Gibbo

No Problems with Brett.. Was making the comment about who R461 flys for. The concept of having a rescue aircraft trying to find me in my 'normal' work enviroment (read very remote areas) is not pleasant. The only reason I am going to upgrade my 'certificate' is the weight limitations. I dont think that the 760kg rulings will occur in a hurry. Read - maybe in the next 10 years. I have flown myself around the country three times now in a j-160 and a little more bum room would be nice. Gibbo

It's going to be down between the RVAC and Lilydale based on a few conversations I've had in the past couple of days. Most likely will be YLIL just because of the reputation they have and the familiarity I have with a couple of the Instructors. I am going to just have a shot at the PPL theory myself - A couple of brothers who sat their BAK back in the eighties should help get me thru it. At the very least it should be a good refresher. The schools based out of Moorabbin are more geared towards the overseas full time students who want the 150hr CPL course. I don't think I need the practice of near misses and English language classes and definitely don't want to become an aerial bus driver. No insults intended towards this group but 99.99% of my flying is in Class 'g' and also in remote areas. A GAAP airport may get used once a year with a very rare visit into controlled airspace. $$$$$$ For the record - I hope I never have the displeasure of talking to Brett while he is at work. ;) Gibbo

The cost is the scary part! I tend to split my flying between a couple of strips due to aircraft availabilty, the skill set of the instructors and the weather so the location is not-so important. How hard was the GA bak compared to what is expected from us poor RAA pilots? G

Well Done! Brett is one of the best instructors I have come across yet!. Speak to Brett about it but I suspect it may be the Jab itself. I have found that the Jabs don't like to much weight placed on the nose wheel after touch down due to the center of balance moving too far forward. Try to Mono it down the strip by holding back pressure on the elevator until you have come to a stop. This will also help slow the beast down a touch but lilydale's grass surface is also good for slowing the aircraft down. Please be nice to 4929. Gibbo

I am starting to head down the path of the 'PPL' and currently hold a RAAus Pilot Cert with the Cross Country endorsement (and a few others). I Currently have just on 200hrs of which 45 hrs are dual and 140 hrs of PIC. What would be the fastest and 'cheapest' method of gaining my PPL so I can fly some slightly larger aircraft? I currently hold a ASIC and what would I require in the way of an AVID to hold a student pilots licence? Any recommendations for a 'respectable / non-bodgy' GA school based in the east of Melbourne? Gibbo

The fairfax group wins a round. This was handled by the SMH much better than any of the dealings I have had with news limited. At last someone who has been willing to admit a stuffup. Gibbo

There are essentially two types of fuel level sensors, 4-20ma. which is basically 4mA at empty and 20mA when full. These are normally powered and also tend more accurate. $, VERY linear in output. Variable resistance type. These are common in the motor industry. VDO make a huge range of them. Note the resistance when empty and also full. These will tend not as actuate or as Linear in the output. Swing arm type fuel sensors aren't worth the money. VDO make a great tubular fuel level sensor but they most likely won't fit into an aircraft fuel tank. VDO state the full and empty range readings on their website. Calibration should be as per earlier GA tread. Gibbo

I would hate to say this but. All newspapers and media outlets are full of rubbish. I have been involved in several court cases and media 'press releases' and the media (as a whole) have yet to get any of the facts correct. The RAA should have a 'professional' public relations company on contract to handle and issue media releases. The company we use to handle our 'communications' is Seftons (based rural NSW). When I have complained in the past about the incorrect reporting of a court case 'set of facts', the standard form letter response includes the line. 'We only report what was presented during the course of the hearings'. I feel that most the the Jorno's involved just dont understand the basics of anything they are reporting. It may have something to do with them having an arts degree. The worst thing is that the pollies in Canberra actually believe what gets printed. "Was that in the herald-sun or was your News limited" Gibbo

Publicily announced in this mornings Age. RIP Bob, thoughts go out to the family. Gibbo

Till you run into me. I do the exact same thing. ;) Eye Ball Mk1 and blind spot checks are still the best solution. Maybe if high wing aircraft were at (circuit height) +100' and low wing at -100' it may help in the future with the low / high wing issue. The amount of near misses this issue cause's should have started the alarm bells ringing years ago. Thoughts go out to all the persons involved and not just the victims. Gibbo

Several factors at play.. High / Low wing view issues. High traffic area. Uncontrolled converging traffic. Dick Smith nailed it this morning with his interview on Channel crap (9). I have found it very interesting watching the traffic at moorabin and how many 'near' misses occur there. The system needs to change before more accidents occur. Gibbo

R461.. You may find the 'powers' that are invested in you by the ASIC card and your pilots ticket interesting. You have the full right to detain the security guard next time he hassles you. You need to confirm the validity of his asic card don't you! Gibbo

'Remote' is relative.. Be it 50m away or 500km away. The same problem of people not being able to see or find you can exist at any distance and any location. The legal defination of an 'isolated' worker, is basically someone who can't form a reliable 'communication' network with someone else. Under law a Isolated worker is subject to the EXACT same OHS regs as a 'remote' worker and the term is inchangable. Always make yourself visable, be it electronic or physical BUT never rely on just one form of communication if the worst can happen! Wonder how your mum would feel knowning that her son was somewhere out there and overdue. G

Having crossed the Tanami from Tennant to YVRD (and worked the area over several years) several times it would have to be one of the most remote and dangerous areas in Australia to operate an aircraft. That nice smooth red sand is not so smooth and nice away from the roads. A PLB and HF / UHF radio are a must as there is NO ATC coverage over most of that area unless you are above FL010. The corridor between Mount Isa and Tennant creek is only ten miles wide and follows the Barkly highway. I tend to use the Barkly stock route BUT I know the area well and also know nearly every water point on the stations in the area. If I did not have any local knowledge I would not be using that route! It's very easy to get off track during the dry season due to the gusty winds. A corridor could not follow the highway south of Alice springs due to the restricted airspace and prohibited areas that exist to due to the high level of 'experimental' miltary traffic in the area. The highway actually runs thru the edge of the prohibited area. I tend to follow the tracks when heading to Alice from Melbourne. I swear flying west of the highway that everything still glows a nice blue/green colour late at night. Remote is relative. To me the Barkly stockroute is not remote but having a engine failure and having to wait for a couple of days before someone finds me is. This could happen 5 miles from an airstrip or 250 miles from the nearest center of population. A PLB with GPS functionality should be manatory outside of the 'remote' areas. Giibo

I work in what you could call 'fairly remote areas' and use the code of practice for isolated workers as a guideline. (worth reading!) rule number 1 - never rely on a mobile phone. (ep if a Telstra phone!) rule number 2 - everywhere is remote when you have a broken leg and no mobile phone coverage. Time is critical when something happens. It only takes a gust and you could be a couple of miles off course. Try hiking for 5 kilometers in a straight line across mountain range to get to a road. :confused: Gibbo

Something along the lines of the GME MT410G is fine. GPS funcationality is a must not just 406 mhz. Just remember that a PLB is a 'last resort' form of communication and notifiying someone (or submitting a SAR plan or flight note) with a 'flight following' is best practice. You may not be able to activate the PLB in case of an emergancy. Remember Steve Fossits accident. He had a PLB in the aircraft with him but it was never activated. Gibbo

Two bugs flying along a highway and get hit by a bus. One says to the other afterwards, 'hey want to do that again'. The other replys 'no thanks, don't have the guts. It can only get worse. Gibbo

The RAA flight training system needs to be more regulated than it currently is. The variation in quality of instructors is mindnuming. 'caveat emptor' Inbound (Ballarat) has a 'high quality' theory instructor. I dont know if he is running HF courses yet. Gibbo

I did my course with Brett (YLIL) a couple of months ago and it has actually helped my flying. The risk management side of the human factors course should be taught before the first solo. It's very basic but the content needs to be stated. Gibbo

After a very messy first attempt at the Nav flight test, 13 hours. Have racked up another 70 since in the last few months. :) Still glad that Brett (YLIL) failed me on my first attempt as it 'forced' me to work a little harder. Giles

Illegal to wear an ASIC in a non-secure area. Remember : According to the RAA application form it is illegal to wear the ASIC card in a non-secure area. Many airports still have a 'sterile area' marking in the parking area such as Mt Isa near the fuel bowsers and Alice springs in the GA area. I can't wait for the legal fight next time I'm there. :) Gibbo

I had dealings with the new owner in Bourke when the change over was occuring. Very Friendly and resonable gentleman. Wasn't charged the call out fee during the week as proir notice was given. :) Gibbo

Could'nt help... www.gibbostravel.blogspot.com :big_grin: Last trip in August. Gibbo

I am just pointing out a few inconsistancies in the system. Mount Isa, Cloncurry and several other western Queensland airstrips have signage that conflicts with the conditions of use that are imposed on us. I can also name a couple in SA that have the same situation. For example, Mount Isa has a notice on gate stating that the ASIC must be displayed at all times but the tarmac has 'sterile area' delimitation markings on the tarmac and therefore if you follow the instructions and use the ASIC in the GA area you are breaching the conditions of use that are set out by the governing body as it is being used in a non-strile area. Damned if you do and damned if you dont. You can loose your ASIC card for following a 'lawfall instruction (the sign)'. The concept of the ASIC card is commendable but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The system needs to be broken down in layers and real secutity ratings applied. Adeilade seperates all incoming regional flights from the big boys. Differant levels for differant situations. RPT operations should occur in a seperate 'sterile' areas away from non-RPT -GA operations, RED ASIC card for the RPT area (when in operation) and a Green card / AVID / photo licence for the GA area. There is no need to be hanging around the 737 when I am meant to be playing with my own aircraft. Layed security is the only workable option but examples of situations such as declaring VRD (dirt strip, 400k SW of katherine) only shows the stupidity of the system as the largest aircraft that can use it is a small twin. I wouldn't park a 210 under the wing of a 747. Common sense. Remember that a person only needs to be under the direct supervision of a ASIC holder to be in the area. It is technically possible that you can fly in and out of major airports by prearranging the 'supervision'. I've been laughed at by a couple of refuelers when I called them to arrange fuel access but it complies with the sprit of the system and the rules. I have worked under those 'supervision' circumstances in the international terminal area at Melbourne airport. Gibbo

Interesting reading in the Asic Application - slightly off topic Waiting for the flames to start! "I. The ASIC is to be prominently displayed on the outer clothing in the chest area at all times while within a Security Restricted Area of an Australian airport." Based on the above quote from the ASIC appllication form, An Asic card is not required outside of the Security Restricted area of the airport. This therefore means as long as I dont walk across the double yellow lines marking the area on the termac and stay on the GA side I can not be charged or be required to wear the ASIC. (see below) Mt Isa airport therefore does not require an ASIC if I stay on the GA or non-strile side of the terminal. This is clearly marked on the tarmac area just past the BP refueling bowser facing the RPT terminal. "XIII. The ASIC may only be used in the course of the holder’s approved duties in the Security Restricted Area or Sterile Area. It does not constitute an authority to enter or remain in restricted areas for any other purpose." As I have no 'approved' duties as a pilot of a RAA aircraft in a strile area I have no right to enter the strile area and therefore must not be wearing the ASIC card while outside of the security area. :im with stupid:wearing a ASIC card in a area of the airport where I am not allowed to. Gibbo