|
Post by Bruce on Jan 5, 2013 7:27:28 GMT 12
Nice work! Highland cathedral is such an awesome piece of music, very well done.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 31, 2012 19:10:20 GMT 12
that's a very useful report Andrew - always good to see the lessons in such a situation. The only things you forgot to put in were "Plummet" "Passengers screaming" and "We were all going to die" Well done mate!
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 30, 2012 20:04:20 GMT 12
I note from Facebook that Andrew Hope (Citabria) had a bit of an emergency flying Harvard 78 from Ardmore this afternoon. According to his report there was a loss of power shortly after takeoff from runway 03 and with skillful flying he got it back safely on Grass 25. It appears as though a pitch change link on the prop had let go, so although the engine was still present and correct, the prop was coarser than coarse. Superb work and a good example of why it pays to practice engine failure after takeoff. Good to hear everyone walked away unharmed. An appropriate beverage, well earned!
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 26, 2012 9:10:47 GMT 12
I have no objections to enforcement of the 100km speed limit in general traffic flow. I do strongly object to them pinging people during a passing manouver. I cant see the issue if you get up to 120 or so when passing a truck doing 90 - the quicker you get it over and done with and the less time spent in the other land the safer it is. Now we end up with tailbacks behind vehicles going slower than the limit because on most dual carriageway it is almost impossible to pass in the space available when 100 is the most you can do. The logic does need challenging. Australias main highways have a limit of 110kmh, if 104 is deadly according to NZ, how come the road toll in Aussie is about the same as ours? Still, thems the rules, I'll do my bit and stick to them....
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 24, 2012 20:34:45 GMT 12
I was driving back in to Cambridge the other day and saw a big articulated truck parked on the side of the road beside one of the local trucking company bases. as I approached, who should hop out of the drivers cab but Santa! He is obviously using more practical methods of distribution this year. I suspect that he may be in trouble with CAA as the Nav light fit on his sleigh doesn't comply with Rule part 91 - the red light should be on the left wing tip, not the nose...
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 23, 2012 12:05:55 GMT 12
Some great photos there, the derelict SBV photos are wonderful. Hopefully someone can answer a big question of mine: What on earth is the purpose of the grille on the nose of most/wartime PBYs? It is the bomb aiming flat panel. It has a sliding shutter arrangement to prevent water damage. there is also a small circular port beside it to enable the bomb aimer to reach out and wipe the salt / water marks off the outside!
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 19, 2012 21:59:01 GMT 12
awesome work! no Baby blue roundels or red-bordered stripes either. very impressive.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 19, 2012 11:15:53 GMT 12
Just a thought... Would there be any interest in a weekend "Basic Outdoor survival for Airmen" course? My main responsibility on the Sport Aircraft Association committee is training and education. If it is the sort of thing that pilots would find useful, I could investigate getting something like this going - perhaps with an RNZAF or SAR type expert.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 18, 2012 22:24:28 GMT 12
Interesting thread Peter! I have actually been planning to make up a 2 person kit to go in my aircraft. I am tending towards fitting it all in a 1 liter paint tin (new, clean tins can be obtained from industrial paint suppliers) since that would be watertight but easily opened, and would make a good Billy can. The lid can be used as a helograph. Id attach a stout bit of cord around it and stow it under the seat so its easy to grab. The contents would include: Wind up LED Torch Strong knife or multi tool Flint lighter and / or waterproof matches (Probably Both) 2x Silver foil survival bags Pack of assorted plastic bags (for water collection) Several chunks of tyre inner tube rubber (makes a great firelighter) small roll of sturdy synthetic cord Compass Whistle Razor saw small roll of duct tape Tealight candle 2x Plastic Parkas Water Sachets and survival food are actually not easy to find, but I found this site which sells that sort of stuff: www.survive-it.co.nz/shop/Build+your+own+Kit.htmlI'd put a few water sachets and one multi-day food sachet. if space allowed I would also add some fishing line and hooks, Fluoro Hazard tape Water purification tablets glowstick This is in addition to the standard first aid kit in the plane. According to the SAR guy who took my last first Aid course, some form of light is essential. Now rescue helicopters have NVG equipment, it is easier to search at night as even a candle will show up for several km on the NVGs if its in a place where light sources wouldnt normally be found - such as dense bush.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 18, 2012 9:15:35 GMT 12
its a really awkward situation and I can entirely understand your frustration, Pete. As you say, the spectrum of UAVs is huge. Those that operate autonomously, out of site or in airspace where conventional aircraft operate should have some form of regulation - Stu and I have literally come face to face with a UAV whilst flying at Northshore a few months back. But when it comes to Optocopters and the likes, why would it be any different to model aircraft in terms of risk? will the public need to get Licenses to operate their Christmas present $19.95 RC helicopters, which operate in essentially the same way? I know Rex at CAA has been finding a suitable compromise acceptable to his superiors to be quite frustrating, and as always the "Industry Committee" is made up of high profile users and other stakeholders have not been correctly identified and consulted. its not going to be an easy path!....
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 16, 2012 16:27:22 GMT 12
Glad you enjoyed your day Peter. Just a couple of updates for your records: Cub BQV is now resident at Te Kowhai, Witmann RET lives at Kihikihi, south of Te Awamutu and Emeraude FMM is based at Wharepapa South
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 15, 2012 21:58:43 GMT 12
Awesome work! Love it!
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 15, 2012 21:55:13 GMT 12
Lets not forget however that the ready availability of firearms is not the only issue that needs attention here. Why is it that young Americans seem to have this all consuming desire for violence and revenge? Why are they going off the rails? Violent video games etc may be one factor, but I don't think its that simple. When you look at the American love of litigation, "dont get mad, get even" and the whole culture associated with "being wronged" it is actually a worry. The US constitution has a clause that every citizen has a right to PURSUE Happiness, which has been taken to mean a right TO happiness, a very different thing. If you aren't happy with life, you have been wronged and have to seek revenge. We are fortunate in NZ to have a culture of community, and although relations between groups within that community are sometimes stressed, as a whole it isn't in our culture to take hostility to the level we have seen so many times in the US.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 15, 2012 20:17:45 GMT 12
It certainly was a good day - although the heat was pretty merciless! It was quite nice to move across to the AS Wilcox packing plant and relax under the old Walnut tree outside their lunchroom - thanks to Mike Taylor for hosting us. I left the Adventurer behind and drove over as I wasn't feeling very great in the morning, which worked out well as I could shuttle people across to the packing sheds by car. I was a good turn out of aircraft with 12 assorted light aircraft arriving and parking beside the Onions (although referred to as the Spud Patch, this year its growing onions, Maize and carrots...) Some of these machines are based on small private strips so aren't often seen at bigger airfields. Not a huge forum turnout, but good to catch up with those who made it. Lots of aeroplane spoken, food consumed and a good time had by all. anyway, here are some of my photos of the aircraft departing - there was a lot of heat haze around, but the blue sky with puffy clouds just looked like summer ought to! Gary Williams Jodel D11, Adrian Van Der Hulst's Zenair CH701 and Case Groot's Vans RV-6A Ken castleton and Maurice Thompson depart for Te Awamutu in Ken's Cherokee 6 (Which still bears the NAC Flying club colour scheme) RANS S10 from Te Kowhai Neil and Marcus take off for a circuit in the Chippie Jack Godfrey and Noel bailey depart in the Jodel D18 Noel positions the D18 nicely for photos as he departs "Chapter President Bruce" (eieio on the forum) - with stuffed emu! heads for Wharepapa South in his Emeraude Neroli and Bill Henwood head off into the heat Haze in the PA18
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 14, 2012 21:12:59 GMT 12
Just a little announcement on this, If you turn up at the Airfield and cant find us, we will have moved across to the packing shed across Hopkins Rd to the North. Its got a bit more space and shelter out of the sun for having lunch and talking aeroplane!
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 14, 2012 16:54:48 GMT 12
57 has always been orange rather than Red. To be strictly correct it should be Dayglow (I saw the colour scheme data when I worked on it at Gulf Aeronautics in the early 1990s) but the current non - glowy orange is a good and practical compromise,
|
|
|
Pawnees
Dec 14, 2012 14:00:23 GMT 12
Post by Bruce on Dec 14, 2012 14:00:23 GMT 12
BWP is one of the "Baby" 150hp (on a good day) Pawnees. It spent some time in a shed at Ohaupo with a collector before being reactivated. It is set up as a glider tug, and there is a setaing area where the hopper once was. It is at Central Aero after being damaged by a wind gust at Taupo.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 12, 2012 18:48:00 GMT 12
Aircraft owners received a letter today giving them the option of hiding their personal details. Sounds like a fair compromise.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 12, 2012 13:57:18 GMT 12
Despite Dave not being there, I stress that forum members are more than welcome to attend. let me know if you have any queries about where the place is.
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Dec 10, 2012 21:39:22 GMT 12
heres an example of the Fisk arrival:
|
|