Mountains & Seas

The meeting place for gyronauts, gyronuts and those nuts about gyro's

Moderators: Gyronaut, Condor, FO Gyro

User avatar
jtresfon
First solo
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:03 am

Mountains & Seas

Postby jtresfon » Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:33 pm

As I sit here writing this Cape Town is under assault by the weather gods. Nature's full arsenal of weather elements has been unleashed over the last 2 days and it would suffice to say that it is NOT flying weather. I am leaving in a few days time for the Wild Coast, where I will be spending the next 3 weeks photographing the Sardine Run from an underwater perspective. As happy as I am at spending the time underwater, this does mean it will be several weeks before I fly again. To prepare myself for the imminent withdrawal from the skies I decided to treat myself thius week to a "Mountains and Seas" experience. Treatment: One flight around the Peninsula and one flight through the mountains.

The peninsula flight day yielded perfect weather, clear skies, no wind but a slight haze covering the city.

Image
Table Bay Harbour and the container terminals.

Image
Kalk Bay Harbour and Fish Hoek Bay in the background.

Image
Llandudno suburb and beach with Lion's Head in the background.

Image
Camps Bay.

Image
Sea Point and Signal Hill.

Image
Duncan Dock container pier.

The next day saw the city covered in dense fog. As I drove from my house in the southern suburbs to the airfield at Goedverwacht I was in thick fog. By the time I reached Durbanville the fog was still thick and I had my doubts that I would be able to fly, but as I reached the field, the fog opened up and it was clear skies to the east. Just as if the weather itself was in on my flight plan...

Image
Paarl Valley with Paarl Rock and the N1 visible on the left.

Image
Heading towards the Franschoek Valley.

Image
Some beautiful estates lie in the Franschoek Valley.

Image
Following the Berg River to the dam.

Image
The Berg River Dam.

Image
The Berg River Dam.

Image
Three Streams Stud Farm at the southern end of the Franschoek Valley.

Image
Flying over the Franschoek Pass.

Image
Mist shrouds the edges of the Tweewaterskloof Dam.

Image
The town of Villiersdorp.

Image
Entering the Breede River Valley.

Entering the Breede River Valley it was clear that the whole area was completely fogged in. VFR on top, not good. My original plan of routing to Worcester then on to the Bainskloof Pass would have to be abandoned. So I climbed to 5000ft (chilly up there!) and routed over the mountains into Du Toits Kloof where there was no mist.

Image
Thick mist lies in the valley. Conditions go VFR on top and the plan to go to Worcester is abandoned.

Image
Climbing to 5000ft and crossing the mountains.

Image
Stettynskloof Valley.

Image
Entering Du Toits Kloof

Image
Passing over the top of Du Toits kloof Pass.

Image
The Paarl Valley looking towards False Bay.

Image
Farm lands at the north end of the Paarl Berg.

Prognosis: The treatment is showing definite signs of success and the patient should now be able to take a short term absence from flying. Sardine Run here I come...

Here are 3 images to give you an idea what it's all about:

Image
Common dolphins herd the sardines into wonderful symmetries.

Image
A bronzie cruises in the shoal, backlit by the late afternoon sun.

Image
The Brydes whale poses nicely for a close up head shot before moving off!

Regards
Jean.
User avatar
Learjet
Top Gun
Top Gun
Posts: 664
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:22 pm
Location: Cape Town

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby Learjet » Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:55 pm

Brilliant pics Jean - enjoy the Wild Coast vhpy
Dave Lehr
Magni Gyro M22 ZU-EPZ
“You're flying Buzz! No Woody we're falling in style!”
User avatar
THI
Pilot in Command
Pilot in Command
Posts: 884
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Potchefstroom - Noordwes

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby THI » Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:42 pm

Nice pics!! Above and under ;-)
Thinus Enslin
Potchefstroom (FAPS)
ZU-CML
Sycamore MK1 - Hilux of the gyros
Would love a RV10 though...
User avatar
FO Gyro
Top Gun
Top Gun
Posts: 504
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:41 pm
Location: Stellenbosch, or Flight Level 400
Contact:

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby FO Gyro » Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:29 pm

Fantastic photo's. This sure is an awesome place to fly around in a gyro! vhpy
Glenn Poley
Moderator
ex ZU-AWE Windlass Trike
ex ZU-AOA VPM M16 Gyro
ex ZU-BPU Sycamore Gyro
ex ZU-ATC VPM M16 with Rotax 914 Gyro
ex ZU-GJP MT-03 Gyro
ex ZU-NPC RV9A
ZU-RJR Magni M24 Orion Gyro
User avatar
Magnifan
Passed radio course
Passed radio course
Posts: 73
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 7:00 pm
Location: Morningstar, Cape Town

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby Magnifan » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:58 am

Spectacular photo's, Jean, the Cape is awesome on a clear winter's day!

Have fun with the fish!
Gyro Pilots do it in Autorotation
Magni M16: ZU-DIO
User avatar
abezzi
Woohoo 100 posts - flying high
Woohoo 100 posts - flying high
Posts: 113
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:26 pm
Location: Morningstar

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby abezzi » Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:59 am

Fantastic pictures, both above and under water!
Next time you plan a flight like that one and you need a pax, you know just that you will not feel alone, give me a call! Ciao, Aldo
User avatar
Grumpy
The Boss
The Boss
Posts: 1819
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:43 am
Location: Wintervogel C.T.

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby Grumpy » Fri Jun 17, 2011 9:57 am

Very entertaining post. (^^) (^^)
"Hope the weather is calm tomorrow !!"
brigg
Looking at the sky
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:41 am

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby brigg » Fri Jun 17, 2011 4:18 pm

Great stuff. Enjoy the sardines, believe it or not we will be watching some Bulls eating up some Sharks tomorrow afternoon!!!
User avatar
THI
Pilot in Command
Pilot in Command
Posts: 884
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Potchefstroom - Noordwes

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby THI » Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:57 pm

brigg wrote:Great stuff. Enjoy the sardines, believe it or not we will be watching some Bulls eating up some Sharks tomorrow afternoon!!!
Well said!!
Jean Crous
Frequent Flyer
Frequent Flyer
Posts: 1262
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2010 6:31 pm
Location: Barrydale Western Cape

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby Jean Crous » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:26 pm

:lol: As the saying goes "you are what you eat" SSSsssooo what will the Bulls then be? Bullarks maybe :lol: :lol: :lol: Maybe not ...it sounds a bit too much like Bollocks......
Hat , coat, door...
The new front seat solo Cubby MK2 powered by Rotax 912 S 100hp
Cubby Aircraft Factory
Suppliers of Nitrate, Butyrate, adhesive, Fabric
Email: cubbyaircraftfactory@gmail.com
0726716240
Jean Crous
SACAA Approved Person 402
nicow
The Big Four K
The Big Four K
Posts: 5052
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 7:09 am
Location: Mooketsi,Duiwelskloof
Contact:

Re: Mountains & Seas

Postby nicow » Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:30 am

Beautiful[*] (^^) (^^) (^^)
Nico
Limpopo Flight School
nico@limpopoflightschool.co.za

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests