Ahhhh Austerrrrrrrrrr (Merged)
Join Date: Dec 2001
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L n S
Yes I know RF quite well. It used to be based at EMA, where I worked for many years. I think it arrived the same year as I did (1981). Always seemed to be a bit of a fixture around the place.
It was kept in the Flying Club hangar, so I have sat in it a couple of times.
The chap who is converting me to fly my Aiglet used to do the C of A renewal air tests. I know he has looped it and rolled it, but he says you tend to run out of sky quite quickly
Has a bit of history to, which I am sure you already know.
Yes I know RF quite well. It used to be based at EMA, where I worked for many years. I think it arrived the same year as I did (1981). Always seemed to be a bit of a fixture around the place.
It was kept in the Flying Club hangar, so I have sat in it a couple of times.
The chap who is converting me to fly my Aiglet used to do the C of A renewal air tests. I know he has looped it and rolled it, but he says you tend to run out of sky quite quickly
Has a bit of history to, which I am sure you already know.
Thread Starter
Vick V G Chris told me some of it; she's ex-India, owned by a famous female ATA pilot (he couldn't remember her name) who called her Grey Lady and used her for air racing. Subsequently owned by the head of maintenance for an airline (whose name I can't remember) for decades.
My only real concern is the lack of the oil ring mod as this does make the oil consumption horrendous, she leaks a bit as well from the pics I've seen. Chris is going to sort these soon though and as he's on a constant search for a project he'll get them done asap I'd imagine.
Still, it all depends on the flying qualities and I will be sorry to see AM go.
My only real concern is the lack of the oil ring mod as this does make the oil consumption horrendous, she leaks a bit as well from the pics I've seen. Chris is going to sort these soon though and as he's on a constant search for a project he'll get them done asap I'd imagine.
Still, it all depends on the flying qualities and I will be sorry to see AM go.
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The lady's name was Diana Barnato-Walker. She has written a book called ''Spreading My Wings'' which is a very good read.
There is a couple of pictures of RF in it when it was being handed over to her when it was new.
The answer to the other question was British Midland.
It was owned by a chap called Tony Topps, who bought it off Ron Neal....... small world isn't it!
There is a couple of pictures of RF in it when it was being handed over to her when it was new.
The answer to the other question was British Midland.
It was owned by a chap called Tony Topps, who bought it off Ron Neal....... small world isn't it!
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info Vick V G. I'll look out for the book.
If I do get RF and embark on aerobatics I'll start off with as much sky below me as I can manage!
If I do get RF and embark on aerobatics I'll start off with as much sky below me as I can manage!
Join Date: Mar 2002
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How much for a new spring set, £ 600 surely a mistake.
I always thought it was only the early taylorcrafts that had 1 1/2" springs. You can pick up new sets (3 piece) for these from the states for £ 56-00 plus shipping.
I always thought it was only the early taylorcrafts that had 1 1/2" springs. You can pick up new sets (3 piece) for these from the states for £ 56-00 plus shipping.
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OK I have been spreading some duff gen about these tailwheels 
I have just checked my doc's and my Auster had a new spring and tailwheel (non-steerable) from the well known purveyor of Auster spares near Newark three years ago, unfortunately I don't have the receipt. Don't no where I got the idea from that it was £600, I think its old age setting in!
Right the Scott type comes to fit 1-3/4 spring as standard, if your Auster is fitted with another size you will need to buy an adapter. The cheapest I have seen the tailwheel assy for is $800, with another $75 for the adapter if required.
Finally, the Maule type as supplied from that well-known light aircraft spares supplier in the West Country, comes in two types. The first one is fitted with a 8'' pneumatic wheel, OK if you have a Husky, and the second one is fitted with a 6-1/2 solid tyre which I would say would be the right one for J/1's and J/5's and the like. It comes complete with the connector springs. You can get them to fit either 1-1/4'' or 1-1/2'' spring. They are all just over £200 plus VAT, which I think is pretty good.
I have just checked my doc's and my Auster had a new spring and tailwheel (non-steerable) from the well known purveyor of Auster spares near Newark three years ago, unfortunately I don't have the receipt. Don't no where I got the idea from that it was £600, I think its old age setting in!
Right the Scott type comes to fit 1-3/4 spring as standard, if your Auster is fitted with another size you will need to buy an adapter. The cheapest I have seen the tailwheel assy for is $800, with another $75 for the adapter if required.
Finally, the Maule type as supplied from that well-known light aircraft spares supplier in the West Country, comes in two types. The first one is fitted with a 8'' pneumatic wheel, OK if you have a Husky, and the second one is fitted with a 6-1/2 solid tyre which I would say would be the right one for J/1's and J/5's and the like. It comes complete with the connector springs. You can get them to fit either 1-1/4'' or 1-1/2'' spring. They are all just over £200 plus VAT, which I think is pretty good.
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Just been reading the article in a well knows aircraft magazine about re-covering an Auster... Just wondered (more out of curiosity than anything else), what does is cost to have someone re cover an Auster for you?
Many thanks
Grob Driver
Many thanks
Grob Driver
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Grob Driver
I enjoyed reading the article you are refering to
Ball park I would guess at about £4000. Spoke to a chap who recovers wings and he said that he could do them for about £1800 labour plus about £400- £500 materials.
For this they would recover a stripped set of wings and finish in silver dope. The guys who do the work were retired so the work is done on a semi commercial basis.
Have you had any look finding an AOP 9?
Just put some pictures of my Auster on the net if you are interested.
I enjoyed reading the article you are refering to
Ball park I would guess at about £4000. Spoke to a chap who recovers wings and he said that he could do them for about £1800 labour plus about £400- £500 materials.
For this they would recover a stripped set of wings and finish in silver dope. The guys who do the work were retired so the work is done on a semi commercial basis.
Have you had any look finding an AOP 9?
Just put some pictures of my Auster on the net if you are interested.
Thread Starter
Nice picture of your Auster Vick V G, nice paint scheme.
The article about recovering an Auster was very interesting, it did seem(!!!) to be realtively easy as long as the rules were obeyed. Maybe one day I'll get my friendly engineer to show me how to do it.
The article about recovering an Auster was very interesting, it did seem(!!!) to be realtively easy as long as the rules were obeyed. Maybe one day I'll get my friendly engineer to show me how to do it.
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Chivenor Austers.
Skylark4-Your experience would have been with Maurice Looker who run North Devon Air Services t/a The Puffin Aero club/Devonair,he used to fly ad hoc flights over to the Lundy Isles in G-AJXC an Avco Lycoming ( modified from an industrial engine ) Auster 5.
He once ditched another Auster G-AJEA into the Bristol Channel when the engine failed,both himself and his passenger were picked up by a passing ship,one of the few people to land an Auster on water and survive by the way !
Devonair also had two Miles Aerovans G-AILM & G-AJOG which were intended for the Lundy operations but never really used apart from when some R.A.F officers were invited to cull the deer on Lundy,they all piled into the Aerovan with guns and ammo to do the job,what a sight seeing one of these landing on Lundy ! but getting away from our beloved Auster,I rebuilt G-AJXC whilst working at Devonair 1959 remember well we used to start her by feeding the cables from the trolly hack through a cut out in the perspex cockpit,someone held the leads in place while Maurice shouted 'clear prop' then fumbling from the back out again,heady happy days these were.
Maurice went to work for the West London aero club at White Waltham as CFI,he still lives in Maidenhead,what stories that man must have of his career both in the R.A.F and civvy street.
Wonder what happened to my old Auster G-AJXC ?
He once ditched another Auster G-AJEA into the Bristol Channel when the engine failed,both himself and his passenger were picked up by a passing ship,one of the few people to land an Auster on water and survive by the way !
Devonair also had two Miles Aerovans G-AILM & G-AJOG which were intended for the Lundy operations but never really used apart from when some R.A.F officers were invited to cull the deer on Lundy,they all piled into the Aerovan with guns and ammo to do the job,what a sight seeing one of these landing on Lundy ! but getting away from our beloved Auster,I rebuilt G-AJXC whilst working at Devonair 1959 remember well we used to start her by feeding the cables from the trolly hack through a cut out in the perspex cockpit,someone held the leads in place while Maurice shouted 'clear prop' then fumbling from the back out again,heady happy days these were.
Maurice went to work for the West London aero club at White Waltham as CFI,he still lives in Maidenhead,what stories that man must have of his career both in the R.A.F and civvy street.
Wonder what happened to my old Auster G-AJXC ?
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Auster G-AJXC
sOB
Thanks Aerohack,what a great shame as she was a real workhorse,perhaps the skills of Mr Neale at Leicester could put her back into the air again ? not beyond a possibility as you can do almost anything with steel tube and fabric.
A few Austers have been lost in gales over the years.
Thanks Aerohack,what a great shame as she was a real workhorse,perhaps the skills of Mr Neale at Leicester could put her back into the air again ? not beyond a possibility as you can do almost anything with steel tube and fabric.A few Austers have been lost in gales over the years.
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It's just one of those decisions. I run a small business with my wife and time is just the only thing we cannot create. (god knows what will happen when we have kids)
So it came down to getting rid of some toys or the wife.
Sadly like so many, will be giving up on flying lock stock and barrel, will be selling everthing else on eBay.
So it came down to getting rid of some toys or the wife.
Sadly like so many, will be giving up on flying lock stock and barrel, will be selling everthing else on eBay.
Thread Starter
Tough decision OD but after all is said and done, flying is a hobby and other things do take priority. Eventually!
Maybe see you in Popham some day?
Maybe see you in Popham some day?
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Auster’s and their engines!
Hello.
I could post this in the Auster section of the forum, but I don’t want it to get lost in amongst all the posts!
I was hoping to fund an AOP 9 but after a lot of looking and a fair amount of research, I’ve decided that it’s not the best Auster for me! So, I’m looking at something like an Auster 5 or AOP 5. However depending on who you talk to determines what advice you get. I was told to avoid Gypsy Major aircraft on the fact that they are expensive to run. So, I thought the Lycoming powered Auster 5 would be ideal. I’ve now been ‘advised’ to avoid the Lycoming powered Auster’s. I’m lead to believe that the old Lycoming engine is hard to find parts for having being made from converted ground power units.
Can people with Auster experience please post their thoughts on engine choice for this aircraft? Also is there anyone out there who regularly flies an Auster 5 who can give me some advice / opinions. Do you have trouble with the engine or spares?
Finally, fuel / oil burn. Does anyone have some realistic figures for fuel burn for the different engines?
This will be a big step for me… I have to make the right choice!
Thank you all very much
Grob Driver
(soon to be Auster Driver!)
I could post this in the Auster section of the forum, but I don’t want it to get lost in amongst all the posts!
I was hoping to fund an AOP 9 but after a lot of looking and a fair amount of research, I’ve decided that it’s not the best Auster for me! So, I’m looking at something like an Auster 5 or AOP 5. However depending on who you talk to determines what advice you get. I was told to avoid Gypsy Major aircraft on the fact that they are expensive to run. So, I thought the Lycoming powered Auster 5 would be ideal. I’ve now been ‘advised’ to avoid the Lycoming powered Auster’s. I’m lead to believe that the old Lycoming engine is hard to find parts for having being made from converted ground power units.
Can people with Auster experience please post their thoughts on engine choice for this aircraft? Also is there anyone out there who regularly flies an Auster 5 who can give me some advice / opinions. Do you have trouble with the engine or spares?
Finally, fuel / oil burn. Does anyone have some realistic figures for fuel burn for the different engines?
This will be a big step for me… I have to make the right choice!
Thank you all very much
Grob Driver
(soon to be Auster Driver!)
Thread Starter
Grob Driver nice to see a convert from plastic to fabric!
The Cirrus in my Autocrat burns 4.5 gph, Gipsys burn around 6-6.5 gph. I would assume the Lycoming burns around 5gph.
A good Cirrus uses about 0.5 - 1 pint / hour, a Gipsy without the oil ring mod can use 2-2.5 pints / hour, with the oil ring mod it drops to the same as the Cirrus. I assume that the Lycoming would be about the same as the Cirrus.
If you want a whizz about in a Cirrus powered Auster, PM me.
The Cirrus in my Autocrat burns 4.5 gph, Gipsys burn around 6-6.5 gph. I would assume the Lycoming burns around 5gph.
A good Cirrus uses about 0.5 - 1 pint / hour, a Gipsy without the oil ring mod can use 2-2.5 pints / hour, with the oil ring mod it drops to the same as the Cirrus. I assume that the Lycoming would be about the same as the Cirrus.
If you want a whizz about in a Cirrus powered Auster, PM me.
