dsam

Agreed I think everyone here should follow the link from post #24 (thanks, djpacro), read the background info to inform themselves, then make a submission to CASA as they see fit. Comments here won't get to the CASA!

Just for the record Bruce, my ADS-Pi is an ADSB-in device I built 2 years ago from electronic bits for about $95 and it shows up on my iPad.... not that expensive IMHO....

Let's not forget, VFR pilot Area Frequency reports are advisable (incl. RA-Aus) when crossing the Bass Strait doing "skeds" at specific intervals. As well, I do brief Area Frequency reports when using the VFR coastal & inland routes by Melbourne, again a recommended procedure. I've even had ATC advise me of oncoming radar paints through the Kilmore gap VFR track.... thanks guys! As for Area Frequency position reports elsewhere, I think that's excessive. However, I've certainly spoken up when I hear ATC reporting my radar "paint" as a potential conflict to IFR traffic. It gives peace of mind to ATC & the IFR pilot that I'm listening & watching, and advising of my track & intentions. I'm also a fan of ADS-Pi boxes supplying traffic info into my iPad (along with OzRunways traffic, (but sadly not AvPlan too)).

Thanks Ian, Caps are an "affirmative" from me. Stickers... best for aircraft care, not as effective for forum member recognition whilst mingling, but still a positive in my opinion.

Hi Mike, That would be a good start for those nearby the flight-line, but for wandering around Avalon (for example) a Recreational Flying cap or nametag, or lanyard, would allow instant recognition in a crowd (around an exhibit, BBQ, coffee queue, etc). I'm off to Avalon tomorrow (Thursday) by the way.... by road.... no RA-Aus CTA yet!

Speaking of crickets Bevan, is there any interest from Airservices (or whoever) sharing ADSB "paints" from their servers to airborne AvPlan users? That would save aviators from building ADS-Pi boxes to integrate the traffic awareness data on our iPads.

Kununurra, don't get me wrong... I feel we as aviators, can only win from the close software competition we enjoy here in Australia. The two software developers keep each-other "on their toes", and we happily benefit from this competition. I've done an extensive outback excursion with a friend & fellow pilot who is an AvPlan doyen and beta tester. It became a friendly competition in our cockpit to see who could come up with situational awareness data quicker, and I'm happy to say most times it was a dead-heat. Both apps are magnificent IMHO. There's just a few price & convenience considerations that come in to the equation for my particular situation - and for me it is fun to compare new features between them. Dave

Haha, you might be right Bevan... just moderate 2 dis-incentives: - my time invested learning one interface, then learning a completely different user interface to the same high degree - price ($169 for my premium OzRunways subscription + $29 Hybrid VFR Dynon map / vs.....? AvPlan $219 + Dynon +?) Perhaps an introductory offer to those who abandon OzRunways for the dark side?

Interesting, Bevan... same crickets I got when I asked them a few times to match you on Dynon wifi connectivity (like AvPlan has...). I wonder whether their resources are maxed out on their android development work?

Mine do not seem to leak liquid fuel. They are only full for a few minutes on my way to the airfield, so I haven't put them to any real stress when full. In my aircraft, they are always empty and folded. I do notice them to have a slight fuel smell immediately after use, when folded up in the cargo area, so perhaps the seal isn't perfect (allowing some vapours to escape). My cockpit is very well ventilated, and so any slight fumes aren't noticeable once I've started. Perhaps you got a bad set... I'm assuming you probably haven't cross-threaded the cap or flexible hose/nozzle.... I can't remember what the gasket looks like on the underside of the cap in mine, but that is where I would inspect it for problems.

Here is another link to the Lake Boga (Swan Hill) event, particularly well suited to the semi-aquatic members of this forum: Seaplane Pilots Association Australia - SPAA Splash-in for the Lake Boga 75th Anniversary Safe flying, everyone:plane: Dave

In my case, I don't filter the Avgas from a bowser as there are supposed to be standards adhered to on storage. Petrol stations are more of an unknown quantity so that's why I filter Mogas. Avgas from drum storage can be more subject to problems, so perhaps it would be wise to filter Avgas stored in this way.

Here is a network 10 clip where Ben Morgan (AOPA) is given a chance to put his views to the broadcast media, and handles the issue very well, although I feel he possibly should have mentioned CASA by name, as a body with some responsibility for speaking up in the support of safety over inappropriate property development. RA-Aus.... where are you.....? SAAA....? Time to be supportive!

I did hear a spokesperson from AOPA speak on ABC Melbourne radio yesterday afternoon, but much more coverage to our perspective on property development should take place. RA-Aus, where are you.... or are you unwilling to comment on a class C aerodrome? Take note... aerodrome encroachment takes place all around Australia - join the campaign to support aviation safety ahead of unwanted development!

Dunno... perhaps they thought if you've been there since 1961 you're as old as Methusala... just guessing

My plan is to tie down at YSWH on Friday. I rang up and spoke to a very helpful chap from the local flying club, and arranged a tie-down spot for me (one of many, I would think). For a small fee, I even think there is a bit of temporary hangar space for itinerant aviators, if you ask them. The fellow at the Murray River Motel (where I'm staying) will fetch me from the aerodrome. I'm sure he can also help me sort out the short trip to the Lake Boga museum area on Saturday. I'm not sure whether the organisers have planned for a town shuttle....? Any Swan Hill aviators able to advise?

I just thought it would be good to draw attention to the following event: Flying Boat Repair Depot 75th Anniversary 17th - 19th March 2017 I will be flying in to see this event over that weekend. It should be fun. I know that the museum is very good, and I like the historic communications bunker as well.

Today was another beautiful CAVOK day in Victoria. I decided to take the Eurofox for a flight over Lake Eildon to take in the views. It doesn't get any better than this! (Bonus points for those with a keen eye that can read my rego).

If CASA was truly interested in safety, why wouldn't they have stepped in to limit unsuitable development so close to an aerodrome. Surely they have a safety mandate for all such airports under threat of inappropriate development. Let's not forget, in most cases the airport was there first, by many years.

If CASA was truly interested in safety, why wouldn't they have stepped in to limit unsuitable development so close to an aerodrome. Surely they have a safety mandate for all such airports under threat of inappropriate development. Let's not forget, in most cases the airport was there first, by many years.

Does anybody know whether Airservices have used Dick's donation to deliver weather-cams at the Kilmore Gap and Mt. Victoria? If so, can anybody provide a link? These should be made available to OzRunways & Avplan, too. Note this news excerpt below from December: "Dick Smith has today made out a cheque for $160,000 to AirServices Australia in the hope, he says that they will copy a Nav Canada system and provide weather cams at their existing ground installations around Australia. Installation of the cameras could be at known ‘risk’ locations such as Mt Victoria and Kilmore Gap."

Skippydiesel, I note your concerns on filtering into the aircraft, rather than the foldable fuel bladders, and your reasoning is worthy of support, particularly for a low wing aircraft. I have made a deliberate choice to do it my way for a few reasons. Firstly, my aircraft is a high wing, and managing a small stool, funnel, and flexible fuel bladder is a high-wire act fraught with incident (big spills onto plexiglas, inability to see when tank nears full, longer time pouring fuel, stumbles & fumbles at a windy, rainy, dusty, exposed outback aerodrome). Much easier and safer to funnel into a bladder at my feet, under shelter in a petrol station IMHO. Are you saying you filter both into your fuel bladder, AND the aircraft? If so, have you considered the high volatility of Premium mogas? In a sealed container, the esters stay in solution, but slow pouring through a funnel (twice) would see a portion of these evaporate, lowering its effective RON. When I'm at home, I deliberately chose a petrol station with high turnover, on the assumption that their premium fuel is as fresh as I can get it, for the same RON reason. My fuel bladders are new, and only ever used for my flying activities, so I have confidence in their integrity (I'm happy to hear otherwise). Being collapsible, and remaining sealed and flat, there is very little air within them for moisture to develop, I would think. Of course I always pre-flight including a bottom tank drain/inspection for water. I do my annual maintenance with a LAME, and over the last 5 years, I can report that my fuel filter shows no adverse effects from my refuelling protocol. Long may that continue... Dave

Ben, My Eurofox has a 912 ULS. For my local flights I use fresh Shell 98 Mogas. For cross country trips, convenience & availability usually dictates 100LL Avgas, particularly for interim refuelling stops. For overnight stays, I consider using my two 20 litre fold-up rubber jerry "cans" and toting them back next morning with fresh premium unleaded if I can source it wherever I've overnighted. 20 Litre Collapsible Jerry Can - Liquid Containment Bladders & Liners – Fuel, Water, Petrol, Diesel, Water Storage I fill these rubber bladders through a special filter funnel (Mr. Funnel) that separates out any water (and other particulates) that may be in the outback mogas source: (Buy Online) As planesmaker mentioned, keep track of each fuel type you consume. If you find that your percentage of Avgas vs mogas used is > 50%, change your oil twice as frequently. My understanding is that the lead in Avgas can accumulate in the reduction gear & clutch areas of the Rotax, and cause problems. I'm not an expert, so others on this forum can probably speak with more authority and experience, but this practice has served me well so far. Rotax documentation should be your primary source of info for this matter concerning Avgas & oil change frequency. I am a fan of phoning ahead to aerodrome operators confirming fuel availability, and carnet card types required. Pumps often are out of order. When planning an overnight stop, I usually ask the motel operators whether Premium unleaded is available in town, too.

Perhaps the regulator needs to front-up with cash to help convince both AvPlan & OzRunways to share data. CASA could also facilitate inclusion of ADSB transponder paints from Airservices servers too. If they did all that, I might be persuaded that CASA honestly cared about safety!

My technique was to print off the senate sheet from the AEC website, review/research the candidates, number my print-out, and use it as a template to copy across in the voting booth later. It saved time in the voting booth. Yes, I care about democracy enough to do that. Growing up in Canada, we didn't have compulsory voting, and it annoyed me when people complained about their parliamentarians, but hadn't cast a vote. I'm much happier with Australia's compulsory voting. Now that Australia's senate voting legislation has changed, a short-cut has been allowed in which multiple numbers above the line are allowed. I will probably still vote below the line (yes... I'm that obsessive...). At least I've earned the right to grumble about what the parliamentarians have done with my vote.