Microlighters

Hi all

Ok it seems I had better take some time and come out from under the rock I've been hiding under and say hi to everyone back in SA. I have been watching and lurking behind the scenes for maybe a little too long.

Well I've been back in OZ for nearly three months and to be honest it's taking a lot longer to settle back in and adapt than I would have hoped. It seems once youve a had a taste of SA it becomes a hard thing to shake off. Work is keeping me very busy and sees me travelling a lot and spending an average of 3 days a week stuck on mine sites all over the North West of Western Australia, the mining industry is certainly booming here yet again. I seem to be doing a lot of flying, unfortunately it's all with damn Qantas, however I guess all the frequent flyer points will come in handy when I next get to come visit.

I haven't flown a gyro since leaving SA, I did contemplate giving the sport away entirely and find something else to do, fortunately enough I came to my senses and bought myself a homebuilt single seater just over 2 weeks ago. I am just waiting for the weather to play its part so I can go and do my licence renewal so I can once again fly legally in this part of the world. As Weedy has mentioned I also made some inquiries about maybe doing some mustering for a bit, all kneed to do is win lotto and I can make it happen, hang on if I win lotto and be on tomorrow nights flight back to JoBurg (it's ok Len, I'll also by a holiday home in the Cape )

Well guys and girls, i hope that's sheds some light on the past few months. I'll try not to be a stranger from here on in, safe and happy flying to you all.

Cheers
Darren

Darren

It's really nice to hear from you again and glad about your gyro purchase.

What homebuilt did you buy? Benson? Post a pic!

Great to hear from you and thanks for news update Darren. Africa is a jealous mistress - she doen't let go easily...

Hi Darren “Mate”

Your are flying at the wrong side of OZ.

I had an unbelievable flight this morning from Redcliffe airport – East of Brisbane.
Airfield is 7 feet above sea level and maybe 200 meters from the ocean.
After take off you have this unbelievable view of Deceptionbay,Bribie Island and Morenton Island.
The flight was to the Glass house mountains and then to Caboolture not more that 45 minutes.

There are quite a few Gyros in Caboolture – single seats, RAF’s, and lots of homebuilts that I don’t know.
Murray Barker has the most beautiful little wing Gyro with a Rotec Radial engine on it.

Some of our South African friends fly from Mackay and Whitsundays http://www.whitsundays-australia.com/ it is really beautiful up this coast.

See ya later

Hi T-bird,

I was in Brisbane a few years ago - also went to Caboolture and met the gyro guys there. Also met a long time friend Peet Pretorius ex Crosswinds (Tarlton airfield West Rand Area) owner who lives near there now for many years already.

Lion - Now flying in Auckland!

Hi Lion

I have flown a gyro in Tauranga a year ago.

Hi All

Just a photo of my latest aquisition

Ag no man, Darren. Where am I to sit during the next nav rally? Its good to hear from you again. Keep flying.

Hi Darren


Nice photo - What type of gyro is that - my *guess* is a "Rosco" of some sort ?

Enjoy your aviation.


Steve

Nice one Darren, do you need to do a type conversion?

OzGyro wrote:(it's ok Len, I'll also by a holiday home in the Cape )

What for? You have a standing reservation at #2 Vineyard Avenue!
(The demanding dog has calmed down since her little procedure)

As for your Gyro, what is it? background? Nice CLT. Keep us informed as you progress please. Lots of pictures and regular status reports pse.

I would love to refurbish/restore and fly an original Benson (with a 2 Stroke Rotax rather of course).
Anyone know of one lying around that needs a loving home?

Len

PS. Welcome back Darren, we missed you.

Greetings Darren.

Nice to hear from you again.

Have you been able to make contact with Sean Herbert as yet? +61(0) 419 289 212

Len, have a word with Glen Meyer. (083 662 6565) He has a single seater in his workshop that he started to repair / rebuild. I am sure this will satisfy your request for an "old" gyro.

Regards
Ashley

I would love to refurbish/restore and fly an original Benson (with a 2 Stroke Rotax rather of course).
Anyone know of one lying around that needs a loving home?

Len

Here are two at Plettenberg Bay, one flying.

Will try and get contact details in September while I am down there

Hi All

Hope the cool of the SA winter hasn't curbed all your flying habits to much.

Okay to answer a few questions
Mak - no real type conversion needed for me on this machine, my first gyro was of the same configuration many years ago. Just a matter of re familiarizing myself, don't have the luxury of a high rpm pre rotator so correct rotor management is critical.
Len and Steve - the gyro is a Australian design, more affectionately known in this part of the world as a ROSCO. This is the most common gyro you will find in Australia and has recorded many many thousands of flying hours of which thousands have been in a mustering role.
Ashely - I have yet to catch up with or even contact Sean as of yet, as soon as I get a chance to get to the east coast I will certainly look him up.
Well this weekend should see me do my flight review, and hopefully I'll be back airborne once again, have another possible project on the horizon but will expand on that once all the details are sorted.
Safe flying to you all.

Cheers
Darren