My Flying

The day started off looking calm and very nice, but the weather forecast had predicted gale force winds from about 10 am, and they were right. The wind howled and I decided not to go to the airfield as there was no chance that we would fly. Instead I spent a part of the afternoon picking up roof tiles off my lawn and inspecting the roof at home.

METAR
FAPE 311100Z 27021KT 9999 -SHRA SCT040TCU 11/06 Q1001
TEMPO 3000 SHRA BKN035TCU=
TAF
FAPE 311000Z 311212 26040G50KT 9999 BKN015 TEMPO 1218
5000 SHPLRA BKN008 BKN012 BKN080 BECMG 1820 30020KT
CAVOK TX11/12ZTN09/04ZTX17/12Z=

I spent a large part of Saturday morning working hard in the hangar moving 5 aeroplanes and two trailers to eventually to be able too extract the trailer for the Single. My plan was to take the trailer home and to effect some repair work in preparation for my trip to Bloemfontein at the end of the year.

It was back breaking work, but eventually it got done. While I was at the airfield I decided to go for a quick spin in the Motor Falke. The wind was probably about 15 to 20 kph blowing cross for both the main runways. I elected 26 and during my takeoff roll soon realised that the wind was rather strong and more cross that I had expected. Never-the-less everything went off nice and smoothly and once the main wheel was off the ground a large amount of crabbing was required to keep me tracking straight down the runway.

I flew around for 10 minutes or so and then landed eventfully on runway 34. A nice short flip with some good lessons learned at 87,60ZAR.

Today was a little disappointing, but not unexpected. From early on in the week the weather forecast for today looked bleak. The blanket stratus clouds were low, but the wind was calm and we could easily have practiced some circuits. The okes on the ground were however just not LUS.

This did give me some time to start with my preparations for my gliding trip to Bloemfontein at the end of the year. The trailer for the Single is fortunately still in a good condition, but still requires quite a bit of work. Most the sponges need replacing, there are a few dents and minor bent pieces and most importantly, the cap that secures down the rear empennage is missing and a new one will need to be made.

I also inspected the cockpit of the Single as I need to do some rearranging of stuff to find a place to squeeze in my GPS and possible oxygen cylinder that I may be borrowing. While I was at it I noticed that the sub-scale on the altimeter was not working and another member noticed that the compass needed refilling. So I can basically kiss many Saturdays goodbye.

I took a short spin in the Falke; the clouds were low (1800 ft) and the air was calm. It was actually pretty pleasant not being bumped and pushed around for once. I was up for 30 minutes and this included two touch and goes.

Today I actually learned something interesting which I had never really thought about before. During all the approaches it felt as if the ground was rushing up to meet me at a fast pace and this felt a little odd and unusual. It didn’t effect my flaring though and all went off well. But then it dawned on me, the wind wasn’t blowing. I am used to flying in wind, even if it’s only a light one and because of this my ground speed was faster than normal. This is a good lesson because when I fly at altitude in Bloem (4500ft ASL), the thinner air up there makes for a higher ground speed. (Cost = 150.00ZAR)

The weather on Saturday looked really good while I toiled doing DIY at home. I was constantly looking at the nice clouds forming over Uitenhage and wished that the weather was going to look just as good the next day.

I was not to be disappointed.

Today we had a really good turnout of members and aircraft at the airfield. There was a light South-Easterly blowing which meant that the chances were good for some ridge lift.

I took the third winch launch from 08 and headed straight for the ridge. On the way there I found a small thermal, but couldn't get it to work, it did however indicate to me that there might be some more thermals in the area.

The ridge was working well and pretty soon I started to find some really good lift that turned out to be thermals. Soon I was joined by two other aircraft and all three of us were running up and down the ridge, but mainly exploring and looking for thermals. Pretty soon one of the guys got away and I headed over to his spot to catch the same lift. My climb stopped at about 4000 ft AGL; cloud base. From there I played, but not venturing too far downwind from the airfield, and landed a 106 minutes later.

What I really enjoyed about today was not only the fact that there was lift all over the place, but also being able to fly with other aircraft and to practice having them close by when thermalling and working the ridge. What was also really nice was that one of the guys was in the same type of aircraft as me and I was generally able to keep up with him. Launch plus airtime = 228,70ZAR.