Recent content by djpacro

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia specifies weights in kg and moments in mm for aircraft. https://www.casa.gov.au/search-centre/manuals-and-handbooks/weight-control-aircraft#Download ICAO has kg as a mass. They also specify kg for cargo capacity and fuel capacity. They talk about...

I owned (half share) an Airtourer 100 back in the '70s. Been a while since I've flown that model and I much prefer the later models with 150 hp - with only 100 hp I suggest that it is only suitable for low density altitudes. Lots of information at...

I flew that for the roll rate challenge on Facebook a while back. You can see the technique I used and airspeed. I have attached the roll rate summary chart for info. Seems that my old '79 Standard Decathlon (wood spar wings) is a bit slower SAE TP 700222 Loading Conditions Measured During...

I was discussing this general subject with an ex-military pilot who does a bit of civilian instruction and he commented on the big difference - the military requires study of the aircraft systems and emergency procedures etc before they get near the airplane. I encourage that too...

Mine already had EI sensors so logical to stick with the same brand but you could consider the same gear that is now fitted by ACA. We made a new instrument panel section as the holes were totally different. I'm very happy with the MVP-50P although I considered a pair of the CGR-30P and I'm sure...

I've also had excellent support from the guys at EI. I bought my 2007 Super Decathlon second-hand - it was originally fitted with EI gauges at the factory and still had a few bugs when I bought it in 2012 - they helped me identify the problems so easily. A couple of years ago I upgraded to an...

Early versions of FAR 23 required airspeed markings and limitations to be in CAS. For that 1975 M model C-172 the POH should state the required airspeed markings - how does that compare with what is on the ASI?

From Lycoming's Aerobatic Engines Operating Manual: "Maintain mixture control in "Full Rich" position for rated take-off, climb and maximum cruise powers (above approximately 75%). However, during take-from high elevation airport or during climb, roughness or loss of power may result from...

Pretty standard to use permanent ballast per page 7-8 of https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-1.pdf with the usual paperwork for a minor mod. My experience of universities is that most of the staff would know diddly squat about this.

Easy enough for an inexperienced Pitts pilot doing a hammerhead as they tend to give it a lot of aileron and forward stick at the same time as they hit the rudder - if too early on the rudder it will quickly enter an inverted spin going flat. (I have quite a bit of time instructing in Pitts and...

I hadn't heard of that before so a surprise, can you expand on that please? I'm aware of Bill Finagin and his use of that in a Pitts. Incidentally, not all with a Pitts in the name recover using BM - my friend's Wolf Pitts Pro for one.

Yep, we occasionally have a brown snake visit the judging line at an aerobatic contest - we move. (1) Aerobatics Australia | Facebook scroll down to 4th Feb

Suggest Chapter 4 of the Airplane Flying Handbook starting at page 4-17 "Upset Prevention and Recovery .... As discussed at the beginning of this chapter, the term “upset” is inclusive of unusual attitudes."

To add to what others have said: I tell my students - check that the nose is above the horizon when wings are level, inverted half way through, if not then move the stick forward to flatten it out.

I don't like the way either of them spin. An Airtourer T-6 seems to be the best value between them. For the price of a CT-4E one could have a very nice tourer and an extremely good aerobatic airplane.