Pretoria – Gariepdam – Oranjemond

[Air Hog]

I am planning a trip from Pretoria to Gariepdam, then Low and Slow all along the Orange River down to Oranjemond (via Upington), down the West Coast to Hondeklipbaai (say hello to family), then off to Springbok. Had an invite from some Springbok Airfield Club Pilots for a visit. They have an active flying club as well as a parachute club called the Flying Goats. (Springbok).
Then it is back to Pretoria. All in all, it will be approximately 2,000 miles, +- 30 – 35 hours flying.

Indication of dates: Leave Thursday the 26th of April and be back Saturday the 5th of May but dates are flexible to suit everyone as we are still in the planning stage.

At this stage we are 2 Thunderbirds and possibly one Bantam going. We will try to have one Double cab as ground crew to assist with petrol etc.

If there are any other pilots with similar speed aircraft, that would like to join, please PM or e-mail me.

This should be fun

[Learjet]

Air Hog you are in for a treat! We did the Gariep Dam to Alexander Bay route along the Orange River last year in our gyros and it was one of the most scenic trips I've done. Enjoy

Orange River Odyssey
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16012&p=158822#p158822

[Rudix]

This sounds great Air Hog! Exactly the kind of trip I have been thinking of doing.....

I would love to join

Watching this post with great interest!

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Air Hog]

I might have some good news. This will be my contribution to promoting Microlight flying in South Africa. A friend of mine owns a Video production company that does some TV shows. It appears that they are keen to escourt us on the trip and capture the trip on video. The trip will then be on TV. I am sure this will create a lot of awareness and promote Microlight flying.

More later... Please hold thumps that we can bring this off.

[Rudix]

I might have some good news. This will be my contribution to promoting Microlight flying in South Africa. A friend of mine owns a Video production company that does some TV shows. It appears that they are keen to escourt us on the trip and capture the trip on video. The trip will then be on TV. I am sure this will create a lot of awareness and promote Microlight flying.

More later... Please hold thumps that we can bring this off.

Sounds good!

It will be a great promotion, hoping things will work out......

[Air Hog]

I started with the route planning and ground crew route last night. The ground crew is going to do approximately 3,700 km return trip.
The route so far is:
1. Friday 27 April - Pretoria to Gariepdam with a couple of stops for fuel etc.
2. Saturday 28 April – Gariepdam to Upington via Orania and Douglas.
3. Sunday 29 April – Upington to Klein Pella via Augrabies Waterfalls.
4. Monday 30 April – Klein Pella to Oranjemund/Alexanderbay .
5. Tuesday 1 May – Oranjemund to Springbok via Hondeklipbaai (down the coast to Hondeklipbaai).
6. Wednesday 2 May – Springbok to Sishen via Upington.
7. Thursday 3 May – Sishen to Pretoria
All in all, approximately 35 hours flying. Obviously this is just a guideline and route can change because of weather etc.
We plan the trip to be back in Pretoria by Saturday (at the latest Sunday) so we have 7 days of flying and a day or two spare for in case of bad weather.
Because of logistics involve, I think we should not be more than 10 planes.
If any Pilots would like to join us for part of the trip, that will be fun.

Please let me know if you are in.

[Rudix]

I started with the route planning and ground crew route last night. The ground crew is going to do approximately 3,700 km return trip.
The route so far is:
1. Friday 27 April - Pretoria to Gariepdam with a couple of stops for fuel etc.
2. Saturday 28 April – Gariepdam to Upington via Orania and Douglas.
3. Sunday 29 April – Upington to Klein Pella via Augrabies Waterfalls.
4. Monday 30 April – Klein Pella to Oranjemund/Alexanderbay .
5. Tuesday 1 May – Oranjemund to Springbok via Hondeklipbaai (down the coast to Hondeklipbaai).
6. Wednesday 2 May – Springbok to Sishen via Upington.
7. Thursday 3 May – Sishen to Pretoria
All in all, approximately 35 hours flying. Obviously this is just a guideline and route can change because of weather etc.
We plan the trip to be back in Pretoria by Saturday (at the latest Sunday) so we have 7 days of flying and a day or two spare for in case of bad weather.
Because of logistics involve, I think we should not be more than 10 planes.
If any Pilots would like to join us for part of the trip, that will be fun.

Please let me know if you are in.

Sounds great, please count me in!!!

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Rudix]

PS. Where is "Klein Pella", can't find it on my maps/software....

[Air Hog]

Hi Rudix
I see on Google maps it is just called Pella. It is a small town between Pofadder and Aggenys.

[Rudix]

Hi Rudix
I see on Google maps it is just called Pella. It is a small town between Pofadder and Aggenys.

Aha, thanks!

[Tribal Croc]

Wow Airhog this sounds like a lekker trippie

Will be keeping a keen eye on this thread

[Air Hog]

Air Hog you are in for a treat! We did the Gariep Dam to Alexander Bay route along the Orange River last year in our gyros and it was one of the most scenic trips I've done. Enjoy

Orange River Odyssey
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16012&p=158822#p158822

Hi Learjet
This just makes me more excited about the trip.

[Blue Max]

Hi Airhog..

You are giving us something to dream about.!!

Where is "Klein Pella", can't find it on my maps/software....

Klein Pella is langs groot Pella aan die Oranje revier. Lekker bree grondpaaie om in te land.. Groot wingerd verbouing onder die Oranje revier..Baie interressante geskiedenis omtrent die plek ook...Weet nie of daar n formele runway is nie... Daar is n Lodge ook waar n ou sal kan oornag op Klein Pella...Pofadder, 30 Km. weg het n runway en ook n Lodge waar ek met vorige besoek by geland het en tot by slaapkamer getaxi het...Klein Pella verkieslik..!!

At this stage we are 2 Thunderbirds and possibly one Bantam going. We will try to have one Double cab as ground crew to assist with petrol etc

I wonder if the thunderbirds, you talking about, fly the same speed as a trike, cause mine with 582 engine does..Question thus: will the thunderbird or trike be welcome in your group.....Cause ,......I would realy very mutch like to join....!

[Air Hog]

Hi Blue Max
The majority of the planes that are going can cruise at 65 mph, we have tested it and there is some faster planes that are going to join us so we want to keep the min speed at 65 otherwise there are going to be 35 hours of orbiting which is not lekker. If you fly a trike that can do this you are most welcome to join. I am an ex trikeman myself and I love trikes!!

[Rudix]

Hi Blue Max
The majority of the planes that are going can cruise at 65 mph, we have tested it and there is some faster planes that are going to join us so we want to keep the min speed at 65 otherwise there are going to be 35 hours of orbiting which is not lekker. If you fly a trike that can do this you are most welcome to join. I am an ex trikeman myself and I love trikes!!

I think the min speed requirement is great, if the miss-match becomes to large it is not fun over long distances. I will be flying something that can cruise at 65 if needed, I then sometimes see something, a dam, hill, river or tree that I want to go and investigate and maybe take a photo of, I can then do it and still rejoin the group without any delays or anyone having to wait for me.

At 65 mph I will be burning less than 10lph.

I am really staring to look forward to this, great initiative Air Hog!