PARYS TO STELLENBOSCH

[fransstrydom]

NORTH MEETS SOUTH - 18 November to 22 November 2010


Herewith follows the chronicles of seven aviators and the adventure of their lifetimes!

Participants:

Riaan Straus MAGNI ZU-CED
Johan von Ludwig KRIEK ZU-DYS
Pierre ELA ZU-EBP
Jaco Barnard/Braam Hegter ZENON ZU-EWY
Andre Swanepoel MAGNI ZU-ATC (Withdrew)
Jan Loedolf SYCAMORE MK1 ZU-CXL
Gareth Creedy MAGNI ZU-RDS
Francois Strydom SYCAMORE MK1 ZU-CCN

We decided to get together at Wagtail, a farm 15km from Parys, on the morning of the 18th.
The pitch of the propellers had to be
reset for coastal conditions, final checks and loading of the aircrafts was to be done.
As the weather was uncertain it was decided to fly all aircraft to Parys as the tarred runway was a safer
option and getting stuck at the beginning of the trip would be a disaster.
The Gyros were safely locked up in the Parys hanger, ready to fly early Thursday morning.

Day One - 18 November


Francois left Rhino Park for Wagtail at 08:00, gyro heavy with extra fuel, toolbox, personal kit, bottled water,
camera and five sets of brakes for delivery to Johan von Ludwig. Weather forecast predicted rain but
flight was pleasant and uneventful.

On arrival at Wagtail we quickly off loaded and started preparing the aircraft. Riaan's MAGNI was already
on the run up pad and was checked. As soon as he finished we moved him off the pad to get the
the next Gyro in. First problem, right hand wheel was flat. (this proved to be a life saver as we immediately
added patch and solution to the tool box.) Eventually all gyros were ready to fly to Parys. When the ZENON
landed at Parys - another flat! Out came the toolbox and repair kit. After fixing the flat we started refueling.
Fuel was siphoned out of a 44 gal drum into containers and transferred into the aircraft. Because of the
length of the siphon pipe we put the drum on its side to get the fuel out. Everybody was in high spirits as
we pushed the gyros into the hanger. Thereafter we all headed back to the farm for a good nights rest.

We rose at 02:00, left for Parys, pushed out the aircraft and did our preflight. We took off at first light.
Everybody was happy as we warmed up. Suddenly my Sycamore engine died! After inspection we determined that
there was water in the fuel. The drums must have been contaminated and now the fuel had to be drained out.

Already 30 minutes late.

Problem solved and we taxied to the holding point. At this point the KRIEK brake pad separated.
No problem, Pratley's to solve the problem OK, lets try again.
We taxied in a group to the holding point - KRIEK first and ZENON last… all tense with anticipation,
what is taking so long. KRIEK won't pre-rotate. Some relay problem. After a few well aimed kicks the
pre- rotator was working. We all took off. Last was the ZENON - bad news, no pre-rotator!!!
Everybody landed and taxied back to the hanger. The pre-rotator belts were broken. Hurriedly we bakkied back to the
farm to collect spares. In the meantime, FLYNOTE and his group landed at Parys.
Eventually we all got away at about 10:00, routing Bothaville and Hoopstad.

After landing at Hoopstad we started refueling and set course for John Weston. Once there, we
refueled from the plastic containers. BIG mistake! Rian's MAGNI took in a lot of water that was in the fuel
in the containers. After spending two hours trying to get the water out we eventually got airborne heading
for Douglas.

Gareth Creedy was waiting for us at the Douglas airstrip. He offered much appreciated fuel, food and accommodation.
After a relaxing braai we all retired to the flat for a good nights rest. Everybody was in high spirit and looking forward to a
problem free departure the next morning.

Day 2 - 19 November 2010

Up at 03:00 and departed to Douglas run-way. ZENON left wheel flat (valve problem)! Pumped wheel and ready
to go! MAGNI last. MAGNI's engine was running rough and take off was aborted. Still found water in the fuel. Everybody landed
and headed back to the hanger. Quickly the fuel was drained, fuel filters replaced, system layout modified and system purged.
Aircraft was still running rough. Stripped the fuel pressure gauge from CCN and used to check MAGNI fuel pressure.
Fuel flow way too low. The tank outlet was also blocked. Eventually discovered a bug inside the fuel flow
sensor. Engine still running rough. Only one thing left to do… remove the carburetors. When blowing out the
carburetors out came parts of the bug in the needle and seat. NOW, we are ready to go!
But no, another flat wheel! Out with the tool box yet again…...
Eventually we are all in the air on route to Prieska at approximately 13:00.

On arrival at Prieska, we discovered the SYCAMORE CXL had a leaking radiator. We removed the radiator
and with help from the locals managed to do a pressure test at 16:10. In the meantime, the rest of the
group sadly decided to return home. Johan van Ludwich, Jan Loedolf and Francois decided to carry on to
Stellenbosch. The garage owner, Ollie, organized a security guard to watch over our planes and organized
accommodation at a lodge for us. As soon as the radiator was repaired Ollie took us
back to the airstrip to refit the radiator. Once at the airstrip we discovered that the whole group
returned home barring the ZENON. The pre-rotator shaft was damaged and with the help of a local
Johan managed to weld it to at least get the aircraft back home. It was now 20:30 and we left to
the lodge. The accommodation was very luxurious, a great respite for a bunch of weary aviators.

Day 3
We left Prieska at first light, a ZENON returning home and the three of us continuing on to Copperton.
At Copperton we refueled, gratefull that the radiator was still holding up. From Copperton to Vredendal we experienced
no problems. At Vredendal we refueled and set course for Stellenbosch. Once at Stellenbosch
Sycamore CCN lost a door on final approach. The door went through the rotor and was damaged.
An Incident Report was lodged and the rotor was snagged in the flight folio. Luckily the designer of
the rotor was in the group and was able to desnag it.
Due to extreme fatigue, this group was not as social as they would have liked, and soon faded.
The Stellenbosch party clearly was a great success, but these aviators were only interested in bath and bed.
John Zulch and his wife kindly took us in to stay over at his luxurious home in Bloubergstrand.


Day 4
In the morning John generously loaned us a car and a GPS to get back to Stellenbosch. On arrival we decided not to
leave because of the possiblity of bad weather. We refueled and had breakfast at the club house. At 12:00 the weather had cleared and we
decided to leave for Vredendal together with the Mockes and their RAFs. We flew to Saldana to
refuel. We also swopped a pre-rotator cable which Len lend us. We then set course for
Vredendal and followed the coast line. This was amazing flying!
I even managed to take a couple of photos. Back at Vredendal we refueled and left for Loeriesfontein.
At Loeriesfontein we were picked up by Boet, a delightful character. We slept over at
Loeriesfontein we had a bite to eat at a café and slept over in an old hotel. We had had a blissful day, one we will always remember.

Day 5

We left at first light for Loeriesfortein and headed towards Brandvlei. On the way to Brandvlei my two team mates
got lost. I had to wait for them on the R357. They gave me a lot of stick about it to disguise their embarrassment.
I am still waiting for their written apologies. They had the map and the GPSs and poor me…. nothing.
At Brandvlei we refueled and set course for Prieska, avoiding the Alkantpan firing range.
Refueling went without incident and off we headed to Hoopstad.
It was very hot and we battled to maintain altitude. I was at 35 inches manifold pressure which meant that I was burning
fuel at a rate of knots. The endurance of the Sycamore is still a problem (working on it) and after some discussion we decided
that as soon as I spotted a suitable landing spot, I should land and refuel. The other guys will continue and wait for me in Hoopstad.
It was still early enough to reach Wagtail Aviation same day. I started looking for a spot to land ASAP. After a low fly pass I
immediately saw this was a no-go. Fenced on both sideds and ploughed in between, a typical fire prevention area.
Further on there was another suitable spot. Low fly pass, looked good, only one small tree on the left hand side. Pity, because it was
in the middle of the "runway". Will land after the tree. This turned out to be a mistake, because after I landed I went too far and landed
in a patch where the sand was soft and no grass in the tracks. I would have to turn her around and take off in the other direction on
the grassy surface. Easier said than done. That flaming Sycamore is heavy! I offloaded all the fuel containers, tools, the whole lot now standing
next to the tracks, only to discover that maneuvering this Sycamore is actually a five man job.
Eventually I got it turned around by turning each wheel 1inch at a time, one side at a time.
To my horror I saw that the nose wheel had dug in and I wouldl have to move this gyro up on to the grassy patch about 20 meters
I realised I had better contact the guys and tell them about my predicament. I was going to be very late, that’s if I could get out. Immediately I sent my coordinates to
Johan and they started a plan of action. They started phoning to try and establish who the owner of this farm is. In the meantime, to recover
my breath I went for the runway inspection. About 100m down this track and, WHAT IS THIS, Rhino spoor, and fresh…..
My blood went cold, and I made a bee line back to the Sycamore. When I got there I scanned the area, and yes, those things behind the tree are
Rhinos. Only about 300 meters away. I have already used my last clean underwear. A horrible thought crossed my mind. Today I am going to die,
either killed by the Rhinos, the farm owner or an aircraft accident. Quick mental calculation. The one and only solution is to get this thing in the air.
Those Rhinos haven't sensed me yet, but it is only a matter of time. It was full moon and spending the night with the Rhino's in an open cockpit
didn’t appeal to me at all. If they trusted their horns in, they just might kill me.
To my right on the western side was grassveld and a lot more solid. If only I can get the nose wheel to lift. It was also nicely into the wind.
First I had to get this aircraft out of the tracks while avoiding the ploughed sides. After drinking all my water
I cut the empty bottle in half to use as a scoop. I carefully dug out the sand in front of the wheels and then turned the wheels by hand.
A very tedious job, but I managed to get the nose wheel over the grass. By now I was very tired and decided that the only way to get the
the gyro's main wheels on the grass was to use the help of the engine. With full power on I pulled the gyro with one hand and the other hand on
the throttle. With a mighty heave I pulled her onto the grass, cut the engine and still had time to be proud. Only for a very short while because now
the one Rhino got onto the back of the other Rhino. I know very little about these things but instinctively I knew that this was my que. I was not
welcome here! I poured all the small container's fuel into the aircraft and left a full can with 20 liters there. I wasn’t going into a possible accident
with gallons of fuel in the aircraft. Now the Rhinos have noticed me, possibly because of the strong smell of fuel. Their ears twitching like radars in 360
degrees. Alert and watching me. It was now or never. Quick runway inspection. Mental calculation, where is the point of no return. I was not to go so
far that I could not reach the aircraft before the Rhino's got to me.
In the meantime the search and rescue plans were in full swing. A quick SMS to Johan that I was going to attempt to get into the air.
The runway inspection was very slow and with each step I looked for a response from the Rhinos. Right, this was the point of no return. I was now
trying to be nonchalant and bluff the Rhino's while I saunter back. It must have looked very funny to an onlooker!
Once in the cockpit I felt safe for some stupid reason, strapped in and started the engine. The moment had come. I felt confident that the noise
of the engine will keep the Rhinos away. Now, as ready and prepared as I could be, feed in the power. Ah,she started rolling. Watch the airspeed.
30,35,40 nose wheel is up YIPPEE tall grass grabbing the gyro's ankles. Suddenly she was flying. Suddenly, about 2 meters in the air, all my books came
tumbling down,and for some stupid reason I grabbed them. When next I looked up, I was at 40 mph with a sandbank of 1,5 meters right in
front of me. With the last energy in the rotor I jumped over the obstacle and eased her down.
I was now in even longer grass but nicely into the wind with no trees ahead. Started the whole process again and watched the speed increase.
30,35,40 . Nose wheel up, I decided that I would not gain any more speed this way and slowly eased her up. Man,it is difficult to describe the feeling
when I saw the airspeed increase and the grass was now having less effect.
As soon as we had some altitude I turned for Hoopstad and waved goodbye to my Rhinos. A quick SMS to Johan to call off the search.
What a relief!!!!!

So, what did we learn from this trip? This is our list and should any one feel like adding to this list please do. Traveling
great distances like this gross country shouldn’t be taken lightly. Once up in the air - you are left to your own devices!


HERE FOLLOWS OUR LIST:
1) Always carry water
2) Never do a trip like this alone
3) Always carry some tools, combination tools, Leatherman, torch, etc.
4) Spare tube, patch and solution and a pump
5) Cell phone fully charged
6) Always take something warm like a jersey.
7) Gyro wheel spacing is wider than car tracks
8) Never assume that because you fly in a group you don’t really need GPS coordinates.
9) Maps are of little use in places like the Karoo, especially 1:1000000 in an open gyro
10) Always try and keep at least two other aircraft in sight.
11) Red aircraft are extremely difficult to see from above.
12) If you don’t have coordinates take of in the middle of the group.
13) Always carry PRATLEY'S ,Cable ties and spare fuel filters
14) Obtain a list of contact people on the route that can assist you in case of a breakdown or for accommodation.
15) Avoid having to refuel unless at a airstrip.
16) If possible transfer your fuel through a funnel that stops water entering your system.
17) Ensure your aircraft is in tip top shape. After a service fly some "proving hours"
18) Ensure your communication is in tip top shape. It is extremely tiring to repeat all your messages.
19) Have your AMO install your filters and serviceable components in a place and in a way so it is easy to maintain.
20) Have someone in your group that is technically very strong. Preferably someone that has intimate knowledge of your aircraft.
21) Take plenty of common sense! ( and a sense of humor..)
22) Never siphon all the fuel out of a container.
23) The pump type siphons are not desirable. Build yourself a blow pipe with a big feed pipe.

This is by no means a complete list and I am sure that you can add to this list from your own experience.The problems we encountered
were not really specific aircrafts problems but something that can happen to any aircraft, even fixed wings. It is bound to happen
to you sooner or later. If the intention is to do these cross countries more often we should expand on this, every little bit will improve safety.

fransstrydom
Proud Sycamore Owner
ZU-CCN
Rhino Park

[Gyronaut]

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us Frans!

Lots of lessons to be learned by all of us... the most important of course is to take along a sense of humour and to have fun!

Well done for persevering and making it all the way to FASH and back. You guys have earned the right to be considered free of the 'cabbage patch'.

[Jabbanaught]

Frans , AFter reading your story , I must thank you guys even more for flying all the way to FASH .U guys are true aviators .Glad we could help as FASH

[fransstrydom]

Thank you Len,
In retrospect i think we enjoyed this tremendously because of all that happened.An experience we will never forget that bonded us,it might have been very boring if everything went according to plan.Never once did any of our team complain.This was indeed a team effort.I am trying to upload some photo's,realy batling to resize to fit on the forum.There's a lot of photo's and i think i will try and post a couple per day.Dont want to bore everybody to death.
fransstrydom
Proud Sycamore Owner
ZU-CCN
Rhino Park

[mak]

Francois

Dankie dat jy dit met ons gedeel het dat ons almal daaruit kan leer. Ek het nogal gedink dit is ironies, vlieg 1000 myl en verloor jou deur op "short finals".
Bly dit het alles goed uitgewerk, die volgende trippies kan net beter verloop.

[fransstrydom]

Dit lyk asof die leerband wat sigbaar is in die buiteband die oorsaak van die papwiel was.

[fransstrydom]

This animal was lodged in the fuel flow sensor,it probably dissolved with the water in the fuel and little bits got stuck all over the system.This bug probably got into the system during assembly.

[Jabbanaught]

Dankie Frans , nog foto's van julle avontuur asb !

[fransstrydom]

Braam went to Douglas several times to fetch pipes,clamps,cable ties etc.He depleted the suppliers stocks.Also brought us rolls and Russian like worsies.Absolutely delicious.Gareths bakkie was almost too small for all the drinking water.We had to replace the petrol filters as well.On the photo left to right Gareth,Johan,Braam,Riaan,Jaco and Pierre sort of behind Braam and Jan Loedolf behindJohan

[fransstrydom]

It was hot,and we stood in sun because it was quit dark in the hanger.We considered this to be a minor problem and everytime Johan discovered a new bug(excuse the pun)Pierre proved to be quit difficult to get on camera

[fransstrydom]

Manne wat hard dink.
Jaco Pierre Braam en Gareth met sy rug na ons.Johan gaan nou toets vlug met Jan wat hom bystaan.Ons het by Gareth oornag in sy woonstel in Douglas.Hy en Tom het ons verskriklik bederf met skaaptjops,pap en sous artappel slaai en n bietjie van daai gouerige sous.

[fransstrydom]

Hardebaard manne
n Vinger van waarskuwing om nie hierdie fotos te neem nie.Party van hierdie hardebaard manne is maar saf.
Jaco dans die riel om ons te vermaak.

[fransstrydom]

Jaco is die enigste persoon wat ek ken wat vandat jy hom wakkermaak tot in die kar binne n minuut kan doen.
Braam is vrskriklik hulpvaardig maar hy sien nie so lekker nie.

[fransstrydom]

In Prieska vir verkoeler herstelwerk.Ek het die tyd gebruik terwyl die Pratleys hard word gebruik en n paar fotos geneem.

[fransstrydom]

Gedenksteen opgerig ter herdenking 100 jaar