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Bats

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Everything posted by Bats

  1. Bats
    I find that the squelch needs to be set fairly high on the prune, however there are still some knowledgeable characters who post and it is interesting how often the collective get to some sort of answer quite quickly. Eg they seem to have arrived at a very similar conclusion to Dutchroll above, notwithstanding the fact that it tends to point to one of their own having stuffed up, at least to some degree. If nothing else all the news articles and charts tend to get collected in one place. There is also less of the parochial, "but he were a hell of a lad, would never make a mistake like that" that you see on other friendlier forums.
  2. Bats
    Interesting octave, I read an account of the Las Vegas (I think) evacuation and the interviewee was annoyed with himself when he realised that he had left the plane with a small carry-on bag, saying he knew he shouldn't have, but had just acted automatically when the call came to abandon ship. He partially rationalised it, saying that he had become so conditioned to looking after the damned bag, dragging it on and off planes, taxis and buses across the world, that it was second nature to grab it when he left in a hurry. Airlines and designers would probably be better off finding a way to work with human nature instead of relying on perfect compliance when a routine situation suddenly goes to poo.
  3. Bats
    Mike-perth, part of the debate centres on; less safe than what? From where I stand, it is ludicrous to demand a higher standard of medical fitness (according to a discredited protocol) from the pilot of a Cessna with 2 pax, puttering from Woop-Woop to Toowoomba, than from the driver of a large bus or truck, operating in close proximity to anything from other trucks, to the humble pushbike and at closing speeds approximating a light plane's cruise speed. The oft quoted response is we'd all be safer if no-one moved faster than they could run and indeed if no-one got airborne, but society will not pay the price for that improvement in safety so we need to find a balance somewhere between utopia and anarchy. As for the RA-Aus medical incapacitation stats, again an almost impossibly small sample - I know of one instance in the past few years which was anecdotally ascribed to incapacitation (mainly because they couldn't find anything else to pin it on), but not confirmed by the coroner to the best of my knowledge. On the other hand there are examples most years of airline pilots becoming incapacitated and even dying, in some instances within days of passing an even more stringent medical than we are subject to, so the medical is not a warranty against this happening.
  4. Bats
    Probably worth asking what the importers/manufacturers were doing in all of this. RA Aus let some things through that never should have been - question of what to do then, grandfather rights or work out a compromise of sorts. You'll never make everyone happy in this sort of mess.
  5. Bats
    If you read the overseas studies referred to in posts above, the answer is no. Aviation medicals started in the military, ensuring that pilots were fit for the rigours of combat including Gs, high altitude etc. Since then the various aviation medical departments have become a self-perpetuating industry, inventing ever more stringent tests with little or no clinical relevance and removing people who by any normal definition are fit, from the pilot population. Ask most specialists about CASA Avmed's revised cholesterol standard, or the infamous colour vision tests - then stand back and watch the explosion.
  6. Bats
    Occam's Razor comes to mind - ie. if he ran out of fuel the most likely explanation is that he set off with insufficient go juice.
  7. Bats
    I'd buy a couple regardless, but perhaps more for some charities. Aircraft; something like a Sling, even if 2nd hand would have wide appeal - the back story about their round the world flights would be another hook for free publicity. I'd be happy with either GA or RA, however I get the feeling that an RA type, coupled with a story about "only" 20 hours for a licence would have wide appeal to non-flyers.
  8. Bats
    https://www.aircraftraffle.co.za/ Here is their website, I see 12,000 tickets max with a minimum of 4,000 to proceed. That's R3 million max income, minimum R1 million. (Exchange rate roughly 10:1) Obviously someone has to underwrite the aircraft, the advertising, licences etc and in their case it is a big aviation broker that has backed it since day one. I still like the idea, as a novelty it shouldn't be too difficult to gather free publicity and I'd be up for a few tickets at $25 - $50. Probably better at the lower end of the scale. I know I spend more at the RSL at $5 a pop than at Yourtown at $15.
  9. Bats
    Ouch, trees bite! What aircraft, I don't recognise the remains of the cowling.
  10. Bats
    No I didn't miss the point, just chose not to address it, not wanting to produce a thesis on the subject. I wouldn't be overly concerned about drivers licence standards ramping up significantly in any of our lifetimes, every voter and politician over 40 is aware that they will one day become old, or have elderly parents who face losing their independence. Curbing what most see as a right, will be a political minefield and after some noise and consultation will be watered down to the point of removing only the entirely decrepit from the driver pool.
  11. Bats
    The video I heard had engine sounds, suggesting fairly high power until the instant before impact, so I'm not sure.
  12. Bats
    Way back when I had a passing involvement with the SA version, transporting Miss SA to do the draw at an airshow. Created a huge buzz of excitement and on that occasion they sold out the last few tickets on the day - and yes I bought one and have done a few times since despite the logistical challenges! Given the relative sizes of the aviation fraternity in Aus vs SA, I'd say that the idea has definite legs. Just look at the popularity of the RSL etc.s house prizes, they are generally worth less than $2million, ie less than the minimum lotto draw, but most people I know get far more excited over the tangible prize. As an aside, can you imagine the logistical challenges on a small airfield crammed with thousands of people, you're in front of the crowd line in a convertible, awaiting the imminent arrival of the prize aircraft and this little voice whispers in your ear, "I really, really need to wee...."
  13. Bats
    Well spotted Pylon - ASN Aircraft incident 23-JUL-2016 Freedom Master FM-2 Air Shark N282XT . Quite a slick looking beast, however in my limited experience pylon mounted engines can cause some slightly unpleasant flying characteristics, or at least traps for young players. Reported elsewhere as having occurred shortly after take-off from a nearby airport.
  14. Bats
    The law of unintended consequences perhaps? That said, there are quite a few thousand RA-Aus pilots puttering about the place and despite the fact that a few may be there precisely because they wouldn't pass any more onerous a standard, there is a manifest lack of them plummeting out of the sky, turning blue and clutching their chests, which supports the original argument, non? I note that the same approach was used in the US submissions, with great success as it turns out.
  15. Bats
    I'm sure they must have been relieved to have a fellow aero-tragic involved in extracting their baby from the port. I don't think I'm alone in being rather antsy whenever any of my more delicate possessions are within reach of the wharfies tender mercies! SEQ is probably second only to South Africa as a gathering place of Slings these days, for good reason, they're a smart piece of kit.
  16. Bats
    I'm not sure that my post required a response, being a statement of opinion, however with respect, you seem determined to avoid seeing the point I and others have made. Matters not, you seem to have made progress by doing what you should have in the first instance, approach RAAus in a reasonable manner instead of making allegations about price gouging on a public forum. I'm also satisfied that I used "cause" correctly in my original post, in the sense of being an aim which you advocate.
  17. Bats
    Quite agree that this shouldn't have happened, in fact I'm going to be interested to see what the ATSB come up with, whether it is a simple case of Air Asia not maintaining their assigned altitude or whether there is another hole in the proverbial cheese.
  18. Bats
    Gawd, I think my IQ just dropped a few points reading this drivel. Intending to attend the fly-in this weekend, I thought I'd educate myself on the facility, only to find the thread dominated by pathetic attempts to smear a local businessman. I think I'll bookmark it for next time someone asks about the "Tall Poppy Syndrome".
  19. Bats
    "Terrorist?" Perhaps a little too subtle for me on a Friday afternoon; the media are doing their usual impersonation of a maiden aunt with the vapours, "Tragedy Averted" and similar, without resorting to the other description. Anyway didn't you know we don't have terrorists in Aus, they are lone wolves, radicalised yoof, anything but the T word.
  20. Bats
    The problem is; you know that, we have your assurance that this is the case, whereas RA Aus apparently have neither, so on the face of it the situation IS analogous to registering a car that has been off the road. The rules are a little inflexible, but are intended to cover the majority of situations - in general if an aircraft hasn't been registered and by implication not flown, it suggests that there has been something wrong and I agree it is on the face of it reasonable to require an aircraft condition certificate. For all anyone knows it has been sitting in the weather for 2 years deteriorating. Annoying in your case, but as suggested, an approach direct to the man is the way to go - a public rant such as this is more likely to damage your cause imo.
  21. Bats
    Yup, ATSB have it as VH-TAK, a Warrior which suffered efato out of Bankstown. According to witnesses they put it down on the fairway but couldn't stop before encountering the water hazard. Glad everyone got out unscathed, urban airports often don't offer very attractive forced landing options.
  22. Bats
    There is some argument as to the exact words used in the "old vs bold pilots" quote, personally I prefer the version that ends; "but there are very few old, bold pilots". I don't count myself amongst them, being fairly risk averse and well short of old (aren't we all?), but know several that I would include and frankly if the chips were down, they are the one's I'd want behind the controls. Not being swept wing jet qualified, I comment on the original video with a degree of trepidation, however there was nothing there that impressed me, looked like Capt. Hamfist was at the controls and nothing like the smooth, precise handling displays I've seen conducted with several airliners, up to and including a 747 400.
  23. Bats
    Wasn't that aircraft for sale fairly recently? I don't know which engine this one has but as far as I know all of the Europas in Aus have either a Rotax 9 series or Jab 3300 up front. Various others have been tried overseas, incl. BMW Boxer and Subaru, with mixed success I believe. I've always had a soft spot for them, since the original rave reviews in Pilot magazine (UK version) and seeing how well one got along on 80hp. The detachable wing mechanism also struck me as a good idea - I wouldn't want to do it every time I fly, but a big help to be able to drag the aircraft home for the occasional going over or upgrading something.
  24. Bats
    Errr, works for me - both the link and the subject matter. Thanks Red750
  25. Bats
    Far as I'm concerned this belongs in a court room, not on this forum and frankly making accusations that are tantamount to fraud could open one to unpleasant consequences - for the poster and the forum owner.
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