NORTH MEETS SOUTH

gyrosa · Postby **gyrosa** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:56 am

A very special thanks for a great weekend must go to Johan Stemmet, Len Kloppers, Paul Roux, Gerrit Roux, John Boucher for his support, "Grumpy" for the music and conversation, Juanita for the badges, Rickus Erasmus for being the safety officer of the day, as well as all those guys that made it down to Stellenbosch with or without their gyros. Finally a BIG THANKYOU also for the Stellenbosch Flying Club for hosting this event. You guys really ROCKED.

This was probably the event that has become a milestone in gyros as well as in SAGPA. The pilots were ALL friendly, the host was friendly, the public were friendly and at times even the weather was friendly.

To those that could not make it down due to weather and other last minute problems - YOU REALLY MISSED A GREAT EVENT.

I seriously believe we are now on the right path where the old type of negative comparison between gyros is fast drawing to a close, if not a closed issue already and that we are all starting to realize that there is a place for all in the sun (or rain?) for all.

However, this is not over yet!!!!!!!

Now we need a South to North soon, seeing that the guys from the North managed to
find their way South.

Thanks again to all
Eric

Condor · Postby **Condor** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:02 pm

We had a wonderfull weekend just talking Gyro's. Official count was 43 Gyro's assembled on one airfield.

Weather was not great but that gave us time to talk to each other.

Thank you to the Stellenbosch locals tham made us feel welcome and share our passion.

Were will we go to for the next big event?

: Line-up of Gyro's for the picture; Stel1.jpg (138.89 KiB) Viewed 2607 times

: Andre's magnificent Calidus; stel2.jpg (101.35 KiB) Viewed 2607 times

: Captain Klopper with his precious baby.; stel3.jpg (139.28 KiB) Viewed 2607 times

gyrosa · Postby **gyrosa** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 8:21 am

What are the main lessons we learnt from this trip?
1. Fuel availability
2. Assistance availability
3. Accommodation along the route.
Following a discussion with someone who was on the trip but did not quite make it, the suggestion is that we start a spread sheet of places where these items are available. I know that Easy Plan does give some of the info but it is far from complete for our purpose.
A flat wheel can cause hold up's as can fuel. Leaking radiators (as was the case on this trip) became a problem. The idea of the spread sheet is to make this sort of info available to all complete with names of places, co-ordinates, persons available with telephone numbers etc.
Eric

Jabbanaught · Postby **Jabbanaught** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:06 pm

Hi All

Well the Event Happened and now its just memories that will stay with us all .

To all the pilots that flew in to FASH over the weekend thank you very much , To those that did not make it for whatever reason "NEXT TIME " .

I want to thank all who helped and supported the idea , To name but a few , was Gerrit , Len , Johan , Rikus , Krulkop and All the staff at FASH , without them it would not have been possible .

I have made real good friends over the weekend , and i think that we as a collective group can be very proud , I DID NOT RECEIVE ONE COMPLAINT during the weekend or thereafter , PLease pat yourself on the back , You are all PROFFESIONAL PILOTS THAT OBSERVE AIRMANSHIP .

Looking forward to meet you Again .

Paul

Sukkelaar · Postby **Sukkelaar** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:18 pm

Time for a change what about Jabgironaught?

Any other ideas are welcome.

regards

Pieter Smith · Postby **Pieter Smith** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:30 pm

Paul,
baie dankie aan jou ook, dit was so waar die moeite werd, ek dink almal het dit baie geniet. Dit was die beste verwelkoming ek nog ooit by n airfield gekry het

, waar jy al daai energie vandaan kry sal net jy weet. Ek het regtig lekker gekuier, baie nice mense ontmoet en baie nuwe vriende gemaak.

FLYNOTE · Postby **FLYNOTE** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:49 pm

Home and dry ...pun intended!
Thank you, thank you , thank you ... moerse dankie aan almal.
Guys , the hospitality of the Southerners is something not to be underestimated. They are a friendly,funny,funfilled,festive, bunch and they drink a hell of a lot !
I have two golden rules I try to live by. At any get together or function I guage myself and know exactly when to stop talking and when to stop drinking.I do not want to go back to the venue twice again after the function. ( first return is to diplomatically find out exactly what took place and what was said during the event .The second is to appologise.)
Hierdie Suidlanders het vrede daarmee. They 'kuier n hond uit n bos uit' and 'biere met brieke' does not form part of their vocabulary.

Paul R, Len K, Glen P, Gerrit R, Louis vW, Cheff!! Fidas, Nicholis, John B etc. etc. etc. We really have no words to thank you guys. What a great get together and what great friendships and new ties have been formed.

Ok, we were only 9 gyros short of the Italian world record of 52 BUT ... APRIL AT THE GARIEP DAM dan sal ons die blikskottels wys!!!!!! Paulus , Eric, Len ... we start organizing as soon as the new year kicks in and before Malema nationalises our gyros.
Great stuff all of you who made it. The guys from Mosselbay, Bloemfontein,Prince Albert, KZN, Eben and his motley crew in their very snazzy matching T shirts with the gaggle of beautiful Raffies all the way from Upington.Wherever you flew in from...thank you for latching on to and enforcing the great spirit we are trying to forge amongst all lovers of rotorcraft.We have a passion for something we all share in so lets share that passion with one another.
Sorry to the guys who couldnt get out of Gauteng. The weather really was vrot. We just managed to sneak out over the N1 highway.It was calculated and at no stage did we take a chance. Viz was bad but still VFR.
The rainstorms just before Caledon was not pleasant BUT I was snug and dry in my airie while it got a good carwash at VFR + 500.
Coming back the weather forecast was on the button. No rain between 9 and 11 am... There were showers

. Clearing towards Vredendal from 11am onwards... It closed up from 11am.

30% chance of drizzle? Sorry for you... 100% low cloud and heavy rain.

We fortunately had a looooooong runway ( dirt road) leading into Vredendal and we stayed above this comfort zone .If an emergency had to rear its ugly head one could safely put down. I would however not ever recommend this or have flown in these bad conditions myself had the weather forecast been correct on this call.
Rest of the trip back was wonderful. Tail winds and blue skies. Bit of rubbish weather coming into JHB on Monday but not too bad. On the highveld it can thunder out there while the sun shines out here. Stay out here and far away from out there.
Dankie al julle ouens. We will see each other in April at the Gariep dam and then we will outkuier that great bunch of Southerners for once and for all. START PREFLIGHTING YOUR WOER WOERS!! We are talking 4 Months away.

The event was well covered by the television team from Kwela and I will inform all about the transmission dates. Top Billing pulled out as a result of the weather. It was pouring on their way to the airfield and they had banked on shooting the peninsula trip. Ok, next time !
Go well gyronaughts and fly well.We meet again in April