Ek wil nie meer see toe nie!

[Asterix]

I posted earlier that I would like to go down to Sodwana sometime during December. However, it now seems that I will only be leaving Gangsters Paradise around Geloftedag. Also - (having been advised before - and forgetting - flying to the coast in December is normally a bad idea.

This set me thinking:

1. Beginsel, my families farm near Standerton is a solid base to start this safari from. Especially now - since the mieliestoor is leeg - al the grain have been sold - PLENTY hangar space!! This is ourdeparture point, and our "GO TO."
2. We tend to zooom over territory that is actually nice to explore - since we believe that you have to fly as far as possible in a given day - stressing you out about headlines and deadlines - and you actually do not enjoy the scenery;
3.The south and south east of Mpumalanga is actually beautiful - on the fringes of the escarpment - from Volksrust east (yes - EAST, not WEST) towards Piet Retief, then up to Amsterdam.
4. I really have an urge to land at places - FAR away from a lodge, and CAMP. In die veld - as jy iets nie saamgery het nie - HET jy dit nie.

So - have a look at my map with circle. This whole area is well within reach of a lot of airfields and support if things go pearshaped. No loooong flights with no help in sight. No big obstacles. Easy to turn tail.

In the week between 16 and 24 December, for a couple of days, I would like to fly in this area. NO LODGES. Camping in the field. Living from what you carry. Landings at fields in between - (Volksrust / Piet Retief / Amsterdam / Ermelo) where fuel can be purchased. Daily flight plans based on current conditions. No planned track - just "days to fly" set aside, in a loosely defined area.

Who would like to join on something like this?

[Asterix]

I took this picture after we landed in the veld between plantations, because of the low grey stuff you see in the background. I would have loved to take of my wing, secure it to the ground, set up camp and fly further the next day. This is what I am talking about.

I know all the arguments about the risk of an outlanding / potential trespassing /trike getting thrashed by weather / people robbing you / etc. But we can't keep on living in fear of these things, otherwise we are confined to circuits / breakfast hops /fly -inns.

I love the above - but I want something more - something unstructured and "seat of your pants".. I want to be like a guy on a horse who can decide on the run to spend the night somewhere he wants to / have to. Like an airborne Backpacker.

Am I crazy?

[Asterix]

For some reason I cannot get the Google screenshot small enough to load - but this area encompasses Ermelo to the extreme north, Volksrust to the South, and Piet Retief to the East. (Yes - EAST)

[Tumbleweed]

Great idea. Flying from flat and boring Secunda the terrain always changes within a 50 mile radius (except to gangster paradise).

Seen as I never manage to fly certain areas I've wanted to, why don't you explore the eastern escarpment from Carolina via Ermelo to Chrissiesmeer(some of the best hiking trails in the country) either to Barberton (serious mountains but beautiful country) or via the Swazi border to Peit Retief and back via Wakkerstroom to Volksrust.

There's ample forestry landing strips (near the saw mills) and lekker farm strips housing some fancy boere boeings (Cessna 210's and Bonanzas) scattered all over the place which you can land to see if they're hostile, save and form a data base to share.

Get hold of a phone number from the local flying clubs i.e. Volksrust, Ermelo, Piet Retief and they'll always be helpfull.

Wish I could join you but my year end is hectic and I'm visiting snow during Christmas.

[Asterix]

Sorry for posting again before any replies, but I just ranted on Misasa's FB page about the whole "R 10 000 fine" thing.

I believe that we as Microlighters are the last true frontier of free flight. Think about it. The first free pilots where the fighter-pilots of WW1 after the war ended. The USA established the US Air Postal Service, and all these masses of highly skilled pilots who found themselves without jobs after the Armistice, which, incidentally are being celebrated today, flew across the expanses of North America with a map, a compass, and one eye on the weather - in their wood and canvass planes.

As the 20th century progressed WW2 brought on the kind of structural soundness, power and speed that we have today: Who doesn't love the sound of a Pratt & Whitney Wasp , or a Rolls Royce, going overhead pulling tonnes of aluminium and steel along with it?

Then the jet age came - and - since the world did not erupt into WW3, these technologies were grabbed by those interested in commerce. Over 4 decades the capitalists invested into ever faster, more efficient, bigger capacity, further range airliners - and as every got aboard - rules had to be set for the control of the sky.

Today the sky is very busy. People flying in airliners often think of them as no more than big airborne buses, serving frozen meals.

A second tier of aviator was born - those that can - to this day - pay a BAR or two for an aircraft that is 20 years old. AGAIN - the sky was commercialised - since a very few of us can afford that kind money as an initial outlay - nevermind the hourly cost of keeping the heap of metal flying / current.

Then - in the 70's - some rebels decided that the sky is there for all who wishes to take to it. Microlights were born. Seen as a nuisance at first - eventually the Powers saw that it was not going away - and they introduced the necessary measures to keep it safe in the interest of all the stakeholders.

Today - we are standing at a threshold again - we are being discriminated against. I ask of you - WHY are people doing this? My answer - jaloers.

Jaloers? Why? Because WE are the masses of the sky. WE open up the sky for anybody who loves flying for what it is supposed to be - FREEDOM!! WE can get ANYBODY into the sky - regardless of their financial / social standing - cause WE make flying AFFORDABLE to the masses!

And the establishment don't like it. They want to say: " I am a Pilot", and feel exculted. WE crush them in their self-esteem, and challenge them for a place in the sky.

We are the freedom-fighters of the sky. Let us stand up and be counted!

[Asterix]

Thanks Tumbleweed!! A lot of good info - might even drop by on return!!

[Bayliner]

Asterix you have the right idea about the bushwacker thing. I would love to do that sort of thing. Just like the 4 x 4 guys and the bikers do. Flying indeed gives us the freedom that most of us yearn for. Being a relative solitude type of person I love flying because of two things; control and freedom. After an hours flight it takes me about two days to come off the high.

[Blue Max]

Yes, I like the unplanned element of the adventure.
Allways the rush of adrenalien for the unexpected. Although it has to be planned daily ahead with enough room to change plans..
On my around SA flight i made my plans for the next day the previous evenings..
Must fly with a laptop and cell phone that can be plugged into yr aircraft..
To me it sounds like a great Idea..I will just want us to fly as mutch and as far as we can every day... We must be drivven by a target or a Goal.
Hope there are other interrested pilots..
Will gage my involvement this December on the farm and hope to join something like this..