Thursday 7 Febr
2008, as soon as we could recognize the chimneys to the south of the field
trough the usual morning smog - we got going at Springs (FASI) 05:35B off R03
with a left hand turnout, remaining close within one glide of the filed to
check all out. (Most accident happens within 5 min of take-off – never forget
the field you come from). Routing the inner boundary of JHB airspace in the buffer
zone, initially climbing 6500ft and on to 7000ft passing east of the power
station, south outbound under the JHB TMA – routing Kroonstad (FAKS). The view
of the Vaal dam in the distance, with the sun
breaking through the inversion layer in yellow and pink rays was absolutely
stunning. 10 miles inbound for Kroonstad and a B1900 is from the opposite
direction on route to the same destination. Arriving, 1,7 hrs landing R07 and making
it to the apron. A nice clean airfield, but the trailer with mogas was empty (no
surprise here) and no avgas (of course), despite 2 calls to confirm prior. Yet,
the operator with whom the arrangements was made, still charges us the landing
fees! Burning +- 8 liters p/h on face value, early calculations indicated that
New Tempe (FATP) was still within safe reach and besides there is ample space
for out-landing.
FAKS -2- FATP, was
a rather quiet run. Eric now understood why glider pilots are considered such
good (exceptional) stick and rudder pilots. The slightest slip is noticed and
impacts on everything. The most important instrument, of course, the yaw
string. There is no pointing 300 bhp in a direction, adjust rudder trim and nomakanjani
(come what may), that is where we are going. Flying clean is essential. Headings
and bearings are actually 2 different directions. On the numbers, slipping in
under 65 at the Bloem TMA, coming up
close to the CTR and going round to the west, on a steady powered glide.
Of coarse glider pilots every now and then has to make time for ground effect
exercises, as part of a final glide practice.
(Once you have a hand on this, especially in a sailplane, crop spraying seems
overrated). Time 1,6 hrs and a rather uneventful
landing at New Tempe, saw us refuel and munching down on some MacDonalds
burgers. It is always amazing how much interest these Falkes generate, and of course
the usual tin student pilot crowd arrived to appreciate and be amazed – with
the usual confused facial expressions.
The next phase
to Gariep required some forward thinking – distance, wind, especially mountainous
terrain. Out landing space in the Gariep vicinity is very limited. All done and
paid up (the universal part of flying), following correct procedure we taxied
holding point R01, at the section to enter and backtrack we once again followed
proper procedure. About 150 m from the threshold holding point, we notice a
Cessna on finals. Immediately evading left (right is too uneven with our 6 inch
prop clearance), seconds later the C172 rounded out and touched down next to
us, with a skip and a jump. No Radio procedure, what so ever, and proceeded to
touch and go! (It was obviously a training flight, judging from the actual landing
and the lady 3 stripe pilot in the right seat. Our thoughts were they probably turned
off the volume to instruct without interruption. Their calls?). We radio
checked with other planes in the vicinity, everything OK. A reminder that there
is never time for anything else, but always for an incident; or worse an
accident.
~ Christophe Roelofse
to be continued
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