Aviation Stuff

OSHKOSH 2011

2011-08-15T12:24:00.000+10:00

In 2010 it was decided that a group of us from West Sale Airfield should make the Oshkosh pilgrimage in 2011.
After much planning, Ben, Darren, Mal, Mark, Noel and myself headed off on July 16th. We traveled to Washington DC for a week prior to Oshkosh and spent the week touring the Smithsonian group of museums. We stayed in a hostel in the suburbs of Washington DC and found this to be quite an adventure in itself. The week in Washington DC happened to be one of the hottest on record with temperatures most days 40C+.
We left DC on the Saturday prior to the official start of Airventure 2011 (Oshkosh) on the Monday. This gave us time to settle in to our accommodation at the University of Wisconsin and to sit on the flight line at Oshkosh and watch the aircraft arrivals on the Sunday. The week at Oshkosh was also bloody hot but an incredible experience. Our airline travel was not without its problems with Chicago airport closing for a day due to six inches of overnight rain causing a change and delay in our travel. Also on our trip home a medical emergency on board our flight took us the scenic route home. Milwaukee - Dallas - Los Angeles - Auckland NZ - Brisbane - Sydney -Melbourne. All in all a 48 hour door to door adventure. THANKS to my travelling companions for making it such a great adventure. One Mal is still enjoying as we left him behind to do some further touring.

The Boys in Washington DC

Breakfast in the Hostel Washington DC

From the Smithsonian

The Fun Begins

From Oshkosh

Milwaukee Freeway - Heading Home

Once I get all the pics sorted I will post more on Picasa Web Page

Natfly 2011

2011-04-30T09:57:00.000+10:00

Easter time is always set aside for the Recreational Aviation Australia Flyin. The last two years the flyin in has been held at Temora Airfield/Airpark home of the Flying Museum. Ben, Caitlin (Waiex) and myself departed West Sale on Easter Thursday. Our planned route via Kilmore, Tocumwal (refuel) and then on to Temora.

The weather upon departure was pretty good until we got north of the ranges where it quickly became 8/8 fog. We turned back and headed for Latrobe Valley Airfield to refuel and sit it out. We kept getting the weather from Shepparton and when the humidity started to drop we figured the fog was dissipating. A quick phone call to Eddie Madden at Sport Aviation Tocumwal confirmed that the fog was lifting. We departed for our second attempt at 11.00. Again the weather was worse north of the ranges with cloud base at 1500 until we reached Tocumwal. Unfortunately the fuel supplier has changed at Tocumwal and Ben needed fuel to make it with safety to Temora. We did not have the necessary card required to make a purchase. Another quick call to Eddie who was now at Temora saved the day with access to his fuel supply. The trip from Tocumwal to Temora was really pleasant with high Cumulus. Again I got to see the back of Ben's Waiex as he slipped by. The Unicom and ground support worked really well in assisting pilots into and out of the airfield with minimum fuss. We arrived mid afternoon and pitched our tents under the wing of my Jabiru. There is some benefit in having a high wing aircraft. Noel and Liz had driven up and had set up camp not far away. Unfortunately they had mice sharing there food and camp site over the weekend. Ben and I could hear the mice of a night time but they did not get in to our tents. We caught the bus into town Thursday night and when we decided to head home we realised we were stranded. After wandering around the town lost for some time a local pilot shuttled us back to the airfield. The facilities at the airfield were pretty good but the food stalls were lacking as was somewhere comfortable to sit. The forums were good and there was something for everyone. Lots of dealers selling aircraft with the pick of the bunch a Carbon Cub also having the best price tag. We attended the dinner on Saturday night which was disappointing! Ben and I headed off about 10.30 Sunday morning for Tocumwal. We spent some time catching up with Eddie then on to Shepparton to refuel before heading back to West Sale.

Turbine Power !

Good to see some Non-Plastic.

Liz & Ben

Temora Airfield

All Metal

Museum Hardware

APRIL 17 2011

2011-04-17T21:49:00.002+10:00

Well it certainly been awhile. I have had the odd subtle hint that I've been slack in posting which is correct.

Saturday we had a group trip from West Sale to Lethbridge and our hosts the Geelong Sport Aviators put on a great lunch and made us feel most welcome. We had good conditions for flying especially as the lead up days had been very ordinary. The strips at Lethbridge are in great condition and and it's a terrific destination.....especially Saturday for lunch.

Following is the list of aviators making the trip :-

Mark - Vans RV8

Harry & Doug - Jabiru J120

Darren & Pete - Jabiru SP4

Ben & Noel - Waiex

Rob - Jabiru J160

Daryl - Jabiru SPT6

Thanks to Ben for supplying the Pics. He even threw in an extra of Rucky's Thorp T18 from his visit to West Sale a couple of weeks ago.

Some of our Machines at Lethbridge Airpark

More of Lethbridge

Rucky's Thorpe T18 at West Sale

OCT 2-3 2010

2010-10-04T14:37:00.000+11:00

Well it's been sometime between entries. We have just had a weekend of great weather. Hopefully the winds we suffered during September have gone. Saturday we had a trip to Horsham and return. Ben came with me in my Jab and Noel jumped in the back of Mark's RV8. We had blue skies and slight tail winds in both directions. We caught up with a few of the club members at Horsham Flying Club, launched Arnold in the Pegase glider and headed off back to West Sale about 15:00. Sunday was quite warm with not a lot of activity at West Sale. We did have a flying visit from Rucky in his Corby Starlet.

View of the Grampians

Melbourne Skyline

Great Shot Looking over Port Philip Bay from Coops RV8

Lined up at Horsham

Launching the Pegase towed by Jabiru 230

Horsham Township

JUNE 14th 2010

2010-06-14T08:39:00.000+10:00

Queens birthday weekend quite a bit of flying activity at West Sale. Lots of visiting Trikes enjoying reasonably good flying weather. Saturday I flew the 120 down to LTV for the weekly sausage sizzle. Great to see all the new hangars springing up.....all non-commercial which is an indication of the current growth in recreational aviation.

I spent all the weekend, except for the above LTV visit, building a new set of heads for my Jab. The later model heads have more fin area and valves set further apart all for improved cooling. I purchased a set of bare bones second hand heads from Jabiru and fitted them out with all new components. All went well and I test flew the "new" heads yesterday.

Heads Built and Ready to Fit

Pistons Decoked

Not Far From Test Run

30th May 2010

2010-05-30T17:10:00.000+10:00

Well a pretty quiet weekend due to ordinary weather. Friday Darren and Harry flew the 120. Darren figured he would get a flight in before the weekend weather turned lousy. Saturday was actually better than expected. Griffo flew his Foxcon in from LTV. Snoopy and Darren went flying in RayJay's RV8 and Jarvo test flew the 120. Sunday the weather really was crap. I had visits from Barry, Ross, Darren, RayJay and Jarvo. No flying today. I'm fitting later model heads to my 3300 Jab engine. I'm using some of the parts off the old heads so getting all the bits in readiness was the order of the day. Darren and I finished the day by running out to Ben's to check the Waiex out. Darrens new hangar is coming along so I think he wins the 'he who has the biggest toys wins' debate. Pictures below of Darren's hangar.

23rd May 2010

2010-05-23T19:14:00.000+10:00

Great weather over the weekend but not heaps of flying. Saturday we went out to Ben's to give him a hand starting his Waiex (Jab 6cyl) for its first run up. This has to be the best finished aircraft I have ever seen. It is a great credit to Ben and a testament to his remarkable set of skills. He has made lots of small mods along the way and the finished product looks fantastic. Only the spats to fit, the paint scheme to apply and it will be ready for weight and balance, inspection fuel flow checks etc then off into the air. Lots of visitors from YLTV on Saturday, Nelson & Sandra (Jab), Laurie (Corby), Anton & Wayne (Lightwing) and Tom and Coral (RV6). Noel and Ben took a late afternoon flight in their FoxBat followed by Darren and Bonnie in the J120. Sunday Coops and Darren went to Kyneton to look at a Corby Starlet, Snoopy came out with his grand daughter and Peter and Linden flew in from YLTV. The usual hangar people around late arvo surveying the progress on Darren's new hangar. All the pics below are from Saturdays visit to Ben's.

Rolled out of the Shed

Looking Great

Beautiful Panel

Tying it Down Before First Engine Run

Up and Running

Still Running - Checking Temperatures

MAY 16th 2010

2010-05-16T08:03:00.008+10:00

Friday Eppo and Harry took the J120 for local flights. Noel completed his BFR with Jarvo in Noel's Foxbat. The weather looks promising for the weekend. Saturday lots of activity at West Sale. Darren took the 120 out in the morning. He and I did some work on the idle stop and we took it out again for a test flight (as we must! :-) The local training organisations were also active as was Snoopy in the Nanchang. Early arvo Rucky and Laurie arrived in their Corby Starlets for coffee. Just as they were departing Tony and Maurice arrived in their Jab's with Rob M. as a passenger. It was Tony's first flight after fitting a new engine in his Jab. After all the visitors had departed Noel and Darren (Foxbat) and Ben (J120) took off for a scenic down the coast. Coops went down the Valley in his RV8 to refuel. It's quite a ritual for us with no avgas at YWSL.

I continued to do the 100 hourly on my Jab whist everyone was enjoying the good weather. Bugger! It looks like I will pull the heads of one side of the engine. Cylinders 2, 4 & 6 run hotter and are down in compression compared to Cylinders 1, 3 & 5. After 500 hours they could do with a valve grind. Sunday dawned clear skies and the coldest morning so far this year at home (4.4C)

Darren and Pete took the opportunity for an early morning flight in the 120 over the foothills. My brother Mal and friends paid us a visit and I took one of his visitors for a flight down the coast. I pulled the three heads off my Jab and then Gail Darren & I sat in the hangar enjoying the late afternoon sun. Boy it got cold quick when the sun dissapeared. We then hit the Star Hotel in town for dinner before heading home. Another great weekend out at the hangar!

Rucky & Laurie's Corby Starlets

Laurie's Corby Spinner (Creative huh!)

Laurie heading back to YLTV

1st May 2010

2010-05-01T20:50:00.009+10:00

Friday afternoon seen some flying in good weather. Rob flew the 120 followed by Harry taking young Nick for a scenic. I went for a fly in my aircraft and had a ball chasing clouds. Darren conducted some circuits in my aircraft and they all looked pretty good. Saturday was great weather. Gail and I flew to Bairnsdale to attend the annual field day held on the airfield. Darren and Chris flew down the coast for a scenic. After Bairnsdale, Gail and I flew to Latrobe Valley to refuel and caught up with Neil with his newly aquired Beagle Terrier (Auster derivative) Neil flew back to West Sale with us and I took a couple of pics.

Junior Wood Chop event at the field day. Great to see females having a go against the blokes.

Gail checking out the Alpacas

Plenty of goodies for sale. Check out Marty in the background conducting circuits with a student in the Gazzelle.

Neil's "new" Beagle Terrier at West Sale

Chris Gail and Darren checking out the Beagle Terrier

Neil departs for home.

2010-03-14T21:27:00.004+11:00

Saturday Gail & I flew down to Latrobe Valley. I had some work to do and we timed it around the lunchtime sausage sizzle. We headed home mid arvo and half way back I remembered I had left some tools behind. Back to YLTV! Later in the day Ben came out and did some flying in my Jab. Sunday Gail and I headed out to see lots of smoke south of the airfield. We grabbed the little J120 and flew down to check it out. While we were warming up an L-39 Albatros jet called in to refuel. The fire was not so spectacular by the time we got there and it looked like a controlled burn off. I started to fit some new spats to my Jab. as I have never had any fitted. Ben came out and gave me a hand. We test flew them just before last light and early indications are that we have a bit more airspeed. The weather over the weekend was absolutely spectacular.... in contrast to last weekend!

L-39 Albatross at West Sale

As Above

The Fire South of the Airfield

The New Spats Survived Their Maiden Flight

8 March 2010

2010-03-08T09:35:00.011+11:00

The long weekend - unfortunately the weather did not play the game. Saturday Darren and I went for a local flight along the ninety mile beach before the weather started to deteriorate. Gail and I went to the pub for dinner and left just as the thunderstorms started. It was down to 40kmh for most of the trip home. Sunday it rained off and on all day. Peter and I managed to run new power cable into both Noel and my hangars before the rain set in. Mal, Lorraine, Danny, Helen and John came out to visit mid afternoon. Mal and John got the models out late afternoon when the rain stopped.

In the Hangar

Lined up Ready to Go

Lined up Ready to Roll

As Above

Refueling (Battery Change)

Back to Propeller Driven Stuff

21st Feb

2010-02-21T20:40:00.009+11:00

Sale Shopping Centre

Brothers (Me and Mal)

Noel & Elizabeth's house

The Local Radar at Longford (The Golf Ball)

Mal Concentrating Hard on His New Found Skills

Melanie Safely Back on Terra Firma

Friday I think we had an all time record attendance at the afternoon gathering. I took Baz for a fly in my Jab so he could check out the 3 bladed prop. He then jumped out of mine and into Al's RV7 for another flight. The 120 was busy with Rob, Harry and Ben flying it during the afternoon.

Saturday I took my brother Mal and niece Melanie for flights in the J120. There was some late afternoon flying...Jarvo and RayJay went to Yarram. Noel and Darren went off in the Foxbat and Ben flew my jab to YLTV and back for fuel. We all sat around and watched the sunset. We got home around 10ish (The same as Friday night....you can tell its summer) Sunday Gail and I went out to the hangar after lunch but there was very little activity. Snoopy was Nanchanging but that was about it. Visits to the hangar from Greg, Snoopy, Jarvo & Coops. Late afternoon the thunderstorms arrived so it was home time. (Home early 8pm)

Feb. 14th 2010

2010-02-14T11:38:00.012+11:00

Saturday Peter drove down to drop off some bits&pieces including an adjustable Jabiru wing stand. Thanks Pete. Aerial visits from Tony, Griffo and Maurice all from YLTV. Peter and I went out to visit Ben and see how the Waiex is progressing. (See pics)

Late arvo we got in some flying. Noel went trikeing with Alf. Ben took the 120 for a burn and Darren and I flew some circuits in the taildragger. (As Darren calls it the Tail Terror)

Sunday I'm sitting at home writing this as it has been raining off and on all morning. I'm listening to the helicopters struggling to and from the rigs off shore. I don't think we will fly today!

January 2010

2010-01-31T11:12:00.006+11:00

It's been some weeks since I have posted. Following are a few pics from Jan 2010

Coops and I flying to Merimbula to retrieve his RV8. He flew down for Christmas and weather dictated he drive back to Sale and leave the aircraft behind.

On base leg Merimbula

Coops untying his RV8

My Jab at Merimbula

Lakes Entrance (Coming back from Merimbula)

Paynesville & Raymond Island. (Coming back from Merimbula)

As is the tradition, Eddy, Kim & Kelsey stay with us over the Australia day weekend before heading off to continue their holidays along the coast. This year's destination, Mallacoota

Eddy setting up to do some fishing

Mal flying his Cub off Lake Reeve (Australia Day weekend)

Kim, Gail & Kelsey watching Mal fly at lake Reeve

Kelsey with his paper plane.

Kevin and Jill paid us a visit during January. Pic showing the West Sale gang with Kevin's J170.

Darren and I trying Kev's J170 on for size

WEEKEND 19th & 20th Dec.

2009-12-20T06:38:00.009+11:00

Saturday was very windy again with not much activity from my hangar. Mark flew the J120 down to Coldstream and back to Bairnsdale returning on Sunday after a scenic to Yarram.

We did see a variety of aircraft visiting YWSL which caught our interest. See pics below.

Sunday was much more pleasant with the wind having abated. Visitors were Tom, Roger and Ed(Thanks for the donuts Ed) all flying up from YLTV. I adjusted the tappets in my aircraft and flew down to Latrobe Valley to refuel. The Yak 18T was performing graceful aerobatics while I was there which was great to watch. When I came back I handed my Jab to Darren who recently flew it solo for the first time. (The only pilot to do so in the history of the aircraft.) Darren did some circuits to consolidate while I flew behind him in the J120 to warm the oil before servicing it. I didn't get home till after dark (again) after tidying up. Looking forward to a few days off over Xmas/New Year.

Galeb Jet

Yak 18T

Victor AirTourer

Mark Landing the J120

Roger and Tom - Sonex & RV6 (Seems everything is red&white!)

Jabs lined up waiting to fly

Darren launching in my Jab

WEEKEND 12th 13th December

2009-12-14T07:31:00.010+11:00

Another weekend of ordinary flying weather. Saturday I dropped in to see how Ben's Waiex is progressing. It's coming along very nicely. See pics below. Ben came out to the hangar later in the afternoon and we did some flying in the J120 chasing an airframe vibration. We finally tracked it down to a wing root cover. A bit of tape and problem fixed. Sunday was very windy again with no flying. Lot's of wildlife around. We seen 3 or 4 Echidnas while driving in and out to/from the hangar. The kangaroo is one of the locals that hang around our house. Darren, Gail and I rearranged some of the hangar work benches and we had a visit from Rod to discuss his pending purchase of a Jabiru 430. Early finish and off to the pub for dinner. It's now Monday....back to work and great flying weather.....typical!

Looking Down the Fuselage

Engine Baffles on and Masking Line for Painting

Instruments in Place

Mum Kangaroo

Shy Echidna

WEEKEND 5th & 6th December

2009-12-11T09:20:00.008+11:00

Ed running up the engine in the J160

Ben and Darren "Bird" Watching

The "Bird"

Enjoying the Late Afternoon Sun Before Heading Home

Not much flying action on Saturday with the weather not so flash. Sunday was a little busier.Ed flew up with Mal in his J160 from YLTV for me to do some engine work for him. Mark flew the J120 down to Orbost and back for a $100 cup of coffee. He was very disappointed with the fact there was no milk. Noel/Darren and Ben/Caitlin flew down to the coast in the Foxbat and J120 for a late afternoon scenic. When they came back Ben got his model out and gave us a late afternoon demo.

Weekend 28th & 29th November

2009-11-30T17:48:00.006+11:00

Another weekend of lousy weather with no flying. Saturday I tensioned the heads on Jarvo's jab and then spent the afternoon pottering around without doing too much. A few of the usual crowd dropped in during the course of the afternoon. Sunday I went out to the hangar early and Darren and I fitted the wings back on my Jabiru. (THANKS for your help Darren) The wing fittings had become a little loose so I had removed, cleaned and refitted them over the last couple of weeks. Wings back on all checked and ready to fly but a series of thunderstorms stopped that. I think it was the earliest Gail and I had left the hangar for some time.....not a bad alternative though we headed to the pub for dinner.

A Couple of the Thunderstorms

Ben & Darren Watching the Storms

One of the Local Microlights Getting Back Before the Storm

Back to Work

2009-11-21T08:35:00.015+11:00

I have been a bit slack keeping the weekend posts going during my three weeks holiday. I've been pretty busy during that time. Week one at Horsham with Darren staying on the airfield and getting quite a bit of flying in. Week two over with Wayne J. in South Australia rebuilding Jabiru engines. Wayne and I rebuilt an engine each side by side which was a great learning experience for me. I have to admit I struggled with the heat. Every day was around 42C in the area. Only guessing it would be much higher in Wayne's hangar. Just my luck to pick the hottest November week on record. Week three at home catching up on chores. Back to work this Monday - something I'm not looking forward to.

Bunkhouse on Horsham Airfield (Horsham Flying Club)

Another Foggy Start - Horsham Airfield

Wayne's Workshop (Black Hill South Australia)

Airstrip Black Hill South Australia

My Jabiru Engine Rebuild (before not after)

This weekend (21st-22nd Nov.) the weather was pretty ordinary. A couple of pilots were heading up to Temora for the Museum Flying Weekend but an active trough through the southern states put a halt to that. Saturday we stayed home for most of the day and had a visit from David and Lewis. David is vision impaired and Lewis is his guide dog. After dropping them off at the train station late arvo we headed out to the hangar to clean the J120. Darren was there so we ended up at the Star Hotel in Sale for dinner.

Sunday more storms and rain. Did some work on Bazza's engine after he flew in from YLTV (I think he was the only keen aviator in the skies.) Gail and I put up a new light weight Gazebo on Friday.....it was a tangled mess of metal when we got home today. Oh well, we used it once and nobody got hurt when it broke loose and destroyed itself. Expensive lesson though.....take the canvass roof of when unattended else it generates a lot of lift and takes off.

Gail & David (Billy & Jack on the scrounge)

The first and last use of the gazebo. It's now a tangled mess of metal.

Lewis (David's guide dog) waiting for leftovers

HORSHAM TRIP November 2009

2009-11-07T09:23:00.022+11:00

My Jab Waiting For the Fog to Lift

L-R Doug, Darren, PW & Sel (headless)

Four Different MK's of Jabiru

Darren DI'ing the Jab

This is Rex - (my dog Billy's brother that he has never met)

Another Foggy Start

Start

Finish

Darren's Bunkhouse

Darren enjoying the serenity

Me taking it easy

In the Kitchen

Darren in our "Town Car"

Darren and I headed for Horsham Flying Club Saturday 31st October with the intention of spending a week of flying.

Day 1 (Sat) The trip to Horsham was great with clear blue skies and about ten knots of headwind. We refueled at YLTV and arrived at Horsham around lunchtime. I had a check flight in the Twin Astir with PW and there was good thermal activity to 5000'. I then took Darren up in the Twin but conditions were starting to drop off and we managed to scrape in a flight to 3500' for about half an hour. We hit town and had dinner at the Exchange Hotel. We looked a little scruffy compared to all the others dining.

Day 2 (Sun) Early fog cleared around 9AM. Darren did some circuits in my Jab and a tour over Horsham township. We gave the glider tug (Jab 230) a wash and sat in the clubhouse reading waiting for the day to warm up. We launched in the Twin Astir around 3.30 but found only weak broken lift and managed to scratch around for half an hour. We then took the J230 Tug for a fly to see how it handled. After all the flying was over, we sat out on the edge of the strip watching a Tecnam do circuits on runway 17. It was about 9pm before we headed into town to get something to eat. Mmmmm Pizza!

Day 3 (Mon) Darren did some circuits in my Jab (the morning ritual). It wasn't going to be any good for gliding - cool and overcast so we spent the day in the clubhouse reading and flipping through all the old club photos. A bit of a nostalgia trip for me.

Day 4 (Tues) We were greeted with 25knot winds and severe turbulance. I started the ten hours I had to do with PW for an instructor conversion from GFA (gliding) to RAA. We did two sessions with lots of forced landings and upper air work. I have to say it was not a pleasant day of flying in such rough conditions. I took Tony B. for a circuit in my Jab before Darren and I took the club's J120 for a fly. We also both went for a fly with Phil C. in his beautifully Jabiru 230. All in all I did nearly four hours of flying for the day in conditions that can only be described as crap.

Day 5 (Wed) Again the obligatory circuits with Darren who is flying my Jab extremely well. We then came back and did a service on my Jab. Thanks to Phil C. who gave us the run of his hangar/workshop during our stay. I then went out and did some more training with PW. Xwind circuits, glide approaches and forced landings were the order of the day. PW did a circuit and landed my Jab flying from the RHS.....I think he found it interesting - I know I did! I then jumped into the RHS and gave Griffo a fly....he flew really well once he got a handle on it.
It was then off to the Dooen pub with Karen, Griffo, PW, Darren for a great meal.

Day 6 (Thur) Some morning circuits for Darren and then down to the edge of the Grampians for a scenic. Spent the rest of the day relaxing and then we hit the Dooen pub again!

Day 7 (Frid) No circuits for Darren this morning. We spent some time watching cranes lift a hangar roof into position before going into town for coffee and donuts (again). We also drove around town having a look around for awhile. We got away about lunchtime again in great conditions of clear blue skies and nil winds. Two hours to Latrobe Valley and refuel and then some time spent waiting for the East Sale Control Zone deactivate before heading home.

THANKS to the members of the Horsham Flying Club for allowing us the use of such great facilities (Bunkhouse, hot showers, fully equipped kitchen, lounge and bar) and hangarage for my Jab, to PW for looking after us during our stay, to Griff for loaning us his car for the week and to Phil C. for the use of his workshop facilities.

Conclusion A great week with poor weather for gliding. We plan to go back for a some weekend visits to get some gliding in over the summer.

WEEKEND FLYING 10th 11th October

2009-10-11T08:41:00.015+11:00

Friday I had a rostered day off and finished some of the outstanding jobs out at the hangar. I'm getting like an odd job man swinging between Jabiru engine repairs, computer system rebuilds and propeller refurbs. End result was, only one job left outstanding at the end of the day. Plenty of visitors late afternoon including an Electrical Contractor advising that we are getting power supplied to our hangars....YAHOOO! Scott and Darren called in. They are both finishing off their ATC training at East Sale. (Scott's RV4 features in the title page above) Saturday I met some fellow aviators at Longford Primary School annual fete (great scones Liz). Then I called around to check out Ben's progress on his Waiex build then out to the hangar. (See Pics) Weather was OK but nobody took to the air. I finished off the last job on my list....replacing brake linings on a Jab 430.

Ben's Waiex

For more Waiex from the weekend see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR8V66-qngQ

Replacing Brake Pads

Sunday the day started out great with clear blue skies. Darren took his dad Pete for a local flight in the J120. Scott and Darren flew in in Scott's RV4. Darren jumped in with Alan in his RV7 and they flew down to Lakes Entrance and back. Darren and I tried on the RV4 for size and found we fitted quite well. We had our first BBQ for the Spring...THANKS Gail. We had a line of thunderstorms pass through which stopped the flying for awhile. Later in the afternoon Ben and I went for a local flight in the J120 with Noel and Darren flying the Foxbat. They mounted a camera on the Foxbat and we tried some air to air shots with some success. Another great weekend at the hangar.

Darren Checks out the RV4 with Pete Looking on.

Scott heads back to East Sale

Gail Gets the BBQ Happening

2009-10-05T09:28:00.007+11:00

Friday had flyng visits from Roger (Sonex) and Barry (Jabiru 230). Harry flew down to Yarram in the J120 and Darren did a couple of circuits in it when Harry returned.

Barry's J230

Roger's Sonex

Saturday Darren and I flew down to Coldstream refuelling at Latrobe Valley enroute. I dropped Darren off as he had the task of riding his dads Honda XLV750 back to Sale.

I called in for the traditional Saturday lunch sausage sizzle at YLTV on the return trip. Anton came for a ride with me back to YWSL. I then swapped aircraft and flew the J120 and Anton back to YLTV. After refueling the J120 and dropping Anton off it was back to West Sale.

Noel Darren and I hit the big yellow arches for food Saturday night as we had time to kill. We had to pick up Gail, Liz & Caitlin off the night train arrival. Darren also had to thaw out after his motorbike ride.

Sunday Mark and Doug flew the J120 to Orbost/Mallacoota/Bairnsdale and back to West Sale.

Darren took me for a few circuits in my Jab in the afternoon. When we returned, Noel and Darren flew down in Noel's Foxbat to have a look at Rob's strip near Yarram.

Mark and Alan went for a run in Mark's RV8 and arrived back in the rain.

The day finished with a dark ominous sky and showers of rain. After all the flying was done Ben finished off the weekend at the airfield by conducting a juggling clinic. Alway something happening!

We all hit the local Pizza place for a debrief before heading home.

Rain Clouds appearing from the West.

Ben showing his juggling skill.

Darren, Caitlin & Ben.....Juggling Clinic!

WEEKEND (NOT)FLYING SEP 26th & 27th

2009-09-27T10:01:00.011+10:00

Friday afternoon no flying as the weather was windy with a few showers. As the weekend forecast wan't great, Jarvo took the opportunity to pull his engine out ready to drive it across to Dr Johns for a rebuild.

Engine Out

Jarvo & Ben Mounting the Engine on a Pallet for Transport

Almost Done

Ready to Rock & Roll

I started an engine service on a Jab 6cyl but the service ended up a bit more comprehensive when I found No.6 cylinder with no compression. Saturday was absolutely a no fly due to weather so I took the opportunity to remove the offending cylinder and found a burnt out exhaust valve. Sunday....still no bloody good for flying due weather (Winter like blast) so I stripped the head and cut the valve seats and lapped the head/cylinder junction.

Valve Seats Cut....Awaiting Parts

For Those Interested, These are the Valve Seat Cutters

Hopefully next weekend we get some flying weather.

WEEKEND FLYING 19th 20th SEPTEMBER

2009-09-20T07:34:00.003+10:00

Friday was beautiful flying weather so I took advantage and took the J120 for a couple of circuits. Harry is back from his overseas trip and slotted back in to his Friday arvo booking on the J120. Saturday was a little on the windy side but quite flyable. Not really much happening as a few of the locals aviators were attending a wedding in town. However, we did have visits by air from Tom in his RV6 and Peter & Linden in their Jab. Mongrel and Hangar Rash drove down from Melbourne to drop off some stuff and to pick up Hangar Rash's transponder encoder. Great to see Dan and Erlina in town for the above mentioned wedding. Sunday was blowing a gale so not much happening. Ben and I did a couple of circuits in my Jab late in the day but it really wasn't that pleasant. Sorry, I did not take any pics this weekend.

WEEKEND FLYING 12th 13th SEPTEMBER

2009-09-13T20:45:00.007+10:00

Another Saturday with no flying due to a strong front moving through. It was very warm peaking around 29C but very windy. I spent the day rearranging furniture and putting in some more lighting in the hangar. Sunday I went up in my Jab but it was pretty turbulent above 2000'. I did some practice glide approaches and practiced some side-slipping.....all good fun. Darren took me for a fly in my Jab and he did a great job landing it on bitumen for the first time. We did about four circuits before giving it away. Ben took his dad Noel for a spin in the J120.

Cold Front Moving Through

Checking Out the Clouds

Darren Doing His Checks in my Jab

Taxying Past Ben as He Checks Out the J120

Nice Sky....Darren on Downwind

Darren Looking Good on Final

WEEKEND FLYING 5th & 6th SEPTEMBER

2009-09-06T20:47:00.008+10:00

Saturday I had a visit from Geoff to do some work on his 2200 jab engine. Darren and I had a sit in Geoff's Corby Starlet. Well I squeezed in rather than sat....it was cozy! It was really windy up until late afternoon then there was a mad rush to go flying when the wind abated. Noel and Darren went flying in the Foxbat, Ben took the J120 for a circuit or two, or three! I took my jab up to 7000' to kill some clouds. Sunday was quite pleasant.....Mark and Peter took the J120 to Bendigo and back. Darren and I did some tail terror flying in my jab. Coops (RV8) and Alan (RV7) flew to Frogs Hollow (Bega) for lunch. Darren went with Al for the trip. Geoff flew back in his Corby to report that Saturday's work on the engine was a success.

Darren tries the Corby on for size

Dreaming!

Bits missing?

Geoff just about finished putting the cooling ducts back on.

WEEKEND (Not) FLYING 29th 30th August 2009

2009-08-31T07:43:00.004+10:00

Well not much of a weekend for flying. I test flew the Jab 120 Friday afternoon before Darren and Ben took it for a jaunt. That was the end of flying activity for the weekend. It blew a gale Saturday with a series of squalls going through. It was a good day to clean up the work bench. Sunday was somewhat better but still far too windy to fly.

Relocated the J120 into "Darrens" corner.

That's as far as the hangar doors opened all weekend.

WEEKEND FLYING 23 & 24th August

2009-08-23T08:42:00.005+10:00

Well Saturday we went to Melbourne on family duties so no flying although the weather looked pretty good with only a stiff breeze to contend with. We called past the hangar on the way home and noticed one less aircraft there. Darren's J160C has gone to a new home. I'm sorry to see it go but he will spend the money wisely on a new project. I spent Saturday night editing a video of a glider launch for Phil C. of the Horsham Flying Club. The video shows club's Jabiru J230 launching the Twin Astir. Phil C. & Max H. in the glider with Mark G. towing.

(See video below)

No flying Sunday and no vistors hence there are no pictures to post for this weekend. The weather was certainly flyable but quite windy. I continued working on the Jab J120C annual inspection. The airframe is complete with the engine to go. The plan is to complete it during the week so it can go flying next weekend.

WEEKEND FLYING 15 & 16th AUGUST

2009-08-16T19:57:00.003+10:00

This weekend was taken over four days. The plan was to drive over to Black Hill in South Australia to strip down a Jabiru engine and get some more tuition from Wayne J.

On the return on Saturday to call into Horsham Flying Club and get endorsed on the Janus CM motor glider. I think I spent about 22 hours driving but all went according to plan. I also had a bonus as by coincidence it was the flying club's annual dinner/presentation night at the Dooen Pub. So I attended that, had a good night and seen some old and new faces. Thanks to Wayne who again amazed me with his knowledge not only on Jab engines but all things Aviation/Automotive and more. Thanks to Pete W. and Pete K. who ran me through the ropes on the Janus. We even managed to find some very weak lift. I expereinced just about every type of weather event on the trip from fog to thunderstorms to a balmy 22 degrees and sunshine at Black Hill.

Thick fog going and thunderstorms on the return

Some strange trees off the Western Highway

Wayne's Hangar and Jab at Black Hill

Wayne's Magnificent Fuel Injected 3300 Jabiru

Laurie's Old Jabiru Engine after I Had Woven my Magic on it

Boy I'm Glad I Don't Have to Put it Back Together

The Janus CM Getting Towed Out for My Initiation

The Two Peters Towing the Janus Out To the Strip

The Janus Landing Runway 35

The Twin Astir was also out Flying. The Jab J230 Tug Returning After Launching the Twin

WEEKEND FLYING 8th - 9th August

2009-08-09T20:46:00.010+10:00

Darren Gail and I went out to see how Ben is going with his Waiex build on Saturday. As you can see, it is looking GREAT. Not much flying activity out at the hangar Saturday but the weather was very pleasant. When it got too cold and dark we all headed into Sale for Dinner.

Sunday was quite active with a new user of the J120 joining us....Mark from Bairnsdale flew it down to Bairnsdale picked up a mate and flew it back to West Sale. He did a good job as it was his first flight in a J120. Rucky and Tom flew in for a chat. Darren did some circuits in my Jab and Ben flew the J120 down to LTV and back. Noel was also out in the FoxBat and I think Chappy took the RV for a run. All in all a good days flying in perfect conditions.

Rucky Arriving at the hangar

Tom's RV

L-R Gail, Rucky, Tom, Darren & Ben

Weekend Flying 1st - 2nd August

2009-08-02T08:42:00.006+10:00

No flying Saturday as it was blowing a gale. I decided to fit my new card compass to the Jab. Unfortunately I had left the keys to the toolbox at home. Plan B was initiated - take Gail shopping down to Traralgon for the afternoon. During our recent trip to Tocumwal I rejoined the Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) as a prerequisite to taking the gang flying in the Blanik. As part of my subs I receive Soaring Australia magazine. It was interesting to see the magazine format change since I was last a member. I noticed a reference in the latest mag to a jet powered ASW20 glider VH-KYA at Waikerie. The rego looked familiar so I went back through my log books and found I had flown this aircraft in 1990. No jets then :-) Those interested in taking a look see http://www.waikerieglidingclub.com.au/cgi-bin/album.pl?album=thingsflying/alsjet20

Front Cover of Australian Gliding Magazine 1983

Those astute visitors might notice that's me flying an IS28. Pic was taken over Tocumwal NSW.

Yeah...I had more hair and a more youthful appearance back then!

The weather improved somewhat Sunday although still

quite windy we got some flying in when the wind abated late afternoon.

Noel & Darren return after local flying

Ben returns after doing some circuit work in the J120

Ben & Caitlin cleaning the J120 in the hangar while others

have a chat.

Weekend Flying 25th 26th July

2009-07-25T08:30:00.003+10:00

Another great Sunset (Friday Night).

L-R Snoopy, Roger & Rucky.

Vistors by Air & Road

Roger's Midget Mustang

The weekend started early with visitors arriving Friday Arvo.

Jab 230 (Barry) Midget Mustang (Roger) Corby Starlet (Rucky)

Saturday had a visit from Tony in his RV7A

Work on Barry's Jab.

Line up of Jabiru's visiting from Latrobe Valley

Hangar Talk

Darren sitting down on the job.

Weekend Flying 18th - 19th July

2009-07-19T08:37:00.000+10:00

Caitlin & Noel

Coops & Chappy Carrying out some Maintenance

Sikorsky 76 training

Sikorsky at West Sale

Sunset Over West Sale Sunday

Saturday's weather was fine. Flying visits to our hangar by Tony (Jab SP), Maurice (Jab 120C), Wayne (Sapphire), Roger/Chris (Sonex) and Chas/Robbo (Jab 160C). Unfortunately upon Roger, Chris, Chas and Robbo arriving we had to go. Sorry guys. I had a small job to do over the RAAF base and had a guy waiting to get us on the base. Us being myself, Ben and Noel. After finishing the job we had a tour of the ATC simulator facility including the new 360 degress tower sim. Fantastic stuff and our thanks for Matt for the tour.

Sunday was windy with a bit of activity from the rotory wing brigade.

I flew down to Rob's to check out his strip with Coops.

Really rough down near his place where the sea breeze mixed with the 20knot northerly wind.

Weekend Flying 11th - 12th July

2009-07-13T16:32:00.000+10:00

Another pic from Tocumwal. Caitlin and Ben getting their pic taken in the Blanik to go on a new brochure.

Well not much flying on the weekend. The rain on Saturday kept all away. On Sunday there was quite a roll up as the weather was OK but reports back from Chappy that the flying conditions were quite turbulent. The rest of us carried out domestic chores.......ie drank coffee and ate cake!

Tocumwal Trip

2009-07-09T21:08:00.000+10:00

Darren & Daryl in the Blanik

Eddie Landing the EuroFox

Daryl & Caitlin Landing the Blanik

Ben & Caitlin try out the Blanik

Ben getting the feel of the back seat

Coops looking Cool

Eddie and Kelly in the EuroFox

Darren, Ben, Noel, Liz, Caitlin and myself have just spent five days at SportAviation Tocumwal. Coops also paid us a visit in his RV8 for a couple of days. Darren and Ben obtained their RAA Tail Dragger Endorsement and we also managed to get some glider flying in. Thanks to our hosts Eddie & Cheryl