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Going RAA from GA

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TOPIC: Going RAA from GA

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#6549

brettkp

Senior Boarder

Posts: 68

Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've asked a question on here, so I figured now's a good time

I've had my PPL for 2 years (had my first BFR last weekend). In that time I've flown less than 40 hours due to the cost. I absolutely love flying the 172, but am thinking if I want to fly more, then maybe I should look at RAA. I'm not heading to CPL, I'm just flying for the fun of it. So my questions are:

1) From what I have found I can log both RAA and GA time in the same logbook?
2) Is getting an RAA license as simple as coughing up the $$ for the RAA membership and doing 5 hours instruction in an RAA aircraft?
3) If I go down this path I'll still keep flying GA where I can, but is there anything that a PPL holder can't do in RAA that they can in GA? Obviously there's the limits around aircraft type, but I'm thinking more operationally.
4) Can anyone share their experience in going from GA to RAA?
5) Can anyone recommend a school near Adelaide for the training? I think Forsyth no longer does it now (Bas, I guess you'll know the answer to that?)?
6) Is there any aircraft I should look to learn in, or avoid? I'm thinking a Jabiru might be nice as it's a high wing which I prefer.

Looking forward to hearing people's thoughts on this...

Thanks,
Brett

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#6550

Evo

Fresh Boarder

Posts: 14

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago

brettkp wrote:

1) From what I have found I can log both RAA and GA time in the same logbook?
2) Is getting an RAA license as simple as coughing up the $$ for the RAA membership and doing 5 hours instruction in an RAA aircraft?
3) If I go down this path I'll still keep flying GA where I can, but is there anything that a PPL holder can't do in RAA that they can in GA? Obviously there's the limits around aircraft type, but I'm thinking more operationally.
4) Can anyone share their experience in going from GA to RAA?
5) Can anyone recommend a school near Adelaide for the training? I think Forsyth no longer does it now (Bas, I guess you'll know the answer to that?)?
6) Is there any aircraft I should look to learn in, or avoid? I'm thinking a Jabiru might be nice as it's a high wing which I prefer.

Hey Brett,

I just received my RA-Aus certificate (although it was from scratch), so I hope I can answer at least some of the questions...

1) You can log either in the same logbook - it's all aeronautical experience!
2) Yes, at the moment it costs $160 per annum for membership with RA-Aus (includes licence fees and third party insurance) I also think this may go up to about $180 soon.
3) Flying a RA-Aus registered aircraft, you'll be bound by the rules and regs of RA (only one passenger, must not exceed MTOW, etc) However, if you are a fully qualified PPL holder, RA-Aus will recognise it and qualify you for High performance, passenger, cross country, and controlled airspace.

I fly the Jabiru J-160 and really like it. I did a TIF in a C152 before starting my flying training in the Jab. While I like the Cessna, the Jabiru feels like a sports car by comparison. Faster, lighter, more responsive - but be lazy and it will bite you on the rear!

There are now lots of RA aircraft that are fantastic for various reasons. One of the biggest change GA pilots find is to the Jabiru's centrally mounted control stick. Flying in the left hand seat, you'll be using opposite hands to what you may be used to (throttle in left hand, stick in the right).

Also, have a look at Foxbat, Evektor, Sonex, Morgan, Tecnam, etc.

Hope that helps a little.

Cheers,

Evan

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#6551

aussiefan

Expert Boarder

Posts: 95

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago
Forsyth's RAA aircraft is still being repaired and I am not sure they have any instructors anymore? Aldinga have a big fleet and I believe there is a RAA school at Port Pirie. Also at Murray Bridge there are a few.

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#6552

FlygirlTam

Expert Boarder

Posts: 113

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago
Dave Forsyth would point you in the right direction,in Adelaide and he also works closley with Murray Bridge. However I dont beleive that Dave is instructing RA anymore, he has 4 instructors there, so maybe worth checking. If you hold a current PPL I would think that it would be fairly easy to converert to an RAA licence.

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Last Edit: 2011/05/22 00:57 By FlygirlTam.

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#6553

Air Pig

Senior Boarder

Posts: 45

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago

Brett,
I recommend RAA for anytime you don't have more than one passenger. For the same airspeed most RA craft are 30% cheaper and with longer range than some GA.

I agree that a Jab will bite you on the bum if you don't pay attention.
The difference i find is that the lighter planes can be pushed around by the wind alot more, and secondary effects during a turn are more pronounced.
Therefore your rudder control and keeping the balance ball centered skills will more than likely need improvement.

The other aspect with the Jabiru is that the fuel is taken from both tanks, so if you fly asymmetric for an extended period of time, you'll take all your fuel from one tank.

I did 40 hours on J160 before moving to a warrior. It felt like it had an autopilot! Whenever i get back in the Jabiru I notice the higher workload, but after a while you just improve.

The annual subscription gives good insurance and a magazine afew times per year.

Get in on the trend - RA!

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#6554

brettkp

Senior Boarder

Posts: 68

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago
Thanks everyone. My biggest issue I think would be the turbulence. My stomach just doesn't like it. I learnt in Grobs and they were good at getting blown around. Still for the saving, it's worth me getting used to it I think. I'm thinking I might look out at Murray Bridge as I think there's a few places out there. Cheers, Brett

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#6561

Lsalt

Senior Boarder

Posts: 53

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago

I did my RAA after many years of holding a PPL.

Although my intention was never to move across from GA, rather saw it as a chance to try another style of flying.

I think from memory they signed me off after 6 hours or so.
Did it in a Jab, I must admit I was really surprised by its capabilities its a quite a good aircraft really efficient.

Logged my RAA time in a separate logbook as the school seemed to prefer it that way.

As for the turbulence I was not keen on flying it on windy days. I could really feel the difference between it and say a warrior in that regard.

Having said this , the experienced RAA guys were heading out in conditions that had the local GA flying school cancel all their flights, so they are capable in the right hands.

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#6588

brettkp

Senior Boarder

Posts: 68

Re: Going RAA from GA 1 Year ago
Thanks again everyone! This sounds more and more like something I should do. Flying for 1/2-2/3 the cost has to be an advantage! With regards to flight plans and sartimes, can you still do that via the Airservices website like you would as a PPL? Brett

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#6592

baswell

Expert Boarder

Posts: 120

Re: Going RAA from GA 12 Months ago

SportStar 4467 is well and truly repaired, but I took it off line. So no more RA-Aus at Parafield, it wasn't really working out financially for anyone involved. I moved it to Gawler and am now looking for partners in it!

To answer your question about "where": Gawler has Jabirus dual or hire for $100. (The instructors are volunteers, but I do think you need to cough up the $400/year membership fee.)

Murray Bridge has two schools with a choice of aircraft. Google Recreational Pilots Academy or Murray Bridge Light Aircraft Flying School.

And of course there is Aldinga, where you do pay a premium for the new SportStars and very professional (GA) instructors.

Go for it mate, you'll love it. Have you flown the SportStar? I need to head down from Gawler to Goolwa on Sunday morning to do my BFR there. You are welcome to join me! Just let me know.

(As I am doing my BFR there, there is of course no guarantee I can fly you back too!)

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#6593

baswell

Expert Boarder

Posts: 120

Re: Going RAA from GA 12 Months ago
brettkp wrote: With regards to flight plans and sartimes, can you still do that via the Airservices website like you would as a PPL? Absolutely, AsA doesn't care who you are, all services are available to anyone; it is up to you to decide if you are allowed to fly where, when and how you want to.

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Last Edit: 2011/05/25 05:34 By baswell.

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