Weekend Report: It was brillig . . . .
Saturday
The good news is that the Tost towrope system on MIV has been given the OK by the Chief Flying Instructor and the Chief Tug Pilot after a day of thorough testing at FAWC, initially with Nicky Oberhofer piloting the Twin Astir and Mark Siegelberg piloting the tug. Extreme “out of position” states were induced with no adverse effects to the tug. The Tost system was bought primarily as a safety feature as it allows the towrope to be cut in the event of a glider-tug upset. Release mechanisms have proved to lock up under these circumstances and should this happen now, the tug pilot can simply cut the rope. The convenience of being able to land without needing to do a rope drop is an added bonus that could enhance turn around times. The club has ordered a new reel that will allow the use of a slightly longer rope, and that should arrive later this month, together with ZS-GZF. What is GZF you may ask? One Rotax Falke.
The club was very busy on Saturday with a large fleet of gliders out. Unfortunately, and contrary to Sven’s optimistic weather report, it turned out to be a stable day. But with all the gliders out, it looked reminiscent of the old days at Worcester with lots of glider activity – let’s keep it up. To the up-and-coming cross-country types – start dreaming of Tulbach, Dasklip and Rensterhoek – November is not far off.
Martin Grünert and John Spargo worked hard to sort out the winch cables. It does seem as if the yellow cable will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Are we becoming a power-flying club now? It must seem like it to any stranger reading these reports. Still, if Sven is to be believed, soaring weather is already beginning at Worcester so hopefully we will have some “proper gliding” to report on soon – not just this easily come by engine assisted stuff. The motor glider fraternity in the persons of Adriaan & Adri Hepburn in the Lambada and Quinton Hoole and Kylie Hepburn in the Sperber had a nice breakfast fly-in to a gravel strip near Eendekuil – lots of boerebrood & konfyt to keep up the ballast. The Lambada returned via Lions Head, Muizenberg, Gordons Bay and Sir Lowrys Pass.
The Worcester Vliegklub staged a successful power-flying rally.
Sunday
Only one aerotow took place but the winch side worked hard.
Again much travelling around the country with motor gliders – Alison & Johnny Navarro took the Grob 109 and visited the Burger family at Tanqua where Alewyn’s Safari helicopter is progressing well on its test programme. The return journey was via Sutherland and Matjiesfontein. The Quinton Hoole and André Leeb du Toit visited Barrydale in the Sperber and Adriaan & Adri followed in the Lambada but did not land there.
The “work department” was hard at it again and we say a grateful “Thank you” to André Leeb du Toit and his team who carried out the annual inspection on ZS-GHB. Johan Gerike especially, and the other duty pilots in general, are also to be thanked for doing an excellent job over the weekend. Despite attempts by various “powers and principalities” to thwart him, Rob Kakebeeke is arranging the installation of lighting for the winch hangar. This will save on potential injury to the winch, the hangar and sundry club members. Thanks Rob.
Safety concern:
Drivers are making a dangerous habit of crossing the live main runway to access the winch runway in the vicinity of the 12/30 cross-runway. Not only is this a VERY DANGEROUS practise, it is causing ruts to form in the runway surface. It is also disconcerting to pilots on final approach to see cars driving around on this no-go area. Driving on the runway must stop right now. Unless you are towing a glider, cars have no right to be on any of the runways. ALL RUNWAYS must be considered LIVE at all times, even at night.
Peter & Alison
The good news is that the Tost towrope system on MIV has been given the OK by the Chief Flying Instructor and the Chief Tug Pilot after a day of thorough testing at FAWC, initially with Nicky Oberhofer piloting the Twin Astir and Mark Siegelberg piloting the tug. Extreme “out of position” states were induced with no adverse effects to the tug. The Tost system was bought primarily as a safety feature as it allows the towrope to be cut in the event of a glider-tug upset. Release mechanisms have proved to lock up under these circumstances and should this happen now, the tug pilot can simply cut the rope. The convenience of being able to land without needing to do a rope drop is an added bonus that could enhance turn around times. The club has ordered a new reel that will allow the use of a slightly longer rope, and that should arrive later this month, together with ZS-GZF. What is GZF you may ask? One Rotax Falke.
The club was very busy on Saturday with a large fleet of gliders out. Unfortunately, and contrary to Sven’s optimistic weather report, it turned out to be a stable day. But with all the gliders out, it looked reminiscent of the old days at Worcester with lots of glider activity – let’s keep it up. To the up-and-coming cross-country types – start dreaming of Tulbach, Dasklip and Rensterhoek – November is not far off.
Martin Grünert and John Spargo worked hard to sort out the winch cables. It does seem as if the yellow cable will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Are we becoming a power-flying club now? It must seem like it to any stranger reading these reports. Still, if Sven is to be believed, soaring weather is already beginning at Worcester so hopefully we will have some “proper gliding” to report on soon – not just this easily come by engine assisted stuff. The motor glider fraternity in the persons of Adriaan & Adri Hepburn in the Lambada and Quinton Hoole and Kylie Hepburn in the Sperber had a nice breakfast fly-in to a gravel strip near Eendekuil – lots of boerebrood & konfyt to keep up the ballast. The Lambada returned via Lions Head, Muizenberg, Gordons Bay and Sir Lowrys Pass.
The Worcester Vliegklub staged a successful power-flying rally.
Sunday
Only one aerotow took place but the winch side worked hard.
Again much travelling around the country with motor gliders – Alison & Johnny Navarro took the Grob 109 and visited the Burger family at Tanqua where Alewyn’s Safari helicopter is progressing well on its test programme. The return journey was via Sutherland and Matjiesfontein. The Quinton Hoole and André Leeb du Toit visited Barrydale in the Sperber and Adriaan & Adri followed in the Lambada but did not land there.
The “work department” was hard at it again and we say a grateful “Thank you” to André Leeb du Toit and his team who carried out the annual inspection on ZS-GHB. Johan Gerike especially, and the other duty pilots in general, are also to be thanked for doing an excellent job over the weekend. Despite attempts by various “powers and principalities” to thwart him, Rob Kakebeeke is arranging the installation of lighting for the winch hangar. This will save on potential injury to the winch, the hangar and sundry club members. Thanks Rob.
Safety concern:
Drivers are making a dangerous habit of crossing the live main runway to access the winch runway in the vicinity of the 12/30 cross-runway. Not only is this a VERY DANGEROUS practise, it is causing ruts to form in the runway surface. It is also disconcerting to pilots on final approach to see cars driving around on this no-go area. Driving on the runway must stop right now. Unless you are towing a glider, cars have no right to be on any of the runways. ALL RUNWAYS must be considered LIVE at all times, even at night.
Peter & Alison
posted by CGC Reporter at 1.8.05
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