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Post by Andrew Godden on Sept 25, 2008 7:05:13 GMT -5
All,
Spurred on by the comments from Ed and Smithy, I have decided to go with the longest route. I know this might be daunting for some but it allows the best opportunity to provide a real challenge for both novices and the more experienced pilot. Consequently, the conduct of GAAR 2009 will extend over Feb - Mar 09. Detailed dates and reporting times will be released when the website goes up (approx 01 Dec 08).
Route Information: - total distance - 3575 nm; - 19 Legs (some with sub sectors); - average Leg distance - 188 nm; and - maximum Leg planning distance (including possible diversion due to weather) - 450 nm.
Aircraft consideration: - normal rules regarding eligible aircraft, i.e. any piston or radial engined aircraft that flew in the 1930s to 1950s. - range of at least 450 nm (maximum Leg distance is 345 nm, see last point under Route Information); - fitted with NDB and VOR is ideal; - if not fitted with NDB and VOR, NDB is recommended, otherwise most of the event has to be flown by "dead reckoning"; and - fitted with DME would also be good, but not absolutely necessary.
For those that are keen to get in some practice, DC3 Airways are conducting the World Rally 2008 in Oct 08. Whilst it is only flown in the DC3, it looks like it will provide some great practice in navigation in all sorts of weather. See the post in the "News" Forum for details.
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Post by Allan_Lowson on Sept 25, 2008 17:34:52 GMT -5
I was about to stick a post on asking what sort of kite should we be looking at!
I don't think SWMBO will tolerate anything as slow as a Tiger Moth for this jaunt, something called ebay beckons too frequently - never mind whether it would have the nav gear anyway.
Perhaps I'll look at one of them thar Eemerican piston radial doo-hickees, actually there are a few Hercules and Leonides powered birds from this side of the pond that could tramp along at a reasonable pace.
Eenie, meenie, Halton, Hastings, Brabazon, Concordia, Twinpin.....I can see many otherwise constructive hours being wasted musing on this one.
Talking of Colonial radials, I saw the only Spartan Executive outside the states taking off from Westhampnett on Sunday. I'd spotted it across the field and wondered if the tailplane radial in the distance could be her, and then off she went.
Have to say that Milton Shupes sound file selection is a bit more impressive than the real thing! Well there's another option. Then there's his Beech D-18..and his Howard 500..or the FS Berlin Lockheed 10a...or Jens Lockheed 9.
How about a Wirraway, or an Altair for local flavour?
See what you've started now Andrew!
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Post by Andrew Godden on Sept 25, 2008 19:47:13 GMT -5
Allan,
Regardless of the quandary I have created, I'm sure you will find a suitable aircraft. Shupe's Howard 500 and D-18 are both favourites of mine.
One other consideration that wasn't in my recent post because I haven't finalised the weather conditions, is runway length. Most runways in the area are long enough to support the real world Royal Flying Doctor Service flying King Air's. On recollection, the shortest runway length was about 2700'. This was a secondary runway and at 2700' is probably long enough for any aircraft in the event.
Have fun choosing your "bird".
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Smithy
Member
afl.com.au
Posts: 69
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Post by Smithy on Sept 26, 2008 4:21:28 GMT -5
Great comments so far and expect the convo to increase without doubt. The D180S is a ripper of an amfib and is high on my list of possibilities. I was gonna use it this trip until prompted. Having flown the 'Southern Cross' in '07, I completely over shot the idea of the Altair. What a plane! Looking forward to competing against the likes of the KGB Air Droppers, flying dinosaurs, and various undoubtedly dastardly crew from the Old Dart, not to mention those intrepid bunch from the New World. ps ...dont forget to get practice in with the great arctic adventures and the dc rally!! cheers all
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Dave Evans bgak015
Member
"there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are few old and bold pilots"
Posts: 57
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Post by Dave Evans bgak015 on Sept 26, 2008 15:41:54 GMT -5
After reading the route , eliminated two birds due to range and a little slow and light for some of the weather you have down there,but then stumbled on one I,ve always been curious about and fits everything about right ,the Weastland Lyasander, tough, radial engine,range,needs electical system and radio,low on style points..but pretty is as pretty does..going to fly it a little see how if feels.
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Post by Allan_Lowson on Sept 27, 2008 6:52:38 GMT -5
Right, well first of all apologies if my rambling has introduced confusion into proceedings. Just because I've listed a bunch of radial engined birds, I'm sure that other piston engine types are welcome. Just keep the paraffin burning turbines at bay!
I'd hate to be responsible for eliminating Gipsy Major or Hirth in-lines or anything with Merlin or Argus Vs or Continental flat engines from the field, to name but some other types.
With that Lysander you should be able to land across the runways! A lovely engine note and nice choice for watching the scenery go by too. I'm sure the folk lifted out of French fields in the middle of the night thought it was beautiful.
Mention of Merlins gives me the idea to go off and try out some options on the shortest runway at Biggin on the Bump. Cumbernauld is closer to the min length, but 'tis a drab and dreich corner of God's Own Country.
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Post by johnl on Sept 28, 2008 4:51:19 GMT -5
Having spent 73 hours over the last few months, ferrying a Twinpin from Prestwick to Biak, I'm not sure I'd really be up to coping with one for the GAAR. Of course, the ideal GAAR aircraft is the DHA Drover, but it's been overlooked by MSFS developers of recent years, and I suspect the ol' faithfull FS98 one would not really cut the mustard these days. The Transavia Airtruk (star of "Mad Max III- Beyond Thunderdome") is too slow for this years event. The Dove was thought too frail for outback work, the Rapide is probably a bit too slow (SHAME!), and the bench seating on the Islander and Trislander means that you have to remember to go to the loo before takeoff. The Pembroke is stylish, and the very pretty 4-engined DH91 Albatross should also be able to handle the shortest runways, but I think I might give the Vickers Viking another try at the GAAR.
Also worth considering is a forthcoming Bristol Freighter (and a Heron?) which MIGHT be released in time.
Of course, if someone does come up with a new Drover for FS9...
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Post by hedgerowbackwards on Oct 5, 2008 10:22:41 GMT -5
Please may we have the rules and flight specs ahead of time? I have flown and enjoyed the GAAR in previous years but had to give it a miss in 2008. I can't guarantee to be able to fly on any one particular day and to fly a number of flights in a specific time period just wasn't possible. Its not the reporting that's the problem - it just helps if I can 'bank' flights ahead of time. Best regards and looking forward to 2009.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Oct 5, 2008 18:56:18 GMT -5
Rules, flight specs, etc will all be provided well ahead of time. I am aiming for 01 Dec 08 to have the GAAR 2009 specific website up. As soon as you submit your time for the "Test Flight", your "Target Times" for each leg can be calculated.
One of the main aims of the event is to "have fun", so there will be a degree of flexibility. Even though the event officially runs from Feb through Mar, times can be submitted ahead of the reporting time deadline. However, results will not be posted until after the deadline when all results have been received.
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Post by blindsquirrel2 on Oct 13, 2008 17:18:03 GMT -5
Hi All,
Long time in the wilderness. Propellorovski's vodka I think. Hic....
Andy.
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Dave Evans bgak015
Member
"there are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are few old and bold pilots"
Posts: 57
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Post by Dave Evans bgak015 on Oct 14, 2008 3:42:07 GMT -5
BE CAREFULL BLIND SQUIRREL2 ,its rumored that Propellopovski's Vodka and Zlogg's Kettle brew has been used as alternative jet fuel !!
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Post by katiepipkin on Oct 27, 2008 15:58:42 GMT -5
Hello again, looking forward to competing in my fourth GAAR! Time for me to start trying out planes to see what will suit my needs for this rally.
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Ed Burke
Member
Healthy living is fine, but it's having fun that keeps us going!
Posts: 433
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Post by Ed Burke on Oct 27, 2008 19:41:50 GMT -5
Hi Katie, good to see you around again.
Ed
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Post by katiepipkin on Nov 7, 2008 14:45:50 GMT -5
I am probably going to fly one of the aircraft that was a prerequisite this year when Deer Valley hosted - the Vultee V1A. I've lost the repaint from the rally (computer reformat) but I wanted to steal some aspects of the design for my colour scheme this year. Has anyone out there got the repaint the Deer Valley guys made for that plane?
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Nov 7, 2008 17:45:32 GMT -5
Hi Katie.
Yes I have the folder texture.gaar08 for the FS9 Vultee V1A.
Its 1.4 mb in zipped form.
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