Tex

Good point FT... I don't think Telstra require anything to be unlocked with their iPhone, it just works...(could be wrong but pretty sure it is good to go) Telstra also do not charge to use tethering... Optus do, at least $10 extra a month, not sure about other carriers.

Hi again Rod, Just reread my post... may not have been too clear at one point, but you will be able to use your laptop PC at home (or anywhere) by connecting to the internet via your iPhone as well, assuming you have decent NextG service, so with the right plan you can ditch your home phone fixed line AND internet service and just have your mobile phone plan ... you will probably be saving money doing this...

Ditto... Yet a mate who lives at Lowood... 50 or so k's west of Brisbane got his over a week ago

That is flex wing for you

Hi Rod, sry long post follows... This is the set up I would recommend: If you can get rid of your fixed line at home then do so... you may need it if you are on ADSL connection, I would not have one but for the family need (daughter and wife). Get the iPhone from Telstra on the Next G network, check your usage and get what ever plan will cover it, the one I use is on a $99 dollar a month plan which gets you $1200 in calls and texts, Unlimited text messages to standard aussie number and 2.5GB of data (though I transferred from a business plan and for some reason I get 5gb a month). I can get lots of that back on tax Get the iPad 3g but DO NOT get another plan for 3g access. You tether your iPhone to your iPad ('Personal hotspot' they call it now) and your iPhone data allowance is used for your iPad internet access... the iPhone becomes the iPads modem, I am actually on this set up now but on my Laptop PC, works on any bluetooth (or line) connection. You also need the 3G iPad as it has the built in GPS, the WiFi only one does not have the GPS inbuilt, requiring after market purchase. Buy OzRunways... absolutely AWESOME app. Still could do with some development in Flight Planning and available Nav screens but it is 98% there already. get NAIPS App it does ... well... NAIPS! Get Dial-a-Wis app. I also have an App called 'Co-Pilot' I got this because it has a pretty good flight planning function with weather update to your flight plans, all ICAO field identifiers are in there (though being a US app I am not sure where the weather comes from, though it does generally reflect NAIPS, kinda sorta reflect NAIPS), it is not very intuitive to program but once you sort it out it is not so hard. It has a very simple and easy to see Compass/Nav screen which you really need on the iPhone. Ozrunways is not real good on the iPhone because of screen size... not the programs problem... it is still usable just harder to see, but I used my iPhone (with those apps) ONLY as my GPS Nav and weather device from Tara to out near Cameron's Corner over a weeks flying...in a Drifter... only two problems I had: one when my iPhone was sitting in the sun for quite a while as I messed around getting ready for flight and it went into thermal shut down. As soon as I got airborne it cooled and fired right up again. Co-Pilot 'froze' once or twice, turned the App off and restarted... all good. Sending text messages while flying was available almost EVERY mile flown. Could listen to music with auto-mute activating when the radio fired up, make phone calls too though not worth it open cockpit:blah blah:. I am contemplating the iPad as well now. I have flown with them in other aircraft (and one of our crew used it in a Drifter on that trip) as they are really needed to get full functionality from OzRunways. I could have a 'glass cockpit' Drifter in the future As for the Garmin comparison: buy a glare screen shield for the iPad and I never had any faults with GPS locks. You can't use your Garmin to surf the web and check your e-mails... while away (if you really WANT too). The weather on OzRunways has BOM radar...

I did a run out west with the yellow cub above in a Rans S7, the Rans got MUCH better fuel economy at similar speeds... also check out the Just Aircraft 'Highlander'... I like the seating arrangement better in them though have not had a chance to fly in one... all great aircraft of course, all a little bit different but very close to the mark on capabilities generally, though I think the two latter aircraft are a bit (quite a bit?) cheaper than the Savage Cub which make it an easier choice.

A good two inches of hail on the ground around Parkinson, Brisbane this afternoon, a few roofs off, one collapsed under the weight.

True! We had a spare...

Hi turboplanner, you will have to be a better troll than that

I like less politics more then likes!

Far too expensive... its like the GFC at the moment... cost me another $19 last night.

Indeed when we got out there it was quite windy lucky as we didn't have a good strip so just dropped it in the paddock, boy it was rough I was mighty impressed no one didn't break an axle

Be there Tomo great trip! An absolute privilege to attend.

Did someone say trip report! Haven't got time ATM to write a full trip report so here are a quick few piccies of a recent adventure I took with an absolutely sensational bunch of aviators. 3 Drifters, 3 trikes, 1 Luscomb, 4 poor land bound souls... Ended up out west past Thargomindah on a lovely private property by the Bulloo. About 840nm return... we stayed a week and flew plenty around the 'local' area. Sorry I can't get to full write up.... I have plenty of video... more than photos but just haven't had the time to do any editing. Support vehicle required, we didn't camp real close to civilization. Fuel, Quad AND the kitchen sink. My ride at Cunnamulla... Dawdled along a bit too much and had to make a stop short of our destination... shearers quarters old stove. Not sure the fire extinguisher is big enough! The 'Mess' OH&S Inspection. Departing camp Day 2 Inbound. The strips. Final ROUGH! (After we cut it as well) Tie down area at Middle of Nowhere Aerodrome. I love this old stuff, went looking for some extra weight as we had to cut a strip over the paddock, found this old buggy axle... Yup.. we were a bit of a circus! Plenty of Yellowbelly in there too...big ones... I am drooling at the memories. "Middle of nowhere traffic, Drifter 123 backtracking 03,.... nowhere traffic..." The Station stables Be afraid VERY VERY AFRAID! One time NASA launch module... now instant hot shower! 30 hours flying over 6 days... lovely!

I had a 16% drop in likability overnight... must have been my snoring

:super hero:Make that 90

Thanks David! I thought that was going to be the case, so needed to check. Will have to get it freighted over somehow then.

Thanks Geoff and Jeff. Yes Geoff that was my next option moving it back there but was trying to avoid that if at all possible. I have other plans for that spot. Think I am going to order one of those Antigravity ones and give it a go. Not cheap but it will save having to move things around and will be a saving of at least 3kg on the nose. Got a connection coming back from US next week if it is OK for baggage then all systems go.

Yup! comparatively... CB14-A2 is 14AH with 230CCA at 4.5kg! Looks like you can get that Antigravity one for 260USD delivered(the $199 price was from a different store that only delivers US) http://www.shop.antigravitybatteries.com/main.sc

Are you allowed to use lithium in Aircraft? This little baby is: 4.5"L x 3.0W x 4.0 Tall (114mm x 76 x 100mm) weighing 2.4lb (1.089kg) equivalent to 12AH with 450 Pulse, 360 CCA. $199 USD.

Thanks Robinsm... Any idea on what weight it is? I need a really light battery, the lightest possible that is fit for purpose.

Given the increasingly rapid rate of growth and development of electrical power and power sources, could anyone please advise of their best and latest recommendations for the lightest yet DEFINITELY fully functional 12 volt battery for continued use in a 582 Drifter. Guessing Gel Cell is the go? ... But which one? Just doing research! Cheers, Tex

Yes 'sidetone' too