Alpi

Thanks Guys, I'll Pass the information on. What you're suggesting is the way I understood it. Can't do a BFR in a trike and then go fly a 210. Regards Greg

If I have a ppl and an Raaus certificate and keep my medical current but only do BFR's in 19 registered Raaus aircraft every 2 years does that keep my PPL current? IE I can fly in controlled airspace etc. Regards Greg

BBC News - Audio slideshow: Saving the Spitfire Greg

Sunfish Only once and it will probably be emailed to you if you supply an email address. Mine has 3 conditions attached namely 1 The approval will expire when cancelled 2 The aircraft must be equipped with a servicable engine 3 All flights must be conducted at an ailtitude consistant with RA-Aus operational requirements as per ops manual That simple !! Regards Greg

Hi Kaz Try pressing Enter then ID, as per T2000 usermanual V2.9. User manual V2.7 simply says press ID,as you've discovered this does not work. Regards Greg

Go into Routes, Menu, and then I think it's Setup and select "auto transition". It"s not transitioning to the next waypoint in your route. It"s giving you the next course and waiting for you to manually transition it. I think from memory the options are manual, auto or distance. Auto is the option I use. Regards Greg

Press the power button twice after switching on to get the backlight to it's brightest. Some time ago I sent my 2004 model Transponder to microair to have the rev.7 upgrade done which incorporates SB06 and inquired about having the backlight upgraded to a menu item like the newer models and was told that would involve replacement of the front faceplate at considerable cost, not worth it on a dated electronic item. The amount was a few hundred $ if my memory serves me correctly. Regards Greg

Avro Anson Greg

Anyone had this. I have a 4 year old 296 that if I havent flown for more than a week, when I switch it on it has the wrong date and takes forever to lock on to satelites. I have downloaded the latest 5.2 update and replaced the battery but still no change. It eventually gets a lock on after maybe 5 minutes and then functions perfectly. I was wondering if there wasent a small battery inside that kept its location and date running when it was switched off. Any sugestions appreciated. Thanks Greg

Hi Andy The answer to your question is yes it does continue to drop if you leave the fuel cock open "but only till its empty" sorry bout that, but it's only indication, it's not actual fuel in the tank. So if it indicates empty and the other tank indicates half full try closing the empty tank cock for a few minutes then reopen it. Checking tanks for me is just part of flying and a good habit to get into in any aircraft. Managing fuel before, during and after flight has always been a priority for me, fuel mismanegement features high on the list of causes of accidents so I understand your concern. Regards Greg

That sounds like it's worth a try, just one question, how many fingers do you currently have? It's not that the prop hits you hard it's just that it hits you so often!! Sorry Geoff, this post was directed to Rodknee. Greg

I have to agree with that John, I was never totally satisfied with the glass spinners tracking and also changed to the cummins spinner but that was due to changing to the Italian GT prop which is very smooth. Greg

Hi Geoff The prop will track at an acceptable level with static tracking as you've discovered. The spinner is a different beast and if out of track may take a few adjustments to get right. The factory tracks the prop at idle with a white board marker simply by standing in front of it with the marker held out to touch the spinner just inboard of the tip or front of the spinner. You need to just touch the spinner with the marker no more. This mark represents the direction the spinner needs to move away to track correctly. I use a regular broom handle with a groove cut in it at 45degrees on one end which I cabletie the whiteboard marker to. I use different colours and leave the last colour on so every adjustment I make I can see if I'm going in the correct direction or if I've gone too far. Before you start the engine, apply brakes on, chock the wheels then using the broom stick which is now called a trackometer find the position on the ground where it just touches the spinner in the correct position, mark that position on the ground and youre ready to go, bearing in mind the aircraft moves slightly when its started. Warning, do not lower the trackometer after you've made the mark or at any other time you'll put it into the prop. The track can also be done without starting the engine with mags off and just cranking it over. I have found this to be not as accurate as having the motor running. Up to you. I know it sounds dangerous and it can be if you're not carefull. I must add here that I've done blade tracking on helicopters as part of my job so feel comfortable with it but that did not happen overnight. Take care Greg A

Geoff it's been my experience that everytime before Maryborough the sector controller has terminated the service due lack of coverage so I've never been in the position where I've had to terminate it. At 5000 there's a gap in radar coverage that starts before Marybourgh and could be maybe 100 miles north before Rocky sector becomes available. Not 100% sure of the distances. I've always maintained the altitude I selected so as Brent says I guess they'd prompt you if you deviated excessively. You are required to advise of track or altitude changes to ensure you recieve accurate information. Brent your comment about being contacted every hour I don't understand cause the time I am in contact and using flightfollowing is probably less than an hour and in that time I have been notified of traffic sometimes 2 or 3 times. I guess the best way to find out how it works is to use it. ATC really are quite helpful, I've never been knocked back requesting Flightfollowing. Regards Greg

Hi Brent Just phoned Airservices who put me through to briefing and I spoke to a lady by the name of Karrin who confirmed for me that no SAR time is raised by the sector controllers when you request flight following so there is nothing to cancel if you havent lodged one yourself. Sorry I am going to have to take their word for it but pleased to be able to clear this up. Regards Greg

Hi Brentc I could be wrong but this is my understanding. Whoever looks after you will only "hand-off" if you request it, it"s not automatic. If you do not submit a SAR time before takeoff and then use flight following ATC do not lodge one for you and consequently no need to cancel. However if you did lodge a SAR time, termination of flight following by either yourself or ATC does not cancel your SAR time so you would be required to cancel it. Flight Following is just a Radar Information Service. Hope this helps. Regards Greg A

Hi Geoff As Matt says, there's no logging of a flight plan, you could call them up overhead your homefield assuming it's in range and ask for the area QNH but mostly they're there to supply information that for whatever reason was not available or accessable to you on preflight and to update inflight information. Again as Matt said they usually quick to respond and I've always found them a pleasure to deal with. If you need to divert would be a good example,could result in you needing updated information on weather, restricted areas etc. Regards Greg A

Hi Geoff The way I understand it Flightwatch provides inflight met information, information on restricted area activity etc on request from you as the Pic. They're really providing information that you couldent obtain on your preflight and or updating information for you. Well thats what I've used them for in the past anyway. Flight Following is a ongoing radar information service available in E and G class airspace which includes us in G class but below 5000 you would probably loose coverage very quickly assuming youre identified at all. At 5000ft coverage is lost before Maryborough, at 10 000ft you'd have coverage all the way from Adelaide to Cains coastal, I think. The primary purpose of flight following unlike flight watch, is to provide information on conflicting traffic, and to help you avoid Class C and D airspace and restricted areas. So it does not mean if you have flight following you have automatic clearance through C and D airspace, but you will be advised if you get too close. As far as Frequency"s are concerned I've used Brisbane Centre frequency 129.0 and the radio call would be as follows; Brisbane Centre jabiru ....... request flight following If it's available the responce; Jabiru..... go ahead Jabiru...... 10 miles west of Maroochy climbing through 4500 for 5500ft on a flight from Caboolture to Bundaberg ATC will allocate a squark code Set it in the transponder hit enter id ATC will advise they have you identified and you're on youre way. If you change frequencies to say a CTAF like Harvybay without advising ATC flightfollowing will be terminated. At 5500ft you overfly the CTAF outside of their airspace and you'll be notified by ATC of conflicting traffic anyway. Having said that the onous is still on you to maintain a good lookout at all times. Any level changes must be reported to ATC as well. You can cancel at any time and if ATC can no longer track you or you leave the controller's area they will notify you with Radar service is terminated. When they do you can request hand-off to the centre you're entering and ATC will ask the next controller to continue your service and instruct you to change frequency. I think Airservices must have something on their site that will probably explain it better. I got the info off a mailed handout about 2 years ago. As far as heights are concerned 5500ft and above enables you to overfly most CTAF's and maintain radar coverage in order to utilise flightfollowing. Geoff please verify my ramblings I"m not real cluee when it comes to airspace and would hate to give you a bad steer. I just feel any contact with ATC is good contact and when you know they have you identified and you have coms established with them the entire flight seems safer and more professional. Regards Greg A

Hi Captain I am no expert on flight following, only used it a few times and have never been refused by ATC when I've requested it. To answer your question in the case of Bris to Bundy, Brisbane Radar terminate when they can no longer recieve your Transponder signal. You can request handover in which case they hand you over to the next area radar and you just continue on. Yes my SP6 is RAA registered. I believe that by using flight following we are enhancing our safety and have a very strong case to be where we are namely above 5000. After all it's the powers that be that introduced Flight Following and encourage us to use it so we are really just using whats available to us. I think it's possibly one of the most underutilised facilities as far as RAAus is concerned and certinally an area of leverage should we ever want to get the 5000 ft limit raised in the future. Regards Greg

In most cases shimmy occurs on trailing or castering nose wheels, an example the jabiru and is 90% of the time caused by under inflated tyres. The simplest approach to vibration on nose wheels is first check the tyre pressure, if that does not fix it balance the wheel. I"ve used an aluminium tube through the wheel bearings on 2 lengths of angle mounted and leveled on tressles and always won the battle. Aviation balancing machines will go to 6 inch wheels, I balanced 100s of EMB120 nose wheels as part of my job but it"s expensive equipment not available to most of us. Greg A