Tomo

Sounds like a deal!

G'day Gareth! I've had the pleasure of meeting many forumites over the last, what 5 years or something! It's always great to catch up, and even better to go flying together!

Back in my school days, two negatives made a positive, so I'd agree!

Can hire a C172 for cheaper than that! With fuel!

My fuel tank in my Solitaire is weeping... it is made out of fibre glass, slightly agriculturally if you ask me, but I guess it worked. But now, I think it's time to upgrade a fraction and make things a little safer. And more ergonomic... I'm thinking of making a new tank out of aluminium, but just wanted to hear what others thought of that material? Or should I just make another out of glass? Personally I'd rather use alloy because I know more about welding that stuff than fibre glass building! Thoughts?

The past, the present and future walked into a bar, it was tense.

I would only let someone that can fly a Drifter well fly my little Solitaire. The skill difference between that and a Warrior is no where similar! Warrior is a bit like walking on a concrete footpath as apposed to a tight rope across a swimming pool!

Thanks guys! Here's a snap my brother took of me taking off - Taxing to the house

Had the honour and privilege of taking some friends flying this weekend, pretty special to me because one of the young kids I took has autism, He is only 8 years old, and if you're aware of some of the things an autistic child experiences it's pretty special when you see the biggest smile and utter joy beaming from his little eyes as he looks out the window. Loud strange noises are one thing that can upset or frighten a young person with autism, after explaining and demonstrating a few things he was keen as mustard to get going. Strapped him in the back seat next to his sister who is 10yrs old (same age I was when I had my first flight in a small aircraft actually, and got the bug, so to speak) And with his Dad in the front we set off for a flight around the area, there is nothing more special than sharing the freedom of flight with others. The next one was taking up a great friend who has had some pretty bad experiences in aircraft, because she suffers motion sickness very easily, even in a car. Giving her a run through on every single thing I will do and why, with my Mum sitting in the back was a huge help with everything, she is very aware of what it's like - having suffered similar, but no where near as bad. I got her sitting in the front so she could see over the bonnet and straight at the horizon, and also being in the airflow from the air vents. I should mention I'm using a C172 here.... After start up and pre take off checks complete I lined up and gently took off, gentle left turn and came around for a landing, keeping everything as smooth as I possibly could, including a powered approach. I told her to keep looking ahead and move the head slowly etc... after landing and turning around, she said she was feeling okay so we back tracked and took off again, making it a gentle climb out for a while. Flew around gently for a few minutes, levelled off and just flew gently around keeping near the strip, just incase. My aim of this flight was to make it a positive experience, so any signs of feeling queazy I was going to put it down asap as I didn't want it to end with her having another bad time of it. Getting her to wriggle in her seat a bit and take some deep breaths she was relaxing a bit and starting to enjoy the scenery out the front, I didn't want her to turn her head to much so I just told her to keep looking out the front. Long story short we came into land about 30 minutes later after flying around the local area for that time. Talking through the whole thing we landed and parked up near the house - I'm flying from home - and climbed out. And guess what!? The bag didn't even come out of the pocket... It was a great confidence builder for her as she was pretty excited that she survived and didn't get sick, when I told her how long we were up there for she almost didn't believe me! Time flies when you're having fun eh? Anyway, just thought I'd share that, truly a blessing to share your stuff with others. Even if it did cost me half a weeks wages...

Working hard and saving lots helps with that!

Cost sharing, great way to have a lot of fun with your mates.

Owning is pretty cool...

That's pretty Hard to beat!

Thanks guys! Naremman, sounds great! My Mum did outback tours out there 30 years or so ago, back when it was all gravel road and make your own track type thing... and she flew off the strip at the end of the rock a few times. You could see the old strip slightly, but it's now all covered with trees and bush. By the way, you can still climb the rock, if you have the mind to, I did! There's a $55 landing fee to land at the now 'Ayres Rock' airstrip! Yes would loved to have travelled a bit more, but time 'twas an issue unfortunately, next time! (mind you I have landed at Perth airport, and been to Jandakot before!) Yeah, hot days, and black runways... you soon see who knows the bush when you watch them come in!

I'm sure the council around here have shares in all the suspension dealers... but they are ridiculous rough, took a prime mover into town the other day empty and just about needed a kidney belt!

Does that mean, the woman with the most kids wins?

Reserve is something you 'Plan' for, whether you end up back on the ground with that still intact is another story... if you have it all down on paper, getting ramp checked shouldn't be a problem. And besides, running out of fuel on the taxi way is a bit embarrassing I would think!

Mate if I live anywhere closer I would come along for the ride! But I'm sure there's someone else mad about aviation that'll take up your offer!

Ah... I see, that makes better sense!

Agree, between 24-28ltrs an hour for 120hp (or thereabouts) I'd be pretty happy with for a carby naturally aspirated engine. I'd be concerned about the low compression though, as that won't get any better... and more likely get worse over time. Did the leak down indicate where it was going? Valves, past the rings etc...?

G'day bluesky, welcome along. Where about's do you fly from? what type of aircraft?

Depends on the velocity of the explosion as to how many pieces you'll have for paper weights...

Using a decent runway to start with, until you have a feel for the aircraft and can work out exactly where you'll end up etc... make an aiming point and stick to it, if you miss it, do it again until you can consecutively land in a relatively similar spot. Personally I think everyone should have multiple lessons on deadstick landings. Why? It comes back to human factors... what was your initial reaction when the instructor pulled the power on you for the first time? What is your reaction when the engine stops all by itself when you least expect it for the first time? (unfortunately I found out mine!) Pretty much guaranteed you'll panic, which doesn't help with thought processing and rational thinking. Is that why we have so many spin ins after engine stoppages? When you're still sitting in a perfectly flying aeroplane? In my opinion one way to become almost 'comfortable' with it is to practice it and 'know' your ability to get it on the ground safely. You can take that anyway you like, but, it's in the statistics isn't it? Hudson river expedition for example... what was the pilot of that also used too? Bet he's never practiced a deadstick in a passenger jet before though! But he knew it wasn't the end of the world, and just used what he had, where he was, to his best ability and made some pretty reasonable decisions too, and lived to tell the tail, including his passengers. Which effectively is what we all strive to do!! Point I'm trying to bring across is, it may not be a good idea to jump in a Kingair and completely shut down at 4000ft and have a merry time on the way down for a deadstick landing. But any aircraft that you aren't going to hurt the engine by switching it off, or damage in anyway, get a CFI willing to teach you, and do it. If you can't find anyone willing to do that, jump in a glider for a day. Once you pull that release cable, your engine is off! Start by doing glide approaches on idle till you're accurate enough, then switch it off, you'll find it's very similar, just quiet and in 'some' cases you'll get better performance. Build up the confidence levels a bit. Just a few of my thoughts. Please note I'm no instructor, so read at your own risk!

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