(warning old post) (long flight never happened) I don't even know where to start

Well it's certainly been a long time since any update to this blog. I'm currently at about 50 x hours and have had so many ups and downs it's not funny. I hope I am finally getting on top of the issues I've had so will see from now. I have had a very unfortunate thing happen and the turbo has had to go back for inspection. Was flying okay, then had a break for 2 weeks, after a pre flight run up, found no boost. Long story short is the turbo has been sent back to Sonex for an inspection and report.

On a positive note the 50 x hours flying the plane has been soooooo good. The performance of the Sonex turbo when on song and solo just does it for me every time I take off. The plane flies like a little go kart you strap on.  I am eager to finish my Aero endorsement now and try that also when I get her flying again.  We are coming into winter here now and the best flying season. Smooth cold air with beautiful scenery when its all green.

I have a 37 x hour round trip across Australia and back planned for October. I am, to say the least, eagerly awaiting the return of the Turbo to get some hours back happening in the air. I really want to see at least 25+ or more hours trouble free before I even contemplate the journey. I do plan to bring along some spares in case of the unforeseen but hope not to need them. Now that I have the engine running cool and running well with the latest service bulletins I really hope for some good trouble free flying. I think some of the issues I've had date back to early in the first 5 hours when things ran hot and perhaps cooked some electronic components however I guess time will tell. I never see over 380-390 on climb out and the cruise temps are usually around 320-360 in the heat of summer so winter flying will be even better regarding temps.

With this down time I have been doing some Mods that I have been eager to do. I am in the process of adding the AUX tank behind the seat and dual hydraulic brakes. I made the biggest ass of myself landing at a local fly in with a really strong crosswind. Heaps of planes landed before me and to be honest some also did not. I did however just plan to see how it went and go around and back to base if need be. The problem wasn't landing but in the roll out. I had heaps of rudder authority all the way to the ground but apon touchdown had absolutely no control over the tail wheel and veered off the runway around a runway marker and thankfully back on the strip to taxi back to the parking area in front of  reasonably sized crowd red faced. That next day I ordered a second master cylinder and am in the process of fitting dual independent brakes. A second lever would have made me look like an absolute pro and I won't be letting that mistake happen to me again. The Aux tank will give me the range needed to make the big hops required to get across this country of ours. I have two big legs to carry out of about 3.5 hours each and the best flight I've had to date in regard to fuel with the standard tank is 2.8 hours plus reserve at around 110 kts throttled back to minimize fuel use. The extra fuel will give me a nice little buffer so I don't have to sweat about head winds and if I'll actually make it. I will be flying solo and the MTOW will be well under.