Wildlife and microlights

[Tude]

Got my lisence last week and bought a aquilla 503 with topless wing. Would like to get input from anyone who has experience flying with a microlight over wildlife at about 500ft AGL.

[Wargames]

What would you like to know??

[Trikenut]

Hi Tude,
Is your Aquilla new?
I am only starting my licence now, but my instructor does game counting from a trike and from what he says, just keep the engine at low revs in case you the animals.
Also if it is a game park, check with them first to see what restrictions they have

Regards
Trikenut

[Harlequin]

Hi There.
I was fortunate to see a video, as part of my training, about the dangers of low flight.
Try getting hold of it, it’s scary, where two up on a trike are videoing game. Low and slow and the video footage dos not stop with the crash. Two dead.
Watch down drafts and if you do fly low- lots of power, bar in and a landing spot in mind.
Enjoy.
Fly safely.
Graham.

[Tude]

What would you like to know??

The behaviour of the wildlife.

[Wargames]

What would you like to know??

The behaviour of the wildlife.

It all depends whether the wild animals are used to humans and vehicles. If not, they think it is a "large eagle" coming to get them, and they will run like mad. In time they get use to the idea, and is a bit more friendly.

The whole trick lies in the following: If someone plays daredevil, he will scare them, and they will never trust a trike ever again. If all flies at a decent height, and not aggressive, you will get a lot of nice pictures and videos. Respect them, and they will respect you. The picture below was taken from about 300ft AGL, and they only started running while I was on top of them, and stopped after 50m to watch me go away. Rather spend money on better camera equipment than to scare the animals.

My 2c.

[GR8-DAD]

Nice pic WG, do you also find Gemsbok to be the least "scared" and stay put for longet than the other buck?

[Albatross]

Hi Tude

Congrats on lisence

As Trikenut said, Find out if there are any restrictions on flying with a microlight over any game park/game reserve as some reserves do not like low level microlights and get really upset , avoid flying over any lodges or houses as well. I am training in a private nature reserve and therefore am luky to fly over quite a bit of wildlife . In generall the wildlife usually ignore the bantam. The other day we did a game count for a farm and did the circuits at 200ft and the only the warthogs ran from us, the buffalo did not even budge when we circled them. We also track radio collared elephants from the air and they are quite happy but let them hear a heli and they start running in the oppisite direction. Coming in the other evening to land there was a lionness at the water whole next to the airfield and she bolted as soon as we flew over. When we landed the camp guard said that she was seen with very young cubs and this explained her behaviour as we have had a pride of lions sleeping next to the airfield while doing touch and go's.

Enjoy the flying and the wildlife,

[Stan]

Hi all

There was a similar discussion on this forum a while back. When flying over game areas be aware that you may not go lower than 2000 ft agl over proclaimed nature reserves and national parks. There was talk a while back of raising this to 4000 ft higher than the highest point on the protected area. I dont know how far they are with that move. It will make life interesting as there are a number of reserves on the escarpment with highest points in excess of 2000m amsl.

Cheers
Stan

[Thatchman]

As far as I can remember the minimum height is 1500 ft AGL over a nature reserve or game park. Not sure if I am wrong or if it was changed to 2000.

[Tude]

As far as I can remember the minimum height is 1500 ft AGL over a nature reserve or game park. Not sure if I am wrong or if it was changed to 2000.

Hi all. Thanx for all the input so far, it helps a lot.

[Wargames]

Nice pic WG, do you also find Gemsbok to be the least "scared" and stay put for longet than the other buck?

For sure, wouldn't you stay longer with such long horns??

[Dreamer]

The end of a days searching for an injured Rhino.