ELandsrivier Quad Camp -Lair of Blue Max

[Asterix]

Finally the weather, work commitments and all other kinds of non flying related shit came together and I could fulfill a month's old promise to visit Oom Polla, aka Blue Max, at his playground situated next to the Elandsriver, 8nm SW of Marble Hall.

I was joined by Jan Labuschagne, aka Lappies from Springs, and we flew out from Micoland on Friday afternoon just before 13h00 Zulu. approx 90 minutes later we touched down on Blue Max's runway - the smoothest runway I have EVER encountered, including tar! If your flare is perfect you will not feel that you have actually landed!

On Saturday morning Blue Max lead us on a trip to Loskop, back via the river, landed at Groblersdal, then on to Arabie dam where we entertained the anglers for a while, and then back to his Quad Camp. Saturday afternoon - Renosterkopdam and back, and then in perfect weather with such a smooth runway I couldn't resist to do a couple of simulated engine outs on his bush strip.

Elands River Quad Camp is situated 69nm from Microland, and well worth a visit as a basecamp from which to explore the Loskop area. Remember guys, this is not a lodge per se, it is Blue Max's playground. You are carried on the hands by him, and he will tend to all your needs.

Sunday morning saw me and Jan returning - we left at 05h00 Zulu, and had an uneventfull flight back between 7000 and 6500ft. Smooth as a baby's bum with nice airflows on the tail which saw us overhead Microland in 65 minutes.

Hair raising stuff followed however, with tremendously turbulent conditions under 1000ft AGL, a nasty crosswind on 09, gusts upward of 20kts. We managed to land safely (but HARD!) and were shaken for a while. No damage though, and some more experience under the belt.

The air was exremely smoggy, so the photo - thing didn't work so lekker - however attached a few pics.

Blue Max is on his way to the Kalahari Bash and then on to god knows where - lets all wish him a safe and enjoyable trike - safari. We will follow his progress under "Flying events - "Fly in my propwash"

Be safe oom Paul.

Jan Labuschagne taking of on Blue Max's strip - smoothest surface!

[Asterix]

And then lastly - my Beloved Geel Kerneels with an iced wing - having slept outside - waiting for the sun to thaw it, before I brush it of.

TIP: Don't start wiping before it is thawed a bit - it does no good. Leave it in the rising sun for 30 minutes or so, then take a soft broom and gently wipe of the slush. Wiping your wing while it is still frozen does nothing but damage the stitching, and leaves patches of ice, which may indeed increase the risk, as one wing carries more ice than the other. The one with more ice could stall on take-off, and you know the rest...

NEVER TAKE OF WITH ICE ON YOUR WING! it looks harmless and glittery - untill you start to wipe it of and you actually see how much of it there is. It WILL screw up your wing's standard performance - and you will be left wondering what happened. Or not Don't ask me - I learned this from a few other people... Ask them - maybe they will have details...

Luckily my fellow pilots who hangared inside had the courtesy to postpone our flight untill such time that I felt save with my wing's condition. True airmanship from them, on the ground.

[Asterix]

And then lastly - my Beloved Geel Kerneels with an iced wing - having slept outside - waiting for the sun to thaw it, before I brush it of.

TIP: Don't start wiping before it is thawed a bit - it does no good. Leave it in the rising sun for 30 minutes or so, then take a soft broom and gently wipe of the slush. Wiping your wing while it is still frozen does nothing but damage the stitching, and leaves patches of ice, which may indeed increase the risk, as one wing carries more ice than the other. The one with more ice could stall on take-off, and you know the rest...

NEVER TAKE OF WITH ICE ON YOUR WING! it looks harmless and glittery - untill you start to wipe it of and you actually see how much of it there is. It WILL screw up your wing's standard performance - and you will be left wondering what happened. Or not Don't ask me - I learned this from a few other people... Ask them - maybe they will have details...

Luckily my fellow pilots who hangared inside had the courtesy to postpone our flight untill such time that I felt save with my wing's condition. True airmanship from them, on the ground.

[Blue Max]

Hi Asterix,
Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves..
True about the wing..Have read what others say about it and will rather be on safe side..
Found three apies on my wing this morning but luckely for me no dammage done..Very important to cover your trike because parking in the wild the apes can realy cause big damage to your aircraft..Dont also not leave food in the side bags!!!

[JCH]

Asterix was referring to the smooth runway.
See the pictures - no lie.
Just be careful of the donkeys.
They enjoy lying on the runway.
If Blue Max or Jimmy is aware that you are coming they will clear them for you.

[maximilian]

Hi guys

A few of us are venturing out on the 18th September at first light and will be returning on the 19th September, anyone interested to join are welcome, if so don't forget to book accomodation with Oom Paul
Fly safe

Max

[maximilian]

Hi Blue Max.
Do you have some 25 Liter tanks for petrol.or do i have to bring my on.?????????
thanks
Max

[maximilian]

Hi Paul,why cont i find you on google???????

[Blue Max]

Hi Max,
Yes, dont worry about fuel..Dont worry about fuel cans or anything else..Call me a day before you come and I will see everything is in order. I notice you are coming next week on 18 Sept. and not this weekend..Good...Looking forward to it..
If anybody else want to join plse do, lots of place available and I will see that there are enough to braai..
Call me at 0825596115 or call max.
The camp does not show on google as the camp was build during the recent 5 yrs.
Lots of blue sky and zero gravity..

[Nkwazi]

This sounds like a moerse lekker fly away venue. I think I should get a few of the Petit boys rounded up for a weekend

[Alpha]

This sounds like a moerse lekker fly away venue. I think I should get a few of the Petit boys rounded up for a weekend

Hey Nkwazi,

If you want to get some guys together, count me in for this one,Oom Paul owes me a brandewyn and his stories should be good! Oom Paul is jy reg vir n kuier van die kalahari?

Fly safe
Gary

[Blue Max]

Hi Garry,
Dis n baie ver end om te vlieg vir n naweek, omtrent 1400km van jou tot by my en terug.
As jy ernstig is reel jou dinge so dat jy dit die moeite werd maak. Dan vlieg ons vanaf my plek na Numbi en join die ouens by die African cup event wat n groot jol is. Dit is vanaf 23Sept tot die Sondag 26 Sept..Ek het reeds n kamer bespreek en daar is plek in my kamer.
Ek sal teleur gestel wees as jy jou gereed maak vir n klomp ouens daar by my en intussen speel die weer nie saam nie en van die ouens trek kop uit.
Wat ook al jy besluit ek is elke naweek op die plaas en jy is meer as welkom.
Laat weet. Jy het about 10 dae om te besluit.
Paul.

[JCH]

The RIetfontein guys are looking for a venue for our xmas flyaway weekend,,,,,

BlueMax's place has various cabins and I'm sure your guys will enjoy his camp as a base to explore the area.
You will be carried on the hands!!

[Blue Max]

There are two pilot cabins adjoining the hanger. Each with own lapa and kitchen and bathrooms. They are self catering. I always keep them unreserve to the last moment just incase some pilots want to vissit.
They sleep 8 persons. But there are other huts aswell incase there are more than 8 persons..
we rent them for R550. per nite to quadbikers..But to the pilots it goes for R120.pppp.

[Alpha]

Hi Garry,
Dis n baie ver end om te vlieg vir n naweek, omtrent 1400km van jou tot by my en terug.
As jy ernstig is reel jou dinge so dat jy dit die moeite werd maak. Dan vlieg ons vanaf my plek na Numbi en join die ouens by die African cup event wat n groot jol is. Dit is vanaf 23Sept tot die Sondag 26 Sept..Ek het reeds n kamer bespreek en daar is plek in my kamer.
Ek sal teleur gestel wees as jy jou gereed maak vir n klomp ouens daar by my en intussen speel die weer nie saam nie en van die ouens trek kop uit.
Wat ook al jy besluit ek is elke naweek op die plaas en jy is meer as welkom.
Laat weet. Jy het about 10 dae om te besluit.
Paul.

Hi Paul,

My trike staan by Microland nou, net onlangs gegaan vir sy ATF en dan vlieg ons Swartkops toe die 2 Oct. Wil baie graag by jou uitkom, miskien eers november...maar ek sal sien hoe dinge gaan. Maar ek sien baie uit om daar te land, want ek kyk na die kiekies en daai vuur in die aand lyk belowend.

Groete daar

Gary