We are Bigger
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:07 am
I've been part of the fantastic fly-in at Heidelberg last Saturday. On the way home I wondered how many
new topics will spring up on the various aviation forums, as it may have looked chaotic having at times
dozens of different types of aircrafts arriving and departing at the same time. Surely there must have
been a number of pilots operating outside their comfort zone.
Having now seen the same old "hoo-haa" written all over again, I will say we microlighters are bigger
"than throwing stones" and tackle the issue constructively from experiences gained.
My Suggestion:
As all the Fly-in's and Fly-out's end up with the same "niggles", we come up with a set of TIPS FOR FLY-IN'S
AND FLY-OUT'S. There is no better forum to work them out, than microlighters.co.za. Once they are
finalized, one of the moderators or senior contributors posts them on to every event.
TIPS FOR FLY-IN'S AND FLY-OUT'S
Before Event: Organize formations (called formation ZU-XYZ) Maximum 10 members?
Formation leader will land and take off first and do all the radio work, deputy leader
lands and takes off last and calls accordingly. Advise organizers/safety officer with
traceable means of intentions. Get Notems, frequencies, co-ordinates, procedures
and maps.
Before Departure: Formation leader briefing, procedures, safety and emergency procedures, etc.
On Route: The closer to the venue, the tighter the formation. Most important: Altitude!
Loose trikes or smaller formations to join up with others.
Arriving at Venue: Do not enter controlled airspace or join overhead airfield without permission. Keep
circuits as short as possible. Try to land as close as possible to taxiways.
On the Ground: Formation leaders meet up amongst themselves to arrange take off sequences.
Formation leaders to meet with safety officer and ATC to advise them of the
needs and capabilities of relevant aircrafts and arrange individual formation start
up, taxi and take off. Hold a formation member briefing.
After Take Off: Don't turn towards the public, hangars or car parks. Leave air space as soon as
possible. Keep formation altitude variances to a minimum.
Remember: With participation comes experience, whatever you do, safety comes
first.
I know most of you operate under these principles already, however it is not the 99% which get' judged,
it's the 1%!!!
Please add or change as necessary. Let's keep it simple and to the point and in a A4 format for possible
printing.
Robert
new topics will spring up on the various aviation forums, as it may have looked chaotic having at times
dozens of different types of aircrafts arriving and departing at the same time. Surely there must have
been a number of pilots operating outside their comfort zone.
Having now seen the same old "hoo-haa" written all over again, I will say we microlighters are bigger
"than throwing stones" and tackle the issue constructively from experiences gained.
My Suggestion:
As all the Fly-in's and Fly-out's end up with the same "niggles", we come up with a set of TIPS FOR FLY-IN'S
AND FLY-OUT'S. There is no better forum to work them out, than microlighters.co.za. Once they are
finalized, one of the moderators or senior contributors posts them on to every event.
TIPS FOR FLY-IN'S AND FLY-OUT'S
Before Event: Organize formations (called formation ZU-XYZ) Maximum 10 members?
Formation leader will land and take off first and do all the radio work, deputy leader
lands and takes off last and calls accordingly. Advise organizers/safety officer with
traceable means of intentions. Get Notems, frequencies, co-ordinates, procedures
and maps.
Before Departure: Formation leader briefing, procedures, safety and emergency procedures, etc.
On Route: The closer to the venue, the tighter the formation. Most important: Altitude!
Loose trikes or smaller formations to join up with others.
Arriving at Venue: Do not enter controlled airspace or join overhead airfield without permission. Keep
circuits as short as possible. Try to land as close as possible to taxiways.
On the Ground: Formation leaders meet up amongst themselves to arrange take off sequences.
Formation leaders to meet with safety officer and ATC to advise them of the
needs and capabilities of relevant aircrafts and arrange individual formation start
up, taxi and take off. Hold a formation member briefing.
After Take Off: Don't turn towards the public, hangars or car parks. Leave air space as soon as
possible. Keep formation altitude variances to a minimum.
Remember: With participation comes experience, whatever you do, safety comes
first.
I know most of you operate under these principles already, however it is not the 99% which get' judged,
it's the 1%!!!
Please add or change as necessary. Let's keep it simple and to the point and in a A4 format for possible
printing.
Robert
