Cape gyro instructors to train Ethiopian air force pilots

[Learjet]

Len (Jetranger) & Louis departed to Ethiopia this morning where they will be training Ethiopian Air Force heli pilots on MT-03's. Lekker to see our Cape gyro instructors being recommended to do this level of training - and also to see more and more gyros gaining military / air force acceptance and recognition.

[Trikenut]

That is great!
Do you know how long they will be there for?
Congrats Louis and Len as well as gyro's!

[THI]

Local is lekke!!

Lekker Len & Louis!

[Grumpy]

If you ask me, I think they gonna struggle a bit. What is pre-rotate, stall, safety, maintenance in Ethiopian????

[John Boucher]

Had a message from Len this afternoon... had just completed a demo flight with the Supreme Commander of the Airforce.

They are having the experience of a lifetime - Mixing it up in the circuit with Russian type helicopters and SU-27's!

Young Ross - if all goes according to plan the they'll be returning this weekend!

To answer your statement Grumps... at least their military chaps still salute (which was lacking at Bredasdorp this weekend!) and the 2 Gyro's they are training on are brand spanking new out of the box, top of the range full house machines! I therefore take for granted their machines are in a better state than some of our aircraft....

I have booked their experience for Microflight Africa and I bet we are all looking forward to the read...

[THI]

On what type of gyro's are the training, guess its Magni's

What an experience that must be!!

[Learjet]

they will be training Ethiopian Air Force heli pilots on MT-03's

[Gyronaut]

Hi Guys

Comms is a bit of a problem here so I'll be brief

We have two brand new MTOSports, Full house (even Personal Locator Beacons) to train on.

I am amazed and astounded by what we have encountered here. 180 degrees opposite to what I perceived Ethiopia to be.
No hungry thin people, no lazy people, no beggars, only 8% unemployment and an airforce that would astound you.

We have been received incredibly well and are doing our best to make all gyronauts proud.

So far the Airforce is very impressed by the capabilities of these little machines, remember they use MI 8, MI 17 and MI 24 helicopters (lots of them) and they have loads and loads of SU27 fighters everywhere on the base.

We taxi underneath the rotors of at least 3 of these monster heli's on the way to the runway and back every sortie and fly over rows and rows of fighter jets.

Full report will follow but for now suffice it to say we are having a blast and doing it by the book. The local top brass state publicly that they are impressed with the standard and professionalism of our training and it makes us proud to be South African Gyronauts!

Wish you were all here!

Rgds

Len

[THI]

they will be training Ethiopian Air Force heli pilots on MT-03's

Eish..open me eyes!

[THI]

Hi Guys

Comms is a bit of a problem here so I'll be brief

We have two brand new MTOSports, Full house (even Personal Locator Beacons) to train on.

I am amazed and astounded by what we have encountered here. 180 degrees opposite to what I perceived Ethiopia to be.
No hungry thin people, no lazy people, no beggars, only 8% unemployment and an airforce that would astound you.

We have been received incredibly well and are doing our best to make all gyronauts proud.

So far the Airforce is very impressed by the capabilities of these little machines, remember they use MI 8, MI 17 and MI 24 helicopters (lots of them) and they have loads and loads of SU27 fighters everywhere on the base.

We taxi underneath the rotors of at least 3 of these monster heli's on the way to the runway and back every sortie and fly over rows and rows of fighter jets.

Full report will follow but for now suffice it to say we are having a blast and doing it by the book. The local top brass state publicly that they are impressed with the standard and professionalism of our training and it makes us proud to be South African Gyronauts!

Wish you were all here!

Rgds

Len

Please bring back some foto's!

[Bayliner]

Hi Len

Great experience you are getting. Try to go to Kenya for a few days if you have the time. Keep it up and good luck.
Regards
Glenn

PS. I am in the same hanger as you at Morningstar. You know, the beautiful Polaris trike ZU-DZY

[Gyronaut]

Kenya has an airforce? If they do and they need a stable affordable platform for ops, I'm there!

Look forward to meeting you around the hangar at Morningstar sometime Bayliner!

Rgds

Len

[mak]

Congrats Len & Louis, I believe a big compliment for you guys to be invited. Enjoy every minute over there.

[Bayliner]

Len
Kenya does indeed have an airforce. They are always playing around over Nairobi. The KCAA does not recognize microlights and gyro licences. You actually need a PPL to fly legally. A lot of guys fly underground. I know of a gyro pilot who is self taught (apparently) who flies out of his farm. The guys normally keep to themselves and stay out of the way of the authorities and are generally not hassled by anybody.

We have met but at the beginning of the year. Good luck with your adventure.

[NickL]

Louis and Len - what a blast! And I agree - what an honour to be chosen to do this. I cannot wait to get the full feedback and see the pics! GO RSA!