seb7701

Thanks Pat. I think a GR582 would be perfect. Love to see some more 'on water' shots of your too by the way!

Hi all. I'm still looking at Lightwings and wondering if anyone knows of any that might be available for purchase, but not yet advertised. And, yep, I know Ebay has a couple!

Yes, I have a different view. I reckon you could have completed the assessment in the time to took to provide 'considerable thought' to so many points of complaint. First up, yes, it is an assessment, so yes, a time limit is generally applied where I come from. Three hours is plenty of time I would think, even if you are a busy person providing an immediate response to matters requiring your attention! Remember of course that you have already had UNLIMITED time to peruse the study guide, so the exam is just the final step. Secondly, yes, as you have already mentioned, the purpose of this assessment IS for no other purpose than maintaining your own aircraft from what I understand. Many people are indicating that they shouldn't have to complete the assessment when they have been undertaking this maintenance for ever already. I can understand this frustration, however luckily, those that already have a vast knowledge of maintenance should find it an absolute snap to complete the assessment. Those that don't may just learn something - I'm sure I will! I'm afraid also that from where I stand, it is possible that some students may be taught to fly with very minimal attention to maintenance, so I see it as a valuable safeguard with very minimal tradeoff in the form of some time. If the website does the job, then how about you just do it? I'll bet if they spent extra $$ on a super flash website you'd be whinging about that too! It is impossible to please everyone, but if makes far more sense to try to ensure some form of minimal standard of knowledge than to assume a level of knowledge to avoid offending anyone. In this day and age, people lacking knowledge who later become involved in an incident are usually very quick to try and shift blame and complaint that they were never provided with sufficient knowledge to save them from themselves. As for the workbook vs assessment business - surely the word 'assessment' isn't too big and mean? I hope this isn't one of those times when people complain that the red pen on their school exams caused them issues, such that things should now be marked in green instead..... Incidentally, the last (QAS) first aid course I completed had a (gasp) written assessment, (undertaken in less than 3 hrs). I think the underlying idea was safety and thus saving lives, much the same way that aircraft maintenance knowledge is aimed at further preventing your aircraft from suffering in flight issues which may therefore........save your life?? And yes, I'm sure others may have a different view to me also!

That can't keep certification with the Jab motor can it?

Definitely agree Dazza - 582 any day. Was interesting that the ad mentioned nothing of the 'improvement'. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is no way it should still be 25- rego?

Does anyone know this Drifter? Is this the elusive Jab powered version I have heard about? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Drifter-Ultralight-Aircraft-/151534131889?pt=AU_Aircraft&hash=item2348235ab1

Three neighbours say they have no problem with it - what's the bet they listen to the one whinger! If he gets knocked back, I hope he buys the loudest bloody mower he can find....

So the manufacturer's designed MTOW doesn't technically supersede the RAA max? Well there you go!

Sure, I would consider any of them, as they really do seem like good value and are at least still in production in terms of parts etc, which always griped me with my Drifter. I think I read a Dan Johnson report where the F model wasn't really worth it due to the shorter wing? I think the H model seems just terrific overall in terms of performance, accommodation etc. I am really curious though in the fact that the vast majority have Jab engines and cruise at a speed that is no more than most Jabs on climb out (at least the way I am told that they should be climbing out, namely 80kt) As such, I wonder whether they get enough cooling? That being said, I am aware that most around the world seem to have the Jab engines, despite a R912 being just perfect for them. The standard kit price is around $16500 and the H kit is around $25000 according to Michael COATES, so a kit still works out quite a bit dearer, as I would love to build my own. I can get engines cheap enough, but have to add around $1500 worth of instruments and $1300 ish for a prop (I believe?), as well as all other little items I have omitted. I think they are the only aircraft I would be game to attempt though.

Definitely! Let me know if you know of any for sale, as I am starting to think this might be fun. Was considering a kit, but they seem to pop up sufficiently from time to time. Only two in the mag at present though.

Yep, looks to be 490, which certainly is nothing to sneeze at!

Thanks gents - I appreciate some real world experience, as I did want to make sure that 50kt was assured. What sort of climb are we talking and what is the carry capacity? I saw one for sale at present with an empty weight of 244 and a MTOW of 544!!!! That's impressive, even if if climb is sacrificed a little. Michael COATES has indicated that a 3:1 gearbox ratio and decent prop is important for good performance also.

Thanks E.N. - I did see a few of them around, but then heard that 618's weren't quite up to the reliability standards of the 582? Either way, as long as there is a safe 50kt, then I'm no worse off than the Drifter!

Bugger Jason, that sounded like a good one! Thanks men - sounded like a solid 50kt a least. Sounds comparable to a Drifter - no slower at least. Rate of climb is a little ordinary though.... Looks like they take off and land in nothing at all!

Hi All. Still plane shopping. Can anyone verify the 'real world' cruise and climb performance of a standard X-air with a 582 Rotax fitted? From what I can gather, they generally cruise at 50 knots? They do look like a fun machine. Interested if anyone knows of a neat one for sale in southern Qld....

Heard it live - absolute cracker. Just a shame that the replay version was somewhat abbreviated!

Thanks Kyle - not professing to be an authority in the least, was just interested in the comment from someone more learned than I! The intercom sure would make all the difference - shame CASA strikes again...

That's a bugger. I was speaking with a tech the other day after picking up an A210 from repair that the A200 is a better radio. I believe one of the issues is the ribbon type connector between the head and the main unit on the 210.

Ebay lurkers would have seen this one and I haven't seen or heard of them for years. Does anyone have any knowledge of the Genesis series of aircraft? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aircraft-/171462487036?pt=AU_Aircraft&hash=item27ebf5ebfc

To take a chance and 'make a lemonade stand' is one thing, but to tread on so many others and utilise backdoor methodologies to get there is surely cause for curiosity??

Yep- that was it alright. Not half dodgy.....

From memory I was of the understanding that the Wagners used a loophole related to the council amalgamations (which occurred in around 2008 (?))which did indeed eliminate the requirement for public consultation. Either way, they seem to consistently have one priority in mind - themselves. Seems wrong that their self-serving little venture can be allowed to stuff up nearby properties which were no doubt (and rightly so..) bought without the assumption of an airport ever being constructed, as well as chopping into the airspace of a miltary base? Someone correct me, but I heard they encroached largely on Oakey airspace?

Whoa, o.k., that's a little ouchy....

Love to hear what the going rate is for hangarage around the place?

That's Darn good gents - fuel burn too! I guess it's true what some say - 'Two blades for go and three for show'!!