Microlighters

Hi everyone,

Looks like this was one of the threads that got lost !

Ok, the trip is still on, the plan is to fly from Oribi on 5 or 6 August weather permitting, heading for Petit. A bit of route planning is still needed, Newcastle is one stop that looks good, other than Bennie and friends being there there is also fuel available. I would like 1 or 2 alternate/extra stops, with fuel if possible (Mogas or Avgas) and a cup of coffee would also be great . Any suggestions ?

It would be great is we can get a few planes to fly along, even if it is just for a short distance or meeting along the way ! I think it will be fun and will result in great air to air photos as well ! Anybody interested ? Who's up to the challange ?

Happy flying !
Rudi

Thanks for the e-mail I have had so far, looks like this could be fun !

Currently it looks like it will be Cato to Newcastle (140 miles), Newcastle to Secunda (100 miles) and Secunda to Petit (57 miles). I would have liked a stop between Cato and Newcastle with fuel just incase we have a strong headwind ! Leaving quit early in the morning would make it hopefully not to bumpy over the mountains !

The trip will be well documented with photos and posted on the ZU-AVB web page.

Any suggestions on a stop beween Cato and Newcastle ?

Happy flying,
Rudi

Rudix wrote:Any suggestions on a stop beween Cato and Newcastle ?

Estcourt [Engen One Stop or the Glider Field].
Regards

John Young wrote:

Rudix wrote:Any suggestions on a stop beween Cato and Newcastle ?

Estcourt [Engen One Stop or the Glider Field].
Regards

Thanks John,

Interesting ! I wonder how long the landing strip is at the Engen ? The plane is a Streak Shadow. Would anyone have the Co-ordinates for the Engen garage or the glider field ? Would there be fuel available at the glider field ?

Thanks for any info !
Regards,
Rudi

Rudix wrote:Interesting ! I wonder how long the landing strip is at the Engen ? The plane is a Streak Shadow. Would anyone have the Co-ordinates for the Engen garage or the glider field ? Would there be fuel available at the glider field ?

The photo shows the “Shell Ultra City strip”. Apologies, I referred to Engen. Demon & Rietfontein Gang know this area quite well. I can provide the co-ords for the gliding field, but think that the Shell Ultra City may be a good option for you.

Regards

John Young wrote:

Rudix wrote:Interesting ! I wonder how long the landing strip is at the Engen ? The plane is a Streak Shadow. Would anyone have the Co-ordinates for the Engen garage or the glider field ? Would there be fuel available at the glider field ?

The photo shows the “Shell Ultra City strip”. Apologies, I referred to Engen. Demon & Rietfontein Gang know this area quite well. I can provide the co-ords for the gliding field, but think that the Shell Ultra City may be a good option for you.

Regards

Great John ! That looks cool, I think it will be a fun stop anyway, can always follow the road to find it :D

Thanks !
Regards,
Rudi

Did Rand to Margate IFR* many moons ago. Was awesome "racing" some of the cars and way more fun than plodding along at FL105...



*IFR - I Fly Roads

In Secunda you're sorted. Afgas available, if unleaded, let me know I'll have clean drums ready for you.

There's a decent restaurant and If you want to overnight, I'm sure we can squeeze your plane in the hangar.

You have the choice of either Graceland, or waterfront Lodge, both under the circuit.

Your Newcastle / Secunda 100 miles looks a bit suspect? Some serious hills to climb.

Keep us updated, maybe we can fly a way with you.

Delta VV wrote:In Secunda you're sorted. Afgas available, if unleaded, let me know I'll have clean drums ready for you.

There's a decent restaurant and If you want to overnight, I'm sure we can squeeze your plane in the hangar.

You have the choice of either Graceland, or waterfront Lodge, both under the circuit.

Your Newcastle / Secunda 100 miles looks a bit suspect? Some serious hills to climb.

Keep us updated, maybe we can fly a way with you.

Great Delta VV ! Afgas is fine (It is a Jabiru 2200). Thanks for the offer ! We will keep the overnight as an option in case of bad weather.

I will recheck the distances, these were just quickly measured with Mapsource on roadmaps so terrain was not taken into account. The hills to climb will be fun, the Jabiru is going to work hard

It would be great if you can fly a distance with us, plan A is to try and leave very early on Saturday (5 August) weather allowing, the plane does an easy cruise at 85mpg at 10-12l per hour.

Will keep you updated !
Regards,
Rudi

Great. Won't be flying much with you at 60 m.p.h @ 15 lt /hour 582 Rattex unless there's a serious tailwind.

Delta VV wrote:Great. Won't be flying much with you at 60 m.p.h @ 15 lt /hour 582 Rattex unless there's a serious tailwind.

:D No problem, can always drop the flaps, the stall speed is below 30mph

Will be great to meet, and I would love to take some air to air photos as well !

Perhaps I am being dumb here but doesn't the older Jabiru 2200 only run on AVGAS?

Morph wrote:Perhaps I am being dumb here but doesn't the older Jabiru 2200 only run on AVGAS?

Hi Morph,

This is the later spec 2200, rated to run on Avgas or Mogas, 90 octane or above according to the manual. I am not sure but earlier models might have been different, I also think in certified aircraft you are only supposed to use Avgas, even if the engine is happy with mogas ! I know at some point a few changes were made, including the compression ratio, that could have an affect on the min octane rating of the fuel that could be used.

Here is an extract from the manual:

Engine Specification:

* Displacement........................2200cc
* Bore.....................................97.5mm
* Stroke..................................74mm
* Compression ratio..................8.0:1
* Rotation of Prop Shaft...........clockwise - pilot's view - tractor
* Ramp weight........................60kg (132lb) inc. Exhaust, Carburettor,
Starter Motor, Alternator & ignition systems.
* Ignition timing......................25° BTDC
* Firing order..........................1-3-2-4
* DC output............................10amps
* Power rating........................63kw (85hp) @ 3300rpm
* Fuel consumption.................13-14 l/hr (3 imp gph) @ 75% power
* Fuel....................................AVGAS 100LL / Mogas 90 RON
* Oil......................................Aeroshell W100 or 15W50 multigrade
aviation oil.
* Oil capacity..........................2.3l with oil cooler(2.2 Quarts)
* Spark Plugs..........................NGK D9EA - Automotive

Here is the "baby" to be delivered !





Happy flying,
Rudi

Land on the Jhb - Dbn side and its no problem at all, watch for water sprinklers (sometimes) you can taxi right up to the pumps. After take off take a trip slightly North at the next road junction, you wills see Frere (Bulwers camp) and the Churchill monument, also some bridges that were blown up by the Boers. These were never repaired. I know the Battlefields well and you will fly over most of them, send me a PM and I can help you with the route etc. Nice trip done it a few times.

eish Zulu1

ZULU1 wrote:Land on the Jhb - Dbn side and its no problem at all, watch for water sprinklers (sometimes) you can taxi right up to the pumps. After take off take a trip slightly North at the next road junction, you wills see Frere (Bulwers camp) and the Churchill monument, also some bridges that were blown up by the Boers. These were never repaired. I know the Battlefields well and you will fly over most of them, send me a PM and I can help you with the route etc. Nice trip done it a few times.

eish Zulu1

Thanks, Zulu, interesting, the thought of taxing to the pumps appeals to me ! I think this one is a must.

The battle fields sounds interesting, I would love to take some photos, will drop you a PM, thanks for the offer to help with the planning, I need all the help I can get

Regards,
Rudi