Tex

Yep... can comment with respect to open daylight direct sunlight (Drifter cockpit) which is probably the worst environment for them, having used them in closed cockpits as well. It works, but nothing like the clarity you get out of the direct sun.. lets say about 30% clarity of what you usually get with it out of the sun. they are still usable you just lose the finer details, I can still see place names etc. You can really change that by just the angle you have it set (cf. sun) at which can get you to over 80% of what it can provide easy. You definitely need an anti glare screen cover... some are better than others. Next... turn up screen brightness as far as it will go. If you can do something as simple as a glare shield that will help immensely. Bright cockpit you can sort it no problems.

Nice thanks for the headsup!

I make sure I bounce one every time I fly just to keep in practice.

Of course its a WB

Did you steal those wheels of a wheel barrow

Yeah what is the difference I wonder...? Sounds like they were making it up based on personal opinion, or are in the know Laptop PC's were what started the whole EFB phenomena I understand. As of October CASA were still evaluating it and their documentations inevitably always refers to the iPad as an EFB? What is 'approved for navigation', where is that defined?... I thought it was the pilot who was approved for navigation, do they have a list of what is approved or is it a blanket description? Doubt it... hard to keep up with the approvals on that one. Redundant argument in any case, have a map (with route marked), compass whiz wheel and watch and use your 'unapproved' iPad.

That's it Tomo, 'picture' is the operative word. Just like we fly the picture... good to have a traffic picture (in our mind). Traffic is relative, surprising how in tune your situational awareness becomes in a gaggle of gliders... though I tend to just run away if there are more than 10 in the same thermal, especially if it is light

So share your Drifter Pics here... I'll start... my Bird: Fuel lines before: Fuel Lines after: (NOTE: between the two vertical lines the paint is worn off where one fuel line was rubbing previously... more of the same hidden by the lines) An iPhools iPlane: (the radio is getting replaced soon and the hole in the panel will be filled with a small bag type arrangement as an open glove box).

OK same as mine! I will take a photo and post but that may not be until after the week end... I just changed mine as it had a 'dip' that was not appropriate for a gravity feed...(LAME agreed) I don't think behind the RV bottle is an option for that reason as well, you really want it on the shortest, straightest, downhill route (as much as possible) I understand.

Sounds like fun and pretty normal for a training aerodrome, it is far more civilised flying into the YBBN than YBAF, those Class D ATC guys (and gals) earn their money. "Traffic is a 747 10nm on final" as compared to "Cleared visual 22L, remain left 10L not above 800', dual runway operations on 10, traffic is a 172 joining downwind 10L, Yak turning base 10L and an arrow on final 10 with a 44 approaching from the south for the central helipad"

Got myself an iPad 2 today... had an issue with my OzRunways subscription (MY FAULT), sent an e-mail to support, walked to fridge and back to computer... problem solved... e-mail in my inbox advising the same. Thanks Rowan. Simply outstanding service.

Dunno! Only had it about 3-4 weeks...so only local flying and circuits for me so far... expecting 65kts, planning 20l hoping for 16l or better with smart flying... As for cost, it was a very fair price based on airframe hours (2200) but mainly on the skins (good) and engine, a Silvertop nearing OH or replacement times

Just finishing exams so will be heading out that way REAL soon and much more often over the next few months!!

Motivate not spite! Flies great! My first SB flight was in this when I test flew it and loving it more and more each time I get in the air .... Still got plenty of tinkering to do to get it 'just right'... a few gremlins too with some components I want to replace, but loving the hands on experience with my own AC. I need to weigh it... but it is already light for a SB... getting lighter Saved 3kg on a decent battery and that also allowed me to forget about rear weights for CG (so a real saving in weight of nearly 5kg), in fact it feels like a little more in the front would still be fine. The ASI appears accurate and shows stall at less than 35kts. Very slippery compared to the WB I have flown in the past... the only disadvantage I can see so far is landing distance (for REAL short landings) which I think I will get down safely with more experience and skill.

140kts in a style side dual cab... impressive!

Hi Sandman is it engine mounted or remote mounted (back of wing)?

Most of the information is person to person, you really need a willing mentor of some sort if you are doing a complete rebuild... They are a pretty easy design to understand but there are definitely plenty of idiosyncrasies that can get you 'thinking'... but that is all good fun and part of the journey getting to know the aircraft I think. I should stress I know very little... just trying to offer some advice from my recent experience. I have had outstanding assistance and advice from Kiwi (and others at Boonah) in the greatest spirit of the institution that is Drifter ownership. Wayne is the man but is often pretty busy doing his own work. Most people who have a Drifter have an obvious passion for them and all things about them, so it shouldn't be too hard to get some help Thinking about the suggestions for forming a group etc... I had already been contemplating just using this forum (as that is what it is about after all) to log of some the tips and tricks, trial and tribulations that have been shared with me in the interest of 'passing it forward' so to speak... but then socialising and learning about this stuff person to person is half the fun! Where are you based CK?? PS My advice would also to be to get an aircraft THAT IS AIRWORTHY and chip away at it bit by bit... just buying and rebuilding with out being able to fly would be kinda boring. Do a little go for a fly... do a little go for a fly... and repeat

Here! but when you are close to purchasing (have the money) call Wayne Fisher at Spectrum Aviation, he usually knows what is available around the place that may not have been advertised, he told me a few weeks ago about "a wire braced 582 at coffs around $14000 and a 503 wire braced for around $13500". He also knew about a SB but that one sold From the RAA magizine...There is/(was?) a Maxair 503 at Kilcoy for about 10G (needs new skins I think) and an Austflight 582 WB somewhere near Melbourne with no idea on price but I think engine has just been OH.

You got more coming?

Tomo, KNOW the air, those Glider pilots will get right p155ed off if you are dragging them around in sink

They're taking over the WORLD!!

5 or 6 in Boonah (well 1 Fisher) 5 in Dalby, 2 in Tara... Clifton ?? SE (S) Qld is the Drifter Capital!

Having just picked one up, I located some from 10g - 25g... Strutties are the more expensive... for a WB one in OK condition that you can fly as you tinker and give it some love you would be looking at around 11-12g. Though lots for up around the 14 mark is seems. Be patient, get some contacts in the game and some decent planes which are real good value come up as well.