Microlighters

Our mate from Gabon, Michel Horellou is leaving Libreville (for the principality of Ballito) shortly, a colonial Frenchman and a great bloke. He has the right kit for the job. Follow his blog. He has apparently had a tough time with Angola.

I attach his email to me.


Dans quelques heures je m'envole avec le pendulaire de Port Gentil vers l'Afrique du Sud. J'ai enfin obtenu toutes les autorisations de survol et d'atterrissage, cette phase est la plus stressante car il suffit d'un retard ou d'un refus pour tout annuler ou reporter.
Le voyage devrait durer de 12 à 15 jours, tout dépendra des conditions météo.

blog http://www.tropicway.eu
Les commentaires sont, j'essaierai d'y répondre. La mise à jour du blog se fera en fonction de l'accès à internet.....

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In a few hours I will leave Gabon for South Africa with the trike. Fortunately all flight clearances have been released. The journey is expected to take 12 to 15 days depending on weather conditions.

Blog related to the trip : http://www.tropicway.eu
Commentaries ( See Ecrire un commentaire) are wellcome, blog will be updated depending on internet access

Cheers
Michel HORELLOU

Hay Paul ,does he has a transponder ? he will need one to get into Ballito.
when he comes I will fly out and show him the way and the squark.

Brett

Anyone flying through Angola is exempt from transponder requirements at Ballito.

Brett, no worries with Michel, he has a SA PPL, French PPL and has flown out of Ballito, his plane is the DTA Voyageur which is fitted with a serious French nav system , I think a satellite phone and also a ADF if not mistaken as well as a Funkwerk transponder Mode S. If you have not seen a DTA before then its probably the right tool for the job. He is using a +33 tel code (France) as we have been getting his SMS updates. He is through Angola which was his biggest worry. As he said once in Namibia he doesnt have any further concerns !! His transit visa through Angola was very short at 5 days I think he said. He has had no internet access so couldnt update his blog..Will keep posted.

Paul

Hi Paul
when he gets to Ballito we all must be there to welcom him,maybe me fly out and give him a big welcome.

Brett

Yes Brett but he is currently in Windhoek since 1 pm, tomorrow Keetmanshoop. He says by sms "Flying is hard due to strong turbulences and cold at altitude. Ballito next wed or thursday" then he replies again "Upington is going to be important up to decide route up to Ballito as weather is not good, Its getting cold with rain. Michel"

So maybe the Uppington flyers should listen out and give him a South African welcome, hes really a great bloke ! His English is very good incidentally !!

If the Uppington chaps can possibly post some pics, Ballito would be happy !! Maybe the chaps en route can also help him out as well...

Cheers Paul

I feel a club social coming - keep us udpated and we'll get the home braai, i mean fires, burning

We should let the Courier know, this is a super cool achievement

Len, I agree with you! I received a SMS last night advising his arrival at Uppington around midday today (Sunday) hopen Eben reads this so they can welcome him to South Africa! Maybe as Kevin is press officer contact the mercury as well! Jodie is the courier so that's easy.

Cheers Paul

Michel is safe in the hands of Eben and Ansa, Uppington, now looking for his route to Ballito...I will post his route and ask for some help en-route for him. Hes in high spirits !

Paul

Michel is routing via Kimberley and Bethlehem, Do we have any body in those towns who can help him out, fetch fuel and organise digs etc ?

Thanks Paul

Michel arrived yesterday, great flight from Bethlehem in 3 hours, really enjoyed the Uppington stop over; thanks Eben and Ansa. The story will appear in the Microlight magazine. Heres a pic of his arrival.

Zulu1

Remarkable indeed considering the very very bad weather patches he had.
I wish I had his guts.
These pics are when he landed at Eros, Windhoek last week Friday.