Narrabeenrick

Ra Aus

Thanks mate for your input. Cheers

Just reading another article from ATSB that says “Aircraft powered by Jabiru engines were involved in the most engine failures or malfunctions with 130 reported over the 6 years. Unlike the engines of other engine manufacturers in this study, nearly half of the Jabiru engine failures or malfunctions related to a fractured component. Engine through-bolt failures were the most commonly reported failure mechanism in Jabiru powered aircraft with 21 through-bolt fractures reported between 2009 and 2014” So my next question is if they have replaced the bolts with larger, stronger bolts , then you would assume that if half of jab engine failures they bolt then that should stop half the engine failure ? To simplistic ?

AH ! so you didn't read the bit in my initial bit ? this bit "I’m trying to keep an open mind and rely on fact and figures not here say and or bias opinions" !

The CH 650 isn't the STOL , that is the 701 /750. check out the 650 and see what you think . Love to hear back from you . Cheers

Yeah thanks for your reply. They give you a choice of Jabiru 3300 Continental O-200 Corvair Lycoming Rotax CofG not sure They recommend 100hp to 130hp I plan on touring MOGAS (95 RON) and lastly not sure . Like I said I'm open to either as well as the UL power ! and thoughts on that engine as well ? Cheers Rick

Thanks for your reply , just wondering if your can put on the page where you got the 9,000hrs vs 500hrs , I'd love to read that article if you don't mind. Cheers

Hi guys . I’m looking at building the Zenith CH 650 and looking at engine choices, the 2 engines I have flown using like most are the Jab’ and the rotax. In all the forums I always see people knocking the jab’ motors and raving about the rotax. I’m am only new to this game so I’m trying to keep an open mind and rely on fact and figures not here say and or bias opinions. I can be swayed either way. I have just been on the Ra Aus site looking at the “ Accident and defect summaries” page I only got through the first 3 pages of engine “loss of power “ and “ failures “ here is what the stats tell me so far Rotax engine “loss of power “ and “ failures “ 28/01/17 26/01/17 6/01/17 28/12/16 28/12/16 23/12/16 8/12/16 18/11/16 18/11/16 Jabiru 31/12/16 That like I said first 3 pages !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know which way I’m leaning . Any thoughts? Cheers Rick

I had to change flying schools recently which meant changing instructors, luckily both have been great, I did have a fill in instructor one time when my normal instructor was crook. That was a horrible experience, I vowed never to fly with her again. She constantly touching the controls without telling me, I never knew who was in control, both the other instructors would let me deviate and see if I picked up my mistakes and corrected them without being told, the women instructor would always be touching the controls without telling me and never allow me to make mistakes. I think you just need to be a good match. It makes for a much more pleasant flying experience. Cheers Rick

Thanks for putting up the results Woofy' interesting reading. I was surprised that pilots practicing beat students practicing. I'd like the hear what some the seasoned pilots here think of the results. I noticed on other treads in here a few don't agree with sims.

Hi Cscotthendry I would have to disagree with you there mate, just because you aren't in it doesn't mean it's not flying! you still need a certain skill level to fly these thing. When we are in your planes, our view never changes ,stick left plane goes left and it never changes. In the models your view perspective changes constantly, so when I have the model coming at me everything is reversed when its coming at you inverted different again . Your eye hand coordination has to be spot on, I have no time to think. When I have my F3 tornado swing wing rc ducted fan jet coming at me at well over 120km low level inverted !! IT is a massive rush I can tell you!!! sometimes it doesn't work out :{ As for your comment advanced software, the drones and stuff are for all the plebs, that's no RC flying we flying, the guys that fly these thing fly it for the enjoyment of stick and rudder flying, please don't for one minute that away for the skill level required for these things. Cheers mate Rick PS . love your videos on youtube, keep them coming

What about this one. MERLIN PSA QUICK-BUILD KIT PRICE LIST AIRFRAME CLASSIC KIT: Quick-Build E-A/B Airframe Parts Kit: Spars & Sub-Assemblies Are Riveted All Parts Are Pre-Fabricated And Pre-Drilled. Includes Composite Gear, Wheels, Brakes, Control & Fuel Systems $16,500 POWERPLANTS Rotax 582: 65HP Electric Start, B Drive, Oil Injected $6,900. I presume that is US $ but nice little aircraft

Hi Hargraves, I hear what you are saying mate and have heard about that problem, I have also read that you don't want the folding wings where the folding mechanism has anything to do with load bearing or attachment points. That is what I like about the Zenith folding wing. Please correct me if I'm wrong but there folding system doesn't have anything to do with load bearing. Here is a copy/paste from there web page " The folding wings option (FWO) allows the STOL CH 701’s wings to be folded back alongside the rear fuselage, providing added convenience for storing or towing the aircraft. To fold the wings, the four wing bolts must first be removed, and then the wing is turned upward 90� and folded back alongside the fuselage, pivoting on the folding wing ‘universal hinge’ attachment. The folding wing option does not change the wings’ attachment points, and thus does not weaken structural attachment points." As for the transportation side I'm sure I could make up some type of system to lock and hold the wings if I feel their system isn't good enough . Cheers Rick

Well said mate, I couldn't agree more, If you are only after the bare $ facts on a spread sheet, then why own a car, don't be hypocritical and get rid of your car, owning a car could be looked at the same way, Our friends don't own a car, they hire the "Go Get " cars, they book it and drive away, no cleaning , no maintenance costs and cost then next to nothing to hire it, A much cheaper option than owning a car. But they have to wait till it is available and walk down the road to get it. If I didn't drive my car , just to have it sitting there for the year would cost me ,what rego and insurance ? there is at least $3000. It's the same logic How much do you think it would cost you if you flew say 75 hrs to 100 hrs per year? And don't included the hangar fees. Cheers

Thanks mate, I don't think for one minute that owning an aircraft would be cheap, But if Just say I have $6000 to $8000 a yr I can play with, Rego a couple of $100 insurance around $4000 then bits and pieces and the rest I'll limit my flying to that. Am I being a bit simplistic/optimistic ?

I'm sorry, I just don't get in when people get on here and say stuff like " if you don't fly more than 100hrs it's not worth owning a plane" Call me naive or whatever. If you are that OCD about drawing up spread sheets and including engine replacements factoring in items that may cost $100 3yrs down the line, Holy crap just admit you are a tight arse and forgot about owning a plane. If I need a tyre 3yrs down the track I'll fork out the $100 then. IF I EVER was lucky enough to clock up 2000hrs in a plane I'd be ecstatic ! even if you did manage to fly your 100hrs a year that's 20 yrs down the track before an engine change!!!! I just down get it SORRY ! I would like to build a kit myself, I've looked into them, the one I'd like is the Zenith 750 CruZer with the folding wings. That way I can trailer it home. 1. for security 2. for storage and save on hangar { $1500 per quarter, that is price I was told } and 3. So I can look after it myself. Where in you spread sheets do you factor in convenience, security and ease of maintenance? where in your spread sheets is piece of mind knowing that your own aircraft is well maintained no fool before hand has damaged the aircraft and your the next sucker on there! It's all we and go to tell people it cheaper to hire an aircraft than own one , but hire and fly it from where? I've asked on this forum before and no one could help me. I'm Ra aus low hrs Just completed my 2nd solo, when it comes time to hiring and aircraft to build up my hrs, where do I go? Can't do Bankstown or Camden, The oaks is an 1hr45 or even longer if there is traffic, there is Warnervale {1hr 5mins } but no one hires up there. So what are my options apart from owning! and if owning cost more than hiring so be it, In reality what is the major cost of ownership if I have the aircraft at home, and I do the week long engine course at either Jabiru or Rotax? rego and insurance? And here is my naive bit ! so Am I wrong, Not being a smart arse, I'm open to ideas and info, I want to learn from experience that you guys can provide. Cheers Rick PS: I'm sure I'm going to get beat up over my comments :{

Hey Tony, Yeah it's taken me an extra 5hrs to get use to and get enough confidence up in the Foxbat, I find the foxbat a lot stiffer on the controls, the tecnam was very light on the controls. BUT I'm in no hurry to get my certificate, I Look at it as it's all extra hrs in the logbook !

Yippy !!!! Finally got to do my second solo. 3 touch & goes and a very dodgy full stop . It's been a long time coming as Sydney Jabiru flight school closed down just after I did my first solo, had to swap schools and get use to a new aircraft, was flying the Tecnam Golf now in a Foxbat. No nerves like my first solo, but didn't enjoy it as much this time, Don't know why, Maybe the pressure of getting the touch and goes right maybe still not quite comfortable in the foxbat like the tecnam, Also just seemed to be more work load this time ???? Anyway Made it down in one piece HAPPY DAYS Cheers Rick

Hi Guys Here is a website I watch a fair bit AIRBOYD It's got so much stuff. Down the bottom you can change the archives and categories. Cheers

Hi Woofy I am a student pilot, I was told by my before I started with my lessons by the flight school to get a sim. I love it and can't believe anyone wouldn't get one. I only go for a lesson once a month. I video every flight with a GoPro I watch it each time before I go up for a lesson and run through the lesson in the sim. I practice my run ups ,take offs, circuits, stalls , pre landing checks, I run through the BUMPFISH checklist for landings on the sim, VERY HELPFUL ! With the length of time between my lessons the sim is fantastic. I practicing engine failures on take-off, after take-off , Forced Landings, running through all of the immediate actions and picking a landing area, as all you guys know there is so much the remember and do for a forced landing and for a student pilot it is a lot to take in, the sim just helps to remember and get a bit more fluid in your checklist run-throughs and reactions. I see a lot of negative comments about flights sims and I just don't get it !!! A flight sim used in conjunction with your normal lessons help to retain what you have just learnt. I cannot see how anyone could possibly say to a student pilot not to get a flight sim, I think we should use ALL!! tools at our disposal to make us better/safer pilots. Obviously this is just my opinion but from a student perspective. Cheers Rick

Good to hear mate. So how was your second solo ? were you as nervous as the first? a little less? Excited? The new school has a fair few students and 2 planes so it's hard to book the plane when I want. The last two times I booked it rained !!!! #$@!

Good work mate! You are ahead of me now :{ still haven't done my second solo. My flying school closed down, had moved to another school with different aircraft, now I have to get comfortable with the new plane. Great vid' mate Cheers

Great pics mate

What a great day. Roulette's were as good as ever

Congrats' mate. Good stuff, sorry forgot about the radio exam. I had to get my medical as well. Found out I had a bladder infection and had to go back 3 bloody time before they would pass me :(