FlyingVizsla

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The alternative For-Profit organisation to AUF/RAAus - the Experimental Light Aircraft Association of Australia (ELAAA) had a Maintainer's course run by Myles. ELAAA never got off the ground. The problems with running a course that teaches you how to maintain aircraft to L2 standard (how to use tools, etc) is 1. getting enough people together in one place on one date. 2. Dealing with the wide variation in experience - from the guy who has never lifted a spanner to the bloke who has loved engines all his life and built & owned several planes. RAAus welcomes L2 applicants who can demonstrate mechanical knowledge, and then provides training and guidance on what is expected. When I started with the AUF, anyone who put their hand up could do maintenance because they were all volunteers and nearly everything was home built. I met some keen but useless ones and some good ones. I can understand why RAAus does not run apprenticeships for aircraft mechanics or Diplomas in Aircraft Design & Construction. That is too involved and too long to be funded by members. TAFE and industry run courses. People get experience working with mechanics. It takes years, not a 1 day course. I note that some L2's restrict themselves - eg only do Jabiru, or don't touch fabric aircraft. For some L2's it is a business and livelihood, because a lot of aircraft owners know little about engines and planes.

RAAus offers scholarships for training Maintainers. The latest round closes 31st March. If you want to get into L2 work, then here's the application form. https://raaus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Scholarship-Application-Form-Maintainer-2024_Fillable.pdf The application form has a lot of information that relates to the Flying Training (CFI's recommendation etc), so they have a bit of work to divorce the AirServices funded flying training information from the Maintainers' which is fully RAAus funded. Any age group, funding for tools, assistance with training placement. I know two people who are presently going through the process to become L2. Both are very experienced builders, pilots, but are retirement age. The scholarship might help a bloke in mortgage stress etc who has a passion but not the funds or training avenues.

Sad to hear that. RIP

VH Rego (can see it on the 9News picture). Media are saying it was at the end of the runway. His injuries - facial & smashed pelvis. He was lucky the accident was quickly reported and responded to. Hoping for a good recovery. Pilot suffers critical injuries in plane crash south of Perth 7NEWS.COM.AU It took rescue teams about 25 minutes to free the man from the mangled aircraft. Bunbury Airport: Pilot critical after light plane crash south of Perth WWW.9NEWS.COM.AU A pilot is fighting for his life after a light plane crash south of Perth.

We are doing 3 ACR's this weekend, so we'll see how it all goes. 2 planes returning to the Register after years non-flying and one sold. Two owners who don't believe in Log Books will complicate things. The other owner got caught up in early RAAus log book audits, so that one "might" be OK, but there's no serial number for the engine installed, or any entries for the last 4 years. "Trust me, I did what needed doing..." no longer cuts the mustard. When were the hoses replaced? Dunno. Fingers crossed.

Actually you CAN own a plane and not be a member - I know two. I did ask RAAus regarding a non-member purchase and there is no requirement for an aircraft owner to be a pilot or member, there are some investors who own planes which they hire to schools or own so younger members can fly and some who no longer can fly due to health etc. That Schedule of Fees pie chart covers ALL fees paid. 17% is insurance, which I suspect is pilot, building & contents, Public Liability etc. If you log in as a member and then go to Pilots -> Insurance https://members.raa.asn.au/pilots/insurance/ you will see insurance is part of the Pilot fee (spread over 10,000+) rather than the aircraft (spread over 3,000+ planes). It says A cornerstone of protection for members is our unique Members Liability Insurance Policy which provides liability protection for those members of Recreational Aviation Australia Limited who hold a Student Pilot or Pilot Certificate. The cover, being applicable to the member (not the aircraft), means that the cover is “portable” even when piloting a RAAus registered aircraft owned by some other person anywhere in Australia. ------- The fee for a non-flying member $129, is lower than a Pilot $325 as it does not have the insurance component. Non-flying still gets the magazine, voting, training and similar benefits. Non-flying is a bit of a misnomer as some are active in other types of aviation, just not ultralights.

The insurance is part of the Pilot Membership, not the aircraft. You need to log in to see it - here's the link - go to Pilots - Insurance. https://members.raa.asn.au/pilots/insurance/

Qld Transport fees for car rego - Yes, they have Bands eg "Vehicle 1, 2 or 3 cylinders, electric or steam", 5-6, 7-8, 9 to 12 cylinders. There's a Seniors Card concession too. So how about "Pensioner Special" for single seaters? Registration costs WWW.QLD.GOV.AU Get an online free registration quote for your vehicle, motorcycle, light truck or boat in Queensland.

It was seriously suggested to me! Qld car Rego goes on the number of cylinders .... 🙂

I checked our single seat vs our two seat. In 2007 (chosen at random); the single seat was $55 and two seat $110. RAAus came in for some stick about supposedly not supporting the lower end of ultralight flying and it was decided to to keep the 95-10s at half price (which it isn't now). They have just about died out anyway. There are costs involved in initial registration, probably more so for a 95-10 self design vs a bog standard factory built which comes with its own dataset W&B etc. There would be admin required in setting up a new file, allocating rego, posting, emailing. I guess Initial Rego includes the first year. So $65 doesn't represent much admin, printing, filing etc, probably an hour and a half admin for a single seater. It is possible that two seat factory built are subsidising the 95-10s RAAus does a fair bit for aircraft - the obvious admin, oversight of issues - maintenance, training, advice, Tech Manuals, safety, magazine articles etc. It will never be fair depending on what you fly; and how you fly it. If you don't fly much, should you get a rebate on the rego? Should each aircraft pay what it really costs (standard factory build vs complex home build)? Can you have half price if you promise not to use the second seat? Should 2 strokes pay half 4 stroke? Could go on and on....

Man dead after plane crashes on farm near Bourke in western NSW - ABC News WWW.ABC.NET.AU A man has died after the crop dusting aircraft he was in crashed into a paddock near Bourke in western New South Wales.

ABC News & ATSB report Lack of oxygen could have caused fatal plane crash in Outback Queensland: ATSB - ABC News WWW.ABC.NET.AU A preliminary report suggests hypoxia could be the reason three aerial firefighting crew members, including 22-year-old William Jennings... https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2024/report/ao-2023-053

This is what the Developer said in the media release through AOPA “We project that only 40 per cent of residents will be pilots with access to their own personal plane or helicopters, however the lifestyle, location and amenities on offer will be attractive to all buyers whether they intend to live there permanently or have it as a holiday home. " "Alongside 62 blocks for private residences, VFR Developments’ $65 million, 50-hectare Aquila Estate and Flying Club – located 15 minutes from Maryborough – will include one grassed and one 850m asphalt runway, as well as shared hangars, access to uncontrolled airspace, and a clubhouse." "Only daytime flights operating under visual flight rules will be permitted, with the airstrip sharing CTAF 126.55 with nearby Maryborough and Hervey Bay airports. While the community permits residents who do not own aircraft, all houses will be required to include an allowance for a hangar to be built later." They are billing it as 30% sold, but I strongly suspect that is the parts that are not for sale (airstrips, buffers, bushland, common areas etc) and none of the blocks have SOLD on them. Remax are the selling agents. Prices start from $315,000 for the smallest block. Body Corporate is estimated at $4,000 pa. Houses will need to do their own solar / battery power, water, septic system as no services are provided. The Developer is offering architect assistance, project management (for a fee), hire cars based at Hervey Bay and Maryborough (should you own a plane larger than that permitted at the airpark), and assistance with learning to fly through the ultralight school at Maryborough Qld. It is 45 Watson Rd Yengarie, if you want to have a look. I know they paid about $875k for the whole thing. Hopefully the Council will force them to build the infrastructure before releasing the freehold blocks. I couldn't afford to live there.

Seems the airpark is back on. Here's the video I got through AOPA. I know the site, there's nothing much there, only the two hangars, a house and what remains of a runway unused for years. The video says they expect 40% of houses will be plane owners. That frightens me; 60% may be complaining about aircraft taking up the road, and kids riding on the strip. The gym, cafe & tennis courts are a bit pie in the sky for the small population. The Council previously restricted aircraft to ultralight (under 600kg) only. Can only wish them luck, where previous owners have tried this since about 2007.

I am always looking for a "shrug" "I give up!" exasperation emoji but never find one, even on other sites & phone. I'm happy to see progress. 🙂

Here's more pictures - Man's incredible act after plane obliterated in horrific crash 7NEWS.COM.AU The man issued a mayday call to Hervey Bay Airport before crashing on a private property. The Fraser Coast Chronicle (the local paper) has an article, but it is behind a paywall.

As a teenager, he is more likely to have video going to record the solo for the social media feed and to critique the experience. If so, ATSB will have some more to work with.

As a Cessna owner, I remember an AD (years ago) about seat pins after several accidents and near misses. The issue should have been "fixed", but it is a mechanism that is simple and easy to use. You pull the pin, roll the seat forward and release the pin and wiggle to let the pin align with the seat rail holes. Being short, the seat was full forward for me and I had Seat on my checklist to ensure the pin had engaged. I still think it was something with the aircraft. I feel for the Instructor, LAME, Flying School, family and others who will be under scrutiny and are asking themselves if they should have done more.

ATSB providing technical support to RAAus https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2024/report/ae-2024-001

That's what I was saying. The report makes out he had never flown solo before and had very little flying experience. It looks like he had more than the usual PPL soloist. I don't know all the background to this, so I am only speculating that this was a highly motivated lad who (possibly) came from a flying background, who was aiming for a career as a pilot, was moving through RPC, to PPL to CPL as quickly as able. At least ATSB will be thorough and we will get some answers.

The report is incorrect in some respects. He would not have been going solo for his RPC in a VH plane. I suspect he did his RPC because he could start earlier and was then transitioning to VH & PPL and would have had flights with his instructor in the C172. He would have lots more flying experience in ultralights. My money is on a catastrophic failure, like the seat rolling back just when turning base (instinct is to pull on the yoke as it rolls back) and then into a nose high stall. Something like that. So sad for the young man.

This has more information Camden news: Teenage pilot dies in light plane crash south-west of Sydney WWW.9NEWS.COM.AU A teenage pilot has died in a plane crash south-west of Sydney.

Channel 7 saying one has died. One suspected dead in plane crash near Sydney 7NEWS.COM.AU Emergency services are responding. Channel 9 says it is a Cessna from a local flying school. https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/light-plane-crashes-south-west-of-sydney/ar-BB1hap1T Mr FV is doubtful it is a Cessna and want to know what the crop is. Seems strange that it ended up in such a mess in a clear paddock.? All the wreckage together and a short straight scar on the land. RIP

The son put our plane on Facebook Market Place and referred all enquiries to us. We weren't ready to sell, but heaps of enquiries. It hasn't sold. Be wary of the guy who wants to buy without inspection for full price - not sure what the scam is, but spending $10s of thousands on the basis of two pictures is suss. Ask a few questions, if you're not in a rush, relegate the "tyre kickers" to a date suitable to you. Ours was a RAAus taildragger - yet we got "going to learn soon..." No tailwheel endorsement, Helicopter pilot, "my brother is good on the tools (reseller), the guy who rings regularly to check that it hasn't been sold and to offer even less than last time and trying to do "deals" - we know he is a reseller. Even people who have no interest in flying but think they could make $$ out of parting out or tarting up. Mr FV was livid when his old car he sold to an "enthusiast" was on FB within the week for $10k more. Our best outcome was through the Classies on this forum. Someone saw the Sonerai and mentioned it on a group dedicated to that make and it had 3 firm buyers, but one got in ahead with a larger offer, paid then picked up. So steer clear of generalised selling platforms - Gumtree, FB etc.