Hi Guys
This was a very very interesting introduction into long distance flying for me and worth every drop of swet.
It all started when I decided to join Rion when flying an Icarus for a service down to Micro-flight so We woke up Yesterday morning, got to the hangers and had to start a generator to do our pre flights as the airfield was without electricity for the last week
and then the mist started settling in and we had to wait it out. After reverting to plan C we decided that plan A still were the best option, so off we went for a flight from Newcastle to Wakkerstroom where we had to pick up the owner of the Icarus from his farm strip.
The flight there was as awesome as the scenery that went with it.
After a save landing on the farm and a quick preflight It was my turn to take off first as I was to say at 7500 ft and Rion and Neels will fly flight levels to Rino, so now was the first time that I realized that I was actually alone and entering into unknown territory. With Rion dropping in on frequency to follow up on my progress now and then the flight to Rino wasn't to bad except for me being a bit to high for the first landing attempt on 27 at Rino Park.
Even the Radio Prosuders didn't went to bad.
With some friendly assistance from Andre and them we collected some fuel from a close by filling station.
Now by that time it was more or less the time for all the fun to start. While Refueling, preflighting and waiting we saw the clouds started building up and a small storm heading strait for Rino. We decided to rather fly straight to Standerton and from there see with what plan of action we could come up. Because my nerves was totally in shatters by then, Rion had to make the first move and took off with me following in hot pursuit.
As Rion took off and I was turning onto 27 for lining up Rion radios me that they just flew into some rain and suggested that I waited for a while and we could join up at Standerton. I made a U-Turn and before pulling into a hanger my poor BB were socking wet and there I was stuck for at least an Hour before attempting taking off. So by the time I was ready for take off, Rion was at Standerton strip and we decided that I will push on to Standerton while they are pushing for Volksrust strip.
As soon as I took of from Rino My GPS battery called it time out and the Pilot 3 that I had as backup was set straight to Newcastle. It even got more interesting as another storm was breeding strait in my flight path and started poring, so it left me to duck and dive threw the stormy areas ending up totally off rought and realising that I had no Idea where I were, I eventually realised that I was over flowing the R53 between Heidelberg and Greyling stad. So the next best thing for me was to follow the road. Fortunately there was no more bad WX in my flight path. Still I was not feeling very sure of were on the map I were, but at least I was heading in a generar heading for Standerton. Strange how different towns look from up there and how quickly you can get lost if you are not familiar with the aeria.
In the meanwhile a new problem started
I only had enough fuel to fly straight to Standerton and By now I started to run low on fuel.
It was the longest trip I have ever flown to a place I was not sure of. I started scanning for strips for a precautionary landings to either find out where I were or to get some fuel but due to the bad landing areas and the risks involved I decided to push on.
At last I spotted the grain silos of Standerton but as squatters moved in to the airport ans strip
the next best thing was to land at an private strip outside of town on the Secunda road. So now I was seriously looking circeling to look for a strip that I could not find while been very limited of fuel as the gages indicated no fuel in any of the tanks.
After deciding to do a final fly over, over a spot I decided to land on, I noticed the strip and went in for a landing ASAP.
As soon as the plane came to a stop, I did a fuel check and found the one tank to be completely dry and the other to have 15 Liters left.
So after phoning Reon to find out where they were, I was stranded at Standerton And they were stranded at Volksrust for the night as a storm was all over the Newcastle area and it was getting dark.
No need to tell you how the nerves were by then. Luckily I had a place to stay over and after the rush of collecting fuel, preflight, charging phones and waiting for the mist to clear I was able to took off at 8H00 this morning and landed safely Newcastle airport at 9H00.
I think I just need a few days to be able to work threw the emotions and stress of the last two days
Must say that I really got some confidence in that little Bush Baby over the last two days.
Is jy al terug of bly jy oor hier in GP, sal graag will hello sê !
congratulations - this is the beginning of the end you do realise it hey 
