Aviation BS and Photo Thread

I really dig the rans taildraggers.

 

Rotax power. For a PWC? Sure. Under the hood of your sled? Definitely! Not a fan having it under a planes engine cowl though. Maybe it’s because it’s the only engine I’ve had fail me...so far...in a certified aircraft. Clutch came apart at about 200’. Once the clutch material started going through the engine, that was it. Luckily, still had 8000’ of runway in front of me. First flight back online after overhaul, the CDI failed. Luckily, that happened in the circuit, and the pilot doing the test flight was able to glide to a safe landing. That was back in ‘95 though, so whatever QC issues there were at the time have probably been resolved. The other concern I have is, what if I were off strip, or up north on some lake, or just some small airport with no, or limited services, and you have a battery without enough juice to crank, or a bad starter? As far as I remember, the 912, and I assume other Rotax, had to have the crank spun at 400 rpm for light off to happen. No way you’re hand propping that.

Not saying don’t do it. Just one persons, for your consideration, opinion.

 

I’m also not a fan of the lower power, with the Titan 340 you have 180 horses and can cruise around 150 mph, plenty of power for the higher elevation flights, and it can be pulled back to sip fuel at a slower cruise.
Personally I think the 340 makes it a more versatile bird, we don’t have to have the extra power at our home airport (20’ above sea level) but dad wants to fly around the country when he retires in a few years and he’ll utilize the power for takeoffs and cruise with that plan.

Good point about the 400 RPM to light off, I’ll see if he’s aware of that.

 

What happens with your Garmin screen in a complete electrical failure? Good old vacuum instruments for me please.

 

Look out the window

 

Looks like both panels shown have a standby ADI. Should be good for at least and hour off the battery or independent power source. Vacuum pump failures leading to partial panel aren't fun either.

 

I have two Garmin screens that each have 5 hour standby batteries. I removed the vacuum pump and standby vacuum entirely and never looked back!

 

My Niece will go to space for us.

 

I'm not convinced that I won't be afforded the opportunity yet.

Problem is, I'll wanna pilot...dont think they'll let me do that...although Chris Hatfield is close enough to be a neighbour. Mebbe he could give me a good reference.

You must miss ya

 

use the steam gauges.....

 

The vacuum instruments can go. I like the static tube instruments as backup though.

The two planes I'm mostly flying these days. Two G5s with a few backup instruments:

 

My kids came in last weekend for father's day, so I flew them out for breakfast.

 

Some beautiful cinemography in this video.
https://youtu.be/98xT2LAorCk

 

Been following Trent Palmer for a while now.

 

Nice gimbal.

 

Yeah his videos always look good from what I’ve seen

 

Just found out I have a shot at finally getting my Pilot’s License (I’ll be 32 in a month and it’s been a dream since I was a kid) so I wanted to sub to this thread and do some reading.

Howdy

 

Awesome. I’m 36 and just got started with the process too. Have you taken a discovery flight yet?

 

20 year anniversary since I started hang gliding and have lived to tell the tale.. Kidding, it's safe af if you keep current and act like an adult.

Also haven't flown yet this year due to helping my husband finish and sell his home and me being in the middle of renovating my own house. Just so happens it has been the best flying season in a decade. Out-and-back world distance record just set in Owens Valley, multiple world record attempts being done down in TX, New England paragliding record just broke last week (over 100 miles).

Of course it's the year my husband and I take off..

 

Reddit is having a field day with this guy. Not hard to see why. lol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSUXnr4dSo&feature=youtu.be