Matt

Amazing what a big donk and some TFT screens will set you back :big_grin: Cheers, Matt.

That'd be the CT-4F, the avionics to run the glass cockpit as well as all the associated military radios, nav equipment etc. almost fill the entire area behind the seats - that's a heap of equipment I can tell you coz there's a lot of room back there! Also interesting to note (well for those of us that find CT4's interesting :)) that the E and F models have their wing spar 8cm further forward than the A and B models due to the additional weight of the IO-540 (300hp) engine. The Raytheon F model was actually in Canberra last weekend and we had a good look (and drool) over it. Very good to know that other than the avionics, engine and wings being moved forward, the rest is identical to our A model...spares are still available from the factory :)

G'day Ben, We have twice used a company called FinLease who are a broker and in both cases have then got our finance through Capital Finance who are 'aviation friendly'...including recreational aircraft. We've been very happy with the services of both companies and if you do go down this path, get in touch with Miles Beamish at FinLease's Sydney office - he's a top bloke. Loan structure we have used is similar to a personal loan requiring a deposit (10-20%) and loan period is usually 5 years (generally won't go beyond that for light aircraft). Cheers, Matt.

Weather not looking so inviting for this weekend up that way: http://www.eldersweather.com.au/local.jsp?lt=aploc&lc=2508&fc=8970 Fingers crossed the forecast improves as the week goes on. And as luck would have it, the forecast for Canberra for the weekend is fine and sunny both days...wouldn't you know it.

CAO 95.10 states: 5. Flight Conditions 5.1 (a) the aeroplane may be flown 5 000 feet above mean sea level or higher: (i) only if it is flying over an area of land, or water, the condition, and location, of which is such that, during the flight, the aeroplane would be unable to land with a reasonable expectation of avoiding injury to persons on board the aeroplane; and (ii) only if it is equipped with a radiocommunication system; Note When flying at, or above, 5 000 feet, pilots are expected to make radio broadcasts as set out in AIP. Had a recent chat about this with a few people as we used to reguarly operate at altitudes up to 9500' AMSL in the Sportstar (a requirement depending on which direction you head from Canberra!). The consensus of the group was that most of us were operating aircraft fitted with relevant comms & transponder equipment cruising at similar if not higher TAS's (100kts +) than many VH registered light aircraft...so there probably an element of 'old rules'...or maybe not 'old rules', just not necessarily appropriate considering the capabilities of many of the newer aircraft available in the category these days. Ultimately the responsibility for safe operation of the aircraft is up to the pilot in command (you) and as per para (i) in the regulations - if you as pilot in command believe it to be "reasonable" to be at an altitude above 5000' AGL for reasons of safety and comply with (ii) then I doubt anyone is going to question it. For me (as taught to me by my instructors) "height = time" which in any emergency you can't have too much of. My 2.2c worth. Cheers, Matt.

Have you looked at www.fgmcoffs.com.au? Just saw an ad in the Flight Safety Magazine and noticed they were the same cones we saw at Point Cook last week. They looked good and I believe they are quite reasonably priced. Cheers, Kaz

A few more contenders... Plastic Parrots...the old and the new :) In close company Who's taking photo's of who? :)

Today's flights included taking a few friends from Point Cook and around the bay to Ricket's Point and back again then Kaz and I headed over to Tooradin to see who might be around that we'd know...got a friendly call on the radio from Brent and after meeting & greeting it was time to get some lunch...nice little cafe/restaraunt at the Tooradin field. Then headed back to Point Cook with some company to get some air to air shots...here's some from the other direction. Thanks again Brent for the company and the shots, it was good to meet another one of the many forum members scattered around the country. We're heading back to Canberra tomorrow (Sunday) so expect a heap of photos and trip reports once we get back home and sort out all the photos and video. Cheers, Matt & Kaz.

No troubles getting in at all which surprised us. There's two new Airfield Managers (only started in the last couple of weeks) and they're keen to ensure that all operations, including approvals, are in line with the agreements and procedures which are documented...not based on personal opinions as per some previous field managers. We also get some special treatment having an ex-RAAF aircraft but effectively all we had to provide was a reasonable reason for using the airfield (a few visits to the RAAF Museum to research our aircraft) and a copy of our insurance policy details - specifically Public Liability...everyone's favourite topic. I'm not sure the new guys will be able to get to a point where anyone can fly in at any time but they are working to ensure the approval process is clearly defined and that the process is efficient. I'm sure we all wish them well! I caught up with Kris on Sunday and will be seeing him again tomorrow (Tuesday) and on Thursday for my flight review, will say "g'day" to him for you. Keep an ear out for a CT4 belting around Melbourne again tomorrow, we're probably going to do a trip around the bay and visit a few of the local airfields...any suggestions welcome if people are going to be around and have a kettle on :) Cheers, Matt.

We were thinking it was actually doing pretty well to have water in it, we've seen it dry more times than wet.

...and one more... A19-046 at Point Cook

Point Cook Tower Kaz being artistic again :)

RAAF Lake Point Cook Taken at sunset from our CT4. High Resolution (2048x1536) image available.

G'day Brent, probably not us at that time, we were just leaving Canberra around that time. We did overfly Melton on our way to Point Cook from Mangalore (skirting Melbourne airspace) but it would've been around 4.45PM on Saturday. Cheers, Matt.

G'day Adam, remember meeting you the day we arrived at Port Mac. Glad to hear Dimples is being looked after and getting plenty of attention. I've just about clocked up 15 hours on the CT4 and very comfortable with it now...and although I love the Sportstar, I love the CT4 even more...hope Dimples isn't reading this :). Cheers, Matt.

Spot on Mike ;), I did a couple of trips out of Point Cook today with some friends - past Williamstown and down the bay to Moorabin and back...the CT4 does have a very unique exhaust note doesn't it. We're based at Point Cook while we're in Melbourne for the week, planning to do a few flights while we're here...including my flight review - I think my instructor (Kris K) is looking forward to that more than me :) Here's a few pics from the trip and today. Expect a big post when we get back home and can sort everything out. 3rd pic is our friends at Penfield and the 4th is the RAAF Lake at Point Cook reflecting the sky like a mirror...Kaz is getting better :) Cheers, Matt.

Hi Mike, Taking the CT4 down for her first visit back to Point Cook. No plans to stop at Shepparton on the way down (stopping at Yarrawonga to get fitted for new covers/bungs etc.) but will keep it in mind for the trip home. Planning on returning home the Saturday/Sunday of Queens Birthday weekend. Let us know if you'll be around. Cheers, Matt

Hey Doug, that's a hell of a navex, interesting track on the GPS...not used for in-flight navigation then? Must say I love having a look at the OziExplorer tracks when I get home from a flight, to check my track and get a real appreciation for where we'd been. We're heading down to Melbourne tomorrow for a week and a bit...stand by for a few reports from us. Cheers, Matt.

Hey Jason, how long before you get the strip up and running and would you like some help with developing it? More than willing to offer a hand to anyone building an airfield near Canberra :) Cheers, Matt

Strange looking?!?!?!?...beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess :) It kinda does resemble a baby CT4, probably explains the attraction to the Sportstar in the first place. Surprisingly the CT4 actually has a smaller wingspan - approx 7m compared to approx 8m on the Sportstar...the high wing loading and glide (if you can call 1000fpm at 80kts a glide) are evidence of that. Hmmm...guessing that head belongs to proud new owner...Mr F.

Really two options, down and around the coast Moruya-Merimbula-Mallacoota to Lakes Entrance then through East Sale airspace (de-active on weekends) then across Latrobe Valley then on to Tyabb. Or you could go the 'inland' route via the track you suggested. Our regular track from Canberra to Werribee (other side of bay to Tyabb) is Canberra-Tumut-Albury-Wangaratta (comfort stop)-Lancefield-Melton-Werribee. To get to Tyabb via this route you'd track Wangaratta to the Kilmore Gap, down the VFR lane to Lilydale then down to Tyabb from there...well that's how we'd do it. Cheers, Matt.

Hey Gregg, glad Dimples is being looked after and enjoying her new home...never doubted either. Found the 'new' baby I've always wanted and she is very special. Will be good to catch up at Camden Haven, the strip there looks magnificent. Oh, and we'll bring the tow bar up with us too...only realised we hadn't sent it up when we were hanging the much more substantial CT4 tow bar up in the storage shed. Know what you mean about the canopy profile being somewhat a reverse on the Sportstar & CT4, just about to get a canopy cover made for the CT4...maybe Di can just reverse the pattern :) Good to hear Ian made it up there, not sure what the weather was like up that way yesterday but it was faultless here. Cheers, Matt.

You beat me to it! :) You couldn't have ordered a better day for flying - no wind, no cloud, crystal blue sky. As Darren said, we had our first trip to The Oaks today with "Charlie". We headed from Canberra to Wollongong for lunch and to catch up with some guys from work then up to The Oaks to see the guys & girls (that'd be Emma & Jess :)). Found this little Jabby just taking off so we followed him for a bit until the training area we were flying through got a bit too busy for all of us. Boys and toys, the CT-4 is a little more substantial than the Sportstar...plenty of room for the two of us. Rotate at 60kts, liftoff about 70kts, accelerate and climb out at 90kts. The trees around the field give a great sensation of speed. Thanks again to all the friendly folks at The Oaks for another great day...we will be back! PS. A bit of trivial info, flight time (airswitch) from The Oaks to Canberra was 0.6, 125KIAS at 6500' with a ground speed of around 135kts burning 40L/Hr (60LBs/Hr).

The day we went across the cloud was 8/8 and sitting just above the ranges, going up to Muswellbrook meant we could get down the Hunter Valley without having to climb over the hills and could stay under the cloud. There is a fair bit of tiger country up that way but if the weather is clear you can get up high enough to go straight across. Our original plan was to go Canberra - Bathurst - Maitland then up the lane, there's probably more tiger country going Mudgee - Singleton as the mountain range spans further up that way. It is a nice run down the Hunter Valley though, all depends on whether you're after a quick trip or a scenic trip. Either way, have a safe trip. Cheers, Matt.

Yep, it'll look a lot like this: