vdV from Melbourne

Hi, vdV! Sorry to hear about the lightning strike to your house. Was there damage to the house, or just electronic equipment/computers? Hope all is well and no injury to your family!

Cool photos vdV.
It's amazing how concealed the jet engines are!

I am so sorry to hear that your house was struck by lightening, not a nice experience. It happened here last March, the computers, reticulation controllers, bore pump and telephone were completely useless. We thought we had got off lightly until recently when small things started happening, dishwasher.s brains scrambled out of the blue, chlorinator ditto and so on, the tizzy wallah says it is a delayed reaction to the lightening. Now we have signed off on the insurance we can't claim. All I mean to say is check everything even if it looks OK.

Hi vdV, I have just browsed through your gallery and you have some fine photos there. I was curious though, about the registration number on the aircraft. Is it on the Australian register or am I just hopelessly out of date?

I've just had another slow look at your photos. That's a really neat instrument panel, speed's a bit slow for me though. I guess it was taken during your flight down from Bundy. It looks like a lovely aeroplane, good for instruction. Is it cleared for aeros?

Sorry to hear about you computers. Ironically, a large CB has just passed over our house but I took the precaution of unplugging the pooters. There's not a lot you can do if you receive a direct hit though. I've been hit quite a few times in an aircraft without any serious damage. The worst hits were on the radome which delaminated and the radar died - just when you need it most!

Sorry I missed you in the Chatroom but I was busy composing a fairly important email to my son in Germany. I'm off to bed now. I hope everything returns to normal quickly.

so glad to see you posting again. Hows all the repair work going at home, all done?

Umm thats one great looking "bird" you have there, hehe.
Think its also time we tried to catch up again, will have to get in touch and organise something soon.
Glad to have ya back Steve.

Good morning vdV, I have a couple more questions.
Looking at the winglets I would think that the stall is fairly docile, is that the case?
The instrument layout looks like an Option 5?
I would think that the high wing would allow you to use a 'wing down' technique in crosswind landings - is that what you teach?
It looks like the wing bracing would allow it to perform aeros and I am not surprised that it has been tested to 13g. I realise that aeros are not the be all and end all of aviation and that most students have enough trouble with S&L flight, but my view is that is does the soul good to look at the world the other way round occasionally.
My overall assessment is that the Jabiru is a very attractive aircraft and if its performance lives up to its good looks it should be a winner.

Damn, I forgot to ask - do you teach spins or do you just take it to the incipient stage and teach the stud how to keep out of trouble that way?

Do you know vdV I had thought a Jabiru was a car until I came over to see your photographs, silly me. Wonderful aircraft, do you teach flying there?

dvD, thanks ever so much for your comprehensive answers to my queries. I am really impressed with your aircraft.
On the subject of spins, I used to instruct on the Winjeel and it had two distinct types of spin. The first was called an 'Unstable Spin' and was in the nature of a spiral dive, relatively low nose angle and the speed increasing gradually with each turn, But it was a genuine spin, fairly easy to induce and with a relatively easy recovery.
The second version was called a 'Stable Spin'. As the spin wound up the aircraft settled in to a flat spin which flattened with every turn and the airspeed slowly reduced. It was difficult to get in to and the recovery was equally difficult - becoming more so with each turn. It was induced with out-spin aileron at the point of stall and was particularly dangerous if allowed to develop.
Students were taught the unstable spin and practised them solo. Spins were included in each General Handling test. However, students were not permitted to do the Stable Spin, it could only be demonstrated by the instructor and I don't think any of us were game enough to allow it to develop past two or three turns. It required two hands to recover whereas the unstable spin would recover itself if you took your hands off the controls.
The joys of flying instruction!

hehe.. good thing I am away that weekend in the caravan.. so unable to come anyway..

What a wonderful hobby to have. It must be pure pleasure to be able to fly. Not sure about the spins though that Ian mentions!

I'm NOT a big fan of spins (or any aerobatics for that matter) andré and Ian! 2G is enough for me.

glad that you dont include the spin part in the lesson..flat or spiral or whatever the spin doesnt sound too good..

vdV, I don't know if you have caught up with the fact that I am coming down to Melbourne in March. I would like to have an opportunity to say hello while I am down there. Angie is trying to organise a meeting of the Melb Sudokuists and maybe you will be able to attend?

Steve, Angie is organising the function so I suggest you keep in touch with her. We are in her hands. I really look forward to meeting you.

vdV, thanks, but I think he takes after his mother.

vdV, thanks for dropping into my gallery, glad you enjoyed my pics. if ever you're in my neck of the woods and have a spare seat....

vdV, Thanks ever so much for a most wonderful flight today. I really enjoyed myself more than I have in a long time. I love your little aircraft, it is very suitable for the job of instruction and I would think that it would be most comfortable for long flights. I'll be back in Sydney in a coupe of days and will be able to chat some more. ( I'm sorry I used your real name on easy today but I just wasn't thinking.)

vdV I have put on my YouTube a video of some of the Flight Deck procedures for the C 130 Hercules. Some of the presentation is a bit corny but it gives you an idea of my world when I was flying.

I should add a couple of things - firstly, this is a simulator presentation and we normally started the engines 3, 4, 2, 1 (where Number 1 is the outer left and Number 4 is the outer right engine). There were good reasons for doing it this way but the explanation is a bit lengthy.
Secondly, you might notice that the switches on the electrical and fuel panels have a line painted through them. This means that when the switch is ON, the line links up with other lines on the panel so you can see at a glance where the fuel is coming from and where it is going to - a neat design concept.

Glad you dropped by to say 'Hi' in Sudokuland, it gave me the chance to come and say hello to you.

Thanks for the note. I have left a few comments on your photos.
Cheers

vdV: You may want to check out the photo I posted yesterday of a Helicopter Rescue in Afghanistan. Kudos to pilots and their courage and skill.

It is posted in my Gallery.

Hope you get your computer back up and working soon.

Yes vdV, it looks like some of them took me seriously.

Earth control to Major Tong?
Was good chatting tonight, hope we can catch up while I am down in Melb. Anti-clockwise is Anti-cyclone is that right?

Hi vdV, you are a real tease.Telling me you're flying about then telling me you gave no MT seat. I hope you gave a very enjoyable trip to and on Flinders Is.

An invitation to celebrate the visit to Melbourne of
Broni from Brissie

WHO: Any Sudokuists and their family who happen to be in Melbourne at the time!

WHEN: Saturday 31st May 2008 12pm

WHAT: A Buffet lunch
(BYO a fav soup, casserole or curry etc. Some food and accompaniments provided)

WHERE: At my place
(Details will be provided upon confirmation)

HOW: RSVP on my page by Wed 28th May

Dear vdV,
Thank you for your support while I have been ill. I never expected such a response from this site, everyone’s concern and caring has overwhelmed me. I can only say that it is the genuine people here who make this a very unique place to share our hopes, dreams, ups and downs. So thank you for being there.
Broni

Thank you Steve for making my birthday a special one.
Many sudoku friends from around the world coming to visit me and wishing me a Happy Birthday have overwhelmed me.
My Husband and sons took me out to dinner to a Chinese Restaurant, and on the Sunday, we had a delicious Roast Dinner at MIL’s.

Oh, Steve, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I was writing a private message and your words at the top of the page weren't there when I started.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear father.
Anne xx

Steve, I am so very sorry to hear that your father lost his battle.
May he rest in peace.
My loving thoughts to you and all your family.
May the next few days go easily for you.
With the tears, let there be laughter.
Gail
xoxo

Steve, sorry to hear about your dad.
my deepest condolances to you and your family, your mum and your siblings.

RIP OPA

Steve, Anne was emailing back and forth with me when you posted your message, and she let me know of your loss. I am so very sad to hear of your Dad's passing. My toughts are with you.

Steve, what a beautiful poem by Mikayla. So sorry to hear about your Dad, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Steve
Our Deepest Sympathy to you and your lovely family. Our thoughts are with you all.
Angie & Bruce
XX

Dear Steve,
I was so sorry to hear about your father. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Jane

The love you feel for your father is so apparent in what you have written, Steve. He must have been a very special man, and very important in your life. Love and prayers for you and your family.
Judy