pudestcon

Buggar it!!! You guys have still got me agonising over terminology. Now I'm going with 'aircraft' and 'airfield'. Now will you 'airheads' go find something else to do?? Pud

I have 2 Rec Flying headsets for my Thruster. They are very comfortable, cut out ample noise in an open cockpit, and the wind noise doesn't feed back through the mike very much. I recommend these headsets to anyone who wants a good value, low cost headset. Pud

One of the definitions of 'useless' in an aviation sense has been stated as " the runway behind you". We would do well to remember this when in an EFATO situation, because the runway behind you, can't help you. Don't turn back, please. Pud

I always, being a semi-illiterate bum, agonise over how I'm going to spell that word describing the machine I fly, with the result usually being "Airplane". From now on I'm going to spell it "Aeroplane", so don't come up with an argument why I should write"Airplane". By the way - I tend to use the term "Airfield" rather than any other term. Pud

I like your photo in post #28 Geoffrey Wood, pity it has a trainer wheel at the front:smile: It's interesting to see just how far back the main gear is located, in comparison with the tail dragger Thruster. Looks like the main gear lines up with the rear bulkhead behind the pilot, whereas the T500 I have, has the main axle at the point where the wing struts attach to the fuselage. Interesting bit of information in your post #29; were you involved in selling Thrusters. Would you have any information on my T500 25-0331? Pud

VG/wing fences in diguise Deskpilot:augie: Pud

Ahhh, bumps and turbulence, the bain of our lives it seems!! When I was training in the Thruster, the wind sock and local conditions were studied very, very closely. The first hint of the wind sock 'tail flick' and it was "Orrr I dunno, might watch this for a while". Or, in summer, we flew very early before the thermals started - Northam is a real bitch:score 002: on late final, both strips, when there is a little heat around. We wanted consistant predictable conditions so that consecutive circuits could be flown in the same conditions:plane:, to build up an appreciation of what was required to land a Thruster. Now that I have the landings in some semblance of order, and can reasonably re-produce a respectable landing each time, my acceptable level of turbulent conditions for flying has gone up considerably - as it should. The windiest conditions I have flown in was just last week when I did a few circuits:super hero: before calling it a day. It was a case of working hard:crazy: on each landing, which I reckon was good experience, but I was right in calling it a day when I did, as on the rollout the wind gusted enough (with the airspeed indicator showing 20kts) to lift the starboard wing enough causing me to take some very quick control movements to negate. As for thermals; I find them fun for the most part, but I can't see the sense in getting beat up when I'm only flying for the pleasure of it. If I have to hold on to the frame tube to steady myself in the seat for very long, then it's time to land and boil the billy:coffee: Pud

I ain't 'checking ' anything, but I'm monitoring lots of things. My checking has already been done before I push the throttle fully open. What am I monitoring? How about, RPMs climbing, tail up, watch that swing (keep aircraft straight), airspeed - when at 40kts+ I'm looking for lift off, any turbulence to counter, steady airspeed indication and RPMs on climb out, and probably a multitude of other things as the situation dictates and that happens automatically. I have had no airspeed indication only once on take off - with an instructor on board - and I will never not check the airspeed before lift off again. He talked me through the circuit and indicated what other indicators to look out for, such as RPMs, attitude, altimeter trends, and the 'general picture out the front'. It was actually a very useful experience, come to think of it, I should practise some now with the air speed indicator covered. Another time on take off I encountered severe turbulence (on reflection, probably a willy willy I did not see) just at lift off, that picked me up, lifted a wing (it felt like the wings were vertical), and had me fighting to get level and back on the ground in one piece. Given that I was very low hour solo on the Thruster I decided to put it away and try another day!!! I look out for any willy willys now, and any other turbulence as well. Pud

RIP davidh 10. Like others here I only know you by your forum name and have always had respect for your opinions and outlook. Fly easy and forever my forum friend. Condolences to family and friends. Pud

Well let's see the photos then Geoff, come on!! You must have some good stories that we would love to hear as well - get them fingers tapping eh? Pud

We are all waiting for your contribution now Louis!! Pud

The findings by the NSW State Coroner were handed down in February 2009. What, if anything, has resulted from the coroner's recommendations. I'm not advocating any of the recommendations, just wanting to know if anything resulted from this affair. Pud

Well done Tomo, another aircraft to enter in your avatar. Pud

Yep, make 'em "Committee Members", then see if their egos can go on a trip!! Pud

Spot on planedriver! It's why I contribute money via the 'Donate' button located right side of the main screen. I try to do this on a yearly basis, with the amount usually around $50, because I think I easily get that much value from this site. I encourage all here to try the same. Come to think of it; I better check to see if my year is up:wink: Pud

Well, I don't know about professional turbz, but I certainly wanted Gay to have a positive experience that will grow over time into that confidence you mentioned. Thanks for the comments. Pud

You should definitely be giving congrats to Gay Riley. My 'wife whispering' skills are no-existent so the milestone is all due to Gay deciding for herself - as always!! How did your fly away weekend to Westonia go? You probably had to contend with headwinds all the way there on Saturday. I have those wing battens you wanted to look at, if you still require them. Let me know and I'll call in sometime. Pud

Yeah, sorry about that rgmwa, but I didn't want to hurt Pol's feelings by leaving him out of the photos. I'll see if I can get some good ones next time Gay comes flying. Pud

Yep, I sure am. And it is!! Pud

Maj, Here's a photo of the ignition switch guards you sent me. At first I thought they would not fit but all is good. I appreciate your generosity in sending them to me. Pud

Thanks 80kts and Phil, It sure does rate up there!! Pud

Yes Maj, I installed them on Monday morning. I'll post a photo in the Thruster section showing the installed covers. Thanks so much. Pud

We have had a bit of discussion on this thread, in page 20, regarding enticing 'the other half' to come flying, and I stated it wasn't going to happen for me. Well, I was about to do a preflight on Sunday afternoon with just Gay and myself at the hangar, when Gay quietly said "I think I might come for a fly with you". Well that sat me back and made me quite nervous!! I spent extra time in doing a thorough daily inspection, making sure everything was just as it should be, after all, it's not every day I get to take the most important person in my life for a fly:smile: So I said to Gay that I'd do a few circuits to make sure I was current, then if she was still sure, she could hop in and we'd go do a few circuits. My circuits were uneventful with a 7 knot crosswind from 06 on taking of on 10. There was a little turbulence on late final from the trees to the North of the strip but no problems. I landed and shut down to give Gay a full briefing on what would happen; I wanted her 1st flight to be an enjoyable, uneventful and positive experience. I explained the process for settling into the Thruster and where to place her feet, and what controls there were, and how to operate the harness, and probably 1ooo other things as I chattered on. I could tell she was nervous, and so was I:wink: as I made a 'Clear the propeller' call to the swallows (birds) who have set up residence in the hangar - well there was no other living creature around, to alert I was about to start up!! The trusty 582 burst into life and as it was warming up I talked through what we would do, where she could hold on, and to let me know if she wanted to land sooner than we had planned. I explained, as Gay was a little apprehensive about flying in an aircraft with no doors, that I would make gentle left turns so she would feel a bit safer. Then it was time to back track for take off on 10 so we taxiied to the threshold where I did a run up, ignition check, and my other standard pre-takeoff checks. Then, after asking Gay if she was ready to go, and receiving an affirmative answer, I applied the power for a smooth takeoff roll and climb out. To make Gay feel a bit more at ease I talked through the whole process around the circuit, did a touch and go, and set up for a full stop as it was getting cold so late in the afternoon - maybe 10 or 15 minutes before sun down, and we were going out to the local hotel for a meal that evening. I was still talking through what I was doing to make sure Gay was at ease. Only a few comments from Gay during the circuits - 1st comment: "Jeez the wind is cold". 2nd comment: "Will you shut up and just fly the bloody airplane". 3rd comment: On late final - "Jeez, you come down fast!" The general feeling from Gay after the event was that she enjoyed the experience and would go again - in fact, booked a flight for the following morning!! As it turned out, the next morning was too blustery to take a novice flying so I just did a few circuits myself. I'm not sure if Gay had a smile after the flight but I did:smile: I reckon there will probably be many more flight to gether with Gay in Gaygirl - what more could a bloke ask for:cheers: Sorry, don't have photos as she took me by surprise, and photos was last thing on my mind. I'll get some next time. Pud

There's lots of great stories around about Thrusters I'll bet eh Maj? Thanks for your story. And we want to hear lots more, along with as many photos as possible, right here!! Pud PS. You mentioned Frank Arris in your post above Maj, reminds me of our 4wd trip across Australia later this year when we will visit Frank in Deeral. (Look out Frank!!) 8 weeks exactly today until we leave, but whose counting.

Nice art work flyerme, and look at that; a Thruster with wheel spats - too good, too good:smoking: Pud