Getting airborne...again

[Stephan van Tonder]

Just 3 sleeps now

[Pat Two]

Weather outlook for Saturday morning:
Saturday
13/12
Partly cloudy 19°c 28°c
AM:30%, Showers
PM:60%, Thunder- storms

Does anyone have another weather picture for Rhino on Saturday?

Personal checklist:
1. Fuel container sorted.
2. Studying checklists
3. Brushing up on unmanned field procedures.
4. Brushing up on unmanned radio procedures.

Please can someone assist with the runway orientation for Rhino Park?

Attached a picture.

Cheers,
J

[Stephan van Tonder]

So tomorrow is the big day. I have asked a rhino regular to help you out with the airfield data - hopefully he will post soon. I have a flying slot booked tomorrow morning and have no idea what to do. Might just pop past rhino and come do a touch and go.

[Pat Two]

Thanks Stephan!

Looks like they do not expect rain anymore for tomorrow am.

Saturday
13/12
Partly cloudy 19°c 28°c
AM:0%, No rain
PM:60%, Thunder- storms

Looking better...

[The Agent]

Hi Pat, remember that the rain normally only falls in the afternoon so morning flying is nice and stable.
Then late afternoon flying when calm is awsome out there.
Just go with the flow and enjoy, great bunch of guy's and the braai's are great.

[Stephan van Tonder]

And and and??

[Pat Two]

And and and??

Dankie dat jy belangstel Stephan!

Wow! What a day.

I went to bed last night doubting if we would have flyable weather this morning. Waking up my fears were realised. It was solid IMC in Centurion.

I phoned my instructor (Marius) to find out what he thought about the weather situation. He informed me that there had been some flying going on at Rhino... So I jumped in my car and drove out to the field. The weather at the field was very flyable and the bases were around 6500ft. The visibility outside of the circuit was also acceptable but we elected to rather stay in the circuit.

First up Marius and I went through the pre-flight inprection on the the Windlass with a 503, we strapped in and taxied to RWY09. Airborne!!!

This is exactly what I want to do...I do not want to be in a cramped, closed cockpit, I want to sit with my face in the wind.

Marius and I were having difficulty with the intercom so we elected to land.. As I turned on our last base leg my helmet was blown back by airflow entering below the visor. Marius kindly assisted me by putting my helmet back together again... (note to self, in future check helmet, chinstrap and visor serviceability.)

We landed and waited for Oom Leprechaun to land so that we could take his immaculate plane for a ride..

We again took off and this time I thoroughly enjoyed the circuits. Marius gave me pointers on keeping constant control of the throttle, which worked perfectly. During the flight Marius and I discussed the importance of being able to land on a selected spot on the runway. Landing he said is not that difficult, but hitting the spot you aim for is difficult. I tried in the last 4 circuits to constantly land on a point.. needless to say most of my landings were way off the mark. But I'll keep on practising.

I cannot wait to fly again! I am airborne again!

Total time:
Fixed Wing Dual: 21.9
Fixed Wing Solo: 8.7

Trike Dual: 1
Trike Solo: 0

Total time: 31.6

[Stephan van Tonder]

Good stuff man. Glad you enjoyed it.
We gave flying a miss yesterday. I was busy preparing lectures I have to give to a couple of guys on tuesday and it was my instructor's last day for the year so I thought I'll give him a chance to relax.

So you got the runway directions sorted now at rhino?. When is your next lesson.

[Pat Two]

Good stuff man. Glad you enjoyed it.
We gave flying a miss yesterday. I was busy preparing lectures I have to give to a couple of guys on tuesday and it was my instructor's last day for the year so I thought I'll give him a chance to relax.

So you got the runway directions sorted now at rhino?. When is your next lesson.

Hi Stephan,

Got the runway orientation sorted thanks. Next lesson is on 27/12.

Cheers,
Jaco

[Stephan van Tonder]

Eish big gaps between lessons. But yeah bad time of the year with most places closing and people going away. Enjoy and keep us posted man.

[Stephan van Tonder]

So tomorrow is the next one. Keep us posted on how it went

[Duck Rogers]

So tomorrow is the next one. Keep us posted on how it went

Saturday morning.............If the Eastrand looks anything like the Westrand at the moment, I doubt if he's flying

[Pat Two]

So tomorrow is the next one. Keep us posted on how it went

Saturday morning.............If the Eastrand looks anything like the Westrand at the moment, I doubt if he's flying

Thanks Guys..

I was working...eeeeissshh!! But also the weather did not do anyone any favours. So we are looking ahead to January...

[Pat Two]

Time to fly...

Weather permitting we will be doing some circuit work on Saturday 10/01.

Wishing all a very properous and safe 2009.

J

[Stephan van Tonder]

Enjoy man. I'll also be in the air again on saturday for the first time since 15 december. Getting serious withdrawal here.