Chain Gang to Numbi

[falconp1]

Not sure if you've been there before Gavin but the last time I was there I found a very interesting runway in Sabie. Quite a steep uphill approach. It's used by the forestry fire bombers. At the top of the runway there is a wooden picket fence that hides a bed and breakfast place. We would never have known that. The owner of the BnB came out and met us and invited us in. It is one of the most memorable flyaways I've had. From there you can visit Gods Window and countless waterfalls.

If you are flying out to the Blyderiver reservoir be mindfull of the power lines crossing the canyon. They are the longest span power lines in South africa and even with red and white balls they are difficult to see.

Wish I was with you guy's .

ps Sabie runway S 25 05 .827 E 30 47 .856

[Tailspin]

Thanks Falcon.

[John.com]

Not sure if you've been there before Gavin but the last time I was there I found a very interesting runway in Sabie. Quite a steep uphill approach. It's used by the forestry fire bombers. At the top of the runway there is a wooden picket fence that hides a bed and breakfast place. We would never have known that. The owner of the BnB came out and met us and invited us in. It is one of the most memorable flyaways I've had. From there you can visit Gods Window and countless waterfalls.

If you are flying out to the Blyderiver reservoir be mindfull of the power lines crossing the canyon. They are the longest span power lines in South africa and even with red and white balls they are difficult to see.

Wish I was with you guy's .

ps Sabie runway S 25 05 .827 E 30 47 .856

The Kranz Guest House
Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: +27 13 764 1330 / Fax: +27 13 764 3135
Email: thekranz@thekranz.co.za
http://www.thekranz.co.za

[John.com]

If you are flying out to the Blyderiver reservoir be mindfull of the power lines crossing the canyon. They are the longest span power lines in South africa and even with red and white balls they are difficult to see.

Hey Falcon,

Do you have rough coords on these power lines? I am planning a trip down that way sometime soon and always like to have danger areas mapped.

Thanks!

John.com

[falconp1]

Hi John.

The power lines cross directly over the Blyderiver reservoir (dam). Tried to spot them on Google but could not see them to give you coords.

[John.com]

Hi John.

The power lines cross directly over the Blyderiver reservoir (dam). Tried to spot them on Google but could not see them to give you coords.

Hi Falcon, I found these cables in a picture that was posted but I guess you are referring to other ones more 'across the reservoir proper' and higher, almost at summit level.

Blyde River Reservoir - Cables 1.jpg (53.34 KiB) Viewed 3530 times

I will keep looking . . . .

[John.com]

Flying Blyde is on my flying bucket list!! Look at this picture.

I guess you would overfly at summit level first in order to check out the location of the cables. Then, get down into the canyon!! WOW!

Blyde River Reservoir - Cables 2.jpg (68.57 KiB) Viewed 3527 times

What to do in event of an engine out?? Grow some floats??

Eish . . . gotta fly the Blyde!!!

[John.com]

By the way, I found this airstrip whilst doing my cable search! It is just off the R532, so quite handy for a refuel stop when 'Flying the Blyde'!.

Runways: 01/19
Length: 1000m x 30m
Surface: Grass
Coords: 24°34'9.64"S 30°46'24.38"E
Altitude: 4000ft
Owner: Unknown!

[falconp1]

Hi John.

The power lines cross directly over the Blyderiver reservoir (dam). Tried to spot them on Google but could not see them to give you coords.

Hi Falcon, I found these cables in a picture that was posted but I guess you are referring to other ones more 'across the reservoir proper' and higher, almost at summit level.

Blyde River Reservoir - Cables 1.jpg

I will keep looking . . . .

We took the boat tour on the dam itself (Swadini resort) and this is where we were told about the span so definitely over the dam. It's most probably the same wires you see in the dam wall pic.

[falconp1]

Just found a YouTube clip about the cables. (Power Line over Blyde River )

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... T8aK5T2O7Q

For some reason I remember the red white balls on the cable but can't spot them on the youtube clip.

[Heksie]

What an absolute priviledge it was to keep an eye on the Chain Gang.

Perfect planning and responsible flying!

Well done!!

PS: If you wanna do that again I will be more than willing to keep a watch!

[John.com]

Just found a YouTube clip about the cables. (Power Line over Blyde River )

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... T8aK5T2O7Q

For some reason I remember the red white balls on the cable but can't spot them on the youtube clip.

Good video clip but I am struggling to locate it on Google Earth!

At least it is not on the summit as I was thinking. I would estimate around 250 - 300ft above the water.

Thanks for sharing!

[falconp1]

Flying Blyde is on my flying bucket list!! Look at this picture.

I guess you would overfly at summit level first in order to check out the location of the cables. Then, get down into the canyon!! WOW!

The attachment Blyde River Reservoir - Cables 2.jpg is no longer available

What to do in event of an engine out?? Grow some floats??

Eish . . . gotta fly the Blyde!!!

Looking at the clip and from what I remember from our boat trip the most likely spot would be the red line in pic.

[John.com]

On the topic of high level cables, please be aware of these that cross the gorge at HIGH level just below Waterval Boven!! Refer to the YELLOW line with RED danger icon on the picture below!

You might decide to descend into the gorge (N4 route) just after Waterval Boven and be confronted with them. Whereas they do have markers on the cables they pose a significant threat to low-flying aircraft.

I saw them on a recent trip to Nelspruit.

They are extremely hard to pick up on Google Earth . . . . the following enlargement of the spur shows the triangular pylon on the ridge of the escarpment:

Coords and Altitude: 25°38'35.76"S 30°21'1.20"E 4600ft (Google Earth .kmz file is attached)

There are also one of two other areas in the two gorges below the R539 & N4 Toll split (alternate routes to Nelspruit) where cables are fairly high up above the valley floor.

Be alert and fly carefully in these areas!

[John.com]

Looking at the clip and from what I remember from our boat trip the most likely spot would be the red line in pic.

OK, that makes sense, as that is about the 1,5km quoted in the Youtube clip!

Good info, thanks!