GDL

Welcome Evan to the flying community. I think you will find in most countries that kind of camaraderie (at least I would hope so). I have been flying ultralights for 20 years and have loved it. And Tomo's offer is typical of what I have found with Aussie's. I like to think of the flying fraternity as one big and generally happy family. Unfortunately, in my area flying is dying as the pilots age, and ultralights have not taken hold as much as in the US and Australia and Europe. Thanks also for the info on the various airports and cities.

Thanks Winsor for the link for the the trains. I looked at their schedule at one point and it seemed reasonable in cost and travel time. I am hoping that I get a chance to fly many ultralights while in Australia. I have had a chance to fly perhaps 15 different models here but most of my time is in Rans models. Need some new challenges. Your country has some interesting models I have never seen (Jabiru, Texan, and so on) much less flown.

Hi Tomo. Seen some of your posts in the short time I have been on this site (a great site incidentally - enthusiastic with people like yourself). My friend and I would prefer to be outside the city which is why I have looked at Caloundra. Sidney & Melbourne are places we would like to get some sense of, then off to beaches and white sand and sunny weather and suntans. I was talking with JG in Kilcoy and he got me thinking about coming. I hope to meet up with him as well. I would love to come and visit and be shown the area (by real plane - not those aluminum tubes). Farm tour I would love if I can fit it in. Let's exchange email addresses and continue that discussion (mine is [email protected]).I flew a friends Savannah couple of weeks ago. Nice plane. Canada is a beautiful country and I have been lucky to see much of it (most Canadians haven't because of its size). Always glad to get home. But on the other hand, always glad to go to other places to enjoy their lifestyle. I flew in Portugal this spring and loved every minute of it.

Hi Nev. Yes, Australia is a lot warmer than Canada. I live on the west coast, right on the ocean and we might see -18c once a year and -10 for a week or two. And we are the warmest part of Canada (although miserably wet and windy for a few months). This year has been the worst for weather (and as a consequence flying) and it has triggered the need to see sun and warm weather even if for a brief few weeks. In fact, right now we are seeing highs barely above 10 and about 7-8 degrees below normal. My original question about what to see came about because we need to careful plan where we go with such short time. But to try and not do things in a rush (after all this is a holiday - I have a tendency to try to do too much). Thanks for the info travel times. That also makes it clearer about what is possible and what cannot be done. I hope that I don't have to drive. I would rather use bus and train. Perhaps plane if time is short.

Hi Winsor. I like your suggestion of the train to Brisbane. After some of the long flights to Europe, the train is always a relief because it gets one closer to the scenery, and in more comfort (especially seat pitch). I have suggested to my friend that we take the train to Caloundra. Are Aussie trains comfortable? Incidentally, how do you like your Texan? Me and a cousin are looking around for a faster ultralight than my Rans S6 and are looking at low wing at a reasonable cost.

Hi Evan. Thanks for all that info. I have heard that Melbourne is a pretty city from some of my relatives. And we will take a look at the links and see what it is all about. So hard from a (long) distance to get a feel for a place. But all the replies back to my original question have helped shape what we are coming to. And makes any decision about what we won't have a chance to see that much harder. Certainly 3 weeks is not enough time to visit every place. How do you find the flying ultralights in the area?

Winsor, that is a list of very interesting places to see. And close to Caloundra. Thank you for those. I did not realize that there was an air museum (something for me to see at least) right in Caloundra, and the zoo will be fascinating.

Powerin, that is a long ways to go for a holiday. Wow. I have gotten to the point where I don't want to travel anywhere by car, even 50 km. Too much trouble and tiring and ... Anything you can tell me about Caloundra and the area as to sites to see, places to visit, places to avoid. We hope to walk, run, bike, local transport everywhere. Good airports to visit for flights in planes I haven't tried before. Perhaps train trip for further (day trip only) travel. I was warned about the poisonous snakes and spiders. Our nasty animals tend to be much bigger - like grizzly bears - and rarely seen.

Powerfin, thanks for the recommendation for Caloundra. I did a web search several months ago and it seemed to be a good place to be. I was not looking for glitzy but something comfortable and reasonably quiet and restful. 30 during the day is good. That is about 25 more than we average here at that time of the year.Your thoughts have reinforced my decision. Gnarly, I generally don't drive in the places I visit. Less stressful, and most have decent local and train travel. Sidney seems to be the consensus to see but we have more planning to do. And I think I will enjoy all parts according to those relatives and friend who have been to Australia before. What part of Canada are you visiting? I live on Vancouver Island it is still cold here (way below normal) with long range predictions of remaining so until July. Flying has been the pits because of the weather.

Thanks to all for the information. I would love to spend a half year exploring Australia but my boss (myself) cannot get that much time off. And my friend only has a little over 3 weeks to enjoy before back to the tedium. We had thought of setting up in Caloundra because it was a beach area (yes, Canada at that time of the year is miserable - in my town in BC cool and wet) and close to some airports for flying for me, and warm but not killing heat (I was told about Cairns and places north). We would not have the time for Ayres Rock and Victoria or Tasmania or other places of interest just because of time limitations. Since we have to fly into either Sidney or Melbourne, that started this thread. Melbourne is in the discussion because so little is available in guidebooks compared to Sidney. Part of our discussion has been about whether to spend time in one or the other city and then get to the warmer beaches further north (and I like heat although 35+ probably gets a little too warm and probably a shock to the system :) ). I picked Caloundra area for a few reasons but because there are good nearby ultralight sites, good beaches but not too expensive rentals, and not too crowded at that time. I do not want to drive because for some unknown reason Aussies drive on the wrong side of the road (grin). But I do want to sample some of the sites (as well as your ultralights) for that 3 weeks.

I will ask my friend about cricket. I was hoping to watch a Aussie rules football (loved watching some on TV) but the season has ended. And not started for hockey or baseball. My area used to be famous for seafood (salmon) but it has really declined and gotten expensive (really expensive). I love fresh fish and fruit. What are the prices like. I will probably buy locally once in Caloundra and cook myself.

Ignition, I think of Sidney and/or Melbourne as arriving, spending the next day and then leaving for other places. Although the whole schedule is largely unknown at this time till both of us can get a sense of how much time we can spend in Australia. Everybody who has spent time in Sidney (amongst my relatives - at least those that I trust) has raved about it. And we could probably spend weeks getting around and seeing things. The original intent was to plop down on a beach in the Sunshine Coast and soak up something missing from our lives at that time of the year - sun, warmth. 25+ degrees - heaven! Sidney & Melbourne are fleeting opportunities. Thanks for the all the suggestions. That is what I need because I have no clue about places & sites.

Thanks for the suggestions Youngster. I will take a look on the web at some of the places you suggest. I am not sure I could watch a cricket match (although I admit not having seen one before). Unlike most Canadians I am more a baseball fan than hockey. Isn't cricket like baseball but really really slow (grin)? What kinds of fresh food? Any specialties?

Hi Numptie. Can you point out some of the things to do in Melbourne? I agree that every city is worth a look. For instance I loathe Vancouver (the nearest big city to me) but the tourists seem to love it. And unfortunately, we only have about 3 weeks to enjoy some of the highlights of your country, so we have to limit where we go since the main thing is beach and sun (and flying for me) in the area around Caloundra. It will be fantastic to see something above about 4-5 degrees at that time of the year.

Thanks for that. As I mentioned to Windsor, I think I will be sick of planes by the time I get to Sidney. I asked my cousin who flies for Air Canada and occasionally does the Vancouver-Sidney 16 hour express, and he hates it as a pilot. Too long. My longest so far is Frankfurt and that is 10 hours. 16 is going to be agony. Watching scenery from a train can be enjoyable. My friend and I are talking about perhaps 2 days each (if possible in Sidney and Melbourne before onto to Caloundra for sun and warmth. That time of the year (Feb) is still winter for both of us and in my part of the world, wet and cold and nasty.

I have asked JG about Caloundra and he has pointed out some places to do some flying. In fact, he got me started on coming to Australia. I also talked to RA-Aus, and they will give me credit for my current flying (I have a Canadian ultralight permit with instructor rating plus a British Microlight licence), so I shouldn't have to do any training other than conversion to new plane. The trips to Melbourne and Sidney are for my friend. And she would be even more jet lagged since she is coming from much further away. Train seems more relaxing form of travel. I did this in Portugal (when I got my British licence) and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Is Melbourne a good touristy city?

Hi Ignition. I have been thinking of taking a train, rather than plane or car, to get around. We will be there 3-3.5 weeks, and really want to set up somewhere to relax (Caloundra seems the spot so far). But we have this chance to see a few spots and Melbourne has come up. What I have been told so far is Sidney is the place to see. But we have a brief opportunity to see other places like Melbourne. Is it worth it for the time to take. You make good points about the distances. I am coming from Canada with its distances (Toronto for me is nearly 5000 km and I try not to do the weekend trip, ever!). It probably isn't worth it for Melbourne unless we travel directly there instead of Sidney. Also a possibility.

Hi Mozzie. Thanks for that. I probably will not fly in Melbourne (although I can't say that for certain). I was more interested in what the city offers for things to do and see for my friend. Neither of us have been to Australia before and we thought about traveling from Sidney to Melbourne just to look it over. I probably will settle in the Caloundra/Brisbane area to do some flying. I might still be jet lagged from a 16 hour flight from my area (and my friend even further), so flying the first few days might be a bit much.

I am coming to Australia early in 2012 and bringing a friend. As a Canadian ultralight pilot, I am looking forward to trying out some of your planes and fields and places (will probably be in the Caloundra area), but need to enjoy some of the other sites in Australia. A question for the group. We have heard that Sidney is just beautiful and with many places to see. What does Melbourne offer in comparison? We have limited time in Australia and does a side trip to Melbourne make sense. I have heard it is also a beautiful city but the guidebooks are not very helpful.

I posted a thread on the Jabiru engine a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for all the comments. They provided a lot of information. The Jabiru is in a Pioneer P300S (2003 model). I looked at the plane yesterday and fell in love with its lines but with 1 large problem. My flying partner is 193cm tall and he does not fit in the plane without taking out all the cushions (the P200 is a better fit). Is there something that can be done to make more room? Is there another canopy or modification? Thoughts and impressions on the plane itself?

FactFinder, thanks for the info. They sound more like Lycs and Conts all the time (which of course they resemble). Is the baffling similar to what is done to the Sonex and its Aerovee engine? It also sounds like CHT and EGT temps are critical. Or more one than the other? Are the temps critical like a Rotax 582? Our outside temps are considerably lower than Australia. Does that have an impact that anyone ahs commented on?

Hi Maj. I hear what you are saying. I have never been let down by my 912, despite some hard work. That is why I am trying to make some sense of the Jabiru. So many comments, either positive or negative, and little in between, about the Jabiru.

Thanks FactFinder. The Pioneer 300 in particular is such a good price, I might be tempted to get it anyway. It is the reliability that I am mostly concerned about although I have been told that the 3300 is more reliable than the 2200. Is that true in general? And you are talking about cowl and mixture issues. What have these consisted of? Thanks.

HI Bluearsefly and Maj. I have many hours in 912 powered ultralights and am very comfortable with the engine and its reliability (my S6S has 912UL). I hear such differing opinions on the Jabiru and it can be rather confusing. And there seems to be a greater appreciation of the 3300 (less stressed perhaps?) compared to the reliability of the 2200. The Pioneer I flew was comfortable and smooth and a beautiful flyer, But I need something I can trust and which gives me satisfaction for some time. Any opinions on fuel consumption of the 2200 and 3300 versus the 912 (I prefer the real world versus what the ads tell us)?

I have several questions for the group. I have a chance to buy a Alpi Pioneer 200S or 300S (there is one of each). They are available locally (near my home in Canada). I have flown the P200 but with a Rotax 912 80 hp. The 2 for sale use the Jab 2200 & 3300 respectively. I have no flying experience with either engine, although I have heard some sad tales about 2200 issues when the engine is stressed (a flying school I was at had serious problems with their 2200s and finally got rid of them). What is your experience with either engine? Any flown either plane with the Jabiru? How does the Jab in a Pioneer compare to the 912?