Aircraft Ownership
At the end of 2006, the aircraft used for aerotow by the gliding club, a 1945 Auster J1 Autocrat, was looking for new owners. G-AHAU is more or less essential to soaring flight from Andreas so losing her was not really an option. To that end, a group of gliding club members, including myself were able to purchase the Auster.
G-AHAU has been modified to use a Lycoming O-320 engine delivering 160hp and as a result is much more suitable for her working life as a tug. It also provides a significant improvement in climb performance.
Unlike most common light aircraft with three wheels in a tricycle layout, the Auster has a little wheel at the back, and more crucially this puts the main wheels forward of the centre of gravity. In the air this doesn’t make any difference to the handling, but takeoff, landing and ground handling are all different. In order to fly a tailwheel aeroplane, I needed to get a tailwheel endorsement on my PPL.
However, in the Summer of 2007 just two months after I got my license, the Auster was involved in a ground collision taxying that required the engine crankshaft to be replaced, a new propeller and a new engine mount frame. As of November 2008, we’re cautiously optimistic she will be back in service for the start of the new year. Hopefully then I’ll be able to get the tailwheel endorsement.
I’ve been staying current current with the C172 and PA38 at Manx Flyers, but I’ve probably done about 1/3rd of the flying I had intended in 2008.