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normfox

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Everything posted by normfox

  1. normfox
    Ta. Certainly done the 360s but not successful. I am suspecting a software issue since the screen does not have the same options as the manual refers to. However I think all other aspects of the system appear to be OK. I believe I have the latest software version. So frustrating when for my purposes the compass actually seems to be pretty much correct - I think I just want to see the 'Caution' disappear!
  2. normfox
    My SkyView Classic comes up every time with a caution to perform a compass calibration. When I get to the calibration screen it is slightly different from the manual. GPS is green but the message is that data is already loaded for the 4 cardinal points. I can hold the appropriate buttons for as long as I like but never get a success/saved confirmation. The default option is always greyed out. I can see no way of proceeding. Has this happened to anyone else? Am I missing something? Has anyone got a suggestion?
  3. normfox
    Yes but it only makes things safer for those using OzRunways (and perhaps AvData) if the only other aircraft using the lane are also using up-dated EFB maps.. Most likely there will be pilots with very old paper maps, pilots with relatively recent paper maps and pilots without any maps at all. All of them using the lane and believing they know what to do!! Question for CASA. If an aviation company / training school / pilot made a stuff-up of this magnitude, what action would be taken against them? Well that's what I reckon should happen here. CASA banned and disbanded forthwith.
  4. normfox
    Not sure where you found the POH to get those numbers. The first one I found on the web relates to the Ukraine and speeds are given in mph, kph and knots and maybe this has confused you. However, even this gives a clear manoeuvring limit of 89 knots. The Ukraine POH is for an aircraft with 90 litres of fuel, not the 114 that is standard for the current Australian Foxbat. Interestingly it is approved for Night VFR ops. I suggest you look at the Kelpie specifications on the Foxbat Australia site as a good starting point. If you have or are close to placing an order you should get in touch with Foxbat Australia for a current Australian POH. As to those doubting the 99 knots, possible though not usual in level flight. I would say 95 knots is a more probable fast cruise. I enjoyed a 2007 Foxbat for 10 years. It was a 544 kg MTOW aircraft with 92 litres of fuel. I usually planned cross country flights at 95 knots and found that to be pretty much on the money! (My replacement Foxbat is presently nearing the Suez Canal. I'll let you know how it goes in a couple of months.)
  5. normfox
    Ta Mike. Noted and it sure supports your argument. I will do a bit of research on the Cardiac Risk Index. DAME thought it was pretty hard for anyone my age and above to get a low enough score.
  6. normfox
    Well Mike, I guess some folk are just lucky. I am 71 and was required to do a whole suite of tests for my recent Class 2 - ECG, blood, exercise stress, eyes and hearing. With the CASA fee we are close to a grand in fees and some medical time wasted along with the inconvenience to me. Everything checked came up roses or better. The stress test concluded with "You are very good for your age" and the report stated "no symptoms or signs of cardiac ischaemia". All good you might say. Well not quite. I was granted a two year certificate with a requirement to do another stress test in 12 months and by the looks very 12 months thereafter. Whatever the rule is, I think the CASA doctor is the ruler! I suspect basic Class 2 might just be helpful to me.
  7. normfox
    The yoke is no obstruction at all in one of the easiest recreational aircraft to enter and leave. I have friends who love their y-stick and good luck to them. For me it comes down to ergonomics. I sit in the left seat which means that pretty much every switch and control is closer to my right hand unless I twist and lean forward. So, my left hand has the yoke full time and that leaves my right hand free for throttle, trim, flaps, radio, playing with maps, making notes, etc. If I were left-handed perhaps a different choice.
  8. normfox
    My local airfield, St Leonards, has an attached Danger Area which is used for testing of unmanned aircraft. It is charted and is assigned 126.7 but it seems hardly any itinerant pilots use it. They don't seem to use the area frequency either, They all go for Barwon Heads/Torquay. Probably not a good move when they trundle through on a day when the drones are in the air! In my opinion, part of the problem is CASA's inability to communicate to us clearly. The recent discussion paper is a wonderful example of CASA ineptitude. Seven or eight pages in and they were still rabbiting on about definitions and abbreviations, including abbreviations that did not otherwise appear in the paper. (Might be a bit harsh there - perhaps they did get used but I might have drifted off.) When /if they make a rule on this issue I reckon it should be handed to professional communicators to write it up and publish it in a concise and unambiguous manner.
  9. normfox
    Recently at 1000' coastal, 2nm from St Leonards (charted, 126.7 with a Danger area) I visualled a helicopter coming across from Melbourne area also at 1000'. As he crossed the coast, 13nm from Barwon Heads he called inbound on 119.0. Not to worry that he was about to fly directly over St Leonards. AIP #75 notwithstanding, he knew where he was headed and that was the only frequency he considered. The Bellarine has heaps of scenic and through traffic. If you are not monitoring both frequencies you had best have very sharp eyes.
  10. normfox

    the foxbat

    normfox replied to a topic in Aeroprakt/Foxbat

    I have a 4 year old Foxbat LSA - one of the first series imported. With the Warp Drive ground adjustable prop we can easily depart at 800 - 1000 fpm and, should I choose, the cruise is about 105 knots @ 5200 rpm. Fuel (95 octane) consumption at that speed is typically about 19.5 lph. A friend with a newer LS seems to achieve much the same performance even though he has the heavier undercarriage. This morning I was pottering about the Bellarine Peninsula just for fun at 80 - 85 IAS, 4200 rpm and 12 lph. Not my usual but comfortable and great for checking who is doing what on the ground.
  11. normfox
    A concern for me is that a member might vote 'open proxies' on a motion that questions that member's performance, interests or integrity. In other places it is the rule that interested parties abstain from the vote in such situations and this surely must also apply to undirected proxies held by the interested party. It is starting to look like certain of our Board have a curious interpretation of "self interest". eg. How can we ensure integrity of the vote if a motion from the floor challenges the Secretary's mail out?
  12. normfox
    What a happy little read! I wonder if all Board members knew this was going out? If you want some fun, try downloading the proxy form and important information after you have read the letter. Turned into the 'great circle time waste' for me. Impossible. They cannot even get a simple web-link to work. (Or perhaps that is the intention - fewer proxies the better?)
  13. normfox
    Engine failure drills in my C172 usually saw about 500fpm descent. The examiner unexpectedly introduced silence on my unrestricted test and I was surprised to find the glide settled down at 60kts and just 400fpm - 20% improvement!
  14. normfox

    the foxbat

    normfox replied to a topic in Aeroprakt/Foxbat

    Chad, I have an FPNA Foxbat LSA with similar specs to yours and love it. I reckon you will too. Yokes are great - especially because of the throttle location. I envy your GPS although my Garmin 296 does more than I ask of it. About to take delivery of my Dynon autopilot which will talk to the FlightDek 180 which is already chatting with the Garmin.
  15. normfox
    Hi Folks Finally tired of seeing the invitation to report when I log in. This is the first anniversary of taking possession of my lovely red Foxbat LSA. I now have the indulgence of my own aircraft with my own strip on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. Our small farm is about 2nm NE of the mast at Drysdale. We used to have a share in a C172 which I flew out of Essendon last century but the skills deteriorated when we sold up in Melbourne and moved to the country. Last year I decided to go RA and realise some of my dreams. Visiting aviators are welcome but you must make contact beforehand. The strips are short - 180 to 220 metres - and it is not a great idea to use them when our alpacas are in the paddock! Tried it once thinking the noise would send them to the furthest corner. Bad move, they are very curious and insist on checking out anything that intrudes in their domain! Safe flying. Regards, Norm Hite
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