farri

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/missing-nsw-plane-found-crashed-in-forest-west-of-coffs-harbour/news-story/26b1065ad59955b164023a27f9cb2a99 Franco.

I`ve had an interesting morning today! I had a meeting with some members of "Land Care", here on our property, to find a way to repair some serious erosion on the bank of the Mulgrave River, adjoining our property, at the end of the site inspection , I was asked if I would take Lisa (the group coordinator) to see it from the air, I said "absolutely", to which I was asked, "when"? my answer, " right now"! Back on the ground, I asked my usual question, " First impression of the flight, what did you think and what do you think now"? with a great sense of pride she replied, "I loved it! It`s the bravest thing I`ve done in a long time!" my reply, " Give yourself a great big pat on the back"! Franco. Ps, I met Lisa for the first time, this morning.

ranco F

Franco.

Nope! but I do remember Lee Wakeland doing what I considered a perfect loop, in Pat McGrath`s Thruster, at 500` over my property, back in the eighties! I was flying my home built and Lee was just off my right wing! Franco.

If it`s possible in the USA, it`s possible in Australia, not saying it would be legal, though!!!!! Nothing ventured, nothing gained however.... It`s guys like those who take things to the next level... Franco.

From the Drifter, at 5,000 feet amsl this afternoon! No! it wasn`t after last light! it was 5.40...………. Franco.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/340779700091177/

Goodonya Michael... Brilliant!!! I did a fair bit of flying in the Zenith CH 750 when it was based here, I`d love to fly yours...Cheers and all the best with it.

G`Day Anthony, ! There was a guy flying one from Mundoo aerodrome, south of Innisfail, don`t know if he still does though! ..... I`ve been flying from my property here at Deeral since the mid-eighties and I still fly regularly, if you`re ever in the Cairns area come in and say G`Day! you might even get a fly with me in the Drifter... Cheers.

The guy on the left is Don Burnell, a good mate of mine! Don and I go right back to the late mid eighties, early days of the AUF, when both of us were members of the 'Far North Queensland Ultralight Association'...Don originally flew gliders, wanted to have a go at the Drifter with me, was hooked, and went on to obtained his AUF pilot certificate when I was instructing... Don flew my Drifter in those days, sometimes taking his Gliding mate, Kevin Sedgeman , ( Kevin was a Gliding CFI ) in the back seat with him, up to the Atherton Tablelands. Don has late stage four Prostate Cancer and may not have many more flying days left! due to his health he hadn`t flow for a number of years so todays flight was extra special for both of us! I took him out over High Island and when we got back he was quite emotional telling me he felt he was in heaven while we were up there! he also told me when the final day comes, he wants me to scatter his ashes, from the Drifter, over my strip here! I told him it will be a privilege. Leo is a good mate of Don`s and this was his first Ultralight flight! I took Leo out over High Island also! he was extremely impressed with the flight and the Drifter. Franco. Ps, Don gave me permission to write about his Cancer.

In that case sandman, here`s mine to help the page along! Franco.

The Drifter looks great, sandman!!! it looks like you don`t need to mow the grass often and you have plenty of runway in any direction! Our area has had around 3,500 m/m of rain so far this year and plenty more to come! this is what it looks like here at Deeral.

"It can also speed to a major blaze and return rapidly for refuelling. Last week, the plane was deployed to help Tasmania cope with its dozens of bushfires, reloading with water at Hobart airport".

From the Drifter! at 4000 feet amsl, this afternoon!!! Franco.

How can I say no, when beautiful young ladies like Michelle keep turning up, wanting me to take them Drifter flying??? Michelle is from Germany and over here for a holiday with her boyfriend, Lucas Steinkenper, also from Germany! this was her first flight in an Ultralight... Lucas is the Great Nephew of my next door neighbor and he has flown with me several times in the past when he`s been over here, staying with my neighbor. Franco, Ps, I have Michelle`s permission to post this photo here!

This is Bob Murfitt! Bob and his wife are from South Australia and caravanning around the country! Bob was staying in one of our local caravan parks, found out about me, came here and asked if I would take him flying, I said of course I would and so we did!... Last Friday was Bob`s last day in our area before heading further North so I took him a bit further afield, around our area! all up we did several flights together and he got to have a feel of the Drifter. Whenever I take someone new flying, once back on the ground, I ask them, "what did you think of the flight"? I mostly get, " Unreal"..."Loved It"...one guy said, 'It`s the real deal", but I`ve never had this one before! when I asked Bob what he thought of yesterdays flight, he said and I quote, " Frank, you`ve taken me closer to heaven than anyone else"... I took that as a great compliment! Bob told me he had always been interested in flying but had never had the chance to learn and that a while back, a mate had taken him flying in his Trike so I spent a fair amount of time with him explaining some of the principals of flight and also the dangers! I also told him that he isn`t to old to learn (he`s my age) so I sincerely hope he does. Franco.

I took these photos from the Drifter this afternoon! In the photo on the left, the white dot on the right at the top end of the fire, is my Drifter shed... I went Croc spotting on the weekend! Took this photo from my Tinnie Franco.

Absolutely! Always lungs full...…..?

The bigger question is! "how do you put a bomb under the apathetic members" and "who`s interests` should RA-Aus be working to maintain and/or improve"? I`ve been flying since the early days of the AUF, I`m RA-Aus member 000993 and current! I fly regularly from my property and paid RA-Aus $ 250 a couple of days ago for the privilege... My interests and I dare say many others like me are completely different to those who are pushing for aircraft weight increases and flight from public aerodromes and into CTA, so to cut it short!...Who`s interests should RA-Aus be working on??? Franco ( Frank Arri ) Ps, Anyone, please! convince me I should bother to vote for the current board or anyone else who put their hand up for election!!!

From The Drifter, this afternoon!!!

Oh Dear!!!.How embarrassing...…..Very sorry …..Not knowing the details, I Read the report but overlooked the date...Ah well...Thank you, Jason!...More careful next time...Cheers everyone...Franco.

I don`t know anymore than what is reported here! https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/man-walks-away-after-plane-crash-landing-in-ingham/news-story/f49df181e707289baf752c93e062165c

Must be time you come back, then, Bernie!!! If you do, come and say G`Day, might be able to go Drifter flying together... Cheers... Franco.

Yes it is!