The Two River's Odyssey

[Rudix]

Wow guys, this is what flying is all about!

Just read through this thread and it makes me want to grab maps and start planning a trip! I know you will have an amazing adventure, please keep posting here as your plans progress, it makes for interesting reading!

Thanks for sharing!
Fly safe,
Rudi

[Rudix]

I am looking to modify a std 25L fuel can for my back seat so that I can tap fuel directly into the tank in flight. 50L in the tank and an extra 25L in reserve gets me pretty close to your capacity.

I used to take a 25L can with a small electric pump (Midas special) on the back seat of my Shadow on longer trips. When the fuel level drop low in the main tank you hit the switch and watch, magic to see the meter move up again

[Bundy]

Thanks Rudix.

For some reason I cannot explain, this is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I really hope that we will accomplish our goal. For someone who has only clocked 70 hrs in the air, it is one hell of a challenge for me but I'm up to the task and will make sure I'm as prepared as I can be. Go BIG or go home has always been my motto
My wingman Asterix will keep me focussed and his experience will really ease the nerves I'm sure. I really need this trip, it will definately improve my skills as a pilot...and remind me that I didnt get an NPL so that I could fly around the patch for the rest of my days.

My fuel tank sits about 120mm below the level of the back seat, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to gravity feed with a simple pipe and tap which is easily reachable from the PIC seat.... I'm looking for a second hand Fuel Tank cap for an Aquilla if anyone has one lying around?

[Rudix]

Thanks Rudix.

For some reason I cannot explain, this is something I've wanted to do for a long time. I really hope that we will accomplish our goal. For someone who has only clocked 70 hrs in the air, it is one hell of a challenge for me but I'm up to the task and will make sure I'm as prepared as I can be. Go BIG or go home has always been my motto
My wingman Asterix will keep me focussed and his experience will really ease the nerves I'm sure. I really need this trip, it will definately improve my skills as a pilot...and remind me that I didnt get an NPL so that I could fly around the patch for the rest of my days.

My fuel tank sits about 120mm below the level of the back seat, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to gravity feed with a simple pipe and tap which is easily reachable from the PIC seat.... I'm looking for a second hand Fuel Tank cap for an Aquilla if anyone has one lying around?

Great stuff Alan, you will love it!

I know the feeling, my first longish, solo trip, was when my license was 2 weeks old, my instructor thought I was crazy but I loved it!

Half the fun is planning the trip, looking at maps and Google Earth, planning fuel and sleep stops....

I am busy planning a Saldanah to Rhino Park trip somewhere in October, but this will, unfortunately, have to be a quick trip and not a exploring trip, one, maybe 2 days. I am considering flying up the west coast to Upington and then home so might cover some of the same area you are looking at.

Have fun and keep us updated!

[Asterix]

Bundy, I already have a setup for an Aquilla, gravity fed from a tank on the backseat through a hole in the tank's prop, with a manually operated non-return valve. (which is crucial, otherwise the motion of the trike might set it running while you are still full-tank, and then things may get hairy as you try to fly with one hand, and stop your tank from overflowing with the other!) lekker low-tech as well - no electronics involved - just the opening of a valve, and a good blow on a little pypie sitting above your right shoulder. So don't worry about this aspect - sorted.

As for your "low hours" - this is not applicable. You are a pilot. So, whether you spend an hour around the patch, or two hours on a track - it is the same! Flying! You know how to fly and land - so - "what you worry?!" Go fly some late mornings / early afternoons though - get used to the "normal" turbulence (non - thunderstorm induced). This is important. Long cross-countries demand this - we will NOT only be flying in smooth conditions... but I promise you your trike can handle it! Just go and learn it! (It actually becomes fun after a while - ask Bugwar... )

[Blue Max]

Hi,
Bundy I carry a 25 litt fuel container permanently on my pax seat.
It is gravity feed into the tank.
I did try the electric fuel pump option but found that you go to a lot of trouble to have it installed and wired just to find out that the electric fuel pump serves no purpose.. ....What is the use of an electric fuel pump if the fuel will run on gravity.??
The gravity feed option is easy to instal and works like a charm..You blow into a pipe and it starts to feed your tank..!!!
You will have to vissit me to see how it works.!!
What-ever option you decide on you will need a small stopvalve in the pipe leading to the tank.!!!
Everything in life starts with a dream...

I think your thread should go on the events forum..That is where it should be...
Hi ,ja ek sien Asterix deel my gevoel oor die saak..!!! Sy posting het opgekom terwyl ek my engels uitgesort het

[Bundy]

I think your thread should go on the events forum..That is where it should be...
Hi ,ja ek sien Asterix deel my gevoel oor die saak..!!! Sy posting het opgekom terwyl ek my engels uitgesort het

Agreed... now that it is official... perhaps one of the Mods would be so kind as to tfr it across to "Flying events"?

Nou hoekom will jy in engels praat Oom Paul....Jy is nou mos nie in jou trike nie...hier kan jy maar die taal praat. Hierdie soutie het met n boeremeisie getrou so ek moes gou leer!

[wiskeyfoxtrot]

Wow guys, this sounds like an EPIC jol, once in a lifetime flying adventure!. wish you guys all the best on your trip !
Please keep us updated with PLENTY on pics and tales of the journey.. when are you guys starting this trip ?

keep those big ones shining !!

Later boys

[Bundy]

Thanks Whiskey....regular updates will definately be posted

The Two Rivers Odyssey will take place between April 26th and May 18th 2013.

I am also proud to be able to inform you all that this adventure will be undertaken in aid of the amazing work that is done every day by Pretoria Sungardens Hospice who work tirelessly to support and care for patients suffering from Cancer and other terminal diseases. Hospice will be launcing their Fundraising drive later on this year.

Preparations are well on their way. The real "work" starts in the next few months where I (James is allready well prepared for long haul trips ) will be getting both myself and "The Beautiful Dawn" ship shape and equipped for the journey ahead. The original idea was to have my partner in crime (Batteleur) share the flying/ground support duties between the two of us but unfortunately Stef has had to pull out and we are now without a definate "ground crew". We will thus be doing all our planning with this in mind.

The planned route will take us through (or over) the following towns and settlements:

Parys,Viljoenskroon,Hoopstad, Bloemhof,Christiana,Warrenton,Delportshoop,Smidsdrift, Douglas, Prieska, Maryland,Brandboom, Karos,Leerkrans, Upington, Kakemas, Augrabies, Rooiveldskoei,Skuitsdrift, Onseepkans,Kleinpella, Witbank,Hakkiesdoorn, Grasdrift, Sendelingsdrift, Alexander bay, Port Nolloth,Kleinzee,Springbok, Aggeneys, Pofadder, Vastrap Runway (Kalahari), Sishen, Johan Pienaar Airport, Vryburg, Delareyville, Lichtenburg,Morningside Airfield and Ntokozo.

If you, or someone you know, is based at or owns an airfield or Private strip along this planned route, please PM me your/their contact details. We will need possible accomodation options and fuel. We will be equipped for camping and hope that we may be allowed to overnight at some of the above towns and runways. Tie down the planes and kip under the wings. ...or in a shed....or under a tree....or wherever.

We will be most grateful to anyone who can render us assistance in this regard.

Thanks guys.

[Louis Cole]

Alan I'm busy planning a similar trip for next year May/June.My charity will be the Reach for a Dream foundation. My route differs from yours where I plan to cross into Namibia at Vioolsdrif and up north at Ausenkehr to Ais-Ais and exit again at Ariamsvlei.From there up to Koppieskraalpan and back.So far some members of the 4x4 club have volunteered to be my ground crew if I share the costs but I'm happy to do that as they've done a microlight trip into Namibia before and know the Richtersveld/Namibia well.I've done a virtual Google flight of the trip and the Richtersveld and Fishriver Canyon looks daunting.I've got some possible landing strips in the Richtersveld and useful contact no.'s of the Parksboards which I will PM to you.I'm planning to pick up my father in Kamieskroon sometime this month.If there is anything you want me to arrange in Springbok w.r.t. your trip just give me a shout.I will post my Reach for a Dream-Namibia trip soon once I have clarified the border crossings.

[Bugwar]

Louis, please share how you intend crossing the border.

[Louis Cole]

Bugwar my proposed trip is very much in the initial planning phase.The border crossing is still a headache but I'm quite set on doing the Namibia leg even if I have to improvise on my intended route. Spoke to Helga who, as you know did a solo trip into Namibia.She applied in Upington for her Namibian overflight clearance through Ariamsvlei,landed on a private farm strip close to Nakop and flew across.Are you still planning to do the trip? Don't want to hijack Bundy's thread so I'll post my proposed trip on the "Events" site.

[Bundy]

Hi Louis,

It seems "great minds" think alike...or at least pick a similar date.
Wow that trip of yours sounds amazing and I look forward to your PM with some useful contacts. Feel free to post Border crossing detatils here as well, you are not "hi jacking", it is all very very useful and informative.
Very nice to hear you will also be raising funds for charity...for me, it will remind me just how priveledged and lucky we few are to be able to do these things. There are so many out there who cant, Good on you Sir.

Yes, I must admit to being more than just a bit nervous of the stretch we will be flying through the Richersveld. It is as unforgiving as it gets. The canyon is probably even worse.... At least the river gives you a few options here and there but there are stretches of 20 miles or more where there is absolutely nowhere to attempt a forced lob. As mentioned before, it looks like our planning phase will have to be done as if we were attempting this route without a ground crew...a challenge all on its own. I am hopeful that by the time we embark on this we will have found someone willing to travel with us on a "ground tour". Even if it is just for the Namaqualand section where it will be needed most.

[DarkHelmet]

Bundy - it is a active topic of discussion, I don't visit the other forums much, prefer to leave it here

[Bundy]

As you wish... Lord Vader.