Fact: there is change and new development happening. Yes, it is wise to be cautious - but don't be so negative! Fact: Ultralights / Microlights / Recreational planes are being developed and utilised for glider towing (already overseas, OZ will follow). Fact: development doesn't stop - someone might even design a "Carbon Pawnee" style <goog_1225776197087> aeroplane<http://www.cubcrafters.com/news_item.aspx?id=100>, engine power will increase. (The Jet design for gliders is doing nicely: just have a look at the 304S Jet) Fact: GFA member numbers are decreasing. Same for ACTIVE and regular PPL pilot numbers. Fact: RA-Aus membership numbers are still increasing. Fact: Safety in RA-Aus is improving. Fact: CASA is still in denial and does still not fully recognise the ICAO system. (at least they are taking steps to get there) Fact: the stuff we breathe and fly in is the same around the world. (if not better in quality here in Australia) Fact: I'd trust a good AME more than a bad LAME. (that missing "L" does save monay!) Fact: why do aircrafts need to be fixed once they come back to the gliding club after being serviced / checked by a *"LAME Organisation*"? Be a bit more positive! Erich
On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 10:05 AM, Mike Borgelt < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > At 06:56 PM 3/11/2008, you wrote: > >> Looks like I skimped on 10 kilos there. >> >> I instruct in the Jabiru 170C and had a go in the Jabiru 160. Both are 4 >> cylinder, 80hp on the paper - not ok for towing; speeds / Vs are a definite >> issue. We'll get a Jabiru 230 soon. The 230 is already approved for towing. >> In theory it is very comparable to the 150. I did a few aero-tows behind the >> 150(2) VH-KML - flying a Standard Libelle and even a Centrair Marianne. I've >> never launched behind a Jabiru 230. The 150 felt very safe and capable. >> > > KML is very safe and capable. It has a 180 HP O-360 Lycoming. Not your > ordinary 150 at all. A normal 150 can barely get out of its own way. (Not > that I have anything against the 150. I find them delightful to fly but > lacking in power.) It is my understanding that the mod was done under an > STC so there would be nothing to prevent its use in training as a VH > aeroplane. > > Just where is the cost saving going to come from by going to RAAus > registration? There's a $110 per year for the RAAus for the aircraft and > $160 per year for each of the pilots which is an extra cost if the pilots > want to keep their PPL's. The parts from Cessna and Lycoming are going to > cost the same, so is the fuel, oil and filters etc. While maintaining a > small bugsmasher isn't rocket science, LAMEs have at least seen lots of > 150's and Lycoming engines. I guess you'll save on LAME labour costs at the > price of the towplane being at the mercy of gliding club maintenance. It > won't take too many unavailabilities to negate this. > > As for the RAAus, last I looked their ops manual was about the size of the > AIP and you'll still need the VFG. Just what is the point of having people > write manuals that are largely a rehash of existing CASA material? If being > done by volunteers, they are wasting their time and if this is being paid > for it is a waste of money. RAAus members also seem to be killing themselves > at a great rate, far higher than in private operations with PPL holders. In > fact I think it must take a certain hardened mindset to continue to promote > RAAus aviation in light of these figures. > > What a pity the RAAus and GFA got together 6 years ago to kill the CASA > recreational PPL. It was an act of sheer political bastardry and naked > monopoly behaviour in support of short term self interest of the > organisations to the detriment of sport aviation in this country. The > proposal would have essentially restored the old Restricted PPL which is > all tow pilots need, with relaxed medical standards and no requirement to > pay money to the RAAus. > > > > Mike > Borgelt Instruments - manufacturers of quality soaring instruments > phone Int'l + 61 746 355784 > fax Int'l + 61 746 358796 > cellphone Int'l + 61 428 355784 > Int'l + 61 429 355784 > email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > website: www.borgeltinstruments.com > > > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > [email protected] > To check or change subscription details, visit: > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring >
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