For those who are not aware

[asra]

I said somewhere that my Gyro would have a full GA panel, wellit would also have one of these pieces of kit below. They workbeautifully.Its similar to what the Air Traffic Controllers have on the ground.The transponder on board sends a signal to their screen with all the info they need to do the job without actually being able to see the aircraft. Well these little on board gadgets do the same thing,they alert you to all of the other traffic around you. It tells you where the traffic is, bearing, height distance etc. Of course some are more expensive than others, it just depends on what you think you need, but they all work.You still need to keep a good lookout, but not all of the traffic is easily seen especially if you are busy. Of course this only works with aircraft fitted with a transponder, which is nearly all GA, but it certainly makes flying more comfortable and safer.I dont think it will be long before all GA aircraft will be requiredto have them fitted.It may even lighten the load with insurance premiums, that would be an area for ASRA to investigate ?Me two cents worth once again.Cheers.Image Insert: 63.98

[asra]

I reserve my comment on this topic (this is a family web site)CheersFrankiejAlways remember you're unique, just like everyone else

[asra]

Well Frank, I have flown in a couple of aircraft fitted with these devises, this year,admittedly tho they were panel mounted models.They work very well detecting aircraft unable to be seen with thenaked eye. I thought at the time that it was like having eyes in the back of my head.I have been in positions where a controller has alerted me to the presence of another aircraft and it has been difficult to see it. I am sure most GA pilots have experienced this.It is generally agreed that Gyro's are hard to see, therefore wemust assume that we are invisible to the others and it is up to usto maintain seperation. This is going to be even more importantin the future when Gyro's become more commercial and more of them are flying in GA airspace.Garmin, for one, make these gadgets that can detect aircraft out to150 nautical miles. That is way more than I would need,10 or 20'lldo me fine. I particularly like these portable models because theycan be transferred from aircraft to aircraft.Now, my Gyro. It will probably be a Firebird. When I say I want aGA panel, I mean just that. You have said, you must: aviate,navigateand communicate. Exactly so ! My panel will have the instruments to do this but importantly to me,it will also have the conventionalnavigation instruments. I would not like to rely on GPS alone.Besides which I like to navigate in the conventional manner, its fun.Reading the chart, looking out the window and knowing where I amgives me alot of pleasure and satisfaction.Why would I need this in my Gyro, well, I would like to fly it crosscountry with a few thousand feet of altitude and have more than justmy eyes working for me.If I had to trailer a Gyro around, I wouldn't be bothered.I would fly to the Nationals in the Gyro wherever they were held.Those flights may be boring to some but not to me or I wouldn't doit !Frank I wouldn't suggest that you do it any other way than your ownbut this woul be mine.Cheers.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[NiqueNaque]

Rob,Note that it only detects aircraft fitted with a transponder, a large number aren't.Cheers,Nick.

[asra]

The following is from the AUF web site.Note that transponders only respond when interrogated by Air traffic control or Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS II).

6.3 Aircraft radar beacon transpondersTransponders are specialised radio devices forming the airborne part of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System [ATCRBS or "at-crabs"]. Transponders respond to a 1030 MHz interrogation pulse, from an Air Traffic Control secondary surveillance radar [SSR], The Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS II), fitted to all Australian RPT aircraft exceeding 30 passenger capability, also send out Mode C interrogation pulses, in the same manner as an SSR

[asra]

That sums it up Ross.I read when the new airspace regs wereannounced last year that mode s transponders were going tobecome mandatory ? Is that still on, I havent checked on any of this lately ? I think I also read that a local bloke was starting tomake a mode s for the ultralight market.Nick, I know. When you fly past places like Kingaroy that has lotsof Glider activity,your head swivells untill it hurts and the olderyou get the further out you need to divert around the areas so as tokeep the sweat of your brow, so to speak !Gyro's are not real quick thingy's and hard to see so I like theidea of having a bit more working for me.GA and todays fast ultalights can come up on you real quickly and I have seen somedickheads flying that really shouldn't be.I particularly like the look of the Ryan 9900BX TAS. It seems tohave a good audible alert, so you dont need to monitor the guage all of the time.Any way, in me old age I think flying should be lots of fun and notall hard work.Cheers.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[asra]

Check it out at: www.ryaninternational.comIt has an interesting interactive demo.This is pretty sophisticated kit and pricey but there areothers on the market possibly more affordable, like the portablemodels that can be moved from aircraft to aircraft.I think that the price is relative.Lets look at Gyro prices. I dont know what the price of the basicFirebird will be, certainly very reasonable, I'm sure.But mine would be specially built with mods. Rotax 114 turbo,custom panel inc. TAS & nav etc, and a few more mods that I would discusswith Paul. Being realistic I dont think I would have much changeout of a hundred grand. Lot of money for a Gyro you say, well, muchcheaper, safer and easier to fly than a Helo and not much slowerthan an R22.Better range too and they ( R22 ) have been flown around Oz.What would you rather fly ?Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[NiqueNaque]

Rob,I'm sure Paul will be keen to assist and it is good to see you're supporting the local bloke.Cheers,Nick.

[Brian]

There will be a lot more "supporting the local bloke" when we get to know more of them, where they are and what they specialize in. The Owen Dull canopy is one that pops to mind straight away, way better than RAF or Sparrow Hawk and I think half as light!! Brian Maloney and Suby engines !!Thats a good product Robert. Strobes are something that more of us should think seriously about, even us who fly out in the bush as I have had a couple of close encounter's with FW and choppers. One event was a twin engined FW who came over the top of me just as I touched down, he was at 200 feet AGL and doing around 140 knots, he came straight over the mob of cattle that the boys had just got settled down as well which was appreciated by all !!Brian

[asra]

I know I've asked before but how about we make a list of the local blokes, so that we can support them?? People have been supplying parts to us for years but we never seem to return the favour for all of us to use them as well.Simply post a name and contact number and what they're good for so that those of us looking for parts, services or whole gyro's can make a choice.But then we could simply let this opportunity pass yet again..... because of apathy or we could start to be proactive for everyone's benefit?Ted

[asra]

TeddIf you go to the attached link under S.A Rotor Craft Inc. "Sourcing Guide" you will find they are right on the ball !!!!!!http://www.sarotor.org./sourcing%20guide.shtmlHope this helpsRegards Sam.

[asra]

BrianI use a rotating orange beacon, and these lights are very visible during daylight( Ecco brand, yes the same as they have on the council trucks). I finds strobes are very difficult to see during the day.I've been running this light for just over 100 hours and have had no issues at all.Ozy also runs a similar set up.The other thing worth considering are some landing lights. I use small 55 watt drivng lights. Ross B

[Brian]

Thanks Ross, Thats interesting to hear your observations re the orange beacon. I havent seen a orange beacon airborne.Landing lights are exremely good value although you have to be nearly pointed at someone for them to see you.Ted, re advertising the local blokes, I'm all for it but I reckon we need to have their consent to do so before going ahead with the idea.Brian

[asra]

Thanks Sam, That's the concept that should be on this site. And rather than SA orientated, it should include all Australian entities that we currently use. Some promotion and some competition. Win Win all around I think.Ted

[asra]

"Simply post a name and contact number and what they're good for"OK Butch 41533356 not much. ha!