damoski

Heh. I know Dean, I learnt to fly out of Damyns Hall in E London, where he's based. Before that, he built an Eindecker. I haven't been there for ages, so suspect he's building something even wackier now.

Thanks all. TP: I did have a written statement from the insurer saying that they would cover me for RA flying; it did seem to be a nonstandard request, however.

This thread raised a question in my mind about life insurance. When I had my first child in 2012, I checked with my super provider if their life insurance covered the more 'interesting' things that I liked to enjoy - ultralight flying, motorbiking, etc. For ultralights, they confirmed in writing that yes, it was covered. I wonder if the ruling mentioned in the SMH changes that. They classified any recreational flying as an 'obvious risk', and that it's inherently dangerous. Although the case notes focus on a different aspect of this case, that the plaintiff's claim that the pilot turning back earlier would have prevented injury was invalid, it might also provide material that microlighting is proven as a dangerous sport, and therefore not covered by normal insurance or life cover. Is anyone else covered by their standard life cover / insurance? Thanks, Damo

We sorely wanted, and planned, to fly up from Sydney basin. booked leave for Friday, hotel, etc. We watched wx all week, but then decided finally on Thursday morning for a No Go. Looking at the glorious blue sky on Friday morning, I didn't chastise myself too much. We had lots of excuses around issues taking off on a soggy airfield fully loaded, and possible boggy airfields enroute in the event we needed one for an out landing, but the key reason was possible rain on the way back and the need to be back at work Monday morning. So - I'll check the weather reports during Sunday in an act of self education/flagellation. At the end of the day, we were on the ground wishing we were in the air, rather than the other way round, and that means there'll be a next time.

Hi folks, I did this 4 years ago with an NPPL(M). I wrote to the Ops manager at the time, and had it confirmed that I just needed a check flight by friendly CFI here, which I duly did, had my UK logbook signed off, and then sent in for my RPC with the medical. No GST, no exam. Not sure if/how that would work to the RPL these days. D

I didn't see the aircraft going in, but did see the earlier part of the display - including some very steep banks at relatively low speeds that I led me to comment to someone "I wouldn't do that in these conditions if I were him"

My main reason is to fly with 3-4 PAX, so medical and ASIC are givens, whether I do RPL or PPL.

Yep David, I read elsewhere that this is the same for RAA. ie. If you are not a current PPL pilot and/or member of RAA, then you cannot hold an ASIC with that relevant body. Each is responsible for monitoring currency of holders. Under that argument, I'm inclined to get one with RAA, since I'm more likely to do most of my flying and maintain currency with them. Thanks all D

Yep - that was my concern. So I have: - Wait to complete medical (hopefully 1-2 weeks), then apply for ASIC, or - Apply via RAA for ASIC, but not be able to solo or apply for RPL until it arrives Seems simpler to wait and go with CASA all the way. D

Hi all, I'm thinking of training for a PPL, so need an ASIC. However, since I'm still waiting for my medical, and am about to go abroad in 3 weeks, I was thinking of applying for an RAAus ASIC to get the process moving, otherwise it could be 3 months before I take receipt of one. I'm aware I can commence training before I receive the ASIC, as long as applied for. I'm also aware I need to maintain RAA membership to maintain my ASIC. Neither should be an issue. Anyone know: - Can I commence PPL training with an ASIC in process with RAA? Will the school accept that? - What current processing times are? Are all CASA at the EOFY sales? Thanks! Damo

I also went up. I found that going through a full spin for the first time was a valuable experience - something I'd otherwise (hopefully) never experience in RA, but at least gave me an understanding of what to expect, and also how much height it takes to get out of them!

Hi Flyerme, I had a UK NPPL(M) for microlights, and was in the same situation. I emailed whoever was the Ops Manager at the time, and they confirmed I needed to be checked out by a school, and then could be issued a pilot certificate - effectively a BFR. No need to retake exams, although my school (wisely, I would say) insisted that I retake Nav, so he may be limited to 25nm. Depends on the CFI, it seems. The trick is how long the cert takes to be issued once he qualifies, versus his time in-country! D

Just an observation, but has anyone else received malware warnings when trying to open the Flight Safety Briefing e-magazine? Google Chrome warns me that the site has hosted malware in the past, and it seems to resolve this down to casa.grapevine.com.au, so it appears to be the CASA-specific microsite. What happened when Google visited this site? Of the 5 pages we tested on the site over the past 90 days, 5 page(s) resulted in malicious software being downloaded and installed without user consent. The last time Google visited this site was on 2013-05-26, and the last time suspicious content was found on this site was on 2013-05-26. Malicious software is hosted on 1 domain(s), including noveltyship.com [hyperlink removed] This site was hosted on 1 network(s) including [/url]AS7718 (TRANSACT) . I've not tried to open it, for now, as a result - often these things are resolved - but I would have expected someone else to see this. I assume Grapevine is CASA's distribution provider, and not just a well-crafted malware site.

I occasionally use a couple of apps for self-tracking and sharing my location when flying - Glympse and MapmyTracks. Although no substitute for proper aviation emergency beacons, it's reassuring to know that a friend or family member can look up my last logged location/track, and perhaps derive history/intent as well. We also have the capability to use "Find my iPhone" by having a share iTunes account. Perhaps OzRunways and AvPlan should add a location-sharing feature. They're always on, powering GPS and exchanging data anyway.

Too late to add my 2c? I use North up - I find I need fewer mental gymnastics to account for the aircraft heading with relation to north, than to have Track up but then think through next headings, landmarks, runway orientation and circuit joining, etc in relation to my Track and the bearing. I also find it quicker to give my location or check my location relation to radio calls, and to get my "navigation head" back on much faster, if the map is North Up to start with.