PaulN

Dave, Sorry for delay responding ... been away getting the ball rolling for a new house project up north. The Airmaster specs require nothing more than regular 100 hourly inspections and servicing. Paul

Hi Dave, Not any of the usual FD stuff. When I took delivery of 3841, Shaun had fitted a 3 blade Airmaster constant speed prop with elect contol unit. A nice prop but adds 12.5kg to the front end necessitating extra ballast in the tail to balance the CofG (something he had omitted to do). Alan, As Brent said, the weights are bolted to the backing plate.

Had my prop dynamically balanced this Saturday. Much smoother now and less stressful for the airframe. I can recommend the thoroughness of Jim Williams at Albury, nice guy too. He trades under Classic Airplanes in Hangar 7 and contactable on 02 6021 5818 or 0408 480 445. If you're worried about flying into YMAY, it is simply CTAF® outside of TWR HRS and I'm sure Jim will work in with you to fit these times. Worth asking I guess. There's also a guy at Wangaratta who does balancing, Hamish Ramsay 03 5722 3726 but may prove more pricey and difficult to fit in with. He tells me that most aircraft are flying with out of balance props and unnecessarily suffering resultant stresses. If you're not sure about yours it would be worth checking. It took about 2 hours of fiddling to get mine just right and cost $225. Cheers, Paul

Hi David, Not an easy task sorry to say. I replaced my filter at 600 hrs but didn't really need it. Had a little difficulty sourcing a replacement but the local Repco guys managed to find one after a couple of days searching. From memory about $25. Why did I replace it? Well after 600 hrs, why not? But more to the point I had the engine out making access dead simple. You'll notice that the fibreglass air intake and filter housing is held in place by 4 screws. These need to be undone (be careful not to drop any) and the housing dropped sufficiently to lift the filter out, then it's a simple matter to just lift it out and drop the new one back in. With the engine in place, I find that the lack of clearance between the air intake assembly and the ignition assembly makes it near impossible to drop the intake enough to remove the filter but you might just be able to get away with removing the 2 front screws and loosening the 2 back screws. You'll just have to try it to see. Mine used to have a zip tie across the top of the filter as if to prevent it falling up and out. A bit pointless really as the intake airflow, snug fit and gravity are more than enough to keep it in place ... I make it a point not to fly inverted with the engine off :ah_oh:. So if yours has this zip tie don't be bothered about snipping it away. I doubt with the few hours on you CT (unless you've been flying through heavy dust storms) it will need changing. Let's know how you go with it. BTW, how are you enjoying it? Do you plan to attend the fly-in? Cheers, Paul

No reflection on your mate Darren, but the media take might read something like "Two passengers and pilot survive twin engine ultralight crash". (I'm removing tongue from cheek now)

Yep, got it ... and so soon ;). Tumut was a wee bit off track for a drop-in visit Ross. Still, must get up there one day soon. So which strip is this then?

My turn to go flying today, not far from home and hobbs time of 3 hours. Where's this one? Paul

My first thought was Menindee too but the AOPA guide threw me off the scent. It says both strips are Red Sand/Clay and your pic clearly shows the main is sealed. Oh well, don't believe everything you read. Paul

Hey Yenn, Love the shot of the 230, great background colours. I'm impressed. Paul

Peter, At the risk of "telling you how to suck eggs", when putting together your flight plan don't forget the correct VFR cruising levels (hemispherical rule). That is, if Trk(M) is between 0 and 179 degrees plan for odd 1000s feet + 500 (1500, 3500, 5500, 7500, 9500). Conversely, if Trk(M) is between 180 and 359 degrees plan for even 1000s feet +500 (2500, 4500, 6500, 8500). And don't be afraid to choose the highest level when planning an overwater leg ... more available glide distance. Of course, presence of clouds and extent of cover can spoil the best laid plans, I know. Enjoy the flight. We're all looking forward to your report and piccies. Paul

The VB service into Port commences Feb 4 and should make for an interesting addition to the local air traffic. I've been told that air traffic in Port has been on the increase for a while now and looks like continuing to increase. The local council is about to add a new and longer runway to cater for bigger things. Let's hope the GA and RPT operators don't start pushing to remove or restrict RA-Aus traffic there. It's been done before. Somehow I doubt the HDFC won't be found sitting on their hands but will be proactive in keeping all forms of aviation alive and well at Port for many years to come. In fact they have just committed to a second trainer (Eurofox) for RA-Aus pilots, that will make 1 VH and 2 RA-Aus aircraft in their club fleet. Paul

According to VB web site, yes and from about $70 return ex Sydney.

Hastings District Flying Club at Port Macquarie is celebrating their 50th anniversary in March and we're all invited. If the weather's right this should be a great event. Att'd is their flyer and contact details. Paul March 08 Fly In.pdf March 08 Fly In.pdf March 08 Fly In.pdf

I'm onto it Dieselten. Have been talking with Dave at CAS and am to arrange to drop in there next time I'm flying north. He sounds very obliging and doesn't want to charge an arm and leg, he reckons around $100. Thanks, Paul

Congratulations Chris and Nardi, well done. What a blessing!! Paul

John, When you make contact with Canterbury Aviation, Cassie was our instructor/tour guide. We chose CA as our arrival in NZ was at Christchurch and it suited us to do the flight the day after we got there. When we went to the airport that morning the wx was really ordinary, overcast with base at 1500'. But with Cassie's local knowledge we headed off just under the cloud for the first 30 mins and just before reaching high ground the sky opened up nice and blue ... great stuff. If Christchurch is not the most convenient for you, you might be able to arrange something out of Wanaka (or other strips) which could work out cheaper with less flight time into the alpine area. Just a thought. CA's 172 (ZK-RMX) is powered with a 180HP donk and gets along nicely at 120kt, but doesn't have brilliant endurance, something like 43 lph. If you're talking with them please remember Gwen and I too them. Paul

If that's on the west side of the street that building has recently undergone refurbishment and has some nice eateries on the street front now. The building next door has just finished being refurbished and is now a complex of several retail outlets. Picton is very much a touristy town, no doubt thanks to the ferry terminal. Paul

;) Thet's right ... fentestec trep.

In Nov my wife and I flew extensively (7.8 hrs) over the south island. Out of Christchurch with Canterbury Aviation winding our way through the valleys and foothills west of the Canterbury Plains up to 10500' and around Mt Cook, over several glaciers down the alps and over unbelievably beautiful lakes for a stopover at Omarama for fuel and lunch. Then back over the alps, around Mt Aspiring, over to the west coast and down to Milford Sound for the most awesome approach and landing I'm ever likely to experience. More fuel and snack then off again for more awesome flying out of the Sound to climb out through the eastern passes, over more lakes, over top of Wanaka, over Lindis Pass to head back to Christchurch over more of the Canterbury Plains. Then another day out of Nelson with the Aeroclub over the north coast to Abel Tasman Nat Park then cut over the bay to tour all over Marlborough Sounds across to Picton and back. We did these flights in company with an instructor (nice young ladies in each case) in C172's. We looked into hiring a Tecnam out of Wanaka but Ruth Presland advised that I would need to put in a few hours doing "mountain flying" training before they would consider releasing a rental to us. Having now flown the country I reckon this is a fair call, the weather and winds in their alpine areas can be formidable and something we never get to experience here in Oz. Also, to use my PPL to fly solo in NZ required sitting a NZ flight law test and several hours duel before being able to hire and fly. So, we ended up hiring the 172 complete with instructor which worked out really well. In each case the girls were great company, knew their way around and provided interesting commentary. If you do get the chance to fly DO IT, you won't be disappointed ... it's just magic. Here's a few pics to whet your appetite. Cheers, Paul P.S. Phil, you’re gonna have a great time, enjoy.

Just a Flight Officer ... sounds impressive to me. Welcome aboard joonhoshin, good to have you here. Hopefully we'll get to hear more from you and perhaps you would like to share some of your experiences. For most of us familiarity with the heavies is either watching them fly by or sitting up back somewhere. Had a look at Incheon Airport. It looks pretty impressive in this pic. Cheers, Paul

Thanks for the data Twincom. That's a lot to think about. Our CT was bought second hand and with it came a fair bit of unknown stuff that has cost us heaps in the short time we've had it (350 hours use). At least now I know we have a good, safe aircraft in top condition. These extras have cost us close to $35/hr, apart from this our normal all up hourly cost has been $55/hr incl fuel, R&M, and misc. Under miscellaneous include stuff like affiliation and reg'n fees, nav equip (maps etc), hangarage, and so on. In these numbers I haven't allowed for items like provision for engine overhaul/replacement and prop overhaul/replacement at 1500 hrs (allow about $20/hr over the 1500 hrs) and any capital expenditure for extra toys like transponder, fuel flow inst, life jackets, etc. Also not allowed in the above is any provision for depreciation. Darn expensive toys aren't they ;)? The only consolation I have is that if I go flying more often the amortised hourly cost should decrease ;). Cheers, Paul

We're all standng by waiting for Techman's Incident Report (incl likely causes of the event) and a full Condition Report.

Thanks Mike, couldn't have done it without your clues ;).

Charly, last I heard about Belmont is that the Aero Club at Warnervale have plans of planting their operations there. I understand the Warnervale strip is facing closure shortly. Have you heard anything recent on this? Paul

Maybe Chris Gibb's strip but I don't see a hangar at the NW corner ... or perhaps Dookie? Paul