North meets South 2011 - Gariep 20-22 May 11, 73 GYRO'S

[FLYNOTE]

The crisp pre-dawn stillness of a dozen frost laden Highveld airfields is  shattered by the roar of a multitude of Rotax engines. At the same moment, the great mountain ranges in the fairest Cape of them all, suddenly loom out of the dark night of a moment ago and start materialising into gigantic silhouettes.  
One by one the Magnis and Elas and RAFs and MT's and Xenons and Sycamores and whatever other unique form of gyrocraft this passionate fraternity has to offer , appear out of  hangars in the Karoo, Limpopo Province, the Eastern Cape, the Free State, North West Province, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, the Northern Cape. All over the entire country the " prop clear!"  call is sounded and gps's are all set to uniform co -ordinates.  Go to ... GARIEP!
Flight suits are donned and balaclavas pulled over numb watery noses to combat the winter chill. Helmet straps are securely tightened under the chins of 100 gyroplane pilots as they slip into their tandems and tighten their seatbelts. The side by siders enter their craft and secure the hatches. Billies and droës, energy bars , cold meat sarmies, fruit juice , a flask of coffee, cokes and any other variation of padkos has been securely stored in the pods of the M22 with the luggage for the weekend or under the pilot seat of the Ela or MT or in the centre console coolbox of the Xenon. 
As 100 rotors start swishing and swishing , faster and faster as they gain momentum all over South Africa, a touch of gold streaks the opal grey of the Free State dawn as the first rays of the early morning sun lightly stroke the idyllic water mass of the magnificent Gariep dam. It is as though the serene beauty of this sunrise is pre-empting something special about to take place on this day. There is a ripple of excitement and anticipation in the still atmosphere. 
The big day has finally arrived!
The day that has been talked about and dreamed about and planned for and looked forward to over so many months. It is a day that will be recorded in the annals of gyroplane history in South Africa. All over the world, enthusiasts will know about it and there will be a buzz about this "greatest gyro event ever" that took place in South Africa during the early Winter of 2011. 
And you? You will not only be proud to proclaim "I also am a South African gyronaut!" 
No , you are much more special because you will be able to say ... " I was there!"
This is history in the making. We are talking Guiness Book of Records stuff. We are talking of making a stand for gyroplanes not only in South Africa but internationally. 
Why are you even still considering whether you should join in this incredible event or not? If you fly a gyro you simply have to heed the call! 
Put your name down , book your chalet, commandeer your regular group of flying buddies, mount your Pegassus on the 20 th of May and we will see each otherat Gariep for the most memorable event of your gyro flying days.  This is it guys. This is the one. Go for it all you rotorheads! Lets do this thing and lets show the aviation fraternity that if gyronauts  do it ... we do it big. And you know why we do it big? Because we can! We pilot the most exciting and enjoyable flying machines since the Wright brothers took flight.  Take out that little orange book of yours that has gyroplane licence written inside and stand up and be counted! Just do it! Less than 30 days left and counting....... 

[Jabbanaught]

With a call like that i hope we get 50 More Gyro's

Come on guys like Johann was saying get your flying buddies to dust the cobwebs off the machines and fly into the record books !

[FLYNOTE]

Just do it ! Just do it!! 99 is for red balloons and misses our benchmark. The call is for 100 gyroplanes on the tarmac at Gariep by Saturday 21 May. You guys who are in already ; contact all you know who are draadsitting! Win them over. We need to stir the atmosphere above the entire South Africa with the swish and beat of 100 rotors in less than a month. JUST DO IT

[Jabbanaught]

Flynote any media going to attend ?

[abezzi]

International media for sure! I will write a report for two italian magazine, a normal one "VOLARE" and a web one "VFR Magazine.net"!

[Jabbanaught]

International media for sure! I will write a report for two italian magazine, a normal one "VOLARE" and a web one "VFR Magazine.net"!

And one for our AFrikaans guys ?

Thanks ALDO

[Vertical Tango]

As you are at it, what about one in plain english for SA residents like me. I could not read 3/4 of the posts of this forum ! I understand that some gyros will meet at Gariep ??? Or will it be only fixed-wings ???

[Gyronaut]

And Abezzi will be speaking from first hand experience!!

Awesome! can't beat that for exposure. Great news.

Can't wait.

[Jabbanaught]

As you are at it, what about one in plain english for SA residents like me. I could not read 3/4 of the posts of this forum ! I understand that some gyros will meet at Gariep ??? Or will it be only fixed-wings ???

VT , The event is a Gyro Record Attempt (trying for 100 ) , but we invite all other flying machines to join us for the weekend , and if any pilots or non pilots thought of flying these wonderful machines , what beter place to see them all together at one venue .

Hope to see you too

Paul

[Vertical Tango]

Sorry Jabb, I was just sarcastic !

[Jabbanaught]

Sorry Jabb, I was just sarcastic !

I know , Just hoping to attract some more guys !!

[FLYNOTE]

100 gyroplanes on the tarmac at Gariep. Could be more but not one less ! Thats what we are aiming to achieve for a Guiness Book of Records entry. This is newsworthy and if we make it happen ...! Where in the world has it ever been achieved. Can you immagine the value of this feat for gyroplanes internationally? Do you realise the focus that will be placed on our amazing flying machines? Each gyro pilot of the 100 who touch down at Gariep will receive a State Presidents award. All fuel costs will be covered by Grumpy with the money that he will raise from tips during his gig at Gariep during the big kuier. Len Klopper is paying for everyones stay so you might as well bring the wyfie along as well seeing that all is on the house. Now what other excuse could you possibly have for not being there with your gyro?
Just to clarify, you will be tipping Grumpy to the value of your fuel costs which he will then refund and Len will be charging the value of your stay to show you that he can fly an M24 from Morningstar to Gariep in one day.Gyrosa will supply the Gariep wings to each pilot who touches down at Gariep which is the equavalent of a SP award. The Gariep wings have no strings attached.
Hey guys ... Do this thing man ! Paultjie, gooi that list again so we can see the names and the numbers at this stage. If we promise the press 100 we must deliver or we make our names gat. Then again, you can only make your name gat in a .... ( whats that make of gyro called again? )

[abezzi]

Maybe there is no need, but trough a common friend I already send the information about Gariep to mr. Pietro Magni!

[Jabbanaught]

The following guys have send back the registration form .

Aldo Bezzicheri - Piper
Andre Johan Swanepoel
Andre Oelofse
Andrew van Wyk
Ashley Whitfield
Braam Hechter
Butch Brown
Carel Kruger
Christa Vorster
Cilliers Burger
Cliff Du Preez
Darren Hills
Dave Lehr
Deon Maree
Diekie Web
Dirk van Zyl
Doppies Nel
Ettiene Kruger
Fides Barry(Grumpy)
Frans Strydom
Gerrit Roux
Glen Dean
Ian Corder
Jaco Barnard
Jacques Swiegers
Jan Ludolf
Jean Tresfon
Jeff Brown
Johan Becker
Johan Stemmet
Johan von Ludwig
Jonathan Mylrae
Josef Hugo
Len Klopper
Leon Bouwer
Leon de Lange
Llewellyn Parker
Louis van Wyk
Malcolm Taylor
Marcel van Der Merwe
Marius Juanita
Matthew Zalewski
Neville Viviers
Nic Walters
Patric Owen
Paul Ackermann
Paul Roux
Peet Thynsma
Phillip Smith
Pierre van der Merwe
Pieter Burger
Riaan Klopper
Rudolf Erasmus
Sias Delport
Thinus Enslin
Trevor Stacey
Vic Venter
Weidi Vorster
Werner Schoeman
Wilfred Strefaan
Winston Beling

[Jabbanaught]

The maybes or i have not received the form back yet , or HAVE NO DETAIL .

Abrie le Roux
Andre Bezuidenhout
Deon Herbst
Eric Torr
Frank Pinto
Hank van der Merwe
Hansie Hattingh
Helgaard Raubenheimer
Hugh Moubray
Jadri Beyers
Jadri Beyers
Johan Spies
Johan van der Merwe
Johan van Garderen
Li Lotriet
Mark Bellingham
Norman Ehlers
Phillip Nel
Pieter Goldsmith
Pieter Kruger
Richard Herber
Roux Smith
Roy Cloete
Roy Watson
Sarel Pieterse
Sarel Pretorius
Theuns Eloff
Tony Wright