Microlighters

Another first for me in flying Gyro's. Two weeks ago I flew my Gyro from Aeroden to Springs via the Pinedene route. Just after passing Microland I got cought in an updraft that took me up at over 1800 feet per minute. Did not think this was possible in a Gyro. Had to take full power off in order to level out with nose down at about 30 degrees. No wonder that the old pilots will always say that you stll do not have experience under 100 hours! Must say all these firsts are what is making flying fun although you do not think so while it is happening.

You have probably hit a devils wind.

My son (5 years old) have started flying with me a month ago.

On the second flight we hit one and started to climb at +- 1500 feet per minute.

When I asked him if he is ok he replied “ Can we do it again!!!”

There has been some recent chat about dust devils on Avcom: http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a

While i was still training i had the instructor in the back once. It was getting dark and he said lets do one more circuit. Well we hit about 300 ft and we were in a sudden snowstorm we were climbing at 1500 ft/min and being thrown about badly. I shouted for him to take over but he kept saying he has me covered and I was capable of controling it. The only problem was that i couldnt see as my visor was full of ice.Just a white view and severe turbulance. When we were passed it we turned and could se how bad it was and we couldnt see anything from the ground. After we went around the circuit the snowfall had moved on and we landed very easily. When we went to the hangar all hell broke loose again and we had to just sit there and hold the wing for 10 mins. Then suddenly it went still and we packed up.

I learnt that if it can catch out the professionals then i can also get caught. Although very frightening at the time i felt better knowing i had a instructor with me and i learnt a lesson i will never forget. The best lesson was i got more confidence in the microlight and that means a lot.

Oh one more thing next time im home in South Africa i will get a tent next to a runway and fly all day everyday.(Last October to December i only flew 1 hour due to the weather)

The only reason why I posted this comment was that it was still relatively early in the morning, 10h30. I did my training at Benoni during November and December last year and has never experienced anything nearly as severe. Talking to one of the old hands in flying the other day he mentioned to me that the turbulence has gotten worse lately. He has a fleet of gyro's flying and his pilots agree.
Must be global warming or the ozone layer being depleted that is causing this