Microlighters

Now for those who did not follow my story on the other forum...

I was in a state of utter disbelief when I saw trikes flying over AbuDhabi city at 10pm the other nite and was adamant to find out where they came from. So I traced them to the harbour. They are 4 Hungarians flying tourists up and down the coast. On good days they average 200 pax at R400 each. Approx 20 min flight. So now you can image how much money that is. And they fly 7 days a week, from 2pm til 2am the next morning!!!! No special instruments for night flying, just some spot lights showing to the front and down, mounted on the wheel struts.

I went up with them this afternoon and arranged for a photoshoot when the viz is better. Herewith some pics.

Hi there Spirit
I am in Diebaai and haven't seen a microlight for 7 months!
Where are these guys actually based?
Are you working in Abby Dabby?

demon wrote:cool free spirit
what trikes are they
do they always fly together
we are so far behind in sa - in oz. nz. usa. abu whatever, etc one get legally go for a paying flip in a microlight. wht not here

Not to mention AM flying

Free Spirit, if you see the guys please say hi to them from a fellow Hungarian (who's cursing the weather in Cape Town) ...

Cheers,

V.

To answer all the questions

Before I left SA I already knew that flying in Dubai and AD is virtually non existent. The closest club is 2.5 hrs drive through the desert. But I also new that after the Al Ain airshow in Jan, the local tourism authorities was convinced that the idea of having trikes flying tourist along the coastline is a good one. So they flew for a cupple months and then took a break in summer and started again about a week again. I think they have a year contract now. These guys are flying under the Al Jazeera club (in Ras Al Khaima) banner. But they are not allowed to just fly around for pleasure though!

Al 4 aircraft fly every day and sometimes all 4 are up at the same time. Its amazing to watch them fly in and out, virtually non-stop. No problems with commercial flying or night flying. And as I said they don't even have instruments for night flying, but I guess one cannot get lost flying around the city. IMAGINE we could take paying tourists for a night flip over Cape Town - now that would be awesome.

O, and the pilot promised me that I could take the controls next time. :D :D :D

Not quite sure what the make of the a/c are. Will find out. I'm not too clued up on trike types

Chickenshirt - Yes I live in the land of (camel)milk and (date)syrup!! Work for Etihad airways as their corporate editorial manager and photographer. Having a ball of a time. Went for my first "dune bashing" lesson today. It helps with the withdrawl symptoms of not being able to fly!!

V will pass on the message!! Wx here ALWAYS GREAT.

And watch me I will eventually get my own aerie to fly here...