JG3

This one now flying often at Kilcoy, Qld. Running well with Camit engine.

Thanks for your encouraging comments. One caution that I did find for trailering aircraft around, is that most airfields are locked nowadays. And not always easy to find entry. Muwillumbah was open and is an excellent airfield, but on that SA trip I was locked out of Glen Innis, Peterborough, Leigh Creek and Streaky Bay. Padlocks on the gates and no mobile number to call to get access. The phone numbers in ERSA are usually for the Council office, so not active on weekends, and even when answered, the receptionist doesn't know who to contact. Took about an hour on hold for the receptionist at Pt Augusta to hand me over to a maintenance fella who then promptly came out to let me in, then I had to call him out again to get out again..... At Leigh Creek I had to be there at 0700 when he could let me in, but then I couldn't get out again until the next morning...... Streaky Bay is 9km from town and no one out there, so didn't feel like going thro the procedure to call the office and wait for someone ...... You'd think the least they all could do would be to post a mobile number on the gate for more prompt service.... And maybe use a code padlock so they could just pass on the code instead of having to leave whatever they might be doing and come out.... But I guess they haven't considered that because so few of us are trailering and needing access that way..... So in future need to plan ahead and make arrangements before arrival, but that takes much of the freedom out of the trip.....

Here's some photos from the flights that I did yesterday. Into the Tweed Volcano Crater JG

Gday All, Here's the story of my recent flights in South Australia. https://trailbiketosouthaustralia.blogspot.com/ JG

That doesn't look legal, but this one was. Pretty amazing that they let them fly that......

SPOT and EPIRB each use different satellite systems. I carry both, good insurance. SPOT has the option of levels of urgency. I have "All is well", "Stranded and need assistance but not injured", "Injured need assistance ASP", directed by text and email to friends who could organize suitable assistance. Wouldn't always need to a helicopter..... Then SPOT also has the option of calling the cavalry just as the EPIRB does, in which case I would would trigger both devices. Good insurance.

Also should mention that the iPad may need to be put into 'restore' mode before can access the ID and Password page. To do that hold down both the 'Home' and 'Sleep/Wake' buttons until the Apple icon shows then hold for another 10 seconds. May have to try a couple of times.

Today I was trying to fly over the range through dodgy weather. OZrunways and BOM radar was essential for watching the moving weather. Then the iPad had a fit and insisted that it needed to be re-authorized and I would need my Apple ID password to do that. No other way around it..... I didn't have the password with me and couldn't remember it..... So rather than push on into difficult conditions I elected to head back for home..... So now the password is written in the back of the iPad case.....

I don't know what all the fuss is about on this. I've used the outer tanks for years on many long trips, and never found the need for level gauges or sight tubes. Fuel burn is pretty consistent so time will indicate consumption. Always use the outer tanks first of course. Start a timer and from experience expect the fuel light to come on about 3.5hrs depending on how hard pushing it, then switch tanks.... But good move to replace that piddly little light with a flashing LED. Off the shelf from Jaycar and mounts easily in a 10mm rubber grommet. Really gets your attention.

I've deliberately flown right behind them to test that. Wasn't blowing really hard, just brisk wind conditions, but only a small ripple of turbulence..... Very visible, and unlike wires or towers easy to judge distance, so can't imagine flying into one.....

Is this the guy who originally imported the Genesis???

Yep, crush plates are the same.

I made those tie-downs that BM was using at Avalon. It was a violent storm front that blew several aircraft away. BM's Savannah was tied down at the junction of the strut with the wing. The force ripped the strut off the wing and flipped the aircraft on it's back. The tie-downs were still holding in the ground. These tie-downs were meant to replace the Screw-Its. I never got around to officially naming them but they were generally called 'Whack-em-Downs'. I only made about a hundred and sold them by word of mouth, but got distracted by other projects and got too lazy to carry on with production work. Now I've handed over the design and manufacturing jigs to some one else who is now tooling up his workshop for production. Don't know when he will be in production, but there are already several potential customers waiting. Those tie-downs should be in production because they really do work well. Can drive them into the hardest ground and still easy to pull with the hammer/pulling tool. Lots easier to drive and pull than the 'clam', and weigh less. Hopefully we'll see them advertised soon, watch for them.

I'm sure many have thought of the concept, but then realized the problems with practicalities.... Where is that WA trike now, and how much has it flown??? Patent applied but we haven't seen any production....

I've built a 95.10 that I call my High Clearance Trail Bike. The wing is Drifter skins on my strut braced frame, so essentially the same as a Drifter wing. Bottom surface 12.5 degrees in three point attitude. Weight is 184kg so it's heavier than a pre-cert. When holding the tail wheel on the ground, it leaps off at 33kts indicated, landing pretty much the same. Flies just fine at that speed, and of course hold down in ground effect and the speed quickly builds up to 50 for a good safe climb. Sure is great for STOL ops off rough ground..... A lot of Drifters sitting at that flat stance on the gear give up a whole lot of STOL capability.... I'd like to see a Drifter with motorbike wheels on the mains to increase the three point attitude. Probably small trail bike wheels would be tall enough to give the right attitude. Sure would look cool.... Would have to machine hubs or adapters to mount on the stub axle, but not a big problem. Might even be able to use motorbike caliper brakes....

I don't have any photos but will try to do some on Sunday....

I once did a long trip on Avgas, and after 70 hrs got a bad mag check.... The first plug that I pulled the gap was completely closed by lead deposit. In all the others the cavity between the insulator and shell was full of deposit.

Also beware of the seller suggesting using an escrow company that they have found trustworthy to supposedly protect you until goods received. That escrow company will have a legit looking website but is also a part of the scam, and the money will disappear. If you must follow the temptation of that sale, then use your own escrow broker who will only release your funds after you receive the article.

'Beanie mod', see StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft

Yep, Joe did the very first Beannie mod, also was one of the first to remove his slats long ago.

This is my buddy Joe Spencer from Mississippi, flying the VFR corridor along the Hudson River, right past downtown New York city, in his Zenith 701.

Almost two hours flying time, maybe doing touch and go, could be out of fuel.....

We've replaced several windscreens. We find 2mm plenty thick enough and still easy to work and cut with tin snips. The original was 1.5mm. Note: When using the original as a pattern to cut out the thicker one, leave an extra 12mm on the door post edges, otherwise the new one will be several mm short. Trim to suit after drilling and clecoing the door posts. Drill 4mm holes for the 3mm rivets to reduce stresses. Riveting the front down tubes creates concentrated stress points that can start cracking, so don't rivet them. After the door posts are riveted, force a dense foam strip between the down tubes and the screen. We find the foam material about 8mm thick used for concreting expansion joints to be ideal. Poke it in with a screwdriver, thus tensioning the polycarb. Works really well.

This is how I did it for my early Savannah StolSpeed Aerodynamics - Performance Enhancement for Light Aircraft Photos aren't very clear, but if you need more info just ask. Works really well and I've used it a lot.

Not a recent flight, but definitely flying adventures. Great memories! Flying Adventures of the Eager Beaver Wishing everyone great flying adventures in the coming year. JG