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Post by Andrew Godden on Jan 1, 2009 13:08:11 GMT -5
Lee,
It's nice to know you are keen.
Firstly, the Flight Briefing for Flight Leg 1 does state a 0500 hrs departure (it should be in the pdf or Word document, second page, top, in the heading, just under the GAAR graphic). This flight has been designed to capture the beautiful Northern Territory sunrise.
My estimate of your target flight time to YOEN in the DC3 is about 56.58 minutes. At this pace, the sun is well and truly up and YOEN awaits your arrival.
The Flight Situation File should set the correct date / time for departure as per the Flight Briefing.
I hope this answers your question.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Jan 1, 2009 12:56:49 GMT -5
Lee, In Australia, night VFR is permissable, but I don't want to get too technical. The reference In the Event Briefing (first page of the pdf / Word document) to "...all pilots are deemed to hold a command instrument rating or night VFR rating..." for the purposes of the event relates to this. In Oz we also have what's called Special VFR which allows for a departure clearance when VMC does not exist but provided the flight can be conducted clear of cloud and visibility is not less than 3000 metres. OK, I got a little too carried away there with the detail. I have been preparing a simplified VFR Guide which will be up on the web site later today (Oz time) and it has a link to an official guide put out by CASA (Oz aviation authority). Here's the link. casa.gov.au/pilots/flitgde.htmThis shouldn't be a problem for the GAAR 2009 as there are two dawn (or just on dawn departures) and some late afternoon / dusk flights, but no real night flights.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 31, 2008 19:44:23 GMT -5
All,
The required download file containing the GAAR 2009 - Event & Flight Briefings & Flight Situation Files has been added to the GAAR 2009 web site.
Additional updates to the site will be made progressively throughout today, including the 'Scores' page which will include the 'Target Times for each participant for each Flight Leg.
This will enable those participants who need to fly the event in advance, to plan and commence flying in the next few days.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 31, 2008 2:44:34 GMT -5
I guess it behoves me to follow on behind and pick up the remnants of discarded airframes and remains. As it is, I will probably have to smooth over any indiscretions by rowdy GAAR participants and conduct triage on the relationship with the locals, particularly if it involves the cheese sandwiches.
As for anyone who plans on being shark or crocodile bait, lucky I chose the Grumman HU-16 'Albatross' with a SAR configuration.
BudsBud,
Welcome, and I'm glad you are joining us for the GAAR 2009. As for autopilot, they had to invent for some reason.
To Everyone,
With the New Year now only a bit over 5 hrs away here in Sydney, Australia, can I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year. As for me, I won't be celebrating too much, it seems I made some promises about certain deadlines.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 27, 2008 17:30:33 GMT -5
We hope to be joining GAAR 2009 with a few Cessna's from South Africa.... zsflyers.co.za Confirm this is also a FS9 event? ZSFlyer, FS9 and FSX are both officially supported for the GAAR 2009. In case you haven't seen it yet, more details can be found on the GAAR 2009 web site. There is a link on the Bluegrass Airlines home page.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 23, 2008 6:35:21 GMT -5
All,
As Christmas is nearly upon us, particularly here in Australia, I will be making the pilgrimage from Sydney to Melbourne to see my family for a few days. Even though I work for an airline, I choose to drive the 900 odd km (560 mi for our imperial friends). Consequently, I will be off-line for these few days. At least I won't have to worry about snow drifts and blizzards, just the odd kangaroo or wombat, both of which can be more damaging to your car.
I wish you and your families all the best for this festive season, however you celebrate it, and stay safe.
Oh, and I hope the "big fella" brings you that something special - like a new Saitek yoke and throttle quadrant and rudder pedal combination with an extra throttle quadrant for multi-engine aircraft operations - could come in really handy for the GAAR.
Merry Christmas.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 20, 2008 18:44:14 GMT -5
I have no objection to your making the tanks a bit larger. Several Short Scions made their way to Australia, so they must have added some tankage. Bill, Thanks for clarifying that. I couldn't recall an example of this from past GAARs. I propose to add this to the Rules with the wording something along these lines "...ferry tanks may be fitted to the aircraft provided the total aircraft weight is still within the MTOW limitations of the aircraft and / or the ferry tanks represent a capacity no greater than 10% of the normal fuel capacity of the aircraft...". I hope this is considered reasonable without allowing ridiculous modifications. If anyone else has any views or comments, both positive or negative, please feel welcome to post them. A comment even just confirming the approach is reasonable is welcome.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 19, 2008 17:21:22 GMT -5
Smithy,
Point taken.
As you would be familiar with the GAAR 2007, I have kept to that same simple format for the necessary files. Instructions will be included for the necessary weather files. These instructions already exist for the Test Flight download on the Test Flight page and will be the same for the downloads for the Flight Legs.
The FTime flight timer does need a little more fiddling with panel.cfg file edits. Instructions are included in the zip file, but if you haven't done anything like that before, I can appreciate it can still be daunting. If my memory serves me well, Tom contributed to the Forum in GAAR 2007 to provide more explanation. Between Bill, Tom and myself, I will see if we can dig up that old post.
Otherwise, from my perspective, whatever I can do to help in the interests of others being able to join the GAAR and enjoy the event, I will.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 18, 2008 21:35:47 GMT -5
Is it permissable to fit ferry tanks to GAAR aircraft? - I'm thinking about a Short Scion but it's nominal range is under 400miles and I'm not keen on swimming. The Scion (and many other good things) can be found at www.classicbritishfiles.com. John, I will default to Bill Von Sennet for finer interpretation of the rules on eligible aircraft modifications on this one. The following are some different perspectives of how this can be interpreted: 1. the aircraft had optional external / internal tanks as part of its original design, thereby enabling the fitting of such "ferry" tanks; 2. the aircraft .cfg is modified to simulate a cabin fuel bladder or similar, as known to have been used in defined operational circumstances, e.g. Bell 206 'Kiowa' and Pilatus PC-6 'Porter' aircraft had this capability in some military applications; and 3. the aircraft.cfg is modified to simulate a cabin fuel bladder or similar, for the purposes of making it overcome the range limitations. I would offer a separate observation for consideration of aircraft choice on the basis of cruising speed, Flight Leg distance and potential weather influences. With the Short S.16 Scion (based on a cruise speed of approx 100 kts), this could involve a 3.5 to 4 hr flight time on the longest Flight Leg. Anyway, I know this doesn't answer your specific question and I hope Bill can provide more guidance. I look forward to seeing you in the event.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 16, 2008 17:23:33 GMT -5
Good morning Andrew. From yesterdays post, I deduced that the registration would be open at 5am Eastern US time. So I dragged myself out of bed sometime before 6am, looked out the window to see how much snow we got (less than 1/2 inch) and checked the GAAR_2009 web-site. Sure enough it was ready for my test flight. My registration is in the e-mail. Thanks! Bill, Got it and there is no doubt about you, you haven't lost any speed, as you were the first registration received. I hope you are enjoying just sitting back and watching this GAAR happen without having to worry about the admin side of things for a change.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 16, 2008 17:09:07 GMT -5
Found out about GAAR a few days ago and it seems like a great idea. I had a few thoughts about the aircraft type and originally decided on the Vickers Varsity, a type I flew briefly in the real world many years ago. Then I thought that perhaps more in keeping with the spirit of the event, the Valetta was a more appropriate type, since the RAF must have had a few in Oz during the weapons testing at Maralinga and Woomera. I'm hoping to ferry it across and so far have managed Lyneham (the spiritual home of RAF Transport Command) to Deccimomanu in Sardinia. It also gives me a chance to practice a few landings in this rather chunky taildragger. A request for help. For some reason the VHF nav receivers are giving spurious bearings, although the DME is OK. Has anybody got any thoughts on this, or know if there is a stand-alone receiver and RMI anywhere on the web? Thanks Rattler1, Nice to have you with us. I have a range of the Vickers Varsitys, Valettas, Vikings and Viscounts in my hangar, mostly courtesy of Rick Piper's work. Just wish I had the time to "trot" them out more often than I do. Sorry I can't offer any help on the Nav receivers side of things for the moment. Can you be more specific on the nature of the problem and some of the others might be able to offer some suggestions?
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 16, 2008 16:58:31 GMT -5
Andrew, Thank you and the GAAR team for this great first flight. Sorry for my post earlier. I was just antsy to get started. I do appreciate all the hard work and dedication that you and everyone have put into making this event possible. Harry Nelson Harry, No offence taken and I do respect your comments. After all, I have created an expectation and your anticipation and eagerness is positive feedback for me on what people are thinking about the event, it's format, etc. Furthermore, I'm an "Aussie" and as we say, "It's like water off a ducks back.".
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 16, 2008 3:21:40 GMT -5
All,
And I am now happy to report that the GAAR 2009 web site has been updated and Pilot Registration for the event is indeed officially open.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 16, 2008 3:20:29 GMT -5
All,
And I am now happy to report that the GAAR 2009 web site has been updated and Pilot Registration for the event is indeed officially open.
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Post by Andrew Godden on Dec 15, 2008 20:22:32 GMT -5
Katie,
Welcome back for yet another GAAR.
Another great little video and nice repaint. I hope the GAAR that I have planned delivers to your expectations and you can enjoy and have fun in the Vultee.
See you in the event.
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