FlyingVizsla

Pud, So sorry to hear. Wishing you a smooth transition. My thoughts are with you and your family; and your flying friends. Thanks for your input over the years, it has enlightened and enriched our lives. I will miss you. Fly free. Sue

Husband and I both got it (separate email addresses) - note that the link has unique codes - his was not the same as mine. I filled mine in, but trying over 2 days, can't get his to connect "Problem loading page - the server is taking too long to respond" which is usually a product of my slow internet connection (it happened twice before I got mine). The other suspicion is that it won't respond to two requests from the same computer. I was hoping to let him at it as his experience and views are quite different to mine. As for the questions - surely they can work out your age after you just told them how old you were when you joined and what year? So you have to chose your current age. Several questions I had to answer "other" as the pre-selected responses were not applicable to me. I guess they are trying to discover how to turn around a slowly dying membership base in the face of competition from RPL and other sports. Sue

The quote on my C152 is $16,500 for the initial inspection including NDT & MPI, but excluding Eddy Current inspection which requires a specialist to be flown in. Cable installation, 100 hourly and any repairs at $110/hr. This is a special rate due to the financial stress of the drought and economic downturn. This aircraft has spent the last 20 years in arid areas of Western Qld. Sounds like $25 - 30k for an aircraft only worth that, but I doubt you could ask for $60k resale, particularly competing with aircraft that are not required to do SIDS.

The quote on my C152 is $16,500 for the initial inspection including NDT & MPI, but excluding Eddy Current inspection which requires a specialist to be flown in. Cable installation, 100 hourly and any repairs at $110/hr. This is a special rate due to the financial stress of the drought and economic downturn. This aircraft has spent the last 20 years in arid areas of Western Qld. Sounds like $25 - 30k for an aircraft only worth that, but I doubt you could ask for $60k resale, particularly competing with aircraft that are not required to do SIDS.

After waiting in vain for the Dynon agent to supply us with a unit, we started shopping around. We ordered a Dynon from the advertiser on the back of Sport Pilot (Mendelssohn) at the advertised rate - when we phoned they said the price was $200 dearer, we paid that accepting that prices on US stock probably went up with the movement in the dollar, however next month and the months after the advertised price remained the same. We particularly chose this supplier because we thought we were supporting RAA. They were very prompt on delivery, but they haven't got any repeat sales from us. Clear Prop shop is pretty prompt and affordable, but Ian does have his "off" days, but we understand, and support it because it keeps this site going. We had another experience trying to get a fuel tank out of the USA from RANS. It took a fortnight between email and answer, which was usually "ring us" and when we did (after 10pm and before 7am) they couldn't find emails and had to go through the whole thing again. In the end the fuel tank was in stock $213USD and they would get back to us about freight; about a month later $700USD! We could get freight much cheaper, all they had to do was confirm that the package was ready to be picked up - after 3 months chasing them each time the freight company gave up. The whole process took a year. We ended up repairing our old tank. Sue

TWO people have been injured in a plane crash in Maryborough on Thursday. A police media spokeswoman said two people had received minor injuries after the crash at Beaver Rock. The crash happened about 12.15pm on Dimond Rd. An ambulance spokeswoman said crews were called to a light aircraft crash at 12.18pm. She said both patients were assessed and one was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital in a stable condition with a laceration to his leg. The other person received treatment on the scene. http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/two-injured-light-plane-crash-beaver-rock/2707643/ I have no more information apart from this article in the local paper. Sue

To download the higher resolution copy from ISSUU, first you have to set up an account, log in, then choose the magazine. Under the magazine click "Share" then "Download". Worked for me, but have not tried it on my husband's ipad yet. Sue

I used the link to download the pdf (the low res option for slow internet) and it took me to the members portal with the only option the ISSUU site. I later visited the RAA members portal to find the pdf. You have to click on the 'members portal' on the breadcrumb (near the top RAA -> Members Portal -> subscription) this takes you to more options, click Current & back issues of the digital Sport Pilot, chose the edition. It took 5 minutes to download, and my connection is slow. I also got it through ISSUU which took 15 mins. This is a higher resolution version. By opening an account with ISSUU I could download it (no extra time). Anyone can go on to ISSUU and read. In fact I spent some time looking at various other flying magazines and other interests of mine. The pdf is poorer quality in the printed word, but you can zoom in on an article by using the +/- % keys at the top. I am quite happy with the ISSUU version. As for printing, perhaps they could come up with a 'one page per page' for people who don't have A3 printers?

I think the trophy is the points awarded as you reach certain milestones - eg first post, 100 posts, 100 likes etc. Click on the Menu (three bars), choose Members, then "Notable Members" (on my laptop it is on the LHS, but sometimes appears elsewhere on the page if I have a faster connection) and chose the points tab. Most of us are stuck on 113 points. To see the trophy point system, click on Terms at the bottom RHS, then trophies. By the way - There are a few of the aero medical & RFDS fraternity on here too, as well as some pretty knowledgeable types, as well as some scallywags. Enjoy your stay. Sue

From the Fraser Coast Chronicle:- http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/pilot-who-flew-too-low-wont-fight-suspension/2686852/ --Snippets from the article -- A RECREATIONAL pilot, who has been banned from flying for three months after he was filmed flying his aircraft too low along the Hervey Bay foreshore, says he will not challenge the suspension. The light plane, which was seen flying level to the Torquay pier, appeared to be well below the minimum height requirement of 150m from the ground in a regional area. "Recreational Aviation Australia adopts an even-handed approach to our members and want to remind all members to ensure they operate within the boundaries of the rules of our organisation," Mr Linke said. "We employ an open and fair reporting culture and encourage members to self-report where breaches occur. "This way we can work with members on education and training to ensure the continued safe operation of our member and the aircraft they fly." ------- Unfortunately the image attached to the article, in the summary of news items, shows a twin (?!!) I heard from another pilot that he was filmed by a commercial television station while doing work on the foreshore.

Video captures moment stowaway cat emerges on wing of plane in French Guiana http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-23/cat-hitches-ride-on-plane/6565588 A stowaway cat gave a South American pilot the surprise of his life when it emerged, clinging to the wing of a plane, mid-flight. ------- I didn't have the patience to watch the video as it takes about 1-2 mins to do a one second spurt (due to my slow internet) but it does say it all ends happily.

And on this website too - go to Menu - Resources.

Here's the ABC report (with picture) for those of us who are not subscribers to the Advertiser) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/plane-crash-mallee-highway-elwomple/6534412?section=sa

Sport Pilot June 2015 - Page 37 - the Assistant Ops manager is looking for the real 10-0001. See The Search for Number 1 http://issuu.com/michaellinke/docs/sport_pilot_jun_2015 Would someone like to respond to him pls? Sue

June Sport Pilot is available - http://issuu.com/michaellinke/docs/sport_pilot_jun_2015 I am reading it now; in Springsure on a better internet connection - seamless and easy. Just finished Letters to the Ed and the President's column. Sue

There are a number of current RAA Board members who have flown 95-10, if not the majority. I don't know every one, but I guess Middo, Eugene, Michael Apps, Rod Birrell, Major Millard, Trevor Bange, Ed Smith and others who have been around a long time, started on 95-10s. The 95-10s are not forgotten, they are just disappearing. We have a Scout. My husband is now too heavy to get it off the ground (although I still could) but it is hanging up in the shed with little will to pull it out and re-cover the wings. Same with the Turbulent also hanging from the shed roof - all the glued joints are suspect due to age, and little will to do the massive job to get it airworthy. The Karasport is operable, but requires re-rigging and a lot of paperwork (plans, dataset etc) before RAA will allow continued registration. I can't see how allowing 2 seaters; kit or factory built modern aircraft is stopping the 95-10s - I think we bought our demise on ourselves. 95-10 is one of the most complex segments of RAA. It is easy to register mass produced planes, but by their very nature (scratch built, own design, plans built, tweaked and altered, one-offs etc) each 95-10 has to be individually assessed. Flying has also become more sociable, people wanting 2 seats to take a mate, to go places, women also want to participate; wives and girlfriends wanting to savour the experience their partners find so attractive. People are less likely to make things these days. They want the instant solution right out of the box, and have the money to do it. Sadly, that means less 'minimum aircraft'.

The constitution requires 2 face to face meetings. No matter where you hold them, the Board have to travel. There are 13 of them. Given the distance it is not possible to fly in & out for a one day, over-nights come into it. We expect the President to be up front & centre on issues such as Jab engines, CASA liaison, media interviews and meeting the people. Most of the Board have jobs or businesses and have to take time off to attend. As Maj Millard says, they don't get the red carpet treatment, nor do they want it, as they are aware it is members' money being spent, and they too are members. If you want to reduce the expenditure, the constitution would have to be changed, the geographic spread of Board members has to change or the number reduced. That is in the hands of the members. If you want an alternative 'minimum aircraft' association, it could only survive if it did not issue licences and therefore oversee FTFs and I suspect there being so few of the 95.10 types left that it would be a very small club indeed. Setting up an alternative body is not as easy as it sounds. It could not exist without CASA's Sport Aviation Office approval as a Self Administering Organisation, and that would require a good deal of paperwork to show safety & compliance (think Ops & Tech manuals) and management. If you think you can run a national organisation with only volunteers who fund their work out of their own pockets, then you are going to be very disappointed. Sue

Go to the Members only area of RAA website - Financials - every month's expenditure is there. You can see the breakdown as follows: Board Expense:- Accommodation Travel Reimbursement Other Expenses Meals & Beverages Secretarial - Expenses Elections Telecards Meeting - Expenses Treasurer Expenses President Expenses Meetings RAAus AGM RAAus Speical Members Meeting Other Meetings/Conferences The current Board has also put an end to spouses' expenses being covered for meetings, fly-ins etc. The Board members don't receive a stipend for their voluntary service - if they are required to attend a meeting in Canberra from their home in Perth, Darwin, North Qld, Tasmania; it is only fair that their basic expenses are covered (accommodation, travel etc most of which is organised by the RAA office). Have a read and then start an informed discussion. Sue

AUF / RAA had only one fatal accident in 1996 and 2008, we are not dealing with insurmountable numbers like the national road toll. See the statistics and analysis here http://www.recreationalflying.com/tutorials/safety/intro2.html#accident_stats by John Brandon. If zero seems too high a target, perhaps "less than the 5 year average" or "less than last year" or a "Fatality Free Friday" or even nominate a Fatality Free month and push education and awareness the month before. When I hear people saying "you can't have zero" I ask, "well what number do you want?" I can see the slogan now "We aim for 5 fatalities a year" and wonder to myself about some deranged bureaucrat demanding the other 4 fatalities when we only achieved one. Ahh KPIs! Sue

Thanks for the comments Andy. As anyone who has been a Treasurer (or accountant) knows, the totals are only as good as the dissection of the data in the first place. Accounts are usually paid, say, 30 days after the bill, which represents the work done a month or more before that. As treasurer for a number of organisations, I felt like I was presiding over a slow moving train wreck, the cause of which was about 2 years previous. The figures for July 2014 to Dec 2014 are in the RAA Members section, and I would encourage people to have a look at them. It is a very good report, far better than any I have seen out of RAA to date. Jim & the CEO have done an excellent job on the analysis. Having a look at the magazine, there appears to be two payments in one month - just as Andy mentioned. So here are the 6 months July-Dec 2014: INCOME Members Market Advertising $ 28,302.74 Magazine Sales $ 6,649.91 EXPENDITURE RAA Publications $ 213,955.45 **about 7 month's worth & possibly not all magazine. There is no doubt RAA costs are going up (read about it on Jim's report), so the Board had to look at what is achievable. The magazine is a glossy quality publication, but it's primary purpose was to inform members of Board business, rule changes and to encourage safety. According to RAA 97% of members have email. They could have decided to can the magazine and only communicate by email & letter. This is a compromise - we still get the magazine, either immediately; or a few weeks later for a few dollars more. If the membership fee had gone up due to rising magazine costs, there would have been complaints that "I don't read it". I am on a slow internet, but if it comes attached to an email, it will pop up once it has loaded. When I looked at it on the web, it was downloading at about the speed I was reading. I read the May magazine on-line, then forgot I had, and when the magazine turned up in the letterbox, I kept thinking "I've read this somewhere", it being so long between one and the other. If the experiment doesn't work, we can always go back to the paper magazine.

Had a look at the RAA financials - unfortunately June 2014 was not available in the monthly format and only the summary version (the audited statement for submission to the ACT Dept of Justice & Community Safety) was available. So these figures are for 11 months only. The magazine costs have not been completely dissected as there may be other items included in the likes of "RAA Publications" and there is no dissection of wages - leaving no indication of how much it costs to administer. Now, with all these qualifications in mind, here are the figures. INCOME Members Market Advertising $ 23,139.99 Magazine Sales $ 7,184.10 EXPENDITURE RAA Publications $ 226,168.17 Therefore COST COVERED BY MEMBERSHIP = $195,844.08 (11 months), approx $213,650.00 for 12 months. Andy's estimates may cover more of the hidden costs (wages etc). Interesting to note the cost of stationery and postage = $58,930.07. It shows the cost of a paper based system; and add to that staff handling of each bit of paper; printing, enveloping, to/from post office, opening, distributing, filing, storage etc. A modern system would save some of that.

From my recollection, some years ago, the magazine contract was awarded to the same group (Brian Bigg's Stampils Publishing) who produce the AOPA magazine. Kreisha Ballantyne went from contributor to Deputy Editor Sport Pilot, and is now Editor of AOPA. It was hoped that an aviation based publisher would be better placed to vet articles; a few doubtful ones had slipped through previously; and produce some savings in production and attracting advertisers. It was in the minutes or the magazine, I can't remember but could possibly find it. I will have a look at the financials and post soon. Sue

Several news outlets are describing it as a Gyrocopter (Seven, Yahoo, Ten etc), so I suppose they copied each other. I have not found the police media statement yet. They usually just copy that. Here's the picture from Yahoo https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/28283794/man-dies-in-gyrocopter-crash-in-qld/

From the ABC News - http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-28/pilot-dies-in-helicopter-crash-near-mitchell-in-south-west-qld/6505230?section=qld Pilot dies in helicopter crash at remote Queensland property near Mitchell A man has been killed in a helicopter crash about 80 kilometres north of Mitchell, in south-west Queensland, authorities say. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the chopper went down about 5:30pm (AEST) on Thursday on a remote property, killing the pilot, who was the sole occupant. It is not yet known what caused the crash.

From the ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-30/man-dies-in-gyrocopter-crash-central-queensland/6509080?section=qld A man has died in a gyrocopter crash in central Queensland. A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said they were called out to a private property at Theodore, south-west of Gladstone, at about 8:30am. The pilot - a man in his 50s - was pronounced dead at the scene. Police will be investigating the crash on behalf of the coroner. A man has died in a gyrocopter crash in central Queensland.