Microlighters

It started with Quad bikes; now the local community is targeting the micro light pilots or “Mosquitoes” locally.

Lately there has been a slight increase in numbers when we look at the growth of our local pilots and we are standing on a whopping ten trykes of witch four to five might be flying at a time. Now in our small community the folks are reluctant to change and all of a sudden people start taking notice of the “Mosquitoes”.

Every other week there is someone complaining about not been able to sleep late, or being able to go to bed before the sun set. On the one hand being the talk of the town might sound exciting, but it also starts to impact on the good name of micro light aviation in the area. Being in the Quad and Micro light sport, I feel like an outcast. Is the same happening in your areas and what can we do to swing this trend into a positive spin off.
Especially with all the free advertising we receive.

It is important in any community to work with the community. It is very important to take the complaints seriously, and discuss options with the people who complain. Mostly we find that they just want to be heard, and minor changes in routing and time limits on certain routes can make a big difference.

In our area where we have over 50 microlights between 2 airfields, plus visitors, and everyone wants to fly at the coast, it has been a lot of delicate juggling, but everyone appreciates it if you take their complaint seriously and try and work with them on a compromise.

We also assist in vehicle tracking for the police (and on-foot suspects), photographing for environmental issues etc. and make sure that these are also published in the local paper. I know of farmers in your area who have helped with cattle-theft. That could probably be a big winner to put it in the local news-paper

Bennie, continuing from FF's comments.
At Ballito, we get hammered with calls from Uncle-Pissed-off-Joe. What we did a few years ago, and last year, was put a ad in the local paper, addressed to the locals.
We offered a free flip, (15 min) for all locals that brought the advert with them. The event was held on one day, from 8 till 11, and most of the regulars were there to help fly. Because we were NOT flying for reward, it was not limited to instructors to fly, although they did get first choice. We got the fuel sponsored my Caltex. This was a way of saying to the locals, "sorry for the noise over the last year", but come and see why we enjoy what we are doing. Worked well, and a few people came to us and said they appreciate it.
Also, if you publish the name and number of (say your committee leader), then the public have one person to contact, and he can monitor who is doing what, that is causing residents to get upset.
And remember, no reg, no complaint.
Also helps sometime to let them know that the SA airlaw states..... normally works in your favour.

Ja Bennie it's like being a smoker now days not welcome any where.

Julle het die hele platteland om in te vlieg dan buzz julle die cherries in die dorp dis hoekom, JOKING.

Get involved with the locals and all will change, good luck and lets have a report back on your topic.

How much of a difference does a 2 blade prop have for noise and even more so a 4 stroke motor?