New member, new aerie, new horizons

rod smith · Postby **rod smith** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:07 am

Done, at last!

Thanks, gentlemen, for the encouragement and advice to date on this forum. The Cheetah sale has gone through and I trust that all parties are happy (that is, both the buyers and the sellers).

The particular one purchased is the bright orange one (day-glo orange - I once had an Alfa that was that colour). It has the minimal instrument package and a 582 engine, but does come with a few extras such as a three-blade prop, doors, the overhead sun screen, and a decent radio. It has 75 hours on the motor and was first registered in November 2007. So it should be more or less brand new. (There is colour fading on the fabric at the wing leading edges. This is as a consequence of a hangar that had a two-foot gap between the top of the door and the roof line, exactly where the morning sun has been beating in for the last while.)

It was flown from Rhino Park to Springs yesterday. I have been out of town, but am hoping to get out to Springs today to pet the aerie, ETC. (Yip, that is the registration, ZU-ETC.) Then I have to do my conversion to type. After that...., who knows?

My brother in law, Dave, has done all the negotiating and has worked hard, with help on the technical side from Fred Blokland at Springs. (Thanks, Fred.) Fortunately the registration at CAA went well. They need to be complimented, too. According to Dave, it was a straight in, straight out process that was accomplished with a minimum of fuss.

Once again, thanks to the fellows on this forum for putting my mind at ease.

Rod smith

Wargames · Postby **Wargames** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:13 am

Well done Sir on the new aerie.

The big positive about the colour, is that you can forget to switch on your nav lights. Everybody would still see you.

Hope she brings you a lot of great hours.

Regards,

German · Postby **German** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:18 am

Congrats.Great aerie.Also had one a few years ago

RV4ker (RIP) · Postby **RV4ker (RIP)** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:20 am

Enjoy. Post pics of the first om die dam flight....

John Young · Postby **John Young** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:15 pm

RV4ker wrote:Enjoy. Post pics of the first om die dam flight....

Nice one

Please post pics of the Orange Peril ETC.

A salute to the newest "Om die damme ou ..."

Happy and safe flying.

Regards
John ZU-sEXY

Stephan van Tonder · Postby **Stephan van Tonder** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:51 pm

Congarts - Hope you will have many hours of pleasureable flying in her. Saw it go past Petit yesterday. Where are you doing your conversion?.

Rudix · Postby **Rudix** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:29 pm

Congrats Rod

May you have many happy and safe hours with ETC !

Hope you will be joining us on an outing soon.

Here she is leaving Rhino yesterday on her way to her new home.

Fly safe,
Rudi

bluesmancoops · Postby **bluesmancoops** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:54 am

congrats and fly safe

mike

slysi · Postby **slysi** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:51 am

Nice one Rod....the day-glo orange can only mean one thing....CHEETAHS

rod smith · Postby **rod smith** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:54 am

Once again all the good wishes are appreciated. (Stephan, Sat morning was the flight from Rhino to Springs, which was done by Fred Blokland.) Thanks, too, to Rudix for the picture!

I am not sure yet about the conversion - I have to use an instructor who is PPL qualified, rated on type and, I believe, a Grade 11. Am I right on this? Is there such at Springs? (I know that David will be using Fred.) Obviously I simply wish to continue flying on my PPL, not because I want hours or anything like that, but simply to have everything on one licence.

Rod Smith

Stephan van Tonder · Postby **Stephan van Tonder** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:56 am

Speak to Andy Kapersen at Petit. He is all of the above. Yes basically just a type conversion for you.
Andy - 082 651 7317 or www.microlightadventures.co.za

rod smith · Postby **rod smith** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:40 am

Thanks, Stephan

I know that he is a highly respected instructor and I am keen, anyway, just to come across and look at the happenings at Petit. But the aerie is at Springs . So unless there is no Springs-based instructor, it would just be easier to do it all there.

Rod

Stephan van Tonder · Postby **Stephan van Tonder** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:02 am

Not sure if Fred has the qualifications to sign it out for you on your PPL - but ask perhaps he does.

Postby **Tailspin** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:55 pm

Congrats Dude.

Hope you have many many happy hours in the Sky with your new Baby.

Low Level · Postby **Low Level** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:12 pm

Didn't know I had to wave good bye when she left on Saturday.

AAAhh well - our loss is your gain. Congrats on your purchase Rod.

Trust you will enjoy her, and show her to us in her new home.

: ZU-ETC1.jpg (77.08 KiB) Viewed 1282 times

: ZU-ETC.jpg (91.71 KiB) Viewed 1282 times