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dsam

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Everything posted by dsam

  1. dsam
    No opportunity should be overlooked to advance the cause of Australian aviation against the punitive bureaucracy of CASA. The Forsythe review needs to be thrust into the next minister's hands, and RA-Aus has a role to step him through the details therin.
  2. dsam
    I have an iPad Air 2 (Telstra cellular) on a knee pad. I travel with an old iPad 2 (cellular) as a backup. Both run OzRunways, as does my iPhone 5. The Dynon Skyview runs my .gpx flight plans originating from OzRunways, along with their Hybrid VFR moving map display, input via USB. In all, I get seamless agreement across all independent devices. I print off OzRunways maps covering my flight planned route, plus a little extra, but have never needed to use them, - such is the accuracy and reliability I have experienced over the last 4 years cross-country flying to some rather remote areas. Of course the Telstra signal drops out occasionally in remote areas, but with all maps pre-loaded along with stored area-weather via NAIPS, I've always felt a strong sense of situational awareness. I have assembled the portable adsPi (adsb-in) device, and that displays nearby traffic to watch out for, on the OzRunways display. I've opted for the large screen iPad versions to minimise the difficulty of delicate zooming touches in turbulence. I have older eyes, so have non-polarised bifocal sunglasses to assist with the fine print on my kneeboard display. Needless to say, I'm a big advocate of new technology, and redundant & complimentary independent EFB systems. Happy flying!
  3. dsam
    FYI, the Eurofox is sold as the Aerotrek in the USA. Here are a couple photos of my trailer setup:
  4. dsam
    Perhaps true... 60k Euro is the recommended configuration, and much depends on the AUD exchange rate.
  5. dsam
    Hi scre80. Have a look at the 2 seater Eurofox from Horsham Aviation: http://horshamaviation.com.au/Aircraft/ I keep mine in a trailer, and it is a single handed operation to fold or deploy the wings. I have a small electric winch to draw it tail-first into my trailer. As for flying characteristics, I couldn't be happier. Cruise goes up to 110 knots, but with full flaperon it stalls at just 38 knots. With a rotax 912 ULS engine and 85 litres usable, you get a maximum endurance of 6 hours, and a maximum range of 540 nautical miles. It has excellent short field performance even at MTOW of 560 Kg. It is factory built either as a tail dragger or nose wheel configuration (like mine), and can even tow gliders if required. Build quality is excellent. I have the Dynon system operating the autopilot, which is great for the long navigational legs. Of course I'm biased, because I have one, but I think you'd be lucky to find better value in any other trailer-able aircraft.
  6. dsam
    OK, here's my contribution to the discussion. My first solo was in a glider. I was trained to set up all my glider approaches a bit too high, and side slip on final to loose unnecessary altitude, always confident I could make the field. Then I would ease out of the sideslip, use spoilers as required, and stabilise to the final flare & touchdown. Now in my powered aircraft, I believe my old habits still serve me well. I'm a bit too high turning final, with power at idle and flaps set as required. I have no worry should the engine decide to stop, I'll make the field easily from this altitude. A sideslip on final (with or without crosswind) gets me to my aiming point. This technique has the added bonus of keeping me well above any unseen wires/obstacles on short final at unfamiliar aerodromes - the benefit of a somewhat steeper angle of descent. Over the fence I ease out of the sideslip and flare into my aiming point. This technique is something I'm comfortable with, particularly at unfamiliar fields. It may not suit everyone, but it works for this old (former) glider pilot. Happy flying everyone :)
  7. dsam
    Yes, I've found them to be very responsive too. One of the benefits of having our software developers close at hand in Australia, I suppose.
  8. dsam
    If I understand your problem correctly, you only need to go into "settings/aircraft" scroll to the bottom, and change units from Kts to MPH.
  9. dsam
    I just got this link to a survey on CASA: http://web02.surveycentre.colmarbrunton.com.au/Portal/Survey.aspx?SurveyID=7201&PortalID=8042&MemberID=K026NR4laxzTvBh78Fk6tg%3d%3d&SubsID= They claim they want to measure our views of CASA performance. I haven't completed it yet. I hope I get to point out their continued failure to adhere to the Forsythe review recommendations. I hope others on this forum contribute their views too (for what it is worth). Whingeing on a forum only gets us so far... this might help apply more direct pressure (we can at least hope, anyway...)
  10. dsam
    G'day Kamloops, and welcome. I grew up in Calgary, got my PPL in Penhold AB in the mid 70's. I hated the winters there, and have adopted Melbourne as my home since 1980. I can verify you'll have a good time down under. Aussies and Canuks just seem to blend in automatically. Flying here is good too... Not many mountains to bump into, but plenty of unique scenery - well worth the trip! Happy flying
  11. dsam
    No photos from me this time, but I took advantage of great weather on Monday to host my visiting Canadian cousin & his wife to a joy flight around Wilsons Promontory and via Port Phillip heads to Barwon Heads, throwing in an history lesson about Harold Holt, South Channel Fort, disappearing guns, the first shots of world wars one and two, quarantine stations, and Swan Point "spook training". Special thanks to Tyabb for allowing me to use their aerodrome for the benefit of "international relations". The Canadians seemed to enjoy the experience, politely enduring my history commentary.
  12. dsam
    Snr. He stopped in Horsham on the way back for fuel. Picked us up there as that's where we stayed overnight. Helped him with the refuelling.
  13. dsam
    Mike Falls was in good form, as usual. I had a fabulous flight across and back in the DC3 - great memories for me. I agree, the folks at Nhill put on an amazing event - aerial displays, historic cars, ground exhibits, market stalls, and yummy food. Well done everyone! No doubt there was a lot of effort by many people to make all this come to fruition. They can pat themselves on the back for a job extremely well done!! I had a fabulous weekend thanks to the efforts of the people involved.
  14. dsam
    I will be arriving via DC3 as a passenger with my better half. In 1969 a DC3 was the first aircraft I flew in. The flying bug bit me hard then, and 2 years later I achieved my first solo in a glider, and PPL shortly after that. I'm looking forward to my YMEN-YNHL DC3 nostalgic experience!
  15. dsam
    In the corporate world, lots of deals are done "informally" on a golf course. That would have been cheaper than this PR stunt, and perhaps just as effective.
  16. dsam
    I'm trying to be constructive in my criticism, and I agree that members have wanted more communication, but I would prefer substance instead of "spin" communication, like this "announcement", which only annoys members. Better to have kept this event "in-house" as a team-building exercise, perhaps.
  17. dsam
    In my earlier posts on other threads, I've openly acknowledged the need for all recreational aviation bodies to lobby the federal minister (Truss or perhaps now his successor) to lean on CASA to enforce the Forsythe recommendations. Sadly, lobbying is what it takes to influence change in modern democracies. That said, I still consider PR- VIP feather preening as a "hold your nose, this smells" sort of exercise. Not something for wider membership interest or consumption as it only impresses the ego-centric politicians that participate, IMO.
  18. dsam
    This looks like it could easily be from an episode of Utopia (a satire series on ABC iView if you haven't followed it). I've never been a fan of this sort of PR flummery. What next... a ribbon cutting... gold shovel sod turning?? What we need are tangible outcomes (eg. CTA & MTOW) - something that is really worthy of an "announcement". I'm a big fan of Matt Hall, and I appreciate that some VIP feather preening is hard to avoid (i.e. Skidmore), but I wouldn't expect the membership to swallow this ceremony as especially noteworthy.
  19. dsam
    Thanks for this ATSB link. Sounds much less dramatic than the media coverage. No mention of the other aircraft or other proximity issues...
  20. dsam
    Sorry, should have checked the link before posting. Now I can't find a direct link myself. It was a story about an 18 passenger charter to Mt. Hotham where there was loss of separation to 1 nautical mile with another aircraft. Dick Smith also added his 2 cents worth. I was just wondering if there was much to be learned from this incident, or if it was a media beat-up.
  21. dsam
    Anyone with an informative opinion on this reported incident? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/near-miss-for-planes-carrying-18-people/story-e6frg95x-1227530833949
  22. dsam
    Something like this...?
  23. dsam
    Just my 2 cents worth (for personal preference, admittedly), I would prioritise CTA access ahead of MTOW changes, but both are needed. Happy & safe flying :) Dave
  24. dsam
    I've been extremely keen for RA-Aus to obtain CTA as an endorsement to their RPC. As the owner of a suitably equipped aircraft, it seems ridiculous to me to have to get checked & trained on some random VH aircraft, and negotiate the blizzard of CASA paperwork for an RPL. It is a needless expense when ultimately, I'm only going to fly my own 24 rego aircraft into Albury or transit CTA to avoid tiger country, thus improving my safety. I agree CTA isn't for everyone, but for a few of us, the current restrictions are unfair discrimination. Don Ramsay, thank you for your efforts so far, and please continue to push our CTA endorsement along as best you can. Happy & safe flying.... Dave
  25. dsam
    It was a fabulous day to go for a flight over Lake Eildon. Just thought I'd share a snapshot.
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