BAD: On the way back from one of the mountain flights I was flying low through some farm fields when I saw a glint above and thought their might be some traffic I was not aware of. I looked up and the next second I was half blinded and had to gain altitude before sorting myself out. My cap blew off and went through the prop, my headset was half off and my sunglasses were tangled in the headset lead. Fortunately no lasting damage but I did have a tight sphincter moment! Being 6ft7in I tend to be taller than the windscreen on a good day and looking up is not so clever... Pax said he had a fright when my cap came flying back at him!
GOOD: Flying over the Matroosberg peak at 8400ft on my birthday and seeing the snow, mid-week and knowing that most people were at work! Spectacular views, icy cold and completely awesome.
BAD: Having my optifuel, transponder, intercom, GPS, and headset stop working mid-flight over the peninsula while taking a pax to see Cape Point. Immediate about turn, climb to safe height for potential glide and head back to Morningstar unable to communicate with pax. Turned out to be a blown inline fuse behind the dashboard that I was not aware of and that was not replaceable in flight. The fuse was old and corroded and looks like it died from old age. Had a replacement in for a few hours now and no more issues. Need to route the circuit through a circuit breaker and throw away the fuse.
GOOD: Flying along the beach just before sunset, with everything bathed in beautiful golden light, just like a giant painting. Trying to explain the feeling of freedom to people that don't fly... well words don't come close!
The Seli1 shipwreck lies on the sands directly of Blouberg beach.
A stitched panoramic viewpoint of Camps Bay and Oudekraal.
Imizama Yethu informal settlement in Hout Bay.
The mountains around Witels are pretty formidable.
The Mostertshoek Berg Peak, covered in a sprinkling of snow.
The Breede River Valley from 7000ft.
The eastern entrance to Bainskloof.
Chris enjoying trying his hand at flying a gyro.
A stitched panorama of farmlands in the Paarl Valley.
The only time I'm happy going to the Waterfront!
A stitched panorama of Lion's Head and Signal Hill.
SA's most famous microlight pilot enjoying flying a gyro.
A stitched panorama of Wellington town and the township.
Bainskloof Pass.
The Mitchells Pass opens to reveal the Ceres Valley.
Snow on the Matroosberg at 8400ft.
Snow on the Matroosberg at 8400ft.
De Doorns Valley from 8400ft.
Albert flying his AK1-3 towards Morningstar.
Starting to play with video now as well, watch this space...
Safe flying
Jean.
