Wednesday 23 December 2015

165 March 2015

 RansMail #165 
March 2015
 
Flying in France - places to think about for we offshore Brits' (Roger Lewis & others)
North East Brittany has Granville, Bernay and Dieppe, none close to the town but all well worth a visit.  Or Le Havre where the guys at the Jean Maridor club are very helpful. Every year there is an "exchange fly out" from White Waltham. A nice destination for few days for something (but no beach).
Total - MoGas UL91 airfields
The Loire valley & for the west coast Quiberon http://www.quiberonairclub.com/index.ph ... laerodrome)  Their Ibis hotel is just right and the management are pro-flying. The advantage is that you can cancel the booking up to 6pm the same day. http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-0909-ibis- ... ndex.shtml.  
You don't need a car to explored the area during the day (http://en.quiberon.com/node/218) and walk into town for an evening meal. Ille dYea - Handy airstrips that offer accommodation as well. For example http://www.aero-hesbaye.be/Voyages/laba ... driere. good for the Loire valley and also  Saumur is a great place to visit amid the Loire valley vineyards, at the end of summer there are many 'harvest' festivals e.g. Le Grand Table http://www.saumur-champigny.com/grandes ... 9es-56.php which has a great atmosphere and a week-end grape picking fly-in the autumn. Very often there is nobody around anyway if you land during the working week, using a smattering of the language one finds a warm welcome & often an offer of assistance in organising a hotel/taxi. If an AFIS it is French only e.g. Amiens they'll will insist you speak French but forgiving enough if you make some attempt at the language.
Arcachon further down the west coast - Cazau military space means a stepped approach getting low on the last part but the French controllers are very helpful. The beaches are amazing and so much to see. The Ibis there or "Hotel Point France" http://www.hotel-point-france.com/uk/in ... offres.php through "Booking.com" - they all speak English. Many supermarkets & restaurants and near to Bordeaux for a visit. Landing/parking for over a week was less than ~£50.
 
Ethanol in UK Fuel, from Esso Petroleum Customer Care. (LAA forum)
The majority of unleaded 95 Octane petrol sold in the UK contains 5% ethanol as required under the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO).
There is currently no requirement for renewable fuel (such as ethanol) to be present in super unleaded (97 grade petrol). Esso super unleaded petrol (Esso Energy Supreme) is ethanol free (except in Devon, Cornwall, the Teesside area and Scotland) and we have no current intention to add ethanol to Esso Energy Supreme in other areas of the UK. We would therefore advise anyone who has concerns about the presence of ethanol in petrol to use Esso Energy Supreme – providing they do not fill up in Devon or Cornwall, the Teesside area or Scotland.
 
Clive Innocent's Escapade engine replacement.
Progress is steady, the Rotax 912 Engine is in, but I can't torque mounting bolts yet because the forward ones secure the radiator brackets which I'm still waiting for from TLAC.
Meanwhile I have adjusted the cowlings in my home workshop. The boot cowl which connects to the windscreen is still on the plane, I need to fetch that home ready for painting the whole lot. I had to cut a new access door in the top cowl, as the Jab one was useless for the Rotax. The oil tank had to be custom made, as does the radiator. It's all coming along, but I'm at the mercy of TLAC, and also CKT who are making my stainless steel exhaust system. That's now about due if as promised they bring it forward.
 
More on repairs to 'dead/dying' Rotax' Ducati 'Black Ignition Box' (Adrian Lloyd BMAA)
I've just had a customer dead ignition module repaired by the firm of Carmo in the Netherlands. Once again,excellent service and a quick turn-around. Total cost including shipping,VAT etc was £186. Refitted and now works a treat. Not worth buying new units at a stupid price and which still have some sub-standard components fitted. Carmo replace the sub standard failed parts with higher spec ones. It goes without saying that I'm extremely impressed with what they do. My 2 repaired units on my own a/c are fully serviceable months down the line. As a matter of interest,the potting is NOT melted out by Carmo-they cut into the bottom of the unit and then re-pot. If you can imprint a thumbnail mark in the potting where all the wires exit, then the unit is definitely NOT hard potted and can be repaired. As far as I am aware no 912 electronic ignition modules are hard potted and are therefore repairable.
 
Jim Bolton asks ??   (  jimbolton05@aol.com )
I am still enjoying reading RansMail and wondered if you might solve a puzzle.
I used to own Rans S5 G-MWGA and don't know what has become of her. The last owner was Patrick. Burns from Lanark according to G-INFO and appeared on AFORS for sale with expired permit a couple of years ago when I spoke with Patrick about buying her back but could not follow it up. The next time I tried the tel. no. was no good ! 
[There must be 1/2 dozen in the uk which need only of TLC to restore them as the 447 is a nice little motor and it's often, I think the impecunious would be, but innocent new flyer who believes it's a cheap way to own & fly. However they are very light and normal Cessna 150 handling is a different kettle of fish, the little Rans requires a delicate touch, thus she often remains wings off waiting for ..................? M]
 
GPS Navigation Compared - Peter Jackson (Flex-wing) visited Goodwood Aero Club one Feb. evening.
Two presenters, both positive about their own preference spent 30 minutes each, describing SkyDemon (SD) and AWARE's Airbox RunwayHD (RHD) 
In summary: Both are solid, reliable with similar functionality more than adequate for a UK/Europe small a/c pilot. Ultimately it's personal of what you like to see on screen, how integrated the package, and pricing structure. There's plenty of info on the manufacturer's websites. However I noted the following main comparisons:
Airspace 'vector' information (i.e. airfields, lines and points which can be zoomed in and out with clarity) SD has virtually world-wide included in the price (except where the source is not trusted as accurate) downloadable at any time, updated automatically, but they do not support 'proper' charts. RHD has regional vectors (e.g. Europe) included in a pack updated automatically, then pay for more. Included are CAA Chart 'bitmaps' (i.e. 1/4 or 1/2 mill etc.) which is a major feature if you like to see lots of information on screen to match CAA paper charts & feels very familiar. Since the bitmap is a 'layer', the vector information is on top, and aligns with the airspace lines on the bitmap. (A side advantage is that you can buy & display other scanned maps, such as OS, roadmaps, 'satellite' photo..)
Airfield information: Both let you zoom right in and display detailed plans, including plates from Pooley's (if you buy them) correctly located and sized.
NOTAMS and Weather: Both makes support this, with graphical and text displays of TAFs and METARs.
Route planning: Both allow you to set-up routes using Mk1 finger, rubber banding to insert waypoints, plan and view also the height profile with terrain height and vertical airspace.
Aircraft information: Both accept your aircraft details, fuel capacity & burn, cruising speeds, etc. which can be shown in planning or flight. (Being a flexwinger I didn't look to see if weight and balance calcs supported, but pretty sure SD did have).
Gliding range:  SD could display a continuous update of gliding range using the aircraft glide characteristics, terrain height and wind speed and direction. Personally I think if/when it does go quiet I would prefer to be looking out for landing fields, but can imagine it is of interest when crossing large areas of water...
Flight plans:  SD appears more integrated - they can be submitted and closed directly from SD. Also handles GARs. With RHD you need to set-up another subscription with 'RocketRoute' (free for 10 plans per month), then 'export' the information from RHD to RR.
Platforms: SD runs on Windows, iOS (iPads, iPhone, etc.), Mac OS X, Android.    RHD only runs on iOS (an Android version "this year, but no date".
PC based planning: with SD you simply run SD on the PC and export/synchronise route info.  With RHD run 'FastPlan' (free) & simple to export.
Note: You need a 3G/GPS version iPad, but not a 3G sim card to use the GPS receiver basic in-flight navigation functionality. For 'live' access to NOTAMS and weather you need a data SIM. Or a non 3G/GPS iPad if you buy and connect to a bluetooth external GPS unit.
Pricing:  SD First year £159, then £89 per annum & can download any/all vector maps thereafter. Others, e.g. Pooley's is £25.  
RHD For in-flight use, one 'nav-pack'  e.g. " UK South CAA 500k, with Pooleys including GPS" at £75. Their basic "European Vector inc GPS"  is similar to SD is £50. Additional charts from £20. Airbox offer 20% discount to club members (any club...) who phone in to order.
So what will I go for? RHD I think. Having been using the basic 'Aware' unit for a few years I really like the 'proper' CAA look-alike chart bitmaps for the low and slow bimbling that I generally do.
 
A 1st newsletter from the new UK Rotax UK agent. (BMAA web news).
 
Strip Clearing  - Sunday 1st March - Not one of our better working parties !
The new drainage gully is 150 yards long & the spoil had to be removed for dumping on a low area, but the surface grass once broke through & the tractor sunk in deep up to its belly in soft mud after that. After a long fight digging and filling the ruts with wood we had to give up. I rang a local farmer for help that night & the drama queen was happily heaved out backwards on a long rope  next day by his powerful 4WD tractor.
 
The fat tyred tail wheel Rans S6-116. Since fitting approved 'tundra' tyres and helped by our strip drainage gully & low winter rains she doesn't bog down in its soft grass surface & could be flown once or twice each Winter month (good for the engine too).  A jolly March afternoon flown across & into Richard's hmfc Colemore Common (Hampshire) homewards felt the benefit of a strong tail wind. Climbing to a heady 2,500 ft - maintaining local free airspace - saw 136 mph GPS ground speed - at true ASI 100 achieved at 5,000 rpm. Very bumpy crossing the hills near Hindhead & had to reduce speed, then once more one was forced lower coming closer in to Gatwick's zones.
 
The UK standard safest 'Overhead Join' defined.
On a correctly flown standard join you don't actually fly precisely overhead the airfield, on the CAA graphic the Overhead is in inverted commas:- The Standard "Overhead" Join

A document describing the SERA (new rules of the air) changes applicable to UK. (Sandra, hmfc)
The next BMAA Safety Day is to be held at Fenland Airfield, Lincolnshire on Saturday 30th May 2015. Starting at 1000 hrs and finishing at 1530hrs it will have interesting speakers on microlight related subjects from the RAF, Airprox board, CAA and the BMAA. The day is free to attend  so why not come and improve your flying skills?  If you wish to attend either by flying or driving in please ask via email to pete@bmaa.org.
A really personal Jet a/c (from USA AVWeb article) 
A video tour of Sonex Aircraft's new JSX microjet.  The company's John Monnett gives an inside look at the jet's construction and performance.(but fails to mention speed, perhaps it's about 170 mpg at 13,000 ft, thirsty at UK style low altitude GA).
 
AND published on Oct 17, 2014   SubSonex Personal Jet JSX-2: A video compilation of a series of extensive test flights in late September, 2014. Test pilot: Bob Carlton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHr7Hoe27-c
 
Vince adds: I found  the Sonex jet flight  very  evocative... comes up as splendid full size filming on my screen; very realistic jet flying, interesting  stall buffet  ; trying to hold up that right wing with a bit of aileron.Placarded at 295 IAS. What a brilliant aircraft but it still needed some 2000ft take off  and landing roll. They seemed to say 250 lbs empty, 1000 lbs MTOW.???
 
Winter Flying a Piper Cub at the start of March in Northern Canada (Ulrich Klausing).
We got the Piper back together. Had a wonderful 3.5 hr flight following the frozen lakes and rivers, me flying front seat & Jeremiah behind took the footage with his new Gopro Hero 3 plus. From Lake Laberge we went through the canyon at Long Lake to Livingston at the other side of the Teslin River. Then followed the Teslin back to Hootalinqua  where it merges with the Yukon River. We had a look at that one big Paddelwheeler which they dropped there on an island when the era  of the Sternwheelers had come to an end in the 50 'ties. From there followed the Yukon with almost all open water back to Lake Laberge where I made a brief comfort stop on its ice. I had been down there the day before with the Rans so I was sure the Ice is good. I hope you can open all the movies in the dropbox link. I am just a bit over now with my space after I added the last 2 movies. I  might have to find somebody else to get dropbox to get a bit more space .Will leave them in there for a couple month and than take them out again.
Our Track shown by small red dotted line
 
ROTAX 912 and 914 engines
 
Carb. Floats change for some . SB-912-067 / SB-914-048; SB-912-067UL / SB-914-048UL All 912/914 Carburettor floats covered in this bulletin must be replaced by new "marked" replacement floats, which will be marked with one or two embossed 'dot' markers as shown. Applicable to 'unmarked' floats produced since July 1, 2012. The float part number has not changed. If your 912/914 engine or carburettor is specified - OR you obtained replacement floats after July 1st, 2012 you are eligible to free replacement under Rotax warranty.
 
Waterless coolant formulations (Evans, or others) are NO LONGER APPROVED for use in any 912 or 914 engines equipped with the "New Style" (2013 or later) cylinder heads.
 
Richard Arkell (France) The Vega is progressing. I have just about finished the panel and FF connections with the next major step being a trial assembly with the motor mounted to get a rough idea of how far out the C of G is.
 
UK CAA lighter touches -
 
90 Day Rule for Private Pilots ORS4 No.1087Allows private pilots outside 90-day currency to carry a suitably qualified pilot/passenger to renew it. http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ORS4No1087Corrected.pdf
 
The requirement for microlights to be re-weighed every five years is to be removed.
 
The latest edition of the Southern England & Wales edition of the 1:500,000 chart 2015 (Edition 41) came out 5 March. It has the enormous new Southend airspace – stating not operational until 2nd April.
 
Norwich Airport’s controlled Class D airspace 5,000' upper limit reduced by 1000 ft.
 
Cardiff International Airport has joined the Strasser Scheme.
A British initiative by Charles Strasser a Vice President of AOPA to waive landing fees for GA aircraft for landings which are genuine emergencies, diversions or precautionary procedures.
 
For me new: General World Data base link for recent a/c Accidents 
 
Black Mould attack, 'Wet & Forget progress Report after 2 months from spraying the Rans S6-116 externally   http://www.wetandforget.co.uk/
I pretty well know it takes time after application so a Sunny late Feb day I inspected the a/c and can say with some conviction the black mould has stopped growing. The old black rash hasn't gone but is no worse, implying it's dead, if unsightly.  Considering the absolute need avoid all strong chemicals which weaken the Dacron fabric, that is a good result and the best since trying other means. The inside surfaces are more of a problem e.g. the wings where the fuel tanks lie close to the skin. I am hoping external applications will partly penetrate & kill off that mould too. Repeated application on the Rans is on my 'do' list and I'll also attempt to wash off the mould where accessible. Using it as a preventative on Dacron fabric microlight a/c might be best , before infestation. The UK agent confirms the mould dies 3 to 5 hours after being sprayed. If the a/c is outside wash off the wings in the rain. Inside although the mould is dead, it can't be flushed away. Prevention is always better than cure, especially if the a/c is at risk whilst over winter hangared.
 
Bryan Hoare mentioned a DA40 incident near Shoreham.
I’ve flown this plane on many a flight she flew beautifully. It was the one that made a force landing last Saturday in Sompting whilst on route back to Shoreham after a major engine malfunction. The pilot glided the aircraft safely into a field and not hurt although the aircraft was damaged and 3 sheep were killed ! It highlights the importance of Forced landing training.
 
Proximity Alarm & ADS-B: UK 'Trig Avionics' ref. LAA Magazine March 2015 article (Jon Roper Marketing Mgr.)
“Trig will be taking part in the EVA trials starting in the spring, these will evaluate ADS-B and traffic awareness technology. As an example, traffic reporting works like this, let’s imagine a Piper aircraft is ADS-B Out equipped and a Cessna aircraft is flying in the vicinity, with ADS-B In equipment. The Cessna has the potential to be made aware of the Piper via its onboard ADS-B In traffic system. For the EVA trials we are working on an ADS-B traffic systems that will use the latest technology called TSAA, Traffic Situational Awareness Alerting. This generates an audio, and potentially a visual warning via a suitable display. A warning can be given that will alert the pilot to aircraft position, range and bearing information. TSAA has a good degree of accuracy and lower error reporting than other traffic solutions.”
 
Westonzoyland Scrumpy and Cheese Fly in will be held on 18 July.
No landing or camping fees, refreshments available all day, live band and bar in evening, those that have come along before know its a great day/night - registration page on BMAA website will be open soon.
 
Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine (Jabiru forum)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fo7SmNuUU4
Considered a British icon, the Merlin was one of the most successful aircraft engines of the World War II era.
 
Old RansMails are now on line courtesy Peter Greenrod. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4702449/Ransmails.pdf
Collected Rans S4 & S5 Tips      http://ranss4s5tips.blogspot.co.uk/
Rotax practical owner help    http://www.rotax-owner.com/rotax-forum/index
Rans Aircraft USA site   http://www.rans.com/aircraft/home.html
 
The pdf converting process messed up the Lancaster bomber link last month. Here it is again:
Mike


 
 
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