Jump to content

Methusala

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,274

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    14

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Methusala

  1. Methusala

    Vp-2

    Methusala commented on Methusala's gallery image in Recreational (3 axis)

    Vp-2
    Gooday Toothman, My VP2 also safe and stable- also heavy on the ailerons and not strong in the climb. Built in the 70's by Chris Leon, an engineer who flew less than 10 hrs in her. Sold her to a Melbourne member of SAAA who did a lot of work including having a redesigned U/C with rubber donuts replacing the cable stays. I flew for 11 years (550hrs) finally stopping in 2006. Sold the wings to another pilot who wrecked his with engine failure out of Wedderburn (Posa carb). Fly a Kitfox and Thruster now. Had a lot of fun and flew to Narromine, Mangalore, Temora, Moruya and many other places. I also built the turtle deck from plywood, oregan stringers and fabric. Improved the airflow over the tail giving greater rudder authority and eliminating the dutch roll. Cheers don
  2. Methusala
    Hey Phil, Years ago (maybe 15-18...dunno) a neat little very open biplane came to demonstrate its stuff at Canberra. It was a MIG powered by a 582. The pilot was employed by MIG. His demo was Great+++ but we never heard any more. Do you know anything about this aircraft? Don
  3. Methusala
    Could be the needle jets need to go up 1 size. They control mixture up to 3/4 throttle. Altitude is 2500 and I think atmospheric pressure was quite low on the day (we had a small gale the next day).
  4. Methusala
    You won't have any luck with this one, unfortunately
  5. Methusala
    Blanik L13 at Canberra Gliding Club but 1st solo was in a Pteradactyl Ptraveller I built from a kit at Lake George.
  6. Methusala
    I've had the luck to drive my brother's cars starting with a re-engined Mini Cooper(1275S) through '71 XU-1 (not comfortable but Hell fast). Then various 944's, a 964 (911x4 wheel drive Carrera) and, lately, a Cayman in Switzerland. These Porsches feel solid as though built from one block of steel. Billsteins all round feel as though the harder you push them the better they like it. Never driven a 356 though. Don
  7. Methusala
    G'day Frank, Rhonda and I are visiting Cairns June 3 - 10. Wonder if we can visit you sometime to say hello? We will have a hire car and would really like to catch up. Cheers, Don
  8. Methusala
    G'day Frank, Rhonda and I are visiting Cairns June 3 - 10. Wonder if we can visit you sometime to say hello? We will have a hire car and would really like to catch up. Cheers, Don
  9. Methusala
    Thanks for your suggestions. Will check all these adjustments carefully. Don
  10. Methusala
    Yesterday I was test flying my Thruster after engine rebuild. Engine runs very sweetly with egt's in general within 10degs. However, climbing out at 6300rpm, all was well with both at around 610. Upon reducing power to 5800 one cylinder ran to 642degs while the other was around 620. Both carburetors are jetted identically so wondering why the difference? Any suggestions?
  11. Methusala
    Without wishing to pre-empt any factual findings down the track I am moved to point to my thread,"Does your aircraft fit your flying style?". We know that the test pilot of the 1st 707 rolled it. This does not give other pilots carte blanc to do the same. In relation to the event that started this thread, I am pro the RaAAus warning its members. There has been a lot of comment that this pilot at least was thinking about aerobatics when he bought the plane. The simple truth is that if every possible precaution is not followed you can come to grief. What do you want the organisation responsible for rec flying to say? It is often said in these posts that we want safety related outcomes to emerge following catastrophes. This is a well moderated message. Don
  12. Methusala
    I have been flying ultralights for over 35 years. I began flying with a gliding club while building a very early, US hang glider based rag & tube Pteradactyl. I moved through with Thrusters, Jeeps and Javelins while a member of Holbrook Ultralight club. I bought an Evans VP2 in the 90's and flew it for 11 years. During this time I modified it structurally, adding a full turtle deck to improve airflow over the tail. I experimented, with fair success, with EFI to an Aeropower 2070cc VW. I have flown in some exotic types eg. Lancair 320, and had a hankering for perhaps a Sonex or a Corby Starlet. Now I fly a Kitfox or ThrusterT300 around my patch. But it was when I started flying RC models that I found that some aircraft didn't suit my flying style. While my mate could fly a tea tray with an engine bolted on, I quickly got out of my depth with the sports models and found myself very, "behind the aeroplane". Do others feel content with 60kt aircraft and resist the urge to go faster and sportier? Don
  13. Methusala
    Thanks for the link Bex. It seems pretty clear from this brief account that the Ford boys definitely did the wrong thing and then tried to cover it up. Management can be aggressively dangerous to workers and (of course) labor sometimes get out of control. Nothing to see here...move on! Hehehehe. No offense meant Don:wave:
  14. Methusala
    Once again I am moved to give Facthunter a great big pat on the back for he has mentioned the elephant in the room regarding Henry Ford. "Henry put his workers salaries up in the late teens much to the chagrin of the other automakers. His reply to criticism was allegedly along the lines of " If I don't pay my workers a decent salary how would they be able to buy my cars?" However good things don't last and I remember that he later employed armed troop from the National Guard to violently brea k a strike at his plant. Things always can be depended on to go from good to bad to worse I suppose.
  15. Methusala
    I think that Forum members at large will take a serious message from this example of stupidity. They will have seen the extreme consequences of a pilot taking a foolhardy attitude to the very serious activity of manned flight. I have cautioned on a number of occasions, against flight over terrain that will not support a survivable landing. I see this as the "take-home" message here, not that it maybe, " that another jerk is making our hobby look bad". Let's keep it positive and as FH has it,"Never stop learning."
  16. Methusala
    36
  17. Methusala
    Love your inspectors HITC. Ours are equally helpful, Don
  18. Methusala
    It sounds as if the management are out of touch with their membership. "It's the customer, stupid!" If organisations start taking customers for granted we end up with failed enterprises and no one wins. Look at the stupid decision on penalty rates. The Govt could step in and avert this calamity through regulation. They will probably stand up for industry (and it is large organisations such as McDonalds who will take the most away from this decision). this will lead to another change of government and the beat goes on.... Why can't we have an organisation with eyes on the aims of members?
  19. Methusala
    I had a Makita bought for $5. It lasted a tough 15 years 'till I sold it last year. Buy from a sophisticated economy, not 3rd world (USA).
  20. Methusala
    Fair comment Bex but the electric aircraft still holds the record. In other words...simply horses for courses. Simple example, electric chainsaws are a commercial reality because they are more "neighbor friendly" in suburban backyards.
  21. Methusala
    Why Funny??? I've never had a funny before!!
  22. Methusala
    Canberra,"The bush capital" is a lovely, peaceful place to domicile. The weather is good and varied (4 seasons are guaranteed) and we are situated a good compromise from the ossie Alps and the south coast which has to be one of the most beautiful stretches of landscape ever. I've been here since 1961 and will call it home for as long as I last. (Other places can be great as well!)
  23. Methusala
    I did not think exactly of laying "blame" for any young people's behaviour. They are prisoners of their epoc just as we were of ours. I was just trying to find a logical reason for their lack of fascination for flying. Computers and their altered (or simulated) reality offerings are far more seducrtive than the tv craze which captured us in the 50's and 60's. You could substitute music, tribes (as in rockers, mods or hippies) and other cultural themes but I can imagine how younger people can be addicted to their "games'. Just different reality for us.
  24. Methusala
    I have thought about kids (millenials or whatever faddish name the media comes up with lately) and I see that they can enjoy many thrilling pursuits, not quite vicariously but through the medium of silicone chips. Remember that they don't have a distant memory of heroes such as Biggles, Douglas Bader or even the Red Baron. So they are motivated by other themes. If they wish to experience flight they are most disposed to try it through a simulator program If they stall and crash then just reset and go again. It takes no greater effort on their part than playing any other computer game. The commitment required to actually enlist into a program that few of their peers even recognise and devote large chunks of time and money towards a somewhat anti-social pursuit, well, I don't see that happening. I look around at my peers when enjoying aviatic pursuits and see all grey (or white or no) hair and shrug. What other response is valid?
  25. Methusala
    This photo was taken some years ago at Narromine...a 4 engined Lazair (sounded good too!)
×
×
  • Create New...