When I designed the Flight Plan form for The Event, I included a section for recording fuel usage and another for calculating the weight and balance moments of the aircraft to check that the Total Moment was within the aircraft's W&B envelope.   I don't know if it was ignorance or lack of data, but most of the entrants did not complete the record of calculations for W&B. Most did put in the weights, but not the related Moment. Only one entrant actually noted the fore and aft limits of the Moment based on the  weights. Has this important safety and performance item ceased to b ..read more

I would like to know if it is mandatory to sit in the left seat while learning. It feels right in a jabiru because I am right handed. However the last few hours I have trained in a technam and I really don't like the left seat. I have to use my right hand for throttle and my left on the joystick, that combined with the laid back Seating makes it very hard for me to get comfortable and be confident compared to the jabiru. Backrest can be fixed with a cushion but doesn't help my arms.  I can understand being forced to fly like this if I was young and had a future of flying different aircraf ..read more

Hi all, been away from flying (and this forum) for the past few years but starting to get back into it.   I'm looking to get my tail wheel endorsement some time soon and wondered if anyone could recommend a good RAAus instructor somewhere around Melbourne/Victoria? Not really looking at a GA endo, mainly from a cost perspective, but can go down the path getting GA tail wheel and then adding to RA cert.         ..read more

In raa can U use your own raa registered aircraft to do your solo hrs. And  X country endorsement  ..read more

The email from RA-Aus yesterday whinged that RA-Aus put in the 760 kg application eight months ago and it still has not been approved.    The big danger with the 160 kg weight increase is that half of CASA will be fine with it, and half will be resentful and believe that RA-Aus should be put under the pump for the privilege of muscling in on CASA’s turf. Saying “it really shouldn’t be this hard” is rude, counter productive and shows that RA-Aus understands none of the psychology of what is happening here.    ..read more

I viewed this notam this morning before flying to said location. The times for the closed runway did not seem to make sense, however I am easily confused by UTC.   So answer in local time, what times was the runway closed. Central NSW ..read more

Does anyone know how long CASA takes to swap an old licence to a Part 61 licence? I notice that they have whipped the fee from my bank account.   Alo, after you submit the report of your medical, does CASA end you back something to carry while you are flying ..read more

Does anyone else notice we are losing RAA instructors in regional areas and there doesn't seem to be new ones filling the gaps? Not sure about metropolitan areas but I hear it is not uncommon that people are finding it difficult to get training and bfrs. Is it too difficult to get the qualification or is just not worth it ..read more

I know that a landing aircraft is required to broadcast its intention to turn onto Base Leg, but it it also OK to report turning onto Final?   The reason behind my question is this. The flying event I am trying to run involves the contestant making good the ETA claimed in the flight plan for the event. Therefore I have to have a way of noting the time of touchdown.   My first idea was to mark out an area on the runway, about 50 metres long, near the threshold, and ask pilots to make that space their landing zone. I was going to station observers adjacent to that area to observe the t ..read more

I wonder if there is a reading list for starters (and further learning of course)?   Areas cover:   - Aerodynamics - Meteorology - Airplane mechanics - Maintenance - Regulations - Communication and navigation - anything else?   I've read a couple of books including Mike Busch's Engines and Airplane Ownership 1. I really find it's necessary to read more ..read more