Do you need 4 bars on your shoulder to fly an SR22 now?

He deserves it Traffic. He can wear 5 bars if he wants. Just my thoughts

Ryan has done an outstanding job. The bars make life easier going through weird countries and officialdom. He doesn't need a cheap shot like this.

I wonder how many other wannabies on here would have what it takes to put this project together at age 19 and execute it safely???

when flying in countries that well, have some dubious officials in important positions, it pays to look the part. as much as we call them ****** bars, myself included, they do command respect to the uninitiated. imagine arriving at an immigration area at an airport in a dodgy country, would you feel less likely to be forced to pay a bribe, or have someone "find" something suspicious, wearing a 4 gold bar flight suit, or your comfy boardies and T shirt?

Had the pleasure of meeting Ryan in Alice last week before his final legs home. Can't believe he's only 19!

Well done mate, what a champion.

Agreed. I recall a group of Malaysian GA aircraft transiting through Halim (Jakarta) on their way to Australia last year, were given a rough time on the ground, as they were dressed very casually in polo neck t-shirts and shorts. I also came across a guy ferrying a C182 to Perth in Bali wearing a pilot shirt with 4 bars but wearing jeans .. LOL .. I'm sure he took off his pilot shirt once airborne and donned a t-shirt for the rest of the trip.

Apologies for the thread drift and back on track ... big congratulations to Ryan. We were probably flying in the same airspace the day he left Halim for Broome.. beautiful weather that day :ok:

Wollongong photos
 

A couple more photos were on the Roulettes site

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

Nice little interview
 

Interview for The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...10pBQ.facebook