ZU-EXP - OUT

[mikemat]

As I write this, good friend a fellow flying buddy Mark Bellingan is flying my beloved RAF to Upington. She's been sold, and I move on to different (although not necessarily greener) pastures. I thank everyone who I have come into contact with in the aerie world (and fellow gyronauts in particular) for your friendship, and for all the cameraderie and good times. I have discovered that there is something quite special and unique which bonds pilots, and elevates the level of caring and concern for safety and welfare of one another above that of normal friend, and I will miss that.

To you, Eben and Jnr., thank you for your expert (and, as I discovered, invaluable) tutelage and support. You are brilliant instructors, and are marketing a wonderful machine. Nick L - thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to get me through my solo hours, and to you, Louis W, Mark, Francois and all the other great guys I had the privilege to fly with for all the great times. It is so rewarding to see that the unwarranted beating which the RAF seems to have taken over the years is slowly being replaced with positive and constructive input from many quarters. Just for the benefit of any sceptical American subscribers (or local ones for that matter), RAF's don't need f@#&^ng horizontal stabilisers, so get that into your thick skulls!!!

I hope to keep in contact with many of you and trust that I will remain the attorney of choice for some

To all of you ...........

EXP OUT

[saraf]

HI Mike

You will always stay an RAF pilot , it was and is still a pleasure to have done business with you and to have become a great friend of you.

Kind Regards
RAF TEAM

[Gyronaut]

What a pity Mike

My M24 and Sycamore will be lonely in the hangar without ZU-EXP now.

I hope you will continue to look skywards until the urge to fly overcomes you and you take to the air again.
Gentlemen like you are few and far between and an asset to our humble sport. Hurry back.

Best wishes and blue sky's

Len

[Learjet]

#$%$#%$%$#@!!! not the bl@@dy horizontal stabiliser debate again!! he he
Mike it's been a pleasure to enjoy your great company both in the air and on the ground. I hope that your landlubber sabbatical is a temporary one and that it won't be too long before you're back in the gyro saddle again.

[OzGyro]

Hi Mike

As Quoted - "RAF's don't need f@#&^ng horizontal stabilisers, so get that into your thick skulls!!!"

You are so right, but heres something you may want to consider. Cars dont need seat belts, ABS or airbags either. But in the name of progress and even more importantly in the name of safety they are a welcome addition. RAF have been making the same product for many years and from what I have experienced there has been very little changed in the name of progress. The RAF has a tainted history whether we like it or not, of which some is and isnt deserved. I feel if there were some changes made in the name of progress and perceived safety then RAF will be well on its way to changing peoples attitudes and the perceptions many people have toward them. I have flown many hours in RAF's and enjoyed every minute of it, so I am not here to RAF bash at all. I am sure if RAF made some changes and listened to what was being said then the gyro itself would be far more greatly accepted and get the recognition it deserves.
Of course this is only my humble opinion.

Cheers and hope your back in the sky sooner than you thought possible.
Darren

[Pieter Smith]

Hi Darren,
Please go to http://www.flysaa.co.za, they have good specials on flights to Oz!

Hi Mike

As Quoted - "RAF's don't need f@#&^ng horizontal stabilisers, so get that into your thick skulls!!!"

You are so right, but heres something you may want to consider. Cars dont need seat belts, ABS or airbags either. But in the name of progress and even more importantly in the name of safety they are a welcome addition. RAF have been making the same product for many years and from what I have experienced there has been very little changed in the name of progress. The RAF has a tainted history whether we like it or not, of which some is and isnt deserved. I feel if there were some changes made in the name of progress and perceived safety then RAF will be well on its way to changing peoples attitudes and the perceptions many people have toward them. I have flown many hours in RAF's and enjoyed every minute of it, so I am not here to RAF bash at all. I am sure if RAF made some changes and listened to what was being said then the gyro itself would be far more greatly accepted and get the recognition it deserves.
Of course this is only my humble opinion.

Cheers and hope your back in the sky sooner than you thought possible.
Darren

[Gyronaut]

Oi Vey Pieter, Darren isn't bashing RAF's at all and none of us do.

My view on this tired old story is simple. If the guy has concerns, wants an ironing board on the back of his RAF and its safe, why the hell not give him what he wants to make all the kakpraatjies go away? The rumours and bull persist in spite of the fact that RAF's fly very well without HS. Nobody is suggesting admitting anything, just give them what they want.

Darren, I have flown with you, I know you are competent, experienced and a Gyroambassador of note - so please stay. We can do with more people like you in the gyro fraternity.

[mikemat]

Ah Jeez, I was just saying cheers and not wanting to provoke a regurgitation of this tired debate. Although the comment was meant lightly, perhaps I should have left it out. I'm sorry you didn't see it for what it was Darren.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Maybe a bit like BRS? I don't have one but some folks wont fly without them?

keserasera...

PS
Always SAD to see someone hang up his flying goggles....

[Gyronaut]

Maybe a bit like BRS? ....

Exactly!

[Pieter Smith]

Hwoow, Stop die lorry!!!!!!!!
Sorry, i made a mistake!!! I think i must have been, from the sad news, that Mike sold his RAF.
Darren, i am just a normal boertjie, and my English is not so good, I read your post again, and it made more sense for me the second time.
People in the Gyro community is the last people i want to upset. I am sorry

[Grumpy]

Sad News, Mike, But hey till next time........

[Jabbanaught]

Sad indeed , Mike you always welcome for a flip !

[OzGyro]

Hi All

Mike and Pieter I appologise if I have insulted or caused disharmony of any sort as it certainly was not my intent. Len I thankyou for your kind comments, but as I and the rest of the gyro community know, it is you who is the true ambassador of this sport in its purest form. Your passion for promoting gyrocopters is almost unrivalled and I look forward to the day that I head back to the Cape and catch up with you again. Again I appologise if I insulted anyone, I am enjoying my time in this country and have made some great new friends and and look forward to making many more, all whilst enjoying some of the best flying of my life.

Cheers
Darren

[Pieter Smith]

Hi Darren,
I am the one, that have to appologise. Sorry again, enjoy your time in this lovely country and i hope we can also meet up sometime. Enjoy and fly safe!
Mike, i bet you miss flying that spunky Raf (EXP) allready?
Cheers from a very hot Bushveld!!!

Hi All

Mike and Pieter I appologise if I have insulted or caused disharmony of any sort as it certainly was not my intent. Len I thankyou for your kind comments, but as I and the rest of the gyro community know, it is you who is the true ambassador of this sport in its purest form. Your passion for promoting gyrocopters is almost unrivalled and I look forward to the day that I head back to the Cape and catch up with you again. Again I appologise if I insulted anyone, I am enjoying my time in this country and have made some great new friends and and look forward to making many more, all whilst enjoying some of the best flying of my life.

Cheers
Darren