TL Engineering's TLX 4x4 range

TOURING IN STYLE

Western Australia’s TL Engineering, for 50 years a benchmark in vehicle fabrication, is expanding its business beyond the busy commercial range with a new label for a new push into the 4WD enthusiast and style-led market.

By Neil Dowling

The TLX 4WD range is aimed at the tourer, tradie or a person who wants a bit more style in their ute for leisure, off roading and work activities. TL Engineering CEO Dan Oldham said the company started TLX as an offshoot to its existing trade business in trays and canopies, and now plans to expand TLX as the brand name for retail and trade customers looking for high quality alloy products and accessories. “This blue Ranger (shown below) is one of our first TLX builds and has been the subject of a lot of thought and R&D about what a tourer would want in a touring package,” he said. “The key is to keep the weight low but retain strength – our engineering heritage means we guarantee the quality and integrity of each build. So it has the alloy canopy and 1.8m tray with short drop sides, 70-litre water tank with tap beneath the front of the tray, integrated billet fuel filler, tool boxes either side, and all electrics built in with either TLX or customer-choice inverters and battery chargers (such as CTEK and Redarc), an Anderson plug for easy connection to the vehicle and central locking for the two doors.” TL also incorporated a long, shallow slide out drawer behind the rear number plate to store flat objects such as recovery boards, picnic tables and foldup chairs. Dan said discussions with owners during the research and development phase of the touring module showed most

wanted the ability to demount the module canopy so it could be left at a campsite or, more frequently, taken off after a trip and stored while the ute could be used for general duties. “People also said the module should have sturdy legs to ensure it remained in place when unhooked from the ute, so we incorporated a double-arm mount system that provides strength when the unit was freestanding,” he said. “The twin location points for the legs is something we thought necessary to make it as strong as possible”. “This versatility and the strength of the build make it perfectly suited to people who want a quality product that they can use on the weekends, during the week and on holidays.” “The ability to remove the canopy to make way for tools or equipment or a motorcycle, for example, makes the TLX Tray and Canopy package a very flexible and smart investment that also has a lot of comfort for leisure activities and means you have multiple uses for the rear of the vehicle. TL Engineering director Renato Bova said, “The ability to personalise the unit at our Perth factory also means buyers get exactly what they want, right away.” The canopy modules are 1850mm wide as standard but can be adjusted to suit the customer and the vehicle. In cases where a customer has offset or wide wheel tracks, TL has a flared wheel solution to complement the TLX look to ensure the coverage of the rear wheels meets DoT requirements. With 50 years of vehicle engineering experience, all TLX products pass the same stringent process for approval before we release to the market. Dan said TL’s location in Perth allowed it to provide a service of working alongside the customer to ensure the product is exactly what is required. Future service work and the installation of complementary accessories and equipment is also easier when the supplier is close to the customer. With an increased focus on towing ability and weights, TL Engineering works with suppliers including Pedder’s and West Coast Suspension to ensure each build meets the customers’ needs with regards to safety, payload and handling. Most builds will require a GVM upgrade and for those serious about performance, front and rear-wheel disc brake conversions and upgrades are becoming increasingly popular with ute owners on selected models.

“That also allows us to discuss weights with the customer, so we can arrange a GVM upgrade if necessary and now can add rear disc brakes to those utes that have standard drum brakes,” Dan said. “Both are ideal for buyers who are looking at improving the weight-carrying of their vehicles, including when TLX modify LandCruiser wagons to ute conversions to accommodate a tray. “We have been doing chopped LandCruisers - from current right back to the 80 Series - for a long time and understand that they are very popular for buyers wanting a lot more comfort than the traditional 70-Series Toyota at about the same price.” Renato said, “It’s all the same quality and heavy-duty durability as our commercial trays and canopies, but we have added more style, colours and designs and the ability to personalise the product for the leisure-focused customer. TLX means heavy duty alloy trays, canopies and accessories – hand-picked proven products”. “There is also the choice of new-style bullbars from Rival.” The heavy-duty design of the canopies includes a 4mm alloy one-piece floor and 6mm thick main runners, with mill finish interior and colour matched 2 Pack Automotive paint externally as standard features. There is also floor-to-ceiling internal strengthening. From there, TL offer custom-made electrical packages to suit the customers' fit out and touring or tradie needs. “We had a lot of interest and a lot of orders from the Perth 4WD show. Most people who came and saw us really loved the product and especially that it was all WAmade. That’s great for our industry and our state,” Renato said. “TLX is built to last. It’s all about high quality and durability and the heavyduty engineering and components is for commercial applications as well as for the weekend warrior.”

Drones. Love them or hate them they have become a part of our travelling landscape. Almost everywhere you go someone is putting a drone in the air to capture that next Instagram-worthy shot. Our digital device’s screens are flooded with spectacular aerial imagery that were once beyond the 'average traveller’s' reach, depicting stunning seascapes and patchworks of Australiana. Even if you don’t intend to ever own your own drone, understanding the rules and regulations that govern them is helpful to understand them better.

KNOW YOUR DRONE

By Chris Morton Photos by Christine Arnasiewicz

The rapid advancements in technology, subsequent fall in equipment costs, camera quality and ease of piloting has resulted in a boom in recreational drone ownership around the world. Like any rapid advancements in technology, the use and development of drones outpaced world government’s ability to legislate effective laws quickly enough. This however, is no longer the case with the operation of any UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) in Australia falling under the jurisdiction of CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority). Currently only UAV’s being operated for commercial use are required to be registered with CASA, however this will become a requirement for ALL UAV’s in the not too distant future. There is a huge range of drones available on the market with a wide price range to match, allowing consumers to pick a suitable unit that matches their budget and requirements. Chinese manufacturer DJI currently holds the lion’s share of the world consumer market at just over 74% with their development of easy to operate aircraft and development in 4K camera technology. Regardless of where you fly your drone you MUST adhere to both the CASA rules and regulations as well as the location at which you are flying. If you observe someone using their drone unlawfully then you can follow this link https://www.casa.gov.au/ drones/report-unsafe-drone-operations to report the issue to CASA. Before reporting an issue to CASA however be aware that it is NOT illegal to fly a drone over your house. No one owns the airspace above us (just like aircraft flying overhead) and as long as the operator is not breaking any of the rules listed then there is nothing to report. As Western 4W Driver intends to use footage shot from our drones for commercial purposes, I decided it was time to enrol in some commercial drone training.

CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION DRONE RULES CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION

• You MUST NOT fly your drone higher than 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level. • You MUST keep your drone at least 30m away from other people. • You MUST only fly one drone at a time. • You MUST keep your drone within visual line of sight with your own eyes at ALL times. • You MUST NOT fly over or above people or in a populous area. • Respect personal privacy.

Don’t record or photograph people without their consent. • If your drone weighs more than 100 grams you CANNOT fly within 5.5km of a controlled airport. • You MUST only fly your drone during the day and

NOT through cloud or fog. • You MUST NOT operate your drone over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway. • You MUST NOT operate your drone in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property • You CAN operate within 5.5km of a helicopter landing site or aerodrome that

DOES NOT have a control tower but you

MUST keep a look out for other aircraft.

If you become aware of other aircraft, you MUST manoeuvre away and land as quickly and safely as possible. • It is ILLEGAL to fly for money or reward unless you have a remote pilot licence (RePL) or you are flying in the excluded category (sub 2 kilogram).

We chose Global Drone Solutions as our training provider and just before Christmas undertook the intensive 5 day course to qualify with a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL). As well as learning how to fly your drone safely the course teaches you components such as Air Law, Aeronautics and Aeronautical Radio Operation. The course is designed to graduate you as a safe and effective drone pilot who can then operate in a commercial setting. Of course, Global Drone Solutions also offer basic training for those who do not want to complete a RePL qualification and only want to fly their drone for personal use. They can also put you in touch with a wide range of trained pilots close to where you live who can also teach you how to operate your drone safely. In Western Australia the operation of a drone is allowed in National Parks and land managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions with the prior permission of the relevant district office (refer to our links at the end of this article). However, the flying of a drone over Rottnest Island, The Perth Zoo, Kings Park and Bold Park is PROHIBITED. For the operation of a drone over the Swan and Canning Rivers you must first consult with the Rivers and Estuaries Branch of DBCA. Each local government entity have their own rules regarding the flying of drones from their public space (that is the location that you take off and land from) and you should consult with the particular local government prior to flying. Flying on private property requires the permission of the land owner. Did you know that flying a recreational drone between Lancelin (just North) and Grey (again just to the north of Grey) is illegal without permission? The airspace in this particular area is controlled by the Department of Defence. If caught, a first offence could cost you $1,050. If you go to court the fine jumps to $10,500. If you are found to be operating a drone that is hazardous to other aircraft (in this area think fast, low flying military aircraft) then you could face 2 years imprisonment and/ or a fine of $25,200 for an individual. The same penalties apply for shooting down or interfering with a drone, even if it’s flying over your house or backyard. So, how do you operate a drone safely without breaking the rules? Contact Global Drone Solutions and sign up for one of their recreational courses, or get them to put you in touch with one of their CASA certified drone pilots if you are only planning to fly recreationally. Sign up for their commercial drone course if you intend to make money with your drone.

Map showing illegal flying area between Lancelin and Grey.

(Image courtesy Air Services Australia Perth VNC)

Global Drone Solutions Phone: 0499 085 777 Website: www.gdronesolutions.com