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bushcaddy105

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Everything posted by bushcaddy105

  1. bushcaddy105
    We're still here! I consider that I was fortunate to have to do my fiirst 20 hours in a Lightwing 582, as that was what the school flew at the time. They then moved to Jabiru, and my thoughts were along the lines of how easy they were to handle in comparison. So, 10 years later when choosing what to build, I carefully weighed up all the arguments to finally decide on a tail dragger again. In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (actually, what disadvantages?) and have been perfectly happy with my BushCaddy R80. Visibility, including on the ground, is still excellent, and ground handling in a true STOL tailwheel aircraft is a breeze. Long live big high lift wings!
  2. bushcaddy105
    Gooday Yenn For what it's worth, my new A200 did 2 visits back to Icom before it worked properly. After 30 mins or so, the audio would get increasingly distorted to the point of being unreadable. First visit they had it 6 weeks, and returned it saying they couldn't find any fault. It was exactly the same, so back it went with a terse letter. 10 days later, it came back with a letter again saying that they found nothing wrong, but had replaced all possible components as a precaution. It has worked perfectly for the last 2 years. Moral of the story - hang in there! (And keep at them until satisfied)
  3. bushcaddy105
    Simple V complex? Gooday again from a close neighbour (give me a ring sometime!) Having been through this decision, my answer was the KISS principle. Having fitted after-market VDO fuel gauges to auxilliary tanks in various 4WD's, the calibration process and the lack of consistent readings made me question the reliability of this process. On the BC I chose to use a sight gauge on each wing tank, with the proviso that there is a restrictor in the tube to dampen the effect of surging. It is then very easy to calibrate - with the airframe propped up in level flying attitude, add a measured 5 litres at a time to the tank and mark the level on a paper temporary scale behind the sight tube. When finished, get an engraved plastic scale made. No problems with linearity, accurately calibrated for your particular tank shape, no moving parts, no electrical requirements, easy to establish unusable fuel quantity, easy to read with a contrasting background colour, etc. Remember that whether you use a float gauge or a capacitive gauge, there is no surge damping and the readings will wander according to attitude. How's that for an opinion?
  4. bushcaddy105
    Gooday, Peter As I understand it, there is only a guy in Queensland somewhere who acts (or did act) as agent for Sub4 from New Zealand. I haven't heard anything of them for quite a while, so check on Sub$'s website. I did my own conversion, nowhere near as comprehensive as the Sub4. The only internal mods on mine are a reground camshaft, and 0.5mm planed off the heads. Everything else is standard, even down to original pistons. I used a Foxcon redrive (as used on the Terrier) . Remember, these are engines last used new in Leone cars & Wagons up to 1984, and Brumby utes up to 1993. So all aircraft engines are rebuilt from used. They are, however, easy (and cheap) to both buy and rebuild. Regards, John B
  5. bushcaddy105
    OK Chris, it's in the mail. Truly! I posted a report (as in Aussie Post) this morning
  6. bushcaddy105
    ZoneMagic, it was approx 0930 and CAVOK
  7. bushcaddy105
    Neither could I find it again at the first address! The date in the address line has changed from when I first found it, perhaps as more reports are added? I've just re-checked, and got it at:- www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2008/pdf/aws040408.pdf Its still on page 13 Why are .gov websites so difficult to navigate around?
  8. bushcaddy105
    Sorry, I should have put in a link. It's in the weekly reports, but rather obscure. Go to:- www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2008/pdf/aws210308.pdf and page down to page 13
  9. bushcaddy105
    May I take the opportunity to thank all pilots at Narromine who encouraged me to formally report my incident with the Airbus (while en route to Narromine) to the ATSB. My report was received with courtesy, and I was assured that my approach procedures had been correct. I was also pleased to learn that the Airbus crew had accurately reported the incident prior to my reporting. So the message is:- report ALL incidents, as the big boys don't always get it correct! For those who didn't hear the story, refer to ATSB reference no. 20080 1771 dated 14/03/08 Take it from me, an Airbus 320 sneaking up from behind at 300 feet separation looks awfully big as it appears in the screen!
  10. bushcaddy105
    Gooday Redair- I have just come across your thread, and have found all the replies interesting, as none seem to distinguish between the different alloys or alclad. I, too, went through the investigation process before building my BushCaddy, and decided that as 6061 alloy was the predominant material, and that it has good corrosion resistance, I would just prime both surfaces of all laps before final assembly, after thoroughly solvent cleaning these surfaces. To keep weight down, I brushed only along the joint lines rather than spraying, and left the rest raw. As zinc chromate seems to be a definite health hazard, I used a single pot epoxy etch primer (the fumes of which are probably equally toxic!) and had no trouble with adherence. Quite the opposite - stray dribbles on external surfaces due for future painting took some hard scrubbing with thinners to remove. Time alone will tell if long term protection is up to scratch, but after 2 years no problems are evident. Just another approach to confuse you!
  11. bushcaddy105
    Gooday Mr Badger Go to the post titled "Subaru Engine" on page 3 of the engine section of these forums and read through. I have now done 195 hours on my EA81 with 1 electronic ignition system and 1 platinum spark plug per cylinder, and intend to do many hundreds more. Why would you need to add the complication of 2 systems when the simplicity of one minimises the number of components which could cause trouble? I also am a strong believer in regular inspections and preventive maintenance as the key to reliability.
  12. bushcaddy105
    Aircraft Tool Supply Company - www.aircraft-tool.com Will take on-line orders and offer good service, even to replacing a tool part which I admitted broke through a mistake on my part, and not charging for it.
  13. bushcaddy105

    rotax rip off

    bushcaddy105 replied to a topic in Thruster

    My sympathy to Rotax owners You can understand from these stories why I personally chose and continue to sing the praises of the old Subaru EA81. The gyro flyers were first to pick them up, and gave (and still give!) them a hiding. Do they give trouble? Very rarely, and usually through external conversion components rather than the Subaru core. Best of all, just over 600 Oz dollars buys all parts for a rebuild, should you be unfortunate enough to need them. TBO is yet to be decided- wait until one wears out!
  14. bushcaddy105
    Another idea which is worth considering:- If you have a pocket scanner, make up a lead to connect its headphone output to an audio input on your intercom. It will then work similarly to the dual watch transceivers, with the exception of not being able to set a priority frequency. If the channels are busy, you'll get them both at once, so use the volume to set the secondary frequency to be in the background. Turn it up if anything interesting comes in!
  15. bushcaddy105
    More useful? info about fuel pumps As Subaru EA81 engines have never run mechanical fuel pumps (all car installations used electric pumps) I fitted an electric pump in series with the fuel line from the high wing tanks, and always use it when climbing out. Level flight is always on gravity feed alone Before Easter, en route to Narromine, the fuel pump stopped (turned out to be a stuck piston, after buying a new pump!) In experimenting caused by necessity, I discovered that I could still pull 4000 revs and 500 fpm on climbout just on gravity feed alone when the wing tanks were less than 500mm above the carby. Are we a bit hung up on the need for multiple fuel pumps on high wing aircraft?
  16. bushcaddy105
    Here's an idea for a remote flying experience We have just returned from a trip to a private strip out from Coober Pedy, and called in at Andamooka on the way back to Port Pirie. Sure is interesting country. I will attempt to post some pictures of Andamooka. The strip is a gibber-covered claypan, definitely dry weather only and with no facilities. On the way north we fuelled at Olympic Dam (BHP- Billiton's mine village- note that prior permission is needed to use their strip) and had to avoid the Woomera restricted area as they are currently active there. Check out the current Notam for Woomera for a scary list of the possibilities one might encounter if too far off course! Note that all this country is Designated Remote Area, and prescribed precautions need to be observed. When all you can see for 360 degrees is sand ridges, they all look the same! All in all, a great trip
  17. bushcaddy105
    Count me in, not for the MT410G (it's big and aimed at boaties), but for the personal one whenever it's released. As I understand, its been promised for a long time, but hasn't yet been released. Avalon this year had many sellers stalls featuring the personal one, but they were all apparently just dummy cases for show only.
  18. bushcaddy105
    Gooday Paul Yes, there are 2 lifetimes of experience with Graham and Kevin alone, and Malcolm has the Aeropup building experience to add. Sure, I will help with the Headsets kit. You're about an hour from me by road, or 20 minutes from Port Pirie. A thought - I can arrange for you to fly in to a private strip about 4 Km from me if this suits. No, I won't be at Paul's this weekend, as I have always wanted to get to the Bi-annual Waikerie Vintage machinery rally. When the Sports Aircraft Club advertised their flyin at Waikerie, with a bus to the rally, I decided to kill 2 birds with one flight, if that makes sense!
  19. bushcaddy105
    Just curious, how many of you are flying on Subaru engines? While there seems to be much info available in the USA, little comes from Australia. I am personally only aware of the Terriers, Karatoos and assorted gyros - plus my BushCaddy R80 on its EA81
  20. bushcaddy105
    Hi Scott I too have just had the go-ahead from my understanding first (and only!) wife to plan for AirVenture 2008. As she can't abide the thought of a week-long airshow (or 1 day, for that matter) I would be going solo for the trip. How about we gather any other forum members in the same position, and make up a party? This may give us some bargaining power with the tour operators. Please keep in touch
  21. bushcaddy105
    Can anyone help with information about a converted Haflinger engine which was advertised in the magazines back in the early 90's? (Hopefully its present whereabouts!)
  22. bushcaddy105
    Ian, I have often puzzled over waypoint locations issued with Arfors, particularly here in Sth Oz where they are often used in conjunction with airstrip identifier codes. Some locations used do not appear in Ersa's list of either IFR or VFR waypoints. An approach direct to the BoM produced the "I don't know where you'd find out" answer! Can anyone shed any light on where to to get a full list of locations used in Arfors?
  23. bushcaddy105
    What about BushCaddy R80 ? Not common, but a great aircraft (in my opinion at least!) Regards, John
  24. bushcaddy105
    Gooday again, Mike Rawnsley Park (YRYK) 31 39' S 138 36' E 03/21 gravel 1100 metres ( always a crosswind, according to the locals, and I agree from experience) Note:- All circuits to the East, away from the resort Stands out from the air like the proverbial dog's dangles Phone (08) 8648 0030 for permission Regards, John B
  25. bushcaddy105
    Mike, Only 4 weeks ago we (3 couples) spent the SA long weekend at Rawnsley Park. As we would otherwise have taken 2 cars, I flew the BushCaddy in. Tony Smith is the owner- give him a call and he's fine with the idea. No charges if you are staying at Rawnsley. Centralair operate tourist flights around Wilpena Pound out of Rawnsley's strip, and their guys are more than happy to share their route and reporting points. The early morning flights over/around the Pound are spectacular. Go for it! (Of course I'm somewhat biased- I live in the Southern Flinders and fly out of Pt. Pirie.) Drop me a line if you need more info. PS If you want a bit more adventure, Doug Sprigg, the proprietor at Arkaroola (further up in the Flinders), is also flying friendly and welcomes flyin visitors. Regards, John Birrell
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