Matt

As per Brent's comments, if it's registered with RA-Aus follow the letter of their law - it's been reviewed and approved by CASA. We have the same type of contradictions (in fact a lot more!) with LIMITED category aircraft (ex-Military) which are now administered by the Australian Warbirds Association under the same type of approval & guidelines as RA-Aus for "ultralights". Operate under the rules which have been defined for you and your aircraft and the law will be on your side. My 2.2c. Cheers, Matt.

After 10 long weeks we finally have our CT4 back! The plan for the last few weeks has been to fly domestic (via REX) to Merimbula, spend a few hours doing post maintenance and familiarisation flights (having been so long since we last flew) and then head to our new home at Penfield. We had two options for the trip home, coastal via Malacoota-Orbost-Latrobe Valley or inland viat Cooma-Albury-Mangalore. Timing was everything, many weekends of bad weather and some niggling issues that our LAME (also Rex!) was sorting out. About 2 weeks ago the long range rain forecast showed the weekend of 5-6 April as being 0% chance of rain for Merimbula, Albury, Melbourne and most places on either track, it also happened to coincide with the Albury Airshow. So the one way REX flight was booked for the Saturday and we booked accomodation for the Saturday night. 2 weeks later and the forecast was spot on - no rain and clear blue skies at Merimbula on Saturday and for planned track and destinations on Sunday. On arrival at Merimbula on Saturday we headed straight over to the hangar to see our aeroplane as it had a fair bit of work done in the last 2 months including prop overhaul, replacement of windshield and canopy perspex, some electrical work and a list of little issues that a 33 year old aeroplane is going to have. As we walked into the hangar the gleam from the new perspex was a great sight, as was the freshly overhauled and painted prop. After an hour or so chatting it was time to get airborne to verify Rex's workmanship. First up Rex and I went up for a 45 minute flight around Merimbula and confirmed everything worked, better than ever before in fact...unfortunately it meant a few bugs left their mark on the prop and windshield...but you get that. Next up it was Kaz's turn to remember what it was like to sit in the right seat and enjoy the great views of the coast through the new crystal clear canopy. After an afternoon of talking and flying we headed to the Lake View Hotel for a few beers and a feed. Waking up early on Sunday we pack up all our gear, check the weather for Cooma, Albury and Melbourne and head off to the airport. Our first leg would see us depart Merimbula and climb up to 8500' heading for Cooma then on to Albury. You couldn't have ordered a better day, scattered cloud and a variable wind at 10 knots all the way up to 12000'. Overhead Cooma we got in touch with Melbourne Centre to check what the clearance process would be for Albury and were advised that the airspace would be closed at 10.30 local (00.30 zulu) - it seems I'd misread the NOTAM and hadn't quite calculated the change in daylight savings time with ZULU. Going beyond the call, the controller got in contact with Albury tower and based on our ETA they said they should be able to get us in but no promises. As we continued on our way we considered our options if Albury was a no go and decided Corryong would be our decision point - if we couldn't get in to Albury we'd track direct to Wangarratta then head straight to Penfield. Overhead Corryong we contact Albury tower and were grateful to receive instructions to enter the control zone at Granya at 3000'. A high speed descent to Granya had us there a few minutes early giving the controllers a bit of breathing space before the airshow started. From Grany we're cleared direct to Albury and just as we approach the field we're instructed to orbit while a Virgin RPT flight arrives then follow the E-Jet for smooth a landing on runway 25. There was a good turnout of aircraft from local GA and Recreational aircraft, a large selection of Warbirds including Mustang, Spitfire, Vampire, Albatross, Trojan to name a few as well as the Roulettes. There were also about 40 Nanchangs and Yaks who were there for their annual get together. We spend the day wandering around in the calm breeze and warm temperatures admiring the aircraft on the ground and displays in the air. We met quite a few new people including Yak and Nanchang owners as well as fellow CT4 owners (#40) Murray and Andrea Wallace from Mt Macedon in Victoria (just up the road from us!). Murray is an ex Air Force pilot who is heavily involved in the RAAF Museum flying operations...they also own a magnificantly prepared SIAI Marchetta which they had flown up from their base at Kyneton. After a great day at the airshow it was time to head to our new home at Penfield, about an hour and 15 minute flight from Albury. As with any public event, the "car park" of aeroplanes was full of owners hurridly preparing their aircraft to depart. Unlike a car park though, the coordination between pilots and ground marshalls meant a smooth and quick taxy to the holding point with almost an immediate clearance to depart with a right turn tracking for Mangalore. As with the morning, the air was still with a slight tailwind and few clouds making for perfect flying conditions. We head over Wangarratta and Benalla where the influx of aircraft outbound from Albury was creating a bit of havoc for the gliders who were also making use of the perfect conditions. After the busy airspace at Benalla the rest of the flight home was quiet and uneventful. We overfly Managalore where the only other aircraft to be heard was a C172 also on his way home from Albury. From Mangalore we make the slightest of left turns and head for Penfield and descend to stay under the control steps around Melbourne airport. All is quiet on the radio as we change to Riddell / Penfield CTAF and broadcast our arrival and intentions. Overflying Riddell we confirm there is no other traffic in the circuit at either airfield and from overhead Penfield just staying under the overlying CTA step at 2500' and descend to join downwind for runway 18 for a landing between the trees - an ominous sight following our previous home at Canberra airport with 3km of bitumen and paddocks for miles at either end. Another smooth landing on the grass strip as we roll through and scare a few of the local magpies away. After 10 weeks of not being airborne it was so refreshing and relaxing to be back where I feel most at home - up there :thumb_up:. The new prop The new perspex A Cheetah...not Slarti's though New home - Penfield Airfield Ready for bed Finals runway 25 @ Albury Short finals runway 03 @ Merimbula Short finals runway 18 @ Penfield More pics from the trip on my Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35267&l=d1f03&id=708028161

I've never thought much about it until you asked the question, but recalling from experience I've tended to wing down in a high wing aircraft and crab in a low wing aircraft...no idea why, just seems to be what works for me.

Good question Alan, just had a look around the PC and CE versions with no luck...Googling didn't seem to help either for a change. Cheers, Matt.

If in doubt - Google it: http://www.windpower.org/en/kids/index.htm?d=1

Current area forecast for Victoria: OVERVIEW: DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EXTENDING EAST AHEAD OF FRONT NEAR/LEE RANGES WITH SIGMETS FOR SEVERE TURB AND MOUNTAIN WAVES. FRONT EXPECTED ALONG YREN/WEBS 23Z, YBRN/CAMUS 05Z AND YSWG/LOLLY 11Z. PATCHY RAIN AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITHIN 360NM E OF FRONT. AREAS OF DUST BLW 8000FT LAND WITHIN 200NM OF FRONT, CHIEFLY N OF RANGES. SHOWERS WITH HAIL AND LOW CLOUD AND SCT THUNDERSTORMS NEAR AND WEST OF FRONT. SUBDIVISIONS: A: E OF FRONT B: W OF FRONT WIND: 2000 5000 7000 10000 14000 18500 A: 360/45 350/60 340/65 340/65 PS03 330/70 MS03 330/85 MS13 B: 240/30 250/40 250/45 250/45 MS09 250/45 MS19 250/35 MS28 Current TAF for YMML: MELBOURNE (YMML) TAF AMD YMML 020104Z 020124 36038G60KT 6000 BLOWING DUST BKN110 Strongest gust recorded at Melbourne Airport so far is 54KTS at 11:56. Anyone wanting to test the "flying 45KIAS into a 45KTS headwind theories", today is your day!

Hi Big Pete, I use OziExplorer on my PC and PDA to do the same - also use the PDA for inflight navigation assistance...one of the 2 mentioned in another thread. MapTrax (www.maptrax.com.au) are an Australian group that produce electronic aeronautical charts for use with a few different programs - not sure about Mapsource though. Worth investigating as it's a great bit of software - you can view your track in OziExplorer with standard charts but can also export to Google Earth - I'm a real fan of that bit! Cheers, Matt.

I think 058 is still at Canberra Airport and it's owned by Frank Daniel. We never met him but regularly passed them taxying or found ourselves parking next to each other all the time!

Hey Airsick, your brother wouldn't be Phil by any chance? Regularly ran into a Phil at Canberra who had what I'm pretty sure was a Virus - he's an ex-Air Force pilot, currently/previously worked for Microsoft I believe. I don't actually have anything to add to the topic... Cheers, Matt.

The aviation equivalent of PEBKAC for us IT folks then....must be a PEBSAC "Problem Exists Between Seat And Controls"

If I were going to buy and configure - my preferred cockpit / panel layout would be central stick, left hand throttle, central Dynon PFD, Dynon EFIS on left and <insert favourite GPS> on right with redundant steam gauges in appropriate positions (i.e. altimeter etc. under PFD, tacho under EFIS etc.)...then it would almost look like a PC9 cockpit...still needs a 4 blade prop to complete the look though ;) Cheers, Matt

Hi Geoff, Haven't seen anything in the way of an AIP SUP and there's nothing on their website about visiting aircraft. Suggest give the tower a ring and ask, I know of a few ultralight aircraft who regularly fly through Albury control zone without transponders - this is mainly due to the poor radar coverage available around Albury and the tower normally use visual reporting for separation. Cheers, Matt.

Cool! Was wanting to set up a page for ourselves and the CT4! Thanks Ian, as everyone identified during the outage the other day - where would we be without your efforts and the Rec Flying website! Cheers, Matt.

G'day everyone. Well this weekend I finally get to go and collect the CT4 from Merimbula after 10 weeks with our LAME....and not looking forward to the invoice:faint: This just happens to coincide with the Albury Airshow, so we're planning on domestic flight to Merimbula on Saturday followed by an afternoon of "post maintenance" and familiarisation flights. We're staying in Merimbula on Saturday night and planning to head to Albury for the airshow on Sunday morning, spend the day at the airshow then head to our new home at Penfield on Sunday afternoon. Is anyone planning on going to the Albury Airshow? Looks like a reasonable line up of aircraft & activities and at this stage the forecast looks pretty good for our entire trip...if you can believe that! Cheers, Matt.

As mentioned above I use 10 mile markers but I also use GPS (2 actually) to aid in navigation. I'd classify my GPS usage as my "primary means of navigation", my maps, stopwatch and flight log are always on my lap though and I cross reference my progress (GPS/watch/map/log) at each waypoint and/or every 20 minutes. While I use GPS as the primary means, I don't "depend" on it - I regularly fly nav exercises without them to ensure my fundamental skills are maintained. I make use of the convenience as my primary aid with maps/logs as my secondary aid. It is simply another tool in the toolbox. There will always be two views (usually conflicting) about technology aids in anything in life. How many people have ABS, ESP and other technology aids in their cars? One group of drivers will claim these will reduce driver skill and reduce car control while others will claim they improve safety by minimising the skill requirements of the driver. I think the key is your risk / decision making process - would you fly somewhere using only a GPS that you wouldn't have flown using "classic" navigation tools of map/compass/stopwatch? If the answer is yes then you may need to consider your decision making / appetite for risk. I am yet to experience a total GPS failure, I've had one of our two fail (one of the reasons for having two), I've also had a battery die in my stopwatch (a couple of times in fact) and fall back to my wrist watch. The key is options / fall back positions - the more you have (within reason) the better your chances. Cheers, Matt.

I'll jump in. Firstly, if it's perception your interested in, don't combine the word "sport" with "recreational aviation". Recreational aviation is a leisure activity for most and a profession for some (instructors, maintainers etc.). I won't go into definitions, but sport is something that recreational flyers are definitely not doing. Now back to topic. I would expect that all those involved in this forum are the type of folks that actively encourage a reporting culture - either of themselves, others and their aircraft. While this also applies to the vast majority of RA-Aus members as well, there are always the minority in any group that will bend, stretch or even break rules & regulations - I believe it's everyone's responsibility and in their best interest to identify and rectify those with that approach and attitude. Cheers, Matt.

Not wanting to offend anyone but human nature and curiosity will always get the better of us and we can't help but ask ourselves "how did that happen" and then try to offer an explanation. These forums offer the ability to ask that question "out loud" and interact as we would if we were all sitting around the local aero club - this forum is effectively a virtual aero club...well that's how I think of it anyway. I can't imagine anyone in that situation (sitting around the local aero club) suggesting to halt discussion on the matter or not speculate on what might've happened. I'd expect you would hear everyone offering their thoughts and opinions and there be an open discussion about it - based on fact, imagination, experience etc. As with SkyGazer & Airsick, I suggest this forum is in place to encourage discussion, debate, tales of experiences (good and bad) etc. and should allow the same discussion "virtually" that we'd have if we were all sitting around the local aero club and use that as the "gauge of appropriateness" (for want of a better term). The forum is full of people with significant skills & experience and those with little, the hope is to increase the number of the former and this can only occur through open communication. <High horse removed from soap box> ;) PS> Glad Middo escaped without injury, damn shame about his recently completed baby though. Cheers, Matt.

G'day Alan, We've been using a Bluetooth GPS receiver with a PDA for moving map for about 3 years in both our Sportstar and CT4 without any interference noticed in either VHF comms, transponder or our other GPS (Garmin 296). Cheers, Matt.

Someone else reading my mind again! Was wondering if I could do that before posting to find any members who fly out of Penfield.

G'day Phil, You must have been reading my mind, I was just having the same thought last night as the time gets nearer to me getting my beloved CT4 back and having moved to Melbourne. Maybe worthwhile having a regular "who's going where this weekend" thread for the Melbourne (Southern Victorian) folks and use it as an opportunity for those in similar locations can arrange to meet up at a destination or a primary strip before heading off to another destination. We used to do similar with some of the guys from The Oaks, if we were going to Wollongong for lunch (really nice food there!) we'd try to get a few of the guys from there to fly over and meet up for a meal. Anyhow, once I'm airborne again, I'll be looking for places to go and people to go with or meet up with...given our one and only visit to Tooradin, we'll be back there for a feed of fish and chips! Cheers, Matt.

G'day everyone, Kaz and I have been a bit quiet on the forums of late due to a) moving from Canberra to Melbourne, b) not having a Telstra connection to our leased house yet so little or no internet access, and c) it's been nearly 7 weeks since we've flown as the CT4 is still with our LAME having a fair bit of work done and I've been trying to forget aviation while I can't fly! Anyway back to the thread topic. Despite hopeful discussions with a few folks, it appears our plan to keep the CT4 at Point Cook will be beaten by the insurmountable red tape of the Federal Government and no amount of "who you know" seems to be helping. So our next options for a home for ARDU-CT4 were Penfield and Bacchus Marsh as the next closest fields to home suitable for the CT4. We were thinking Bacchus Marsh until we recently purchased a block of land in Gisborne and that pretty much settled the deal on Penfield as it will be a 18km / 15 minute drive from home to the airfield (as tested last Friday evening). So....(back to the thread again)...are there any forum members who operate out of Penfield with any information that may be useful i.e. facilities, good points, bad points etc. We had a look on Friday evening while we were up that way but no-one was around due to the weather that day (screaming northerly and 40 degrees)...I did like the look of the portable hangars though...very keen to get the CT4 into a hangar in the future, especially after a paint job which she'll be getting sometime next year. Thanks in advance for any info, comments, opinions, other. Cheers, Matt.

No worries, not taken the wrong way at all and apologies if I implied anything other. As the Queenslanders would say - "it's all good mate"! PS - it's an interesting topic, I've not known of anyone using the 10 minute marker before, you've opened my eyes. Cheers, Matt.

Horses for courses and no right or wrong with this one, it's all about personal preference and what works for you. As with Airsick I've flown in aircraft ranging from 50KIAS to 175KIAS, for whatever reason 10 miles works for me but I can see the benefits in the 10 minute markers...either way you've gotta convert distance to time or time to distance.

Personally I plan all overflys at 2000' AGL or above for exactly that reason - you never know who or what's going to be in circuit and possibly they'll be anywhere between 500' and 1500'. Regarding your actions...I'd suggest you did the right thing by trying to stay out of the way and continue to try to contact him and not progressing until you were sure where he was. Remember also that these guys (RPT) have TCAS and (assuming you're transponder equipped with it on) they'll see you on TCAS well before you'll ever see them. We've all learned something from your experience which is the intent of the forum. Cheers, Matt.

I'm a 10 mile marker man...probably because that's what I was taught during my Nav training. Also works well with our CT4 which does just over 2 miles a minute (TAS of 125 knots) but close enough for easy calculations using 10 miles. Also, 10 miles is 10 miles, regardless of what you're flying Cheers, Matt.