JG's Flying Adventures - Australian Outback 1990 - 1998
I started GA training at Caloundra in early 1990, in a Cessna 172. Found the instructors to be arrogant young white shirts with epaulets, not really interested in training, just wanting to build up hours until they could go commercial. Flying wide circuits and long powered approaches, no real skill involved....
Then after 12 hrs of that deadshit boring sort of flying I went to try ultralights and was immediately hooked! Really dedicated instructors and intensive training; they reckoned if your shirt wasn’t sticking to your back then you didn’t get your money’s worth. Always idle power from the start of base leg and aiming at a touchdown spot, so really had to get the feel of descent rates
Nov ’90 - I bought my first aircraft, the Beaver RX28, in Victoria.
Trailered it home to my workshop and started extensive work on it. Changed from the Rotax 227 to a 477 engine. Steerable nosewheel and differential brakes. Small cargo area for lightweight camping gear. Water bag slung underneath. Added extra fuel tanks for long range travel. Two 20 litre jerry cans with quick connect fittings so I could carry them to a service station. So 58 litres altogether, @ 11 litres/hr so 5 hrs endurance for long distance touring. This 95.10 category in Australia allows 300 kg all up weight. The aircraft structure was more than adequate and flight performance with the 447 engine dramatic, a delight to fly! Excellent results!
The great little Beaver, a delight to fly, fully enclosed with room for camping gear. Dec ’93 - Did first flight in the Beaver. Then flew and flew and flew that delightful little aircraft. 1,000 hrs in all. Never a 2-stroke problem.
Sept ’95 - I was ready for extensive travel, so flew it to Birdsville and Back.
Camped at Birdsville Races
Sept ’96 - Flew the Beaver to Birdsville again
Jul ’97 --.Flew the Beaver to the Centre. eagerbeavergoestotherealcentre.blogspot.com
Camped at Central My Stuar
Apr ’98 - Flew the Beaver to Mt Hopeless and the Birdsville track
That's the little pimple named Mt Hopeless