FlyingVizsla

There's three weight increases with CASA. RAA have been promised 750kg, ELAAA have asked for 760kg and 1,500kg is the ultimate (for now). RAA are putting 1,500kg on the back burner because of the huge questions on maintenance, registration etc (and I'm not sure they really want it) and going for CTA first. For ELAAA it will bring them a larger clientele in fixed wing and non commercial helicopters. I suspect CASA would love to shuffle the responsibility for RPL aircraft to someone else and pay them minimal compensation.

Welcome aboard Ash, What sort of aviation are you interested in? Sue

I have known FIFO/DIDO miners who wanted to commute in their own aircraft and land at the Mine's private strip. Most Mines said No, on the basis of either security (not having to go through the gate house - drug & alcohol testing), liability (uncontrolled private ops on their strip), fatigue (you can sleep on the bus, at the camp or at the terminal, but not piloting a plane), beyond imagination (just didn't understand - so better to say NO). There was a guy who crashed just out of Roma flying his aircraft to work at a northern mine, weather related, if I remember. Commuting like this has an element of "Push-on-itis" and "I've done this a hundred times ..." and "this weather usually clears ... " Because of the speed of flying, Plan B (the car) is usually not a comparable option, so the prudent pilot is left to ring with apologies that he's going to be 4 hrs late, won't be home tonight etc.

In the lower latitudes you need a Night licence for the shorter days - take off before dawn and return after dark. Also handy to have a car at each end. Particularly if there is a problem and you need to drive home or to work. Plan B! If you think it is going to work out, then see if the Council / Airstrip operator offers an annual landing charge, rather than a per use basis; saves paying Avdata every month. I would be making a contribution if there was no landing fee; if I was landing on a regular basis, particularly as I would not be a rate payer or Aero Club member, hangar owner etc. Keeps everything sweet. I did a short commute at my expense for a short term assignment in a remote area, but I had camp accommodation when ever I wanted it and the strips were less than a 1km from each, but my NVFR was essential for morning & evening flights - we worked 12 hours - so you must watch fatigue. I wouldn't have relied on it for a longer period or for longer distance.

Investigation started Investigation: AO-2017-062 - Collision with terrain involving a FU24 Stallion, VH-EUO, Upper Turon NSW, on 16 June 2017 FU24 Stallion, VH-EUO, Upper Turon NSW, on 16 June 2017

True Constitution RAA Issue 12 Sept 2012. 15. Treasurer. ... (iv) The Treasurer shall produce a financial statement of accounts twice yearly and publish to the membership, the first occasion being not more than 30 days after the end of financial year, thereafter 6 months later. Constitution of RAA Ltd (published 27/7/2016) 20.3 Before or at the Annual General Meeting, the Directors must, in accordance with law, make available information to the Members on the Company’s activities and finances during the period since the last Annual General Meeting. Prior to July 2016, members were to get 6 monthly statements, after July 2016 it was Annual only. However, that 6 monthly was pretty hit or miss, depending on who was Treasurer. RAA had one Treasurer who didn't know the difference between profit / loss and was described as "staring like a rabbit in the headlights" when asked questions at the AGM. Large cash reserves were earning peanuts. Questions like "how much does the magazine cost" were a bridge too far. Income & expenditure was poorly dissected. Like him or loath him, a certain President who resigned and tried to come back, did push better recording of finances. The stand out Treasurer, for me, was Jim Tatlock. He came on board during a period of crisis - he settled the recording of finances into better categories to answer the questions of "how much did x cost, earn" and published profit & loss MONTHLY until things settled down. I only wished he could have continued, but he had more pressing issues and he had done the lion's share and put RAA on a good footing and given the membership better data to work with. He is a champion in my books. One day I hope to meet him, as I only know him by reputation. Waiting 12 months is a bit long, but looking at the size of the Annual Report (against previous), it is worth it. Takes you 12 months to read ... Sue

In reply to most of the questions - log into your RAA member portal. It tells me today there are:- 9625 members 3256 aircraft Go to Governance - Meetings A list of all resolutions - who voted for/against/abstained (you can use that info when deciding who to vote for .... ) Minutes of the most recent AGM Go to Governance - Reports The last Annual Report (includes the financial statement) The Annual Financial statement The Annual Report is a good read (but it's 12MB). There's a lot of statistics. Women are still only 3% or so of members (there's an opportunity!), the number of new Certificates issued is impressive, the average age of Pilots is coming down (older ones retiring, new ones starting earlier?). There's pages of reports. The year ends 30 June, so there will be another round of Annual Reports due soon. Financials - This shows good reserves, however the cost each year of running the show exceeds the revenue coming in. Either the revenue increases to cover it, or some functions / services are cut; or they continue to eat into the Reserves until there's nothing left. I support the increase, because the big expenditure item - the printed magazine - is obviously wanted by a proportion of members. Insurances went up 13%. That about accounts for the deficit. Happy to answer any questions from the Annual Financial Report, for those who are confused by Financial Statements, however I don't have any inside information. Sue

ATSB preliminary report Investigation: AO-2017-061 - Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172, VH-FYN, 12 km WNW of Ballina, NSW, on 16 June 2017 Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172, VH-FYN, 12 km WNW of Ballina, NSW, on 16 June 2017 Early news reports said it was a helicopter - perhaps this picture lent credence to that assumption?

There's an option to do 2 years membership at the old price - just did that - so the price rise won't affect us until 2019. I guess insurance (included in pilot membership) is rising faster than inflation. The single seat fleet is about 250 (out of 3,500) and been on the register for ages, so at half the 2 seater ($25 increase = $12.50/pa) that equates to about $3,000 they have foregone, but very few of them need "looking at" compared with new 2 seater models & kits coming into Australia. Compare that with car rego - mine went up over 10% in 4 years - $50 in one year.

Radio Navigation Chart

The owner of the Auster is a tall man, now over 70yrs, he's starting to have difficulty climbing in to the Auster and plans to trade it for a more accessible plane, and he no longer needs the speed and endurance, now he's not flying great distances. It has a 180hp, but between us we can't remember if it was Continental or Lycoming. I know of another Auster with a Gypsy in the Childers area. You'll get a seat, maybe even a fly. Hungarian Vizsla - the Velcro Dog - loved them, but I married 9 years ago, the dogs all died and the Boss said "no animals" I pointed out we had possums in the roof & packing shed, assorted snakes, an 8' Carpet python, goannas, the neighbour's cattle, spiny ant eaters, pheasants, birds, bandicoots; what's wrong with one more? I'll have to swap him for a Viz. Sue

Hi Heath, There's an Auster for sale at Childers Qld. I could put you in touch with the owner, but he won't be back there till July. Caboolture is another place where there are a lot of historic aircraft. Could be worth a visit and chat to people who own and operate them. Downside with 'historic' is also 'expensive'. Sue

Try this link to an earlier discussion. Can dogs fly???

:welcome:Welcome Low Flyer - Now you'll have to tell us about your snake story ...... And the US/Canada ... in more detail. Sue

Welcome Everett. Bull - a user on this forum would be able to help you with those, having owned, maintained & flown in North Queensland Australia. If he hasn't responded here, I suggest giving him a PM - look him up on the Members list. You could also search for him and those planes on the forum - he did explain a bit. Hope we can help you out. Sue

Well, he's done it. Teen pilot becomes youngest person to fly solo around Australia Tasmanian teenager Oliver O'Halloran now holds a flying record. The 17-year-old has become the youngest person to fly solo and unassisted around Australia. He returned to Hobart today after a 20-day trip flying 15,000 kilometres circumnavigating the country in a single-engine aircraft, in a record attempt dubbed Solo17.

Unfortunately not, but we are getting our flying fix with the RANS and working on the other planes. There comes a point where you spend more time working on planes that doesn't leave you with much time for enjoying them. Presently working on the fabric covering on the Lightwing. Do you have a strip on the station?

Hi Kirby, We are from Springsure, although we spend most of our time elsewhere. Are you town or surrounds? My C152 is still based there. Sue

Hey Yenn, some old bloke has beaten you to it. Elderly pilot flies around Australia at 84 to get 'oldies' to dream big Broken Hill Aero Club stalwart Lawrie Hutton has taken off on the flight of his life. In his old Cessna 172, modified to carry more fuel, Mr Hutton will be flying solo to the four most extreme points on the Australian mainland, a journey of 13,000 kilometres. It will be the longest flight Mr Hutton has embarked upon in his 84 years on earth. Mr Hutton had to search his memory to recall other octogenarian pilots who have embarked on an adventure such as his. "I think the quick answer to that is probably no, not a lot," he said. "But I do come across a few from time to time. "There was an old retired guy, a 93-year-old, who showed up at Broome on his around-Australia flight in a Brumby light aircraft. Elderly pilot takes off on round-Australia solo flight

Didn't know about The Flying Show - we have watched two shows and now hooked. Is there an archive?

Had a look at the Trail on the Groppo site. The last photo has "Trial" on the side of the plane - the rest have Trail - where's Dazza when they need him? Or was that one truly a Trial to fly?

ABC report here - Teenage pilot begins record flight attempt around Australia Highlights:- Tasmanian student Oliver O'Halloran, 17, ... climbed into a Cessna 172 and took off on the first leg of his attempt to set a new record for the youngest pilot to circumnavigate Australia, unassisted. The plan is for a 20-day mission, taking off from Hobart, and stopping in Launceston, Merimbula, Coffs Harbour, the Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Cairns, Normanton, Darwin, Broome, Karratha/Port Hedland, Geraldton, Jandakot, Esperance, Ceduna, Parafield, Devonport, before landing back at Hobart's Cambridge airstrip; a round trip of around 15,000 kilometres. As is the way of doing things these days, Oliver has pulled together the money for the attempt by crowdfunding, with sponsors also helping in return for their decals taking up much of the space on the Cessna's fuselage. Oliver plans to take time away from the cockpit to speak at schools around the country. "I'm just going to speak to them about achieving their dreams," he said. "That's the main idea behind the flight, the record's just a bonus." Cessna 172 on hire from Par Avion flight training.

I didn't think it was a survey into itself, it was a survey asking the members what they thought. Most businesses survey their members / clients and potential customers. I get a lot of surveys from 20 minute ones to one question from companies - that's how they know if they are offering what people want. Some companies and public service, have internal staff surveys written into their management, some do them for crisis management - eg market share dropping, large staff turn-over. Usually in companies too big for one person to be able to see all the sections and know all the customers. RAA is getting a bit too big for the Board to know what 10,000 people are thinking. RAA doesn't have a forum like this one (thank you Ian), but if they did, they might have a better idea of the current issues facing the membership.

Agree with you Nev. It seems a case of "the pot calling the kettle black". Criticising RAA for not sending their Tech & Ops Manual updates to all 10,000 members for comment, when ELAAA P/L have not done the same, criticising or forecasting RAA fee increases, when the ELAAA site says theirs will go up by 3% or CPI annually; and many other issues. The more I hear from this one director of ELAAA the less confidence I have in that organisation. I was seriously considering them, now I am not sure I want to take the plunge and change our aircrafts' registrations. I just hope they can improve their communications and provide some real facts soon. I am glad RAA gave me the opportunity to express my opinion and add to their statistics. We'll hear in due course what the outcome was and what they intend to do in response. Those who know me, and follow my posts, will realise I keep up to date with RAA and seek to keep them "honest" with reporting etc. I have certainly seen an increase in responsiveness, transparency and communication since the dark days of the CASA audits and CASA refusing them permission to register aircraft. Things will never be perfect (as we all have different ideas of "perfect"), and the majority of members will continue to ignore the internal machinations, so long as they can "just go flying".

Just returned from Caboolture TAVAS flying display. Spent Sat there - Mr FV was most impressed that the PA chatter was at a minimum and he could listen to the engines. He likes the vintage engines, rotaries, etc. I liked looking at the very early replicas (we were on the aircraft owners' side of the fence & in the hangars). Chatted to other pilots and friends and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Went home via Gympie - how that has changed since we were last there. Middle of the day and still training and flying going in & around. Now home & happy, having enjoyed a weekend of vicarious flying. Sue