A DEEP DIVE ON RAAUS’ NEWEST CATEGORY
深入了解 RAAUS 的最新品类
Well, it’s almost here. By the time you’re reading this, RAAus will be only weeks away from officially launching the new Group G category. It’s a monumental step in the progression of recreational aviation in Australia – one that has been years in the making. Now that it’s here, let’s dig deeper in to what Group G really means for the RAAus community and beyond.
嗯,快到了。当您阅读本文时,RAAus 距离正式推出新的 G 组类别只有几周的时间了。这是澳大利亚休闲航空发展过程中具有里程碑意义的一步,这一步已经酝酿了多年。现在它已经到来,让我们更深入地了解 G 组对 RAAus 社区及其他社区的真正意义。
From May of this year, RAAus will start registering aircraft in the Group G category, which has been established to allow for larger and heavier aircraft to be flown with an RPC. The new category allows RAAus to administer aircraft with MTOWs between 600 and 760kg, regardless of stall speed. The move opens up a wealth of opportunities for RPC-holding homebuilders, GA pilots and aircraft manufacturers. For each of these parties, Group G offers a number of exciting benefits.
从今年 5 月起,RAAus 将开始在 G 组类别中注册飞机,该类别旨在允许更大、更重的飞机使用 RPC 飞行。新类别允许 RAAus 管理 MTOW 在 600 到 760 公斤之间的飞机,无论失速速度如何。此举为持有 RPC 的房屋建筑商、GA 飞行员和飞机制造商提供了大量机会。对于这些政党中的每一个,G 组都提供了许多令人兴奋的好处。
For RAAus pilots who are building their own aircraft, Group G allows for stronger and sturdier aircraft, without having to sacrifice useful load. Previously, builders were having to make a decision between enhanced sturdiness and the amount of weight they can carry, often electing to drop fuel capacity in order to comply.
对于正在建造自己的飞机的 RAAus 飞行员,G 组允许更坚固、更坚固的飞机,而不必牺牲有用的负载。以前,建筑商必须在增强的坚固性和他们可以承载的重量之间做出决定,通常选择降低燃料容量以符合要求。
With the implementation of Group G, the days of having to artificially restrict MTOW to 600kg, despite a kit having approval for a higher MTOW, are over. This is obviously a huge win for RAAus pilots, offering the potential for additional range and better peace of mind. Safety outcomes are also likely to see a positive effect, as pilots are no longer making sacrifices in order to comply with an arbitrary number.
随着 G 组的实施,尽管套件已批准更高的 MTOW,但不得不人为地将 MTOW 限制在 600 公斤的日子已经结束。这对 RAAus 飞行员来说显然是一个巨大的胜利,提供了额外的航程和更好的安心的潜力。安全结果也可能产生积极影响,因为飞行员不再为了遵守任意数字而做出牺牲。
Group G also enables CASA-licensed pilots with eligible aircraft to consider re-registering with RAAus. Most type-certified VH-registered aircraft with an MTOW below 760kg will be eligible for Group G. This means aircraft like the Cessna 152, Piper Tomahawk and Vans RV-6 can now be found with an RAAus number on their side. For pilots of these aircraft, registering with RAAus can bring savings, such as the public liability insurance built into RAAus membership. In this way, Group G is making flying more affordable and accessible for a range of already-qualified pilots. It also helps our community to grow, as new members are welcomed into the fold. As we’re all aware, stronger membership gives RAAus more power when negotiating with other bodies, helping to deliver even more positive change going forward.
G 组还允许持有合格飞机的 CASA 许可飞行员考虑在 RAAus 重新注册。大多数 MTOW 低于 760 公斤的型号认证合格 VH 注册飞机都有资格进入 G 组。这意味着像 Cessna 152、Piper Tomahawk 和 Vans RV-6 这样的飞机现在可以找到带有 RAAus 编号的飞机。对于这些飞机的飞行员来说,在 RAAus 注册可以节省费用,例如 RAAus 会员资格中内置的公共责任保险。通过这种方式,Group G 让一系列已经具备资格的飞行员能够更实惠、更方便地飞行。它还有助于我们的社区发展,因为欢迎新成员加入。众所周知,更强大的会员身份使 RAAus 在与其他机构谈判时拥有更多权力,有助于在未来带来更积极的变化。
For manufacturers, Group G is a breath of fresh air that is likely to impact the types of aircraft offered in the Australian market long-term. One of the best examples of how Group G can affect manufacturers is our very-own Jabiru J230. The J230 is a modified version of the Jabiru J430, that comes with two less seats and a restricted MTOW of 599kg (100kg less than its 4-seat counterpart) in order to meet the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) standard. While the two-seat limit must remain, Jabiru could theoretically re-certify the J230 (or launch a variant) without the arbitrary MTOW restriction. This would make the J230 an RAAus registerable aircraft with an empty weight of 370kg and an MTOW of 699kg. That’s a jaw-dropping 330kg of usable weight, just enough room for the kitchen sink!
对于制造商来说,G 组是一股新鲜空气,可能会长期影响澳大利亚市场提供的飞机类型。G 组如何影响制造商的最好例子之一是我们非常拥有的 Jabiru J230。J230 是 Jabiru J430 的改进版,少了两个座位,最小起飞重量为 599 公斤(比 4 座飞机少 100 公斤),以满足轻型运动飞机 (LSA) 标准。虽然必须保持两个座位的限制,但 Jabiru 理论上可以在没有任意 MTOW 限制的情况下重新认证 J230(或推出变体)。这将使 J230 成为空重为 370 公斤、最大起飞重量为 699 公斤的 RAAus 可注册飞机。这是令人瞠目结舌的 330 公斤可用重量,刚好够厨房水槽的空间!
Situations like this could occur across the manufacturing industry, ushering in a new era of stronger, more capable RAAus aircraft. Of course, a larger global market for these types of machines would need to develop for worldwide manufacturers to see the benefit. As it happens, the FAA’s Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) proposal may just achieve exactly that. The discussion, in this early stage at least, looks promising.
像这样的情况可能在整个制造业发生,迎来了更强大、更有能力的 RAAus 飞机的新时代。当然,这些类型机器需要开发更大的全球市场,才能让全球制造商看到好处。碰巧的是,FAA 的特殊适航认证现代化 (MOSAIC) 提案可能正是实现这一目标。至少在这个早期阶段,讨论看起来很有希望。
With an MTOW increase secured, and once implementation of Group G is reviewed, RAAus will turn their attention to access to controlled airspace, based on feedback from members. Recently-held CASA consultation supports this. It’s something the community has repeatedly expressed a desire for. No matter where the next progression lies, it truly is an exciting time to be an RAAus pilot. Our world is expanding, our opportunities multiplying. After relentless hard work from too many individuals to name, RAAus has found itself one significant step closer to its mission to Inspire and Connect People Through Aviation. Whether you’re a long-time RAAus member, a new recruit, or a recent CASA convert, we can all be grateful for an organisation that continues to fight for us. Group G is just one jewel in the crown that RAAus has built, dedicated to making recreational flying in Australia an increasingly accessible and enjoyable experience.
在确保 MTOW 增加后,一旦审查了 G 组的实施情况,RAAus 将根据成员的反馈将注意力转向进入受控空域。最近举行的 CASA 咨询支持这一点。这是社区一再表达的愿望。无论下一步进展在哪里,成为 RAAus 飞行员确实是一个激动人心的时刻。我们的世界在扩大,我们的机会在成倍增加。经过太多人的不懈努力,RAAus 发现自己离通过航空激励和联系人们的使命又迈进了一大步。无论您是 RAAus 的长期会员、新员工还是最近的 CASA 皈依者,我们都可以感谢一个继续为我们而战的组织。Group G 只是 RAAus 打造的皇冠上的一颗明珠,致力于使澳大利亚的休闲飞行成为一种越来越方便和愉快的体验。