How it can be...

[lamercyfly]

.Hi folk.

I have just returned from a 6 week stint in the Seychelles. Flew a microlight trike for the Conservation Society. But what I want to share with readers is the absolutely amazing experience of flying and operating a microlight trike out of an international airport.

No transponder required.
No radar system whatsoever required
No big brother attitude from controlling body

Some lovely examples are the following:

1. Boeing 767 on 2 minute from touchdown finals, and I get permission to continue my approach and cross over the extended centreline at the opposite end of the runway. Controller asks me my estimated time to crossing centreline, and also asks boeing pilot for estmate to initiate go around time(whatever the correct words are I don't really remember), and then figures I will be able to cross the centreline and be safely on downwind so gives me the go-ahead...........and the controller DOES NOT have me visual when he takes my word for my estimated time..........

2. I fly a tight circuit (normal trike downwind) about 300m off to the side of the runway. And that's where I am when my request to orbit in my current position is approved. Get that guys, I am at 400feet AGL, 300m off to the side, and I start orbiting (obviously initiate my turn away from the runway), but thats where I orbit while the Boeing lands and passes me on the runway.

3. Boeing is told to wait in the turning loop while I approach for my landing

4. I am cleared to land behind a back-tracking Boeing. Instructions are just so simple "behind backtracking Boeing visual cleared to land"........

5. Flying downwind (300 m away from the runway), abeam a backtracking Boeing, and he is starting to pull ahead of me, taxing faster than my downwind speed of 45mph and the pilot is waving at me from the cockpit

6. Because of the violent turbulence when the wind comes from the SE, we join base at about 2 500feet and then spiral down through the turbulence. So I play a bit and do some almost wingovers following a fig 8 on base leg. The controller comes over the air and asks, "Ees eet windee up zere. Are yu OK?" (french accent)... I am doing figure 8 kinda wing-overs, and he is not bothered in the least. All he is concerned about is my safety. If I want to perform 'rapid height loss by doing wing-overs, then he trusts my judgement. Is'nt that just amazing controlling. My oh! my......

Man, I can go on and on about how relaxed and absolutely professional those controllers are. Makes you think hey... But don't get me wrong, our controllers are also a great bunch of folk, but their hands are tied

I know that things will never change here because of prevailing attitudes, but I just had to share with you the amazing experience of "how it can be".........

Regards.

[Wargames]

Have to agree that it is a nice experience.

Me think, with there numbers dwindling, ATC's is under too much strain in RSA too do that kind of controlling.

Regards,

[skybound®]

Just to add a thought - it is not always the controllers fault in SA, but the policies and guidelines that are set for them by their management. The ATC is merely the enforcer.

[AndyG]

Nice story but can't think it would be too great to see pilots start doing kind of figure of 8 wingovers to lose height here in SA especially at an airport.

[johnsa]

Lamercy (dave?)

Good story, cherish the moments and keep them in mind the ease the pain with SA ATC.

[Arnulf]

Just my opinion on our ATC. I interact with them on a professional basis.
They are by far the best in Africa!
Their professionalism is on par with the ATC in first world countries.
Believe me, I know.

Regards,
Arnulf

[alanmack]

Hi Dave

A couple of years ago - flying down the coast abeam the Nahoon river (East London) I had clearance from the tower to fly straight down along the coastline and the city beachfront etc. also no transponder. Next, I was addressed by the Tower - please orbit and follow in behind the boeing xyz!!!! Our now recently lost good friend Errol Seager was on the back - boy did we dive - as fast as we could - low level up the river until it was long gone!!! Definately a brown trouser moment.

fly safe

[John Boucher]

Hi there David

Welcome back... was wondering why you had become so quiet of late!

Pictures please.... want to see!

[andreb]

I think the guy running the international airport in Seychells is South African. Ex Air Force.

[lamercyfly]

Hi guys...

Thanks for the welcome back and kind thoughts.

And yes, I do accept that some of our airports are rather busy.

And no, I did not say that our ATNS fellows are sub standard. On the contrary, I said we have great guys, but that their hands are tied...

To wrap it up, the essence of my little story was just to let readers know that it can still be done..... flights with microlights out of international busy airports with NO TRANSPONDER, no hassle and with no perception from relevant bodies that microlights are a hazard.

Cheers guys.

[AndyG]

Where you based now Dave?

[kevinbark]

Sheesh Dave, here in SA even fully kitted GA aeries are getting uphill from ATNS, so that must have been some experience. Must look rather insane being so open in a ML to be able to watch some heavy iron from that close. Pics man...