Gibbo

sseeker, I will happilly donate my time to this project. I will upload my current databases and see what you think. Would it be possible to create a Weblink that looked something like this 'www.something.org.au/s=ytdn (or property name). hmmm Automatic creation of KML files via script. Gibbo

I would like to propose the following to the group.. 1.) We setup an Airfield Wiki as our first act. (basic to start with)http://wikkii.com/wiki/Free_Wiki_Hosting 2.) We encourage members of the forum to place information about their local strips onto a searchable database. (restricted to Members) Things I would like to add to each HTML render of the data is. * Weatherzone live feeds.. I am able to use a free weather feed from weatherzone to give up to date DUMBED metar / Radar / ??using the airports feed. http://www.weatherzone.com.au/about/freeweather.jsp * Enlarged (and enhanced) images of runway layout similar to a well known text. * Webcam images from airfield if Available. any other links etc that are releivent for flight / trip planning at that location. I have been doing some playing in google earth and have figured out that I am able to render HTML from a outside website (or a local copy) directly into a placemark. If each airstip had its own page I would be able to provide a up to date information about that strip rendered in a standard format suitable for unfocused viewing. (much work and will need help to create KML placemark file for each airstrip based on the old airstip data - Inserting standised Html code into each placemark. Find and Replace maybe... It's been 20 years since I last used Dbase III.. Argh I'm getting old. http://earth.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22364&topic=22386&answer=148075 G

Glide approaches are way more fun anyway.. Kill the power on the start of base and see if you can put it down exactly 1/3 of the way down the strip.. Makes doing circuits way more interesting when you are on your 7 or 8 lap. Landing short when there is a huge mangrove at the fence line is not an option. Jets use power on decent due to the engine spin up times. Turbines approach at a 60% thrust setting but from that point it will still take them more 8 seconds to spool up to speed in a modern aircraft. The 707 took almost 20 seconds to spool up from this power setting. Props will produce the power almost instantly. The Me-262s greatest weekness was while the aircraft was on approach or just taking off. 80% of the aircraft were shot down during these phases as they could not react with the power.

Google is actually looking like a option for the android tablet. It seems to support the same feature set including map layers so introducing the geo sciences topo will not be a problem. What would be needed is a secondary app to provide GPS data such as heading, alt in a aviation format. Is Android capable of multitasking? Had a quick lock at the specs for the android tablets - They should be able to run And3.0 without any issues thus the 3d feature for google earth for andoid will work. I will try to lay down a logic path for a computer aided navigation and in-flight information system.. We should then try to fill the gaps in with our options based on the hardware we can use.. eg Google earth appears to be fairly platform independant eg. iSheep, Win Mobile, Andriod, Windoze and the Nokia options. Java is also semi platform independant.. There is a couple of Google earth rips that run under Java.

I've sent a email to the webmaster requesting any information about copyright and the code. I have in the past used GPSvp and NoniGPS on my windows based gear with some success. GPSvp has a very interesting feature in that you are able to use both Raster (.map files and google etc tiles) and the garmin vector maps at the same time and it seems very stable. Pity its only written from windows (any - type) based machines. Found this handy resource that may be portable to Android. :) http://www.ibiblio.org/fplan/Aviation-HOWTO/Aviation-HOWTO-8.html A live web enabled app that provides realtime information will be the killer.

Pradeep, I would actually like to add a sub project or three.. 1a. Flight planning app.. KNAV has a great back end but the front end needs a lot of work.. Seems to be a dead, open source / public domain project with no copyright notices present.. PORT to Android / Java / Linux. Suspect it was written in Visual C+ or VB. ????? http://knav.sabc.org.au/index.html 1. Creating/calibrating maps for the use of different GPS units/softwares 2. Creating waypoints database with as much information as possible 3. Writing the GPS software itself for the Android market / JAVA. I would love to see it as a generic database that would be capable of exporting to several standard packages such as .map, .kml, .gpx and .wpt. This should not be impossible as the data could be exported as a CSV and then converted into the various formats using the provided feilds. Do agree about breaking up the database into several smaller sections. Biggest problem I have is that my airfeild database has more than 3000 records and it is easy to get swamped trying to find the data in a hurry.. Information overload at times.  

Exactly.. I've had a good look at the data and it appears that the GPS points are accurate so should be a good basis for the main data base. Now to figure out how to merge my data base with the new files and then find a listing of the current freqs so they can also be included. Ian - What was the plain english metar / taf - web address and is there anyway of using a syntax in the web address of it so I can point it at a specific taf for that Airport? I am able to enter an address into the google ersa data attached to my G.E placemarks. At present they point to a US website but I would love to be able to automatically download the weather data when the mouse is run over the placemark.

Ian - Do you have a copy of the wpt file itself. Wouldn't mind checking them against google earth.

Just to scare the crap out of pradeep.. It is possible to place the geo 250k maps onto google earth using the layer tool in the Pro version. I have been having a read of the Global navigation system CARR.. Our system as it stands would be classifed as a NON TSO GPS system that can be used in NON-IFR flight without any hassles 'as long as there is another system' that can give a precise location.. IE WAC chart with nice lines drawn over it. I would seriously doubt that we could get a TSO system certified using cheap user freindly equipment. Garmin 96 series GPS (yes the aviation ones) are not certified for inflight use according to the rules.

http://www.google.com/mobile/earth/ The Android version of google earth I suspect has the same feature set. Bad news is that the 3d feature requires Android v3 to run so the tablets may require an upgrade. Good news is that it will work on most HTC phones (and 'may be') the Iphone or Ipad.

Ok.. Google earth is a free download but can only be accessed from the google site - No big drama. Add a *.kml download and (other small apps as required) in a zip file and away you go. Google earth will work with external serial or USB GPS's (must be mappable to a port). The paid version is available to non profits etc as a Grant. Has higher level map editing tools. A simlilar type system is used for the UAV's. The data as it stands is public domain (most of it came from a link on this site and I made a couple of personal changes). A fair amount of work is required to make it accuate and concise from an airfeild point of view.. Google being xml based makes editing the map / location data easy. I have the 2002 ERSA data loaded as a layer (public domain file with copyright) but it is missing the radio etc.. Map styling can be changed (with an additional hidden download from google) to support the Bing maps, Google Terrain (fav - 3d), Hybred or heaven forbid Open Street maps. Google maps are the most accurate and are out by no more than 70m at the edge of the map tiles (those squares that download as you pass over them). This can be calibrated if you want to get really technical. There are ways of storing larger caches of maps using open source map download tools than the standard 2gb that google impose. Total database size is <4mb.. Map cache is max 2gb on standard maximum settings. (try not to store maps on SD cards as they don't like lots of small files.) If required I have access to some pretty sharp Web / Java Devolopers that will give me some time with the correct bribes of fresh seafood from work. Method I have been using for flight planning.. KNAV and export track to Google Earth. Load google earth check flight paths, weather etc.. Load flight sim and prefly route if required. Go fly (with a spare GPS lol). Knav seems to be a dead project - shame it had potential and is a great tool. mmm source code is on their website, Anyone! Oh you can also display a unlimted number of additional live tracks from other users by simpy loading a KML file into google that is directed to a file server (google host at present) that is collating the data from the other users.. (3G based ADSB or maybe a battlefield control system for the next game of Skirmish, for nix anyone!) Data can be collected from google map phone users as well- A GPS phone not required as it will give you a general location of the user with an area of accuracy normally within 2-3nm. At least you would know if someone was in the area. It would be an interesting experiment to do at the next NATFLY, Get as many pilots to fire up Google maps with Latitude as they take off and track them in. Hardware cost - $246 for a Acer Netbook with 250gb Hard drive, 1Gb ram and Atom N555 1.6 ghz processor. 10.1" screen. Anti glare protective screen cover ($10), Onboard Intel graphics can handle very basic 3d and seems to work fairly well. Battery life on Average 5hrs but has a 12V power supply. At present I am using a Garmin 72 with a serial cable for the GPS. GPS USB mice are around the $35 mark on Ebay. Add a wireless compatable mobile phone to the mix for the live weather etc (and to act as a spare GPS..) as part of the normal cap. Ian - would it be possible to somehow convert the old html airfield map into a online wiki so others are able to add information about the strips. It would require some form of standard, with a form of cross checking the validity of the data. Lat, Long and all the fun ERSA type stuff with a local knowledge section. Oh and maybe a link to the TAF etc for that airfeild.. Downloadable weather directly into google earth via the plain english converter!

This is basically the concept I have been playing with as a navigation 'education' tool. Using a Netbook or Tablet ($220 - $400) and an external GPS ($45) I have managed to hobble together a basic moving map system that is surprisingly accurate. Using the map cache feature of google earth there is no need to a live internet connection but the weather and cloud feature will require a 3G connection.

Wings and Fins at Tooradin has reopened from my understanding.. New owner is not fond of the little black pebbes in the Risotto .lol highly recommended. Give Tooradin school a call and they can give you the updates.

I've found lots of small snipits of what occured at the Meeting but could someone put up a short summery of what occured, unless of course it breaks the official secrets act.. :thumb_down:

If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands. Douglas Adams

Central Queensland miners boots. [ATTACH]13076.vB[/ATTACH]

Just keeping the Greek side of the family happy. lol

My employer also had the same issue.. He ended up paying for most of my cert and around 300hrs of flying over 3 1/2 years. There were a couple of very large hires (89 hrs of dry hire anyone! spread over 6 weeks) that kept a couple of schools happy. The policy was almost $800 cheaper if I flew myself instead of driving and upgraded my first aid to a L2 first aid with remote area. :) Simpson (melb - central highlands qld - Alice - Tennant Crk - Isa - Bourke) 5 times. Melb - Bundaberg - Isa via Windorah - Tennant - Simpson x 3. Circumnaviagation of Strine x 1 ex Tas. Melb - Horn Island x 2. I've seen many close calls.. Larimar is the hot spot of the highway under the 130k rules. People used to have a good break at Katherine when they were driving from Tennant creek but now most of them hit the 'death' zone about 100k south (five hours drive). Saw five major roll overs around there last season. Jabiru plus remote area = be prepared for a extended camp out. Two moderate engine 'issues' over 400 hours with both in a very isolated area says it all.

Personally the minimum you should carry out there is; * PLB * First aid kit with a few added extra's such as a orthopedic standard painkiller, Needles and fishing line that can be boiled or soaked in Rum. * 10l of water in 1.25 litre bottles. Bottles can be reused to collect rainwater etc. * Three cans of self opening baked beans.. High carb and easy to digest and the cans can be recycled into Billys etc. * Lighter and water proof matches. * 10m of 3mm rope. * Leatherman. * Flight note and stick to the plan if at all possible. * couple of CD's and a bright coloured tarp with a thermal back on it for enviromental protection. Orange is not much use in some areas.. Bright Blue are perfect! * Bottle of OP Rum or Grappa for the wait. Water plus extras - 16kg It could have been a very nasty story otherwise..

Grew up with a kid : Shaun Lamb. Changed his name to Greg.

Had a job yesterday on a stud farm.. Much prefer that option than the modern way of doing it.. Ouch 50,000v up the bum. lol

Scary bastard things.. The speed they get up when they pull their wings in is amazing.. Missed one by a few feet outside Emerald Qld a couple of years ago. You cant do anything about either. Well done on getting it down in one piece.

Dont know about the licence requirements but i'm sure that wedgies wont be a problem. lol

OK.. UHF 5w radios draw about 2.5amps while transmitting so I would recommend at last 3mm diameter wire. I would recommend using 4mm cable if you need to run the wiring more than a meter as you will start suffering from electrical losses and this will affect the available transmission power. Antenna placement - The antenna needs to be located in a vertical postion and the suggested placement is at least 3m from any other antenna. With aircraft it is important to use a very low gain antenna at the projected signal with the higher gain antenna's is very flat. Most shops will sell whats call a unity gain which will produce a round ball of signal (and reception) in all directions including downwards.. These antennas are about 153mm in length. (if you get stuck with a broken antenna just cut some cable to 153-157mm and remove the outer braid.. and plug the end into the socket.. Instant antenna at the right freqency) Antenna mounting - Best postion would be on the underside of the aircraft as any metal will interfere with the reception. Try to make sure it is fairly centralised as this will produce the best result. If you are mounting it into a fibreglass body use a piece of tin foil (at least 24" square) on the back side of the antenna. This will give a fairly good ground plane for the signal reception and transmission. Personally I have been using a GME 5w commerical grade handheld radio as I am able to program the 'private' channels that some of my clients use in the centre. I have made up an adapter so I can just plug my headset into it when I need to use the UHF and the radio just sits in the pocket next to me in a vertical position. With a unity gain expect about a 8k range in flat country on the ground but in the air height is God. I have been able to call up a client from 145k at 6000' without an issue. (I have a telemetry unit that I installed just outside of Port Augusta on a hill top that gives a reliable 320km link using a directional antenna on ch22 at 5w - located at 2650' AGL with clear line of sight to the remote location) Oh.. Dont forget to put a fuse (5amp) as close to the power source as possible.

The owner was able to see my point of things.. And I suspect that the CFI wasn't happy with losing the plane due to relatively low hours. The fact that I had clocked up over 100 hours of very remote NAV time in the past six months was not taken into account (210 in total over 18mths leading up to it) and this concerned the owner (who had a chat with a couple of well known and respected CFI's that I have flown with, before he would even consider the hire). A check flight is a fairly simple thing and I still do one every couple of months at Tooradin just to make sure that I am still doing the right things and I do find the engine out practices etc fun. For the record I have completed 21 check flights in the past two and a half years since I got my ticket with nine differant CFI's who all do things their own way. Oh yes.. I do beat you on the weight factor by a considerable margin.. 136kg so most tube and rag are out for me. I have been bumped from the allocated back seat by a pilot before on a very full flight from Brisbane to Windorah before with sMACk air. There is not real standard but they do have to make sure everything is above board.. Read the TRUST thread.