Robertson fly-in

The weekend started with a fuel crisis! While Avgas had been ordered in time, it was not delivered. Upon further prodding, Shell/BP said that no order was received, so the process had to be started again. With the lead time involved, it looked that there would be no fuel on Friday, meaning not enough fuel for the tugs for the Gauntlet. Residents schlepped one tug to the pump on Friday for the last drops and luckily on Saturday morning the tanker arrived. Johnny had left 40 litres with Bill on Friday night (when he had taken Bill’s new Grob canopy to FAWC) in case the fuel did not arrive.

Saturday saw the Gauntleteers Adriaan (LAK17), Cornelius (LS4), Mark (Nimbus2), Alan (LS8), Rico & Jacobus (DG500), William (Std Cirrus) and Peter (VentusB) all braving the strong NW wind, ably towed by Paul and Nina, who launched the entire field in less than an hour. Frank Dorey’s launch point organisation was also superb.

With 50kph winds provided by a front to the west, and the north westerly ridges not being accessible because of cloud cover, the brave pilots opted to go south east in extremely rough conditions, some turning just beyond Swellendam (see the report by clicking the “Gauntlet” link on the CGC homepage)(see also the OLC web page). Cornelius, as usual keen to be out in front, landed at Robertson from where Nina retrieved him with a long and expensive aerotow. Rico and Jacobus also landed at Robertson for a “walkabout” before taking to the sky again (possibly a p-stop though nobody is telling. Ahhh! The joys of a self launcher!) Actually I think Jaco was feeing a bit “naar” after sitting in the back seat while Rico toiled for a long time, trying to climb away from the quarry at Robertson. Rico confessed he had used his motor twice on the flight, but also that it was the first time in the last five years he had done this.

As forecast by Sven, there was wave to be found from fairly low level in the valley. Herbie reached 12000ft in his Cirrus (a record for this season) and Rob K 10200ft in his Carat, halfway downwind to Robertson, but outside the TMA. You could also ridge soar the upwind side of the clouds. Unfortunately the best lift was just inside the TMA, but with a transponder one can’t fool ATC so…

Mike P and Friedrich tasted the soaring conditions, with Friederich having to use the Apis airbrakes to stay out of cloud. He was heard to report that “he could not come down”, but thoroughly enjoyed his 133 minutes airborne. Tom went for a check flight with Martin in GZF and Bill took his last remaining toy, the G109, for a lovely long flight. Duty pilot Frank Dorey also took a ride in GZF.

This was the first time this season that gliding in significant numbers took place in the Cape Town West Information Region (the 126.5 MHz area). This area has been monitored by ATC for some months now, and the controller was pretty surely flabbergasted by the language used. I was asked for my departure point, destination and level! A bit later somebody said “this is U2 abeam Fischer International, 32, heading west”. From ATC one sometimes gets instructions which are completely illogical and therefore difficult to remember for repeating – and this may occur while you are falling out of the sky and need all your attention and concentration elsewhere. It will take some weeks before ATC will understand that gliding operations and glider pilots are different to ‘normal’ aviation.

Saturday’s flying ended with Mark waking up the sleepers with his Czech “noise machine” – a new and thirsty customer of the “Propswaaier Trust”.

So to those who thought the Saturday weather was “off”, you all missed a great day.

In the clubhouse the bar is now operated on an “honesty system”. One can take a drink and leave the cash in the cashbox. The cash bit is due to change to a “credit system” similar to that used in the Vliegklub and at the Bloemfontein Gliding Club. The barman will therefore take a much needed rest as Wally is the man in charge now.

On Saturday night and Sunday Worcester experienced rain. Between the clouds you could see snow on Brandwag, Riviersonderendberge and others. The temperature remained below 10C! Both duty pilots nevertheless turned up and duty instructor Phil took some friends for a ride in the Rotax Falke.

All in all, despite the Sunday weather, a successful flying weekend.

Report compiled by RK/AN/PW

Summer strikes!

The summer season started last week on the Highveld with torrential rain falling around Mafikeng especially. After the dry winter season, just before the summer rain begins, they have the best soaring weather of the year. That is why the Gauteng Regionals are organized during that time. Kevin Mitchell and Sven Olivier were both there to represent the CGC. Kevin was amazed by both the good soaring conditions and the amount of water coming out of the sky.

We experienced the edge of a front passing along the coast this weekend. On both days we had southerly to south easterly winds with a cool temperature. The swallows have returned from the north, bringing Tom H with them as well!

On Saturday Martin Y had the longest flight with 3,5 hours on the southern side of Vic Peak. On one or two occasions he had to choose a field - just in case! We saw many who took to the beautiful sky for the first time after a long winter break. Among them Herbie, Wally and Alison in her “Broomstick”! Friederich got a lot more experience in the Apis, doing 3 launches. His daughter helped to walk his wing to the launch point. Adriaan flew his Lak17 and Rudi flew his Astir. Sadly, Bill’s Astir left for its new home at Magaliesberg. Reinhold did an instruction flight with our newest member, Marc Avella. Mark S flew his Nimbus and after landing, let Nicky fly it as well.

A DG400 experienced a collapsed undercarriage while landing and blocked runway 15. June and Rudi had to land on runway 12 - a new experience for sure. Your reporter was the first one to speak to the DG pilot. He said that the wheel was down, but it collapsed when touching the ground. Your reporter is not on the flying panel but his opinion is that it is not good enough that the undercarriage handle is merely in the “wheel down” position - it must be secured, or secure in the “wheel down” position. The pilot was a bit rusty on type and this event could be headed “Winter Blues”!

Ryno O did the timekeeping – and a good job as usual. Gareth assisted with retrieving gliders and helped with the launching.

Sunday saw mainly visitors. William took two friends up while Johan showed some visiting KLM flying personnel what soaring is all about. The KLM pilot, John, got a ride with Rico in GWU. Simon, a visitor from Somerset West, had seen our website and brought his family out for the day. He experienced his first flight ever with Johan and thoroughly enjoyed his day! Adriaan and Adri flew the Lambada after Adri had done some “touch and goes” earlier. Later, Adriaan did his “back-seat” rating with Andre. Now we have a new AE instructor! Mike Miller and Maurice Cotton kept a good timekeeping setup on the ground while John S tugged in MIV.

Others seen at the airfield were Rob T, Peter F, Peter W and Hubert S.

All in all – a very enjoyable weekend!
Rob K and Alison N.