Is this the end of microlighting in S.A. ?

[Mike Cordeiro]

Two trikes from solitude , were denied authority to fly( BY THE CAA) because they both had more than 300Hrs TT on the engines.This after passing an inspection.
This happened today and it is being enforced since 01.01.08

The CAA requested that new cranks be fitted into these engines by an authorised Rotax agent ONLY.

The total cost of such operation (carried out by Rotax) can easily exceed
20K.

I wonder how many of us is "or will be" flying ilegally ?

[Tumbleweed]

Why don't they hand deliver the application forms to the Chairman of Aeroclub to help process and we'll put the 'moenie worrie manne ' to the test?

[Rudix]

Two trikes from solitude , were denied authority to fly( BY THE CAA) because they both had more than 300Hrs TT on the engines.This after passing an inspection.
This happened today and it is being enforced since 01.01.08

The CAA requested that new cranks be fitted into these engines by an authorised Rotax agent ONLY.

The total cost of such operation (carried out by Rotax) can easily exceed
20K.

I wonder how many of us is "or will be" flying ilegally ?

Any idea who at the CAA refused the ATF ?

I don't think it will spell the end of microlighting in SA but for me it will spell the end of Rotax

I suppose they want us all to install old clapped out BMW/VW engines and fly them forever without ANY maintenance since it is written nowhere in a manual that they need to be maintained every so many hours !!!

WHAT A JOKE ! !

[Harlequin]

Me smells a rat, A BIG F&&*&^g furry rat.
Who stands to gain from all of this ??????????
Graham.

[Wargames]

This is a bit odd considering what happened earlier this month.

ATF was issued but with a big BUT with all responsibility on owner and AP.

Suddenly it seems like some of ESKOM consultants working there at CAA

Some please someone??

[Rudix]

This is a bit odd considering what happened earlier this month.

ATF was issued but with a big BUT with all responsibility on owner and AP.

Suddenly it seems like some of ESKOM consultants working there at CAA

Some please someone??

Yes, ODD, that is why I asked who refused.......

I know who did not refuse......

[cobra]

Me smells a rat, A BIG F&&*&^g furry rat.
Who stands to gain from all of this ??????????
Graham.

Mmm let guess CAA ?

[Wargames]

Yes, ODD, that is why I asked who refused.......

I know who did not refuse......

Hi Rudix,

Just had a look and saw that it was your comment about the "BUT" issue.

What I am asking at this stage, is who is doing what. How many guys do know of that is flying illegally??

I am considering my options as well, because I don't have a extra R20k that is lying around to pay for a crank change. So that mean that I will be flying illegally as well. I don't want to create any problems, but I realy was beginning to think that this issue was sorted out by MISASA.

[Smiley]

It sounds funny as I received my ATF with 480hrs on the motor...

Andre Swanepoel told me since my aerie is not in commercial use or training use he would allow my ATF

Mmmmmm..., anymore detail for us?

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I met both the CAA NTCA "cops" today. Have known one for a while and met other for first time. I have renewed hope. They are more than approachable and have truckloads of experience in maintenance, running a school, AP, (inspect and repair) etc. We work with them we will get it right, but the rattex 300hr issue is a problem.

If your stuff is not in order expect K@K. If not you be OK. If unsure ask and am sure they will help.

The problem is not from CAA, but from RATTEX as I see it. If there is SD or AD out it must be complied with, so when RATTEX says replace crank at 300hrs CAA are just enforcing manufacturers specifications. The fact that is has not been done in the past is what is causing the problem. Seems that it will be enforced in future. Definitely in training schools and part 96 ops. Pvt ownership there may be some leeway, but all above is based on my understanding of it....

Now
How to mount a Jabi engine on a trike

[Wargames]

Two trikes from solitude

Is solitude a training school?? if so, then I do understand the issue.

Why is it that Rotax would want the crank replaced at 300 when the engine is not even certified???

[Chunky]

[quote="Wargames"][quote="Mike Cordeiro"]Two trikes from solitude[/quote]

Is solitude a training school?? if so, then I do understand the issue.

Why is it that Rotax would want the crank replaced at 300 when the engine is not even certified???[/quote]

Nope, not school planes from what I gather.

CAA now enforcing 300hr crank issue. No bending of the rules anymore.

Ok, so that means off withe 462 motor and replace with Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine. Or perhaps that supercharged Weedeater engine of my neighbour that wakes me up every sunday morning at 7 30 AM.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

I had a long chat with mike cathro yesterday.
His advice is that all pilots have the following docs on their aircraft whenever they fly (certified copis are fine, get the bank or police to stamp them):
Aircraft registration (the little postcard thing)
Authority to fly
MPL
and also needed is a a Flight Folio (Sort of log book, available from Aero Club or govt printer)
The aircraft log book must NOT be carried on the aircraft....

Penalty for not having these can be R5000.00 fine
So, make some copies and toddle off to the cop shop

I can echo this. Guys must at least carry your license, aerie reg. and ATF. We use a simply A5 duplicate invoice book as the flight folio as we have one of those where it all in one with log book. We include all the info a flight folio records. Date, type P1, from to, hrd dual hrs solo, etc. These are then transferred to flight folio and double as invoice for the company which is to pay for the flight in out accounting setup... Snags also NB

[gertcoetzee]

Does the law not say something in the line of "these documents should be on the aircraft where practical"? Which means that if I do not have panniers etc not very practical. Aside from that, how many of these documents are recovered from a crash site? How difficult is it to verify that these documents were in order after an accident? Personally I have not carried these with me - they are much safer in the safe at home than in a hangar, or unattended trike. It will not be difficult to get copies of these within an hour or two to the inspectors. Are they on the forum? Their opinions will be appreciated.

[skybound®]

Gert, the NTCA cops are from our ranks, and I think we will find it hard to prove to them that we cannot carry a few bits of paper with us. Most trikes have paniers or some form of storage. Even my first trike that had no paniers had a zip in the seat. Rather not be the test case of the new fines.

As far as maintenance goes - I believe we are only seeing the top of the iceberg. Every person I have spoken to seems only to be concentrating on the crank replacement. The Rotax two stroke manuals have tons more that has to be done even before that magic 300 hours. It is all part of the approved maintenance manual and therefore needs to be followed as the regs currently stand. Why worry about replacing the crank if you have not regapped your plugs within the last 12 hours and replaced within the last 25 (as an example).