a lot on your local Council. What are you flying now? Sue

Look forward to it! Look for me - Sue, 4'7" with the 6' husband, RANS, Lightwing etc. Russell is gold standard when it comes to instructing. Unfortunately we don't get out there as much we would like, dividing our time between Springsure and Childers. Childers will be doing a Fly-in Breakfast again soon (date TBA) as the Club facilities will be up & running. Extended the shed & included a dunny. Nothing too good for the navvies these days.

Maryborough has a section in the book Queensland Airfields WW2 - 50 Years On, Roger R Marks, self published Brisbane 1994, ISBN 0 646 12769 1 Its a comprehensive 280 page book documenting a life time's study. Roger was a civil engineer who lived and worked over a wide range of Qld towns, including Maryborough and had an interest in aviation from an early age. I met him, at a fly-in somewhere 1994-1995 with the HARS (I bought a flying jacket) and he sold me a signed copy - No.1,407 - so it's not that special. But I have read it many times and it is getting dog eared, as I moved around Western Qld building roads and using airstrips. It's a small world - I believe Roger had a prang with a motorcycle about 1962 in Maryborough - I married the motorcyclist with the broken leg 46 years later. Mr FV's father used to fly a Gypsy Moth out of Maryborough. He was a pupil of Cyril Brett (Brisbane) and a member of the Maryborough Club. He got his licence in 1932 and flew down to Sydney the day after the Harbour Bridge was opened. Unfortunately he is deceased. Marriage and 7 children put an end to his flying in the 1940's, so his children don't remember much. Recommend the book. Will keep an eye out for memorabilia. Unfortunately Mr FV (hoarder extraordinaire) doesn't have a CAC Wackett squirrelled away in his multiple sheds. Good Luck.

Welcome back Moose. If you can, drop in to Childers airstrip. There's a vibrant community of aviators. Wed morning is an informal fly-in & get together for smoko, Sunday morning has a few who fly in, and there is usually activity of a weekend. Meetings are held 1st Saturday of the month about 10am followed by a bring-your-own to BBQ for lunch. Unfortunately our next meeting - 5th May - is a long weekend with a lot on elsewhere, so there'll still be people, just not a formal meeting. What are you gliding / flying now-a-days? Sue

Hi David! Plenty to get sidetracked on - on this site! Sue

Pilot named as Tim Pettitt. BREAKING: Tributes flow for Yeppoon pilot found in wreckage

Unfortunate outcome - Pilot found deceased at Baffle Creek. BREAKING: Missing pilot found dead in wreckage

"IT'S been almost 24-hours since a 78-year-old pilot went missing on a journey that was only meant to take two hours. With no confirmed sightings of the aircraft since it left the Bundaberg airstrip at 1.45pm yesterday rescue crews are working tirelessly. Six rescue helicopters from across the state are still searching for the missing pilot and gyrocopter. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority revealed the pilot took off from Booyan Airstrip, 22 kilometres north of Bundaberg, at 1.45pm yesterday on a trip to Farnborough just north of Yeppoon - a regular route for the 78-year-old. BREAKING: More assets join desperate search for pilot

Welcome Doran Tell me a bit more about your Cygnet .. There are lots of builders on this site and a lot cogitating over what to build, so there'll be plenty of interest. I too, grew up in planes with a flying father. Sue

Welcome Matty! Call in to Childers airfield and say Hello. Working Bee on this Sat, so there should be a few around, particularly from early morning (getting in some aviation before the hard work). Smoko & lunch on. Club meetings 10am first Sat of the month. Wed morning smoko (and Sundays) are an excuse for aircraft to fly in from Bundy and Hervey Bay with bun loaf & biscuits. Usually find someone there. Sue

I'll bet some wag had "finger trouble" and put in 100,000 hours for the year, just to see what would happen .... Hopefully the system has "unbelievable!" alerts for the staff. The 12,000 members (actually 11,079) came about when one of the office staff quoted the number of memberships, but failed to take off the ones who had resigned, and the Executive signed that off in the 2011 Annual Report and didn't bother to ask where the extra 1,500 odd people came from.

I gather ELAAA have over reached themselves trying for non-commercial helicopters and the sub 1,500kg fixed wing GA sector. It is a pity, as there are plenty of single engine recreational GA planes whose owners would like to trade off things like NVR, free rego etc, for owner maintenance, even if it is at an annual cost. Personally I would have started with ultralights, got established within what is accepted and then tried for greater weight and other types and engaged some people who know how to word manuals and administrative instruments. Still hoping they get up for the lower end of GA's sake.

We built a RANS S7. It goes together like a big Meccano set, good instructions, parts packaged & labelled. The challenges are fabric covering and painting. Seating is one behind the other. Can be configured to fly by either person (we are both pilots). Will be more expensive as the US & AUD $ drift apart. It took 6 years to build, but that was because he was working away, his first wife had cancer and months of travel for treatment, she died, he started chasing women and it took him 18 months to snare me and add my aircraft to his fleet. With just the two of us, both working, it might have been 2 years. Both of us have building experience and have owned other aircraft and he had a large shed a couple of blocks from the airport. We put it on the back of the truck (wings folded) to get it to the strip. That's another thing to consider - moving from build site to airstrip, if it isn't easily dismantled. Let us know how you go. Sue

Nahh! They all go into hibernation in winter down south, and besides the Southerners have an extra hour of sunshine each day to fly over summer. The numbers might even out, there was a distinct pattern to the number of registrations / memberships in each month (renewals are where these hours are reported). There has been a rise in members since I last logged on and looked.