jwt101

I am afraid that there is not a wallet big enough to buy one new, for they don't make them any more. Like much British manufacturing, it is an item of historic curiosity...

And a fine photo it is! Still in its East Midlands University Air Squadron ('EMU'AS) colours. I missed out on the Bulldog by only a year or so when I was flying in the UAS as the RAF was still going through the process of phasing them out. That was around 2001ish. But the newer 'Plastic' Grob was also fantastic fun to fly.

Many thanks to all, the replies have been extremely helpful. I can see pretty clearly what the requirements are for an Australian GA pilot and have emailed Mick to find out if the same would apply to an oversees pilot on a CoV. I have no idea if it is a question that has been asked before. If the doors of recreational flying are not open to me then I still plan to fly by hiring a GA type such as a 152 or a Worrior and, if it turns out to be practical, I may still be visiting some of the airfields populated by RAA pilots on my travels. As I have said everywhere I have posted, if there is anyone out there who fancies joining up for all or part of the trips I'll be doing you will be more than welcome, in fact I would be grateful of the company, the experience and the local knowledge. As for the aircraft I currently fly in the UK, it is a Bulldog which is a type used by the Royal Air Force until only relatively recently to train all millitary pilots through the first stage of their flying. Ours has been repatriated from Ghana. It is a stable touring aircraft and just about competent for aerobatics (as I am finding out) if a little heavy for all but beginners competitions. Basically it has fantastic visibility, handles like a classic and is just different enough to stand out from the plethora of Cessnas and Pipers filling the sky. Safe flying. -JT

I am a UK private pilot and will be heading over to Sydney in April. I have braved the CASA process and been issued with my 'Certificate of Validation' which will allow me to exercise the rights of my UK PPL(A) in Australia. The admin process was long, which has left me with little time to plan and organise, but the fact that it has been successful is an achievement in itself. Ideally I would like to find somewhere that will let me hire an aircraft for 2-3 days and head off to see the sites via the local airfields. My first thing to understand is the concept of 'Recreational Aviation' and how the types that these pilot's fly fit with respect to the conventional PPL lisence (see seperate forum post). I would welcome the advice for anyone who knows the wider Sydney area on where I canget instruction, hire from and fly to, where I could stop overnight and what I could see. All advice accepted gratefully and anyone who wants to joint up for some or all of the trip would be welcomed. Thanks! JT.

I am a UK Pilot about to visit Australia and will be flying on the privalidges of my UK PPL(A) (on a Certificate of Validation recently issued by CASA). I have never flown in Australia before and the 'Recreational Aviation' sector is unfamiliar to me. I can see a lot of flying clubs operating Ultralight aircraft such as a Jabiru. Is it the case that these types require a RAA licnese to operate them? Or could a GA pilot fly them with appropriate training?