Ben Longden

Its a bit like insurance.. if you cant afford to insure the car, then it stays in the garage.. Likewise with aviation. If you cant afford a radio, then you cant afford to fly. Never mind things such as CTAF®.. I believe a radio should be mandatory on all aircraft... and having it on.. and working... with intelligble audio... Ben

Started something?? Oh yes..... If the fuel does not do any damage to the tank, lines, pump and engine then if the manufacturer (and insurer) says it can be used, then go for it... Thats my 2.2c worth... I have been advised not to run my car on an ethanol blend of more than E5 (5%) as the research has found corrosion in fuel lines and pumps leading to damage there, and downstream. As the fuel available is E10, with my car, Ethanol is not able to be used. However, I have and do use 98/100 octane and have found a reduction in fuel burn that just saves the pennies spent on the extra octane especially on a trip. My previous car was once filled up in Bendigo when the Ethanol debate was raging several years ago. The car needed its injectors, pumps and lines serviced and checked. Especially as a snail on valium had more get-up-and-go.. But the problem was not that the fuel was Ethanol based.. but rather instead of being 10%, it was more around 20%. In Sydney several years ago, several service stations watered down the product from the refinery with Toluene, which is a part of MoGas. They did this to increase profit margins, but ended up with a lot of broken cars by the roadside. Ben

Bloody hell.. he would never have stood a chance.. And the pilot of the 'beast'.. well, s/he now has to live with that memory for the rest of his/her days.. Sort of highlights the importance of being aware of what is in your blind spots.. even on the ground.. Ben

Thats because they assume that it does not apply to them.... I see it all the time, and it frustrates the **** out of me.. Ben

Says it all really. Rest in peace guys.

Performance? Engine? Range? Cost? Kit or factory? Ben

Vale; Steve. A true inspiration of a bloke. Ben

My instructors at Shepparton insist on a T&G being done as a practice for a takeoff and a landing, with each touch being treated as a landing, complete with speed adjustment and setting neutral trim, once all wheels are on the tarmac. Then its a rolling takeoff and repeat. As each landing is different - winds, light, traffic etc it is a valuable excercise as the number of landings must equal the number of takeoffs, and as our esteemed leader states; takeoffs are optional but landings are mandatory. I see a few folks practicing T&Gs with a wheel touch, but while there might be an element of fun in that, it does not help practice a crosswind technique in getting all wheels on the deck, and the shipstayingdown the centreline. My 2.2c worth.. Ben

An Irish pilot perhaps........ Ben

NICE!!! Ben

The GV Aero Club (Shepparton, Vic) have one P92.. and have students and an Instructor that are way way over 6ft.. With the adjustable seat, pilot height is no issue in the Tecnam. Ben

I did a vid of the Goulburn Valley Aero Club's band new Tecnam doing some work in a strong crosswind at Shepparton, Vic. The Air Shepparton instructor, Tristan Meddings was absolutely brilliant at the controls with his new student. http://www.flightlevel350.com/Aircraft_Tecnam_P92_Echo-Airline_Untitled_Aviation_Video-6756.html Best viewed if you have broadband.. Ben

Age is not the issue, its the recognition and admission of fittness to fly that is... Ben

There are may people who have done the right thing at night, only to be breathalysed on their way to work the next day - and still be over the limit. Ben

And so say all of us! Having seen what goes on at my home AD, and with the strictness of standards required by the Club, school AND Raa, I doubt any aircraft that was dodgy would be allowed in the sky. Ben

Nice !!! If you are able to adjust the size of the piccies, 72Dpi and 15cm wide (horozontal) works well. If you have Photoshop you can save pix for web, and it simply converts from millions of colours to thousands, cutting the file size. Ben

Matchsticks in the Pitot.... Mmmmm I have heard of pulling out fuses (and replacing fuse holder), socks in the cabin heat and a few other things... Guess I will need my wits about me when its my turn.. Ben

Strewth! (and other assorted words..) Ben

Any stats on the growth of GA? It would be nice to compare. Ben

A Cb? Looks more like a nuke going off..... :ah_oh: Ben

Mach 2? Pfffffffftttt.... Mach 4 at 5 litres an hour.... with an onboard espresso machine.. Yeah, er, the link failed to load.. Not that I can complain, most of mine drift off into cyberspace lately.. Ben

I once had the pleasure of talking to a former crew member of the shuttle program.. He described the shuttle's "glide" as a "flying brick". Ben

Holbrook is a fantastic place, with truckloads of history... oh and a dirty great big SUBMARINE just next to the Hume.. Its the best place to stop off for a sanga and fuel if your having (sniff sniff..) to drive from Melb to Sydney. Great bakeries and a nice park.... and now a great place for aviators. Ben

I had a quick look at their website. Nicely put together, with nice graphics and stuff... There is one quote that jumped out at me; We are not amused by the increasing costs and restrictions being placed upon the PPL, the prime qualification for those of us who fly GA for fun. A recent report by the Bureau of Transport Economics makes it clear that, on present trends, it is only a matter of time before recreational GA flatlines. In this paragraph, the operative sense is towards those with a PPL using GA for recreation.. pilots who fly for fun. (I highlighted the text). Somehow, I keep thinking of the main objective of the RAA - to maintain affordable flying, while maintaining high training and safety standards. At my home clubat Shepparton, the one big thing I have noted is that pilots are that - pilots. There is no discrimination between RA and GA, because everyone knows that people are there because they love flying. This sentiment is alsoreinforced with the flying school. Sad that folks simply cannot see that there is already an organisation working towards the common desire. If they could get over their petty egos and castle building, and work WITH the exec of our organisation, then the future of recreational aviation in this country will be assured. But then, I am reminded of the early days of railways in this country, where no two states had the same standard... and that given human nature, pigs might fly. Ben (Occupational cynic) Ed Herring

Its a sad day indeed when folks lose the plot and decide to play politics and mind games when such a huge industry is at stake. I read the Presidents report as well as the article, and to say I am stunned is an understatement. These good men are doing their very best for each and every person in this great nation to enjoy flying, and to do it safely. It would be 'nice' if factional elements would open their eyes, see the big picture, step out of the squareand realise just what their actions and quests for power and possible self gain & ego gratification are doing, and make ammends But then again... pigs might fly. Ben