www.brisflying.org
FLYING
HOURS
A
total of 35.2 revenue hrs were flown in May, including 2.8 hrs crosshire.
Fly Rate & Fuel Surcharge
Cost of
AvGas at AF for June has stayed almost static, bringing our surcharge down by
just 1 cent per hour to $19.35 +
GST for all June flying.
Maintenance –WPQ
18th May a
report of inaccurate altitude readings from the transponder.
Checked and adjusted by Aircraft Radio.
31st May a report that the ailerons 'very stiff' and a flight aborted.
A check of the aircraft the following day found that the auto pilot
toggle switch was on, so the moment that the Avionics Master switch was switched
on, the auto pilot engaged - yes, the aileron controls would have been 'very
stiff'! This is something to be
careful about, that the toggle switch is not accidentally switched on during
flight from a hand resting on the mid point of the eyebrow above the panel and
very close to the toggle switch. Include
the autopilot on/off switch in your pre-start checks, and ensure the
previous pilot hasn't left it on.
Maintenance- WPZ
18th May a
report that the transponder operation was intermittent, this was also checked
and rectified by Acft Radio.
Weekend
Bookings
FTA is
mostly closed Saturdays and Sundays, and the folders
and keys
will be in the outside
safe, and the sign out pad should be on top of the safe.
That is our standard request to FTA, but we have had instances where the
keys have been left in the ops room. Anyone
with a weekend booking can always ring FTA and remind someone in the ops room to
make sure the folders and keys are put out in the safe if they have been left in
the ops room. The batteries have
been replaced in the safe, following an instance when the safe couldn't be
opened. The batteries can be
dislodged from their position in the back of the door if the door is slammed
shut and it won't operate, and will then require the over-riding key to open the
safe. So don't bang it shut.
Remote
Area Trips
WPZ had
been booked for a trip to Uluru 29th May, but this was cancelled due to poor
weather along the planned route. It
is intended to do this trip in the near future.
Another two members are intending a trip to see Lake Eyre filling up, an
event that doesn't happen very often.
All pilots should do their planning carefully for such remote area trips,
and the following tips are intended as a general guide.
1.
Research avgas availability at your planned stops, phone the fuel agent and
check. Look to obtain your own fuel
carnet cards from Mobil, Shell and BP - these can save you some big charges for
call-out fees at many outback refuelling stops, as most places now have 'swipe'
bowsers.
2. Take
spare bottles of oil with you - at the minimum 1 bottle for each 6 hours of
flight planned.
3. Check
that the tie-down gear in the aircraft is in order.
Take the wheel chocks with you.
4.
For WPQ, take the battery jumper lead with you - it is kept in the cabinet in
the hangar. (WPZ doesn't have the battery door/plug for this lead).
5.
Take the canopy cover. It fits both aircraft, and in an emergency can provide a
personal cover from the elements.
6. Take
sufficient emergency water
This
should be distinct from any
7.
A safety pack that contains the following :
first aid kit, torch, mirror, waterproof matches, compass, emergency high
carb. rations, plastic
sheeting, plastic bags, raincoat or waterproof jacket, and space blanket.
Also consider items useful in an emergency situation such
as a
handheld transceiver and a handheld GPS.
8. Both
aircraft are fitted with the new 406 mhz ELT's . They don't have the GPS capability of the more expensive
ones, but still give a radius search area of about 3 km. In the event of a forced landing, and if necessary, the ELT's
can be removed from the aircraft and operated as a portable unit - they are
sited under the easily removed 'grab' panel under the tail fin.
Secretary Director :::::::::::::
Harvey Turner Phone/AnsMach/Fax : 3353 1515
E-mail : brisflying@hotmail.com
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