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Weather? to fly or not to fly

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:33 am
by Dreamer
been losing out on flying for the last few days with the weather. Monday night rained like hell so did not bother waking up, then when I did it was a beautiful morning.....last night rained but decided I am getting up anyway. Woke up and hey its raining.......bugger this I thought I am going to the airfield anyway..so left home at 04.45 in the rain, drove 50min in the rain to Rhino and guess what...........10 min from field no rain....Got to fly.yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa........got to practice landings, simulated engine outs, some crosswind landings. Think I need a webcam on the field, seems to have its own ideas about the weather.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:43 am
by DarkHelmet
I tend to make an effort the next morning after a lekker storm. The air is crisp and clear if the clouds have subsided. But it is the rainy season and we have to give way to nature.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 9:49 am
by Dre'man
I know the feeling, I live 22km's away from my airfield for two weeks all was fine at my house but weather building over the field. :evil:

Really frustrating when you have just gone Solo and want to consolodate. Now my instructor is away so no flying until 13 Jan :cry:

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:36 am
by Big-D
The weater sure does suck in the Highveld lately

Try living 65km from airfield, driving out there on 3 consecutive occasions, only to stare at the windsock..... :cry:
Really frustrating when you have just gone Solo and want to consolodate. Now my instructor is away so no flying until 13 Jan
That was me a year ago - I feel your pain brother. Keep the faith, or come for a flip with us if it gets too bad

D

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:44 am
by Dre'man
Hi Big D wouldn't mind taking you up on that offer, however remember I am the same size and weight as you :shock: .

It would be nice to see though how other airfields operate.

For the weather we have an sms system that sends the last 10 min details, inclusing temp wind speeds, dew point temp, Rh etc. Would save you a couple of trips. Costs R5 to send the request.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:54 am
by Big-D
I am the same size and weight as you .
Thats good, you eat your "pap"

DH and I fly together 99% of the time, you won't be able to backseat with me but you can hop in the back with him no problem.

I know about the sms system, unfortunately the closest one to Aviators Paradise is at Lanseria (that I know of) which is a little far from AP, I still use it though.

I am offline from tommorow onwards but DH will be online, give him a shout and come through to AP one morning between Christmas and New-year, we will probably try to fly every day.

D

Re: Weather? to fly or not to fly

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:57 am
by Bennie Vorster
Dreamer wrote:simulated engine outs, some crosswind landings. Think I need a webcam on the field, seems to have its own ideas about the weather.
Now that start making sens. :idea: Is there a cheap way of setting up a type of webcam you acn dail into by some of the clubs or airports. Subscribing to it might be cheaper than all the fule you use to go out there to Not fly. :roll: :idea: But then again we might miss out on all the cuminian we share. :wink: :wink: :wink:

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:59 am
by moose
i had a great flight this morning, flew for 2.2 hours, did some really low level flying over mielie fields and simulated dead stick landings as well... :D

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:56 am
by Thunderboy
I find at the moment early mornings are best, afternoons too hot and windy unless you wait untill after 5:00

I planned to go up early this morning but ,,,, maybee this afternoon, anyone want to join me :?:

Anyway if in doubt bout the weather - don't fly :wink:

Re: Weather? to fly or not to fly

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:59 am
by Thunderboy
Bennie Vorster wrote:
Dreamer wrote:simulated engine outs, some crosswind landings. Think I need a webcam on the field, seems to have its own ideas about the weather.
Now that start making sens. :idea: Is there a cheap way of setting up a type of webcam you acn dail into by some of the clubs or airports. Subscribing to it might be cheaper than all the fule you use to go out there to Not fly. :roll: :idea: But then again we might miss out on all the cuminian we share. :wink: :wink: :wink:
Bennie

We have a cell number to call that is connected to a Wx station at our field, it gives you wind speed etc - just not info on rain obviously, send a PM to Ian here if you want more info

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:27 pm
by Dreamer
Try living 65km from airfield
I know the feeling well, I live in Blairgowrie (Randberg) and fly from Rhinopark. No sms sytem there, we use the rock method...if its wet its raining, if you cant see the rock its misty etc........just need a webcam so I can check the rock. I will have to come visit you guys at AP one of these days.only 4 hours since getting my licence, so wont quite venture that far on my own, will hop across with Lep as guide one of these days.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:19 pm
by Big-D
I will have to come visit you guys at AP one of these days.
Nou pra jy.

Nice thing about the trip from Rhino to AP (if not going through Pinidene corridor) is that there are airfields all the way to land if weather turns sour (J.A.G and Rosslyn microflighers and even Wonderboom if you really have to) - I would not venture that far yet either - But from Feb onwards weather will be lekker

D

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:28 pm
by Dreamer
yea, I am still sticking around the cabbage patch.....been out to Bronkhorstspruit dam and over to Jag/Culinnan....geting there slowly, gotta push the envelope gently, not tear it in half.. :) I often drive past harties towards Rustenberg/Pilanesberg....see the guys in the air there sometimes.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:33 pm
by Big-D
been out to Bronkhorstspruit dam
I used to fly from Petit and my airy new the way to Bronkies rather well. The dam must be rather full now.
gotta push the envelope gently, not tear it in half..
Very true.

What do you fly?

Cheers

D

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:41 pm
by Dreamer
Yea dam is full, looking very nice now. I fly an Aquilla 582. Total of 37 hrs now (me not the trike) :) including lessons . Want another 10-15 hrs or so depending on when I feel happy before taking first pax.....wife is keen to go up.