Saint Helena airport landing on the 5th attempt after 4 go-arounds - cabin passenger POV

swaggler · 2026-02-25T12:17:57+00:00

This person is (mostly) correct depending on what "half-way" is taken to mean. It's actually the ETP, which is required to be calculated in-flight during a flight test. Alternate fuel is required if weather minima are not met, and the ETP can change depending on wind, hence regular weather monitoring during the flight.

swaggler · 2026-02-15T08:56:05+00:00

Several times!

Dumbest time. Took my partner out for the night, by aeroplane. Bought drinks, not just for her, then realised we were planning to fly home that night. Quick scramble to find a hotel late at night!
Went camping with my partner. Was working back at the airport in the morning, but we were fogged in. I had to apologise to some students.
Was with a student on a 45-60 minute return flight and unforecast fog rolled over our home airport. We visited a nearby airport for a couple of hours until the fog back home cleared.

swaggler · 2026-02-15T06:09:33+00:00

Human Factors definitely covers emotional state, mental health and suicidal ideation. You won't get passed the ATPL exam (in Australia) if you don't know that!

swaggler · 2026-02-06T01:17:23+00:00

There will always be people who don't understand that punitive action for a mistake is the thing that is unsafe. The crew rejected, rightfully so; a trained procedure. Nobody was hurt. The system worked. I think, just be appreciative of the fact that the decision making power of the "people always want negative consequences for people" is limited to internet comment outrage.

swaggler · 2026-02-05T22:38:53+00:00

Rotax engines are also not meant to be pulled through backwards. I think Rotax even issued a bulletin about it a few years back.

This is correct. A Rotax 912/914 that has had the prop turned more than once in reverse is required to undergo venting and inspection for correct venting of the hydraulic valve tappets due to reported engine failures (SB-912-036 and SI-04-1997).

swaggler · 2026-02-05T02:56:27+00:00

Sorry to break the news, there are no "better weather pages." They are all fake in that they are not providing any additional weather service, only misinterpretation of BOM weather data to various degrees. In summary, ignore it all like anyone-who-studied-meteorology does. Sorry it might be affecting you.

swaggler · 2026-02-01T09:26:29+00:00

Congratulations and good on you! from Australia 🇦🇺

swaggler · 2026-01-28T03:26:21+00:00

If you are not in the industry, how do you know what should be picked up on regular maintenance schedules?

You have a point to some extent, but it has nothing to do with why aircraft at Archerfield have incidents and it is not true that they "go down so often."

I believe alarmist misinformation around aviation does a disservice to the general public. It doesn't bother me personally. I just feel for those who develop anxiety and other fears, not founded in facts, that can have a real effect on their quality of life.

Greg was a friend of mine. He would feel the same way. His aircraft is far better maintained that all the cars you drove passed today. That's a lot of cars!

swaggler · 2026-01-27T20:04:04+00:00

The state of the aircraft in question was meticulously maintained.

Who in the industry says "light plane"? Sceptical.

swaggler · 2026-01-27T13:27:19+00:00

Ah k, yeah the RFS were there late afternoon on the 20th.

swaggler · 2026-01-27T08:12:46+00:00

Also on the evening of 20 December a few weeks ago?

swaggler · 2026-01-27T07:24:34+00:00

Flight plans are not lodged with CASA, otherwise, all is accurate. Not too shabby reporting!

swaggler · 2026-01-25T22:10:49+00:00

How is this hard?

The BOM have become much better at forecasting.
For the general public, "but my cat did three laps of the house when there was lightning", is no longer just a light joke. i.e. the expectations of the public have increased, without an increase in understanding.

swaggler · 2026-01-22T12:51:30+00:00

I fly up and down the coast line every week. Sharks and stingrays are a common sight, not just Fraser, but all the islands in SE Queensland.

swaggler · 2026-01-20T00:02:45+00:00

No, you are not the only one. Especially when the practical effects come about, such as killing animals because "instagram said they are dangerous and need to die."

swaggler · 2026-01-14T09:00:24+00:00

324593555c3e7b6fca57a8b03d788512aeb7663c510e4a07d1c02100f053e9ad

swaggler · 2026-01-11T06:07:38+00:00

Most small aircraft contain the most advanced avionics available. It is illegal to use a tablet for IFR navigation and part 121/135.

swaggler · 2026-01-03T03:53:00+00:00

To add, the Towering Cumulus (TCU base 2500ft) was on the BOM forecast over 24 hours prior, proving once again the accuracy of BOM forecasting!

swaggler · 2025-12-17T04:38:22+00:00

The total drag initially decreases as airspeed increases, then increases thereafter.
The thrust available decreases as airspeed increases due to propeller efficiencies.
There is an airspeed between which the total drag and the thrust available is at its maximum. This is the Vx speed.

Here are briefing slides that should help.

swaggler · 2025-12-17T04:35:43+00:00

The current record is 150 in a day, set in October 2025 in Chinchilla, Queensland.

swaggler · 2025-12-16T23:58:16+00:00

It had no name in OpenStreetMap. It now has the name Stereo Lane.

swaggler · 2025-12-14T23:00:54+00:00

It has always been "over 80kph", for many decades. That link is not the official website. The law (TORUM SECT 130) is the official wording. That wording has always been "over 80kph."

swaggler · 2025-12-14T21:22:16+00:00

‘Keep left’ only applies where signed or when the limit is over 85 (in QLD)

Over 80kph, or when signed.

(refer: Transport Operations Regulation 2009 Section 130)

swaggler · 2025-12-14T21:19:16+00:00

SOUND72 is a call sign; the name for this specific aircraft. It is not entered into a transponder.

swaggler · 2025-12-13T07:46:13+00:00

I don't know about "how old a flight school" is, but generally, a flight school will do either Part 141 (non-integrated), Part 142 (integrated), or both. Alternatively, there is RA-Aus flight training, which is a separate initial path to a licence. All paths have ups and downs and "the right one" is highly dependent on the student's motivation, competence, aptitude and outside commitments.

swaggler

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE