Microlighters

The huge hail storm has wreaked havoc at Petit. The hangar that Jenya works out of has partially collapsed, destroying a v tail bonanza and a trike and partially damaging a challenger and cubby. In another hangar the hail went right through a bushbaby's wings after breaking the skylights. I couldn't open my hangar door 5 hours after the storm due to half a metre of ice lying against it. One of my wife's friends lost a horse and both of my wife's horses are full of welts all over their bodies. It was one moer of a woes storm!!

Shane called me and told me the bad news of his new baby. SBP has a couple of holes through the wing and fuselage. Luckily the plane is insured. Will get the pics tomorrow.

Oh no, not good ...

Nkwazi, this might sound terrible, but please tell me it is the runway side of that hangar row and not Jenya's workshop side ?

I've got a project standing in Jenya's workshop

2nd time in, what, 2 years that Jenya's row has been hit ? Time for some windrows or trees maybe ?

This is so so sad guys, my heart goes out to those who have been affected.

I did not know till now that Petit also got hit. When Alex called me yesterday and said he was on his way to Rhino to see the damage, I frantically phoned Fanie and Hans at Microland but although we had some hail, all is ok and looks like the storm "skirted" us.

Please let us know what we can all do to help?

The roof in the middle of the hangar has collapsed. I didn't see any aircraft in Jenya's section but he won't be able to work in their now. Doors are off and roof caved in. The damage to the Bonanza brings a tear to the eye....
It wasn't wind this time but the sheer weight of the hail on the roof.

Ag no not again poor Jenya we must all come together and help him get back up & running

Can we start a relief fund?

I think we can (and must) get a relief fund going guys, give me a bit of time....I am in consultation with the Committee on this subject.

We must help eachother during times like this. Hopefully we can get a better idea on the damage sustained in the next day or two.

Normally I love going out to an airfield.....not today

This was the Hanger where Aerossa did business. A very dejected and sad Jenya greeted me when I got there. The damage is virtually total. Some hangers could still not be opened when I was there this morning. A disaster of epic proportions indeed.

Sad day for all involved. Jenya is (obviously) looking very urgently at new premises? Any Ideas guys?

Very sorry to read this guys, my heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by this.
Jean Crous.

Bundy wrote:This was the Hanger where Aerossa did business.

Bundy, how is his actual workshop, situated at the most western end of this long hangar, affected ?

He can't use his workshop. The roof in the area where he assembles is almost at ground level

kloot piloot wrote:

Bundy wrote:This was the Hanger where Aerossa did business.

Bundy, how is his actual workshop, situated at the most western end of this long hangar, affected ?

Roel, "his storeroom" on the very far western side did not collapse but he cannot work there anymore. The callapsed structure partially pulled down the dividing wall between the two areas, but I guess he is lucky to not have had a collapse there as he has a lot of stock piled in that area.

Being in the trade, and knowing a little bit about this type of structure...I can tell you I think the storm they got hit by two years ago probably had a lot to do with this equation.... Some of the trusses were not standing vertical prior to this latest hailstorm I'm told? The structure was definately allready weakened....add a few tons of ice....and well the rest is history.

The storms we are experiencing nowadays are getting worse chaps...I believe this type of freak event will not be classed as such in future....it is becomming a common event. Go have a good look at your hangers and make sure they are as structurally sound as possible. A lot of strengthening measures can be retro fitted with minimal fuss and expense. It was sheer weight that destroyed this hanger, but there are other factors (wind) that also come into play...

Anyway...just my 2c

FABA did not get hit...luckily for us...but Merv got caught in the hail storm while driving...you should see what his poor Audi looks like
You can expect massive insurance claims coming from this....the house I built for a client in Cullinan a few years back has about R80K in damages including all the solar panels and geysers. Shredded Polycarbonate sheeting in places and the roof looks like it was panelbeated by an army of ball pene hammer wielding monkeys. They also sadly lost a horse to the golf and cricketball sized hail....

sorry..

So Sad.......... Sorry Chaps.