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Methusala

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Everything posted by Methusala

  1. Methusala
    On a slightly different matter, the Jab that I now own is installed in free air and has no alternate air source. A few weeks ago, another pilot was flying at around 8,000ft when he experienced loss of power and extremely rough running. He put down in a good paddock and the a/c was flown out later after being checked by a L 2. I have bought an electric carb heater which is fixed to the throat downstream from the fuel jets. The theory is that the body will heat preventing ice from accumulating in the carb throat. It is said to draw 5.5 amps when both heating elements are in use. Has anybody got experience with this type of device? Don
  2. Methusala
    Do other pilots here suffer the same degree of difficulty in reading the oil level on a Jabiru dipstick as me? I think that I am reasonably competent in these small manual tasks. But, no. I am not confident of seeing an accurate indication of this at all. Any positive suggestions guys?
  3. Methusala
    The Snowy 2.0 is a total crock! I have been interested in hydro power since I was a kid and dad worked for Kaiser on the Tumut developments. The mainstream media do not do the slightest of due diligence when reporting the outrageous claims made for this fantasy. eg. Whenever an article appears the length of the tunnel connecting Tantangara to Talbingo is quoted as somewhere around 27km. Any map reader shows that the shortest distance between these points is around double that. Many highly qualified engineers have given back of the envelope costings of over $8b but the jounalists stick doggedly to Turnbull's headline figure of $2b. The difference in elevation between Tantangara and Talbingo (head) is in excess of 750m. There are no hydro plants in the world that operate with this great a head. The only one that I am aware of is in Russia which suffered a catastrophic failure accounting for fatalaties. Then the distance involved puts extreme loads in regulating a column of water many, many km in length and over 12m dia with a velocity of 3m/s. There are many sites around Australia which are more practical for development of pumped hydro but they don't have the political cache of " The Mighty Snowy Scheme". Don't be mislead, this is simply PR BS designed to make Turnbull appear to have substance!
  4. Methusala
    My base is surrounded by wind turbines on the Eastern side of Lake George. Prevailing wind is N/W so mostly the downstream turbulence is to the East. When Easterlies blow then the effects can be felt as a slow modulus rise and fall with some rolling effects. This turbulence endures for km downwind but is no more than a nuisance to flying. Situational awareness is required but, as said previously, the towers and blades are much more visible than radio towers. They bring useful income to the people who own the property and I strongly believe that envy of this income is the generator (sic) of the opposition to wind farms . And NO I don't find them ugly, quite the contrary in fact.
  5. Methusala
    If the moderators think that this site is going to be improved or anyone become a better aviator as a result of childish questions asked then it is maybe time for me to find some better way to occupy my time. Farewell
  6. Methusala
    Survival trumps all else. Good luck mate.
  7. Methusala
    Did Cliff have a place near Manly? I knew he was in Bondi for years around mid/late '80's.
  8. Methusala
    Yen, I think that the camshaft has very little inertia so it would not be so affected by the power pulses as the output which drives a propeller of far greater mass. Just my thoughts, Don
  9. Methusala
    I think that you need a C or E type gearbox. B type wont handle much more than 50 hp.
  10. Methusala

    503 rebuild

    Methusala replied to Deskpilot's topic in Thruster

    When I say "clutch" I am referring to the coupling which consists of 2 mating inclines which is spring loaded by the bellville washers. This is designed as a simple slipping coupling to minimise transmission of power pulses to the propeller which would act as an inertial flywheel. Called a dog clutch I think. (Ahem...) If you can get my drift. Also, the "A" type box had a rough, sand cast finish: the "B" box was smooth. Just found this link to Youtube also.
  11. Methusala
    Could land on our National Parliament, tsk, tsk!
  12. Methusala

    503 rebuild

    Methusala replied to Deskpilot's topic in Thruster

    The "A" type and the "B"type boxes are, as far as I know, identical in size. The difference is mainly in the no. of Bellville washers exerting pressure on the clutch. I had the modification done by Floods years ago.
  13. Methusala
    My engine is not cowled and I find it runs low oil temps. I am about to cover the oil cooler and note the effect. I run Phillips 20/50 multigrade aviation oil. Does anyone have experience with electric carb heaters? Don
  14. Methusala

    503 rebuild

    Methusala replied to Deskpilot's topic in Thruster

    You gave us all a good larf, Desky. Hahahahah!
  15. Methusala
    Hurray!!! Another triumph of technology over good sense. Glad I'm 67 ...not 17.
  16. Methusala
    Did 45 mins in my faithful old T300 with my wife showing the first signs of wanting to "feel the controls". The air was still and warm and we spent the time at 1,000ft doing gentle figure 8's. A new friend on the field took his silver doped Avid Flyer out and we were horrified at the way the colour blended in to the country side below swallowing him quickly into the background clutter. We found it easier track his location by the shadow profile on the earth than the physical aircraft. We chose yellow and red for the coverings deliberately to avoid this. This aside the flying was great.
  17. Methusala
    All of these additional costs on imports make the US/Australian FTA look pretty p**s weak. Makes a Jabiru look very nice.
  18. Methusala
    It is my opinion and also that of some of my associates that the power figures quoted for VW conversions is often grossly overstated. These engines are heavy at around 78kg and may also have problems with the 4th bearing added to carry gyroscopic loads from the propeller. Let the buyer beware! Don
  19. Methusala
    Nevil Schute's "Slide rule" is an absolute must read. Don
  20. Methusala
    Bex, You must be younger or more bent than I gave you credit for!
  21. Methusala
    You're all missing the point about recreational a/c. I know a bloke who has had a load of RV's. All 150kt and look like MM in the shower. He is now considering selling the RV because he has fallen in love with the RECREATIONAL thing and flies a Hornet. Back to the love of flying. If you want to go somewhere the airlines are cheap and you can have a beer! Don
  22. Methusala
    Not only NOISY Nev, but DANGEROUS. I reckon that it's almost as dangerous as a motorbike! Don
  23. Methusala
  24. Methusala
    That tool on Amazon is for metric pipe sizes. Most tube that we use is still imperial size.
  25. Methusala
    Hey Frank, just got a new plane! It's a Vision T600 with Jabiru 2200. Goes quite well at our favorite speed - around 55kts. Cheers Don
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