pudestcon

Yes, seen this one before Wayne, and what spectacular footage. Very interesting to see the little feathers on the wing leading edges becoming disturbed right at the stall. Pud

Mate, that's a great story. I sure would have liked to see that. Imagine if you could capture that on video. Pud

I knew there was a big softee under that gruff exterior Maj. Sometimes you would like to intervene but nature has a certain way eh? We have the willy wagtails at it again on our back patio where they have nested for at least 6 years. I count 4 nests out there from previous years, a new one this season after their renovation last season didn't hold up. Sometimes I've seen the first crop of chicks get taken by cats or crows, then the parents start the process again. I'd like to help 'em out sometimes but it just doesn't work - the best I've done is rigged up a shade for them once it gets too hot. That works for the little buggars. Pud

What about a poll item "I couldn't give a toss"? Now before you jump up and down about this, I would hazard a guess that, if you could get the entire membership to vote, this item would win the poll. Why? Because all most people want to do, in my view, is fly, so they pay a 'licence' fee to do just that. And if it all caved in and RAAus ceased to exist, most, including me, would continue to do our own thing. Most people, in my view, don't want to know about all this BS going on - is it good or bad governance, has somebody taken a dislike to someone else, and so on. Most would not even know about the recent meeting, the changes to the constitution, or the threat of RAAus not existing; if there is such a threat. Come to think of it - Wouldn't it be much better for a simple certificate/licence administration similar to your driver's licence and vehicle registration system? Then we could all go and join a social flying club to build our ivory towers! I didn't vote in the poll!!! Pud PS. I did, for the first time, send in my votes to the AGM, for the constitutional changes.

Yep, it would have been good to spend some more time in the Townsville area. Your offer of a local flight (Maj did mention it) would have been gratefully accepted - just a pity about the time constraint. Give me a yell for sure if you are ever in WA. Cheers, Pud

I'll be there Brett, as I mentioned in your other post. I'm looking forward to catching up with as many people as possible, especially forumites from here. Cheers, Pud

G'day Brett, Welcome back, and its good to see how you have progressed. I still remember seeing a video clip of one of your 1st helicopter solo flights back when you were learning to fly those buggars. I'll be at Westfly on Saturday so I'll come by and introduce myself. Just keep an eye out for the old codger with the belly!! Pud

The engine might have some damage though eh Frank? Pud

G'day naremman, I did my training out of Narrogin as well, back in the late 90's under CFI Rod Jarrold. He was using an SB Drifter and a Jabiru. I preferred the Drifter, and still do:wink: It was very remiss of me not to mention the St Johns volunteers,being the controller at Koorda for over 20 years. We were part of the Wyalkatchem Sub-branch. Most country services would not exist if not for vollies, as you are well aware being heavily involved yourself. It would be good to meet up with you but I will probably only be at Westfly on Saturday. Westfly promises to be a great event if we all support it. Cheers, Pud

Did you install any internal baffles to stop fuel 'slosh' Tomo? Pud

So it's a Skyranger but not on the register (not updated though) that is currently on the RAAus website. I'll be at Whitegum Farm for Westfly - volunteered to do some marshalling so watch out!!! Pud

I was going past the Narrogin Airfield today and suddenly found myself in the carpark:augie: The RFDS were there doing what they do best, and the hangars has a few aircraft I thought you might find interesting. It's a pity some had covers on. I'd like to know what 19-4553 is but can't find it on the RAAus register - maybe an early Lightwing? There was a very nice looking, gleaming, Cougar 19-7999. See what you think. Pud

Like this you mean?

This is going to be a long post so brace yourselves!! As most of you know, Gay and I took an outback camping trip with 3 other couples across Australia and somehow ended up on a cane farm at Deeral NQLD. At a patch of paradise I like to call “Farri’s Place”. We spent 2 wonderful days with Frank and Fran, with one couple staying an extra day to chill out. Not knowing what to expect when we arrived the convoy parked up at Frank’s gate whilst I went to do some ‘forward scouting’ and to see what my relationship with Frank would be like – after all, you do hear of horror stories about meetings arranged on the net!! Not so this time, with this little guy bounding out of the house (with 2 little dogs in tow), big grin on his face, offering his hand and saying “G’day Pud, I’m Frank”. Frank made me feel right at ease straight away and offered his best piece of real estate on the banks of the Mulgrave River as a camp site. He even got to on the slasher and cut down a prime ‘cash crop’ to make room for us all – you don’t get generosity like that every dayJ Even stirred up the wild life so we could have a lesson in identifying the local snakes! 1st impressions of Frank: A wiry, fun loving gentleman, generous to a fault, short of stature but never short of words. In fact I would call him a ‘motor mouth’ if it didn’t sound so derogatoryJ Frank likes to talk, but its words of explanation and wisdom that tumble from his lips. He is passionate about most things and has done most things in his long life – worked hard too, it is evident. Our group, all who have spent large parts of their lives living in small country towns, had many questions for Frank which he answered fully and with knowledge. He also took time to explain to us the painful thorns that grow in these parts, and be sure not to tread on them. But Frank was in bare feet – always in bare feet that I could see. He only left our little camping area that late afternoon because his mistress was calling. That’s right, he went for a half hour late afternoon flight just for the joy of it – and to make me envious I’m sureJ The next day went in a blur for me as Frank took me for an orienteering fly of his patch of the world, and what a lovely patch it is too. Then the ol’ buggar worked his honey sweet dulcet tones into a persuasive, irresistible force on my wife Gay!! Before I knew it he had her strapped in the Drifter and heading into the wild blue yonder. I tell you, I was gobsmacked!!! It took me many, many hours of persuasion before Gay would come flying with me and Frank managed it in a couple of minutes. In fact, to this point in time, Gay has more hours with Frank then she does with me. After more flying from the front seat of the Drifter (first time since November 1999 for me) we were relaxing with a coffee in Frank’s kitchen when the sound of Maj’s Lightwing could be heard overhead. So Frank and I raced down to the strip to watch a final sideslip and landing by Maj. It was great to finally meet the Maj in person and to shake hands as if we already knew one another – and I suppose we do really, through the medium of this great site right here. 1st impressions of Maj: A wiry, fun loving gentleman, generous to a fault, short of stature, but never short of words. Hang on, I’ve already written that a couple of paragraphs up the page!!! It’s all true though, just in a different way to Frank. Maj’s words are ones of wisdom born of experience, but not delivered at the breakneck speed of Frank. I felt right at home straight away with Maj and we slipped into that relaxed easy banter between people who are at ease in one another’s company. Maj is a funny guy with some of his sayings and mannerisms, and he doesn’t mind giving you the benefit of his knowledge, which I did appreciate. It wasn’t long before we decided to do some flying ‘in company’, with a short flight around the immediate area, then a landing on the beach for a good long talk about all things aviation. Those few hours on the beach talking and listening and laughing and flying and talking, and laughing and flying, and talking… will live with me for a long time. A late afternoon flight over the beach and rainforest and mangroves was exhilarating and I was able to get some good shots of Maj in his Lightwing before we finished flying for the day right on last light. Frank and Fran, and Maj came down to our camp for a few drinks (thanks for the wine and beer MajJ) and a talk around the camp fire to finish off what for me was a truly magnificent day. By the way, your wine went down very well around the campfire one night in the desert. Frank and Maj arrived at the camp next morning so we could say our goodbyes to Maj as he was calling in to Ingham (I think) on his way back to Townsville. It was great to meet you Maj, and thanks for giving me experiences I will remember often. Frank and I had to finish our time together with some more flying where I picked up some good flying tips and different ways of looking at situations. For a low time (100 hours total) pilot this was invaluable and much appreciated. As we were packing up our camp I noticed another Drifter fly over and land on Frank’s strip. It was Ron Biondi who I had the pleasure of having a too short conversation with. It was good to meet you Ron, it’s a pity time was so short. We left Frank and Fran’s place knowing we had met some very genuine people who show there friendliness by the generosity extended to us. Frank and Fran, thank you very much. On our continuing journey I was able to catch up with Frank Marriot in Townsville where we talked aviation at the aero club for about an hour before we had to leave – we had some catching up to do with our friends in Charters Towers. Thanks Frank, it was good to put a face to the name that I now can see every time I read one of your posts on the forum. Our 4 week trip had many highlights. The 2 days at Farri’s Place is on top of the list for me. Thank you Frank, Fran and Maj, and remember; you come to WA, I want to know about it!!! Pud Maj's wine tasted mighty good!

Hehehe, look at that grin. Well done boingk. Pud

My wife was screaming at me: "Leave!! Get out of this house!" she ordered. As I was walking out the door she yelled, "I hope you die a slow and painful death!" So I turned around and replied "So now you want me to stay?"

Try flying through the smoke when they are burning off Guernsey:cheezy grin: Pud

You do get around Maj! Looks like it will be a good weekend for everyone. Just had a look at Monto on Google maps -what do they grow there; seems to be a lot of area under cultivation? Pud

No club where I fly from, unless my mate Poll is classed as a club!! Might join the club at Bindoon where Riley is a member. Pud

Yeah, saw the advert for it and thought I'd give it a go. Could be good.... or not! Pud

How many are you looking for? Another guy you might try on here is Steve Vette, he has a heap of stuff. Pud

Sorry Frosty, no joy for you there that I am aware of. You might put a request out here on the forum though as I know there are a number of people who are/have been involved with restoring Thrusters. They may have some of what you want, surplus to their requirements. I'd post in the Thruster section if I was you. Riley has a Thruster heis restoring so send him a PM. Ya never know what that crusty ol' Canadian might have in his sh!tpile:augie: Pud

Welcome nutnudger - love that moniker!!! Welcome also to Perth where I live. This is a great city with magnificent weather most of the time. Despite what some cretins:duck for cover: from the East say, Perth and WA in general are great places to live. Pud