Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Thanks Johan,
Nice to meet and plan.
Very nice Boerrie rolls , good to know Nathan can cook well...he will have a job in da Berg soon
Looking forward to a great WE
Pic below - Returning from Kroon on the new road near Lanseria ... guess the new road builders dont plan for water
Nice to meet and plan.
Very nice Boerrie rolls , good to know Nathan can cook well...he will have a job in da Berg soon
Looking forward to a great WE
Pic below - Returning from Kroon on the new road near Lanseria ... guess the new road builders dont plan for water
Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Hi Air Hog
It will be pleasure to have you guys come over to our airfield for a visit. If possible it would be great for the Saturday as most of our members are working on the Thursday & Friday.
If you want to make further arrangements please contact me on my cel @ zero 71 19zero9 149.
You guys must have a safe and enjoyable flight through to one of the most beautiful parts of our country to fly in. It really sounds like you guys are well prepared for the trip.
Fly Safe
Shane
It will be pleasure to have you guys come over to our airfield for a visit. If possible it would be great for the Saturday as most of our members are working on the Thursday & Friday.
If you want to make further arrangements please contact me on my cel @ zero 71 19zero9 149.
You guys must have a safe and enjoyable flight through to one of the most beautiful parts of our country to fly in. It really sounds like you guys are well prepared for the trip.
Fly Safe
Shane
- Air Hog
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Thanks Sparky, will give you a call
Johan Welman - aka Air Hog
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
- Air Hog
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
The final list is much shorter:
1. Johan (Air Hog) - Thunderbird - Flying from Kroon via Pinedene to Grootdraai
2. Nathan Lategan - ZU-EFN Aquilla 582 - Flying from Kroon via Pinedene to Grootdraai
3. Francois (Tribal Croc) - GT450 - Flying from Eagles Creek via Circus
4. Bert v Jaarsveld - ZU-CVD Cheetah - Flying from Freestate
5. Tommie Bishop - ZU-DKH Cheetah - Flying from Circus
6. Ian Wylde - Savannah - Flying from Crosswinds via Circus
7. Ian Laing - Savannah - Flying from Aeroden via Crosswinds and Circus
Looking forward to this!
1. Johan (Air Hog) - Thunderbird - Flying from Kroon via Pinedene to Grootdraai
2. Nathan Lategan - ZU-EFN Aquilla 582 - Flying from Kroon via Pinedene to Grootdraai
3. Francois (Tribal Croc) - GT450 - Flying from Eagles Creek via Circus
4. Bert v Jaarsveld - ZU-CVD Cheetah - Flying from Freestate
5. Tommie Bishop - ZU-DKH Cheetah - Flying from Circus
6. Ian Wylde - Savannah - Flying from Crosswinds via Circus
7. Ian Laing - Savannah - Flying from Aeroden via Crosswinds and Circus
Looking forward to this!
Johan Welman - aka Air Hog
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Whoo Whoo this time next week we will be sitting in the Berg
Flight Planning Done
Music Playlist Done
Upgrading GoPro Software Done
New mini Ipad & mount on instrument pod for VFR Tracker Done
Weather forecast looking good
Nerves for those big mountains
Must say I am really looking forward to this trip
Flight Planning Done
Music Playlist Done
Upgrading GoPro Software Done
New mini Ipad & mount on instrument pod for VFR Tracker Done
Weather forecast looking good
Nerves for those big mountains
Must say I am really looking forward to this trip
Tribal Croc
ZU-ICanXplane
Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
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Tailwheel fun starts here
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
OK, so to sensitise you, here is a taste from the seat of a TBirdTribal Croc wrote:Whoo Whoo this time next week we will be sitting in the Berg
Nerves for those big mountains
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Thanks Demondemon wrote:Enjoy it lads
I have been studying these for some inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji694LlvrdY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNl60tTbiUo
Tribal Croc
ZU-ICanXplane
Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
#exploringsouthafricanskies
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Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
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- Air Hog
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
After watching these Two clips, I cannot wait!!!
Thank you Barry
Thank you Barry
Johan Welman - aka Air Hog
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
- Air Hog
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
The time has come! The Kroon gaggle is leaving Tuesday afternoon 14h30 for Grootdraai, refuel and sleep over. Then Wednesday, first light we leave for Aerofarm at Harismith where we will join up with Bert from the Freestate and then we are of to Dragon Peaks for a couple days Berg flying.
Johan Welman - aka Air Hog
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Enjoy your flight and we will catch up with you on wednesday
Weather looks puuurfect
I will be leaving to Flo's tomorrow afternoon and will be en route Dragons erly Wednesday
Weather looks puuurfect
I will be leaving to Flo's tomorrow afternoon and will be en route Dragons erly Wednesday
Tribal Croc
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Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
#exploringsouthafricanskies
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Tailwheel fun starts here
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- Air Hog
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
What an amazing trip
The best fun you can have with your clothes on
Unfortunately the trip wasn't incident free. Two aircraft had damage to front wheels because of a hole on the runway at Grootdraai and one Cheetah had a hard landing at Dragon Peaks, luckily not too much damage. The Cheetah was fixed by the pro's (Thanks to Larry and Shane from Ladysmith) on Thursday and could continue flying the rest of the trip. The Thunderbird did not make it because of a bend front fork (Hole on runway) and will be repaired next weekend and then be flown back. Ian could get his Savannah flying again.
Other than this, we had Five glorious flying days, absolutely amazing weather!!
I am sure some pictures will follow.
The best fun you can have with your clothes on
Unfortunately the trip wasn't incident free. Two aircraft had damage to front wheels because of a hole on the runway at Grootdraai and one Cheetah had a hard landing at Dragon Peaks, luckily not too much damage. The Cheetah was fixed by the pro's (Thanks to Larry and Shane from Ladysmith) on Thursday and could continue flying the rest of the trip. The Thunderbird did not make it because of a bend front fork (Hole on runway) and will be repaired next weekend and then be flown back. Ian could get his Savannah flying again.
Other than this, we had Five glorious flying days, absolutely amazing weather!!
I am sure some pictures will follow.
Johan Welman - aka Air Hog
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
"The sky is not the limit... it is where the fun starts!!"
Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Hi Air Hog
I am glad that you guys all got back safely. It was nice to have met you guys for breakfast on Friday morning. When you all come through next year we will make sure that we can also spend some time doing some flying with you guys.
Fly Safe
Shane
I am glad that you guys all got back safely. It was nice to have met you guys for breakfast on Friday morning. When you all come through next year we will make sure that we can also spend some time doing some flying with you guys.
Fly Safe
Shane
- Tribal Croc
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
WOW what an adventure
First of all thank you to everyone who made this trip happen
I can now understand why Demon calls this "the very best part of SA to fly in "
The trip down was super smooth and very scenic . My route went from Eagles Creek to Circus (via the Dome and Orlando) where I met Tobi in his Cheetah. From there we routed to Grootdraai (close to Villiers) and waited for Ian W , Ian L and Mark.
Due to the bad runway Ian L unfortunately damaged his nose wheel so we left the 2 Ian's there and routed Aerofarm (next door to Harrismith)
At Aerofarm we were greeted by Bert in his Cheetah and Nathan in his Aquilla and Johan in Thunderbird. Unfortunatly Johan also had some damage on his Thunderbird and opted to fly pax with Mark in the Foxbat.
The flight from Aerofarm to Dragons Peak was awesome
I must say landing at Dragons Peak was a little intimidating for me
First you need to join at 6000ft and do your downwind leg over a ridge then turn base to finals very short dropping down to land at 4000ft, keep in mind when on finals you have the ridge on your right and the main buildings on the left - dive over trees , swing left to mis the tree on your right on the ridge swing right and clear the trees on the threshold of 24 then land on what looks like a very short runway
After the 2nd or so landing it was not so bad anymore as all came natural
The flights in and around the Berg was 100% and very calming - we truly are blessed
My flight back was smooth up to Orlando and the Northern ridge where it was bumpy as hell clearing the ridge it was smooth all the way home again My flight time was 3:20 to do the 336nm and we had a lekker tailwind at some stages I was doing 105mph GS
I have a lot of editing to do so hopefully the video will be up before the weekend
In the meantime here a a couple of pics
JHB City by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Towers south of Circus by TribalCroc, on Flickr
First of all thank you to everyone who made this trip happen
I can now understand why Demon calls this "the very best part of SA to fly in "
The trip down was super smooth and very scenic . My route went from Eagles Creek to Circus (via the Dome and Orlando) where I met Tobi in his Cheetah. From there we routed to Grootdraai (close to Villiers) and waited for Ian W , Ian L and Mark.
Due to the bad runway Ian L unfortunately damaged his nose wheel so we left the 2 Ian's there and routed Aerofarm (next door to Harrismith)
At Aerofarm we were greeted by Bert in his Cheetah and Nathan in his Aquilla and Johan in Thunderbird. Unfortunatly Johan also had some damage on his Thunderbird and opted to fly pax with Mark in the Foxbat.
The flight from Aerofarm to Dragons Peak was awesome
I must say landing at Dragons Peak was a little intimidating for me
First you need to join at 6000ft and do your downwind leg over a ridge then turn base to finals very short dropping down to land at 4000ft, keep in mind when on finals you have the ridge on your right and the main buildings on the left - dive over trees , swing left to mis the tree on your right on the ridge swing right and clear the trees on the threshold of 24 then land on what looks like a very short runway
After the 2nd or so landing it was not so bad anymore as all came natural
The flights in and around the Berg was 100% and very calming - we truly are blessed
My flight back was smooth up to Orlando and the Northern ridge where it was bumpy as hell clearing the ridge it was smooth all the way home again My flight time was 3:20 to do the 336nm and we had a lekker tailwind at some stages I was doing 105mph GS
I have a lot of editing to do so hopefully the video will be up before the weekend
In the meantime here a a couple of pics
JHB City by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Towers south of Circus by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Tribal Croc
ZU-ICanXplane
Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
#exploringsouthafricanskies
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Tailwheel fun starts here
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Villiers by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Tobi at Grootdraai by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Savannah Attack by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Ian W and Ian L by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Hearts of the Freestate by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Aerofarm - Harrismith by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Last edited by Tribal Croc on Mon May 06, 2013 1:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Tribal Croc
ZU-ICanXplane
Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
#exploringsouthafricanskies
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Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
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- Tribal Croc
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Re: Thunderbirds to the Drakensberg
Aerofarm - Harrismith by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Nathan at Aerofarm by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Thike over Harrismith mountain by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Aerofarm by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Harrismith by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Sterkfontein Dam by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Freestate by TribalCroc, on Flickr
Tribal Croc
ZU-ICanXplane
Bushbaby Explorer MK2
Tailwheel fun starts here
#exploringsouthafricanskies
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Tailwheel fun starts here
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