Yesterday at Microland

[Blue Angel]

Wow, whe had awsome weather yesterday afternoon. Here are some photos
BUT, let me first get on my soap box.

There was about 4 of us flying yesterday, we had to constantly warn each other due to the fact that low level light aircraft flew through our GF with no Radio work , but the most shocking one was a cessna that came very close and low level at the start of Runway 21 once again no Radio work, He was so in the way that we could not even turn final approach, thank GOD that we all kept an eye out for each other yesterday. Now I ask myself WHY?, why do this and then to top it off, put other people's life at risk? this is suppose to be a very professional sport, please do not do this, it is uncomfortable and most anoying!!!.

Ok here are the pics!

[Low Level]

I see there is lots of action next to - on - the runway.

What's cooking ?

[weedy]

Wow, whe had awsome weather yesterday afternoon. Here are some photos
BUT, let me first get on my soap box.

There was about 4 of us flying yesterday, we had to constantly warn each other due to the fact that low level light aircraft flew through our GF with no Radio work , but the most shocking one was a cessna that came very close and low level at the start of Runway 21 once again no Radio work, He was so in the way that we could not even turn final approach, thank GOD that we all kept an eye out for each other yesterday. Now I ask myself WHY?, why do this and then to top it off, put other people's life at risk? this is suppose to be a very professional sport, please do not do this, it is uncomfortable and most anoying!!!.

Ok here are the pics!

We should do what "they" normaly do, junp on their forum (Avcom) and rant and rave about the weekend worrior GA pilots that think they own the skies etc etc....

[Blue Angel]

Yip, Runway 03 and 21 is currently closed due to upgrade, must say looks good!!


BA

[Blue Angel]

We should do what "they" normaly do, junp on their forum (Avcom) and rant and rave about the weekend worrior GA pilots that think they own the skies etc etc....

I hear you!!

Look all I want is that we all make the skies safe, and not open issues that are petty, I love it when bigger aircraft fly in our area, but we need to just stick to the law!!

In any anyway, it was still superb flying yesterday, The WX conditions was FANTASTIC!!, I was flying parralel with another microlight in our GF doing about 45MPH and it was like a hot knife through butter!! visibility was great too!!

I LOVE MICROLIGHT FLYING!!!!

BA

[Wargames]

Lodge an incedent report with CAA. That is the professional thing to do.

Did you get the reg number??

[Blue Angel]

Hi Wargames

No I did not get reg, just landed and saw him whilst taxiing back!!

BA

[Arnulf]

Problem is that only microlighters are aware that Microland/Bapsfontein have their own frequency. The other dudes bomb through our circuits blissfully unaware of the happenings around them. Spoke a while ago to one of them operating out of Fly-Inn. When I told him about the Baps frequency, his response was: "I always wondered if the Microlights carry radios. I always see them, but never hear them when I change to Waterkloof frequency."

Maybe a friendly post on AVCOM to remind them again of the frequency would be quite appropriate.

Be aware, that these okes very often have all kinds of fancy GPSs and other wonderful colour glass cockpit thingamajigs, so they tend to fly inside the cockpit, and do not really keep such a sharp lookout for trikes and other debri in the sky.

Regards,
Arnulf

[Dusty Eagle]

Can be very scarey, and it will only take a collision for everyone to wake up.

Bank in Jan 1996 I was coming back from my first cross country at Microland with S. Roe in the back seat and on downwind an Airforce Puma bombed through about 150m ahead of us at our altitude.

I was rather rattled and Steve made me go up and do an 40min solo. Had a stiff neck for days with all the swivelling, watching out for the next Puma attack.

Looks like things have not changed, and there are more aircraft flying the Pinedene route all the time.

[andreb]

Guys

It is unnecessary to "cubbyhole" people. Whenever the blik aeries do something wrong we start complaing about "them" and they do the same to microlighters on Avcom.
I have been flying at Aviators Paradise for a few months now doing my PPL. We have had a few incidents with microlighters not transmiting...in fact I almost collided with a guy above the N4 near Kroon 2 days ago. By far the majority of the unannounced visitors in the AP airspace are blik aeries. However, that being said..it is individual pilots errors or ignorance and has nothing to do with the type of aircraft.
I can understand (but not condone) how faster planes can skip announcing their presence, especailly in areas where there are frequent frequency changes. It has to do with ignorance and we should all be educating each other, instead of blaming. Better maps with clearer marked frequency areas will also help.
I agree with Arnulf, you should put a friendly post on Avcom.

Safe flying guys

Andre

[FO Gyro]

I also raised this issue with Fanie and Hans at Skyriders. Unless the maps have changed, one of the problems is that on the 1: 500 000 map, Microland isn't even mentioned on there at all, nevermind mentioning any frequency (looking at the Sept 2006 map). The blik aeries are not really at fault if it's not listed on the map. I remember mentioning this problem over 10 yrs ago!

The owner of Microland, Hans, unless he's done it already, urgently needs to get Microland on the map.

Another problem is that Waterkloof normally release one from their frequency when one if very close to Microland. Maybe Hans, or someone representing Microland's interests, needs to speak to Waterkloof and mention the problems they are having. A series of hazard reports would also get some attention to the powers that be.

[kloot piloot]

Agree with FY Gyro, Micro is not on all maps, but it is definitely on some fancy GPS's.

What exactly forms the rule in flight planning ? GPS or Maps or CAA posted paperwork ?

Anybody got some ideas on the "market standard" ?

[Wargames]

Was the frequency ever noted in a notam??

[Tumbleweed]

My boet relates his 'never again' experience of a bud flipping them in a blik from Grand Central doing a 15 mile circuit on a Sat morning. Pilot never took eyes out of the cocpit and instructed pax to each just 'lookout to survive'.

Agee, for someone unfamiliar, it gets quite daunting if the frequencies are cluttered.

Perhaps someone could place a map on avcom clearly identifying the diferent strips's circuits in a colour code with freq. I'm sure most will print out and contribute.