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microman

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Everything posted by microman

  1. microman
    Thanks for that flyerme - looks like it was a nice late-evening flight. My aircraft is open cockpit - no enclosure - will make sure there are calm conditions when I try it.
  2. microman
    Flyerme - I note you had a Supercat (Bobcat with overwing struts as I recall). I just acquired one that had been sitting in a hangar for 10 years and having tidied it up am about to test fly it. I seem to recall some earlier discussion about Supercats/Bobcats which centered around their longitudinal instability (due to being very short-coupled) - any comment you might care to make could be useful. Mine has a Rotax 503 SCSI (46 hp).
  3. microman
    I just had my 912S gearbox overhauled - engine had done approx 1500 hrs - cost - around $2800 plus labour. Also had the inlet valves replaced, valve seats cut and carbs rebuilt (needles, jets, floats, o rings etc). Pistons, rings and bores all good for another 1500 hrs. Also got another 150 rpm! I had previously done the carb rubbers and hoses. Thats about it as far as maintenance goes - apart from 100 hourlys of course. Wouldn't touch a Jabiru under any circumstances after hearing of many bad experiences over this side of the ditch. Having said that I have real sympathy with all who have supported a locally-made product - its just very unfair that you have been used for testing and development purposes.
  4. microman
    An an NZ'er watching this thread with interest, I note some of the comments on the Rotax 912's in relation to their maintenance issues and repair costs. Yes, parts are expensive - I just had my gearbox completely rebuilt at a cost of approx $3500, but that was after 1500 hours, I also had the carbs rebuilt ($500), but the replacement hoses only cost $200 and I did them myself. Unless its an LSA you dont always have to use genuine Rotax parts - there is lots out there which will do the job perfectly well. Apart from the occasional problem with ignition modules, and sprag clutches, often at around 500 hours, nothing much else seems to need attention - they just keep going. There are around 90 microlights on our field and most of them are Rotax- engined. If anyone ever turns up with a Jabiru we all say a prayer for him and implore him not to take any risks. All this talk of special treatment like avoiding sustained power climbs and not risking mogas seems laughable to anyone with a Rotax - we all use 95 or 98 in our 912S's and never a problem - the 912 of course is happy with 91 octane.
  5. microman
    Here in NZ microlight pilots are required to go into a controlled airport (in our case Christchurch International) with an instructor in order to qualify for their "Advanced National" rating, and obviously a transponder is required. Pilots who plan to travel long distances need this rating, otherwise their distance from base is limited - I think to 25 miles.
  6. microman
    I really sympathise with you guys and the hoops you have to jump through - here in NZ we only need an Advanced National Microlight license to fly into Christchurch International - part of the license requirement involves a flight into Ch-ch with an instructor, in any aircraft you wish, provided it has a transponder. Normally we use the club Rans S6. As far as I know that applies anywhere in NZ - although I must admit microlights are still frowned upon in some places - Ardmore being one.
  7. microman
    One of these Google balloons landed in the sea just off the east coast of the South Island last Friday - sparking a full-scale search and rescue callout - a local apparently saw it going in and thought it was a local microlighter - back at Rangiora base we heard it on the news as "light plane goes into sea" and thought it was one of our people on a flight up north to Omaka. Mild panic ensued until the truth came out - apparently Google have offered to meet the costs of the rescue helicopter!
  8. microman
    Unfortunately Brent Thompson had to sell his business - he has Motor Neurone disease. The purchaser was Bill Izard, located at Kihikihi - he can be contacted via his website - www.omegapropellors.com. Brent made a lot of props for Jabs and they always performed better with one of his props. Bill has the same blanks that Brent used so anything he produces should have a similar performance.
  9. microman
    Member
  10. microman
    Member
  11. microman
    Are we talking about cracks in crankcases or fretting crankcases? - the latter problem has surfaced in quite a number of 912S engines here - as Russ says there was a problem with a batch of engine numbers.
  12. microman
    Some of the guys here use Mobil 1 - its a fully synthetic oil, but the required spec, and easily obtainable.
  13. microman
    I guess the answer to that is "Indicated Air Speed" - corrected for wind.
  14. microman
    Aviation ones I presume!
  15. microman
    We have a Tailwind in NZ, powered by a Lycoming - its currently for sale on TradeMe (www.trademe.co.nz) - somehow its owner managed to get it into the microlight category (MAUW - 600 kg, stall under 45kts). Not only that but he operates out of a 300m grass strip and says its never a problem!
  16. microman
    Love the colour scheme Lyle - very patriotic!
  17. microman
    The Bantam people were based at Te Kowhai but when the designer/manufacturer, Max Clear died last year I think, the business was sold to the Croydon Aircraft Company. based at Mandeville, near Gore. You should be able to find them on the web, and they should be able to help you with replacement skins. Cheers
  18. microman
    The Thruster is an absolutely ideal first aircraft - excellent to learn to fly in because it teaches taildragger skills. I learnt to fly in an early one and actually didn't find it that difficult to land - easier in fact than my Jodel D18, which really will swap ends if you aren't on the ball! The great thing about an aircraft like a Thruster is that you get into flying for not much money and if your circumstances change or you decide its not for you, its relatively easy to sell for about what you paid for it. They are also simple to maintain, and fairly common, so parts aren't a problem.
  19. microman
    you are right - Brent Thompson has just sold his prop-making business to Bill Izard but will still be involved while Bill relocates the business to Te Awamutu. If your Jab is required to have a wooden prop then a Thompson prop will deliver better performance than your Jab one (Sweetapple?) Everyone I know of that has fitted a Thompson prop t0 replace what they had before has acquired better performance - that includes me who replaced a Woodcomp constant-speed 3-blader with one of Brents creations - climb rate was down a bit (as you would expect) but top end went from 105kts to 117kts.
  20. microman
    Thats one very good-looking Skyranger - I just sold mine - it was a 2003 model VFun with a 92hp Simonini - plenty of power and very easy to fly but noisy, lots of vibration and with the low wing loading, bouncy in thermal conditions. Yours looks to have ceconite covering, a different wing section, and of course the Rotax 912S would make a huge difference. Cheers Graeme M
  21. microman
    Thats me - I didn't realise ZK-JVG was famous - any chance of a copy of the photo? I'm off to Gore in the deep south next weekend for the annual RAANZ fly-in - weather permitting - although we have had a fabulous summer here.
  22. microman
    Rolleston near Christchurch. I currently fly a Jodel D18, having just sold a Skyranger. Hoping to get the Sapphire back one day as a project, now that I have accumulated the necessary skills to modify it the way I would like. Given the aircraft you have flown, I can't imagine you in a Drifter - I took a flight with Wayne Fisher once in his Drifter - found it a bit unnerving I have to say!
  23. microman
    Hi - just happened onto this website and as a former Sapphire owner thought i would share my experience. My Sapphire was a very early one, with the fabric-covered short wings and a thick wing-section - originally with a 377. I imported it from Ballina to NZ in 1992 and fitted a 503 with a 3-blade Ivoprop. The aircraft performed very well, but I do remember constant problems with pitch changes, as it had no trim whatsoever- you had to fly it all the time and it was a handful in turbulence. For all that, it was a wonderful aircraft - it would climb at any speed above the stall, and it was easy to land - even without flaps - you just had to get the speed back. I would love to have the aircraft back in my hangar, and would fit a trim tab, brakes, and wing tanks (to replace the seat tank).
  24. microman
    Cheetah1
  25. microman
    Cheetah2
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