APOLOGY FROM RHINO PARK
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:39 am
After the tragic accident at Alldays I have decided not to do any postings again on microlighters.At that stage I was sad,angry and frustrated.Losing two friends didn’t came easyto me.
Imade the mistake of commenting on paper while being in that state.A lesson well learned.
NEVER VENT YOUR ANGER WHEN YOU ARE STILL ANGRY(specially not in writing).
I make this posting (my last one) on microlighters because I am being accused of bad airman-
ship.
It is necessary however to give a little background.
The new runway at Rhino Park has been completed.It is an absolute pleasure to use and is
a vast improvement for which we are very gratefull.The taxiways have not been completed
yet and the only way to get to holding points is from the intersection ,roughly In the
middle of the tar runway,in other words you have to backtrack either way.
Because of the congestion over weekends I never fly over weekends as a rule.The schools
are doing there training and it must be hell for students if there are six aircraft in the circuit.
The schools and myself have come to some sort of a gentlemans agreement,aircraft take of
on the tar runway and use the gravel runway for circuits. For reasons I don’t want to discuss
now the gravell and the tar runway had the same designations at one stage.
This is not a standing order or rule at Rhino but that has always worked for us.There is
definitely a void as far as runway management is concerned and I think it is time we do
something constructive about it.This runway is extremely busy over weekends and I pity a
visitor on a Saterday morning. I even heard simulated engine outs in a busy circuit.
I will be available if it is thought necessary to decide on some ground rules.
Coming back to what transpired on Saterday morning.When backtracking I was number 3 and
all the radio calls were made as required.At no stage did I even think there was a problem.The
complainent was turning downwind.Yes,I heard his call.I am not going to go into a debate
of who said what when.I have not had the priviledge of meeting the complainent and I believe
he must be a visitor.Much have been said about the incident and it only feeds the ambulance
chasers and entertainment value on the forum.As far as my airmanship,I am also only human.
I would have however handled the situation differently.When on final approach you can see any
aircraft at the holding point.At this stage I would have made the following radio call:
RHINO PARK TRAFFIC THIS IS SO AND SO ON FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY
XYZ PLEASE HOLD YOUR POSITIONS. I never even heard a base leg call.
As representative of Rhino Park I would like to apologies for what I consider to be a storm in
a teacup. To the complainant I want to say It will be my pleasure to meet you,and I only hope
that this incident will not deter you from visiting Rhino Park.
The new facilities are for the benefit of all,
The pilots of Rhino are very cordial and friendly people and Rhino is paradise.Please visit us
again.Francois 083 382 1627
MODERATORS YOU CAN PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM THE FORUM
Imade the mistake of commenting on paper while being in that state.A lesson well learned.
NEVER VENT YOUR ANGER WHEN YOU ARE STILL ANGRY(specially not in writing).
I make this posting (my last one) on microlighters because I am being accused of bad airman-
ship.
It is necessary however to give a little background.
The new runway at Rhino Park has been completed.It is an absolute pleasure to use and is
a vast improvement for which we are very gratefull.The taxiways have not been completed
yet and the only way to get to holding points is from the intersection ,roughly In the
middle of the tar runway,in other words you have to backtrack either way.
Because of the congestion over weekends I never fly over weekends as a rule.The schools
are doing there training and it must be hell for students if there are six aircraft in the circuit.
The schools and myself have come to some sort of a gentlemans agreement,aircraft take of
on the tar runway and use the gravel runway for circuits. For reasons I don’t want to discuss
now the gravell and the tar runway had the same designations at one stage.
This is not a standing order or rule at Rhino but that has always worked for us.There is
definitely a void as far as runway management is concerned and I think it is time we do
something constructive about it.This runway is extremely busy over weekends and I pity a
visitor on a Saterday morning. I even heard simulated engine outs in a busy circuit.
I will be available if it is thought necessary to decide on some ground rules.
Coming back to what transpired on Saterday morning.When backtracking I was number 3 and
all the radio calls were made as required.At no stage did I even think there was a problem.The
complainent was turning downwind.Yes,I heard his call.I am not going to go into a debate
of who said what when.I have not had the priviledge of meeting the complainent and I believe
he must be a visitor.Much have been said about the incident and it only feeds the ambulance
chasers and entertainment value on the forum.As far as my airmanship,I am also only human.
I would have however handled the situation differently.When on final approach you can see any
aircraft at the holding point.At this stage I would have made the following radio call:
RHINO PARK TRAFFIC THIS IS SO AND SO ON FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY
XYZ PLEASE HOLD YOUR POSITIONS. I never even heard a base leg call.
As representative of Rhino Park I would like to apologies for what I consider to be a storm in
a teacup. To the complainant I want to say It will be my pleasure to meet you,and I only hope
that this incident will not deter you from visiting Rhino Park.
The new facilities are for the benefit of all,
The pilots of Rhino are very cordial and friendly people and Rhino is paradise.Please visit us
again.Francois 083 382 1627
MODERATORS YOU CAN PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM THE FORUM
