Newsletter

A total of 62.6 revenue hrs were flown in April, including cross-hire of 7.7 hours. The cross-hire was inflated by one booking to Charleville and return by Aircraft Radio for 6.8 hrs as their own aircraft was out of action. The hours being flown each month continue to show that our flying can be satisfied by just two aircraft.

Cost of AvGas at AF for May has gone up by another 7.0 cents per litre to $1.5813 + GST per litre. The hourly surcharge therefore increases to $25.06 + GST for all May flying.

The little roller at the mid point on the right flap broke adrift some time back. and it is on our list of things to be done at the next service. (It is not critical for flight). It will be replaced with a skid as has been done on WPZ - the roller idea was only on the 1979 models and proved less than successful, as they tend to break loose and can damage the edge of the wing skin as they do. The fix is a skid plate as had been used on the earlier year models of the Tiger. Thanks to the two people who rang about this, I needed the reminder. 27th April a report that the Gyro was stuck with the knob jammed in. 29th April report that the VOR was not serviceable, the clock was not working, alternator noise could be heard on the radios, and the audio panel cover had broken adrift. All have been attended to by Acft Radio - the alternator was fitted with new brushes, A broken wire fixed on the clock, The VOR bench tested and repaired, a broken spring in the DG replaced, and the audio panel repaired.

18th April noted that the right fuel tank gauge was not registering. Our spare tank sender unit was sent to USA for repair/ exchange and has just been returned and will be installed at the 50 hour service which is now due. The new tacho unit previously purchased was installed 21st April. 12th May report that there was a lot of oil on the underside of the fuselage - and one report of 'nosewheel shimmy'. These will be checked and rectified where necessary at the 50 hour service.

3rd May a report that a harsh scraping sound evident when the elevators were cycled during preflight check. Our engineer removed the tail cone and discovered that the noise was coming from the trim actuator assembly - that a threaded bronze bushing that operated on a stainless steel threaded shaft had failed and was slipping on the shaft - the thread apparently had been stripped. This has grounded the aircraft, replacement parts have been ordered from USA and are on the way, and it is expected that WPZ should be back in service about the 16th May. How did this happen - possibly the elevators had been handled heavily externally while the control lock was in place, and the bronze threading in the bushing would have been the weakest point to give, causing the failure.

(This is a repeat from last months reminder from Ian Gillespie). All members are reminded that when purchasing fuel away from AF you will need to obtain a tax invoice from the supplier to be able to claim a fuel credit. I do not need the original, a photocopy will do fine, and please post the copy to me as quite often when it is scanned, it cuts off parts and can also become illegible. I always process fuel credits immediately, and I now print an invoice showing the amount. If you have not received the credit after the end of the month, then please contact me. Please forward the tax invoices ASAP, and do not store them up for a few months, as the fuel price at AF changes monthly, and it is not fair to ask me to track back several months trying to work out the fuel costs at the time. REMEMBER - the rule is NO TAX INVOICE - NO CREDIT .... a general receipt is not good enough. ( This information has always been prominently displayed/attached on the inside cover of each aircraft log folder.)

As stated in last month's newsletter, WPM has now been advertised for sale in the May Aviation Trader for $90,000 + GST. No response has been received as yet, and the advertisement will be repeated in the June issue at the same price if not sold before that.

Note: If you have a query about your account (mistakes do happen) then Fax or Email Ian .( Due to work commitments it is difficult to contact Ian by phone.)

Newsletter

May 2008