APOLOGY FROM RHINO PARK

[fransstrydom]

After the tragic accident at Alldays I have decided not to do any postings again on microlighters.At that stage I was sad,angry and frustrated.Losing two friends didn’t came easyto me.
Imade the mistake of commenting on paper while being in that state.A lesson well learned.
NEVER VENT YOUR ANGER WHEN YOU ARE STILL ANGRY(specially not in writing).
I make this posting (my last one) on microlighters because I am being accused of bad airman-
ship.
It is necessary however to give a little background.
The new runway at Rhino Park has been completed.It is an absolute pleasure to use and is
a vast improvement for which we are very gratefull.The taxiways have not been completed
yet and the only way to get to holding points is from the intersection ,roughly In the
middle of the tar runway,in other words you have to backtrack either way.
Because of the congestion over weekends I never fly over weekends as a rule.The schools
are doing there training and it must be hell for students if there are six aircraft in the circuit.
The schools and myself have come to some sort of a gentlemans agreement,aircraft take of
on the tar runway and use the gravel runway for circuits. For reasons I don’t want to discuss
now the gravell and the tar runway had the same designations at one stage.
This is not a standing order or rule at Rhino but that has always worked for us.There is
definitely a void as far as runway management is concerned and I think it is time we do
something constructive about it.This runway is extremely busy over weekends and I pity a
visitor on a Saterday morning. I even heard simulated engine outs in a busy circuit.
I will be available if it is thought necessary to decide on some ground rules.

Coming back to what transpired on Saterday morning.When backtracking I was number 3 and
all the radio calls were made as required.At no stage did I even think there was a problem.The
complainent was turning downwind.Yes,I heard his call.I am not going to go into a debate
of who said what when.I have not had the priviledge of meeting the complainent and I believe
he must be a visitor.Much have been said about the incident and it only feeds the ambulance
chasers and entertainment value on the forum.As far as my airmanship,I am also only human.
I would have however handled the situation differently.When on final approach you can see any
aircraft at the holding point.At this stage I would have made the following radio call:
RHINO PARK TRAFFIC THIS IS SO AND SO ON FINAL APPROACH FOR RUNWAY
XYZ PLEASE HOLD YOUR POSITIONS. I never even heard a base leg call.

As representative of Rhino Park I would like to apologies for what I consider to be a storm in
a teacup. To the complainant I want to say It will be my pleasure to meet you,and I only hope
that this incident will not deter you from visiting Rhino Park.
The new facilities are for the benefit of all,
The pilots of Rhino are very cordial and friendly people and Rhino is paradise.Please visit us
again.Francois 083 382 1627
MODERATORS YOU CAN PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM THE FORUM

[t-bird]

Hi Francios

Don’t apologise you guys weren’t wrong.
And don’t leave microlighters.

Regards

Callie

[Alkemac]

Ditto!

[JvTonder]

Ja nee ek moet saam stem, bly net waar jy is mnr!

[Jabbanaught]

Please stay around with you passion and jokes , we need you .

Paul

[Tumbleweed]

I'm sure at most airfields if a blik aerrie called on downwind, partilarly a full stop, there would be more than ample time for the ground aerries to either backtrack and vacate.

As he called base and would see the ground movements clearing he could simply advise that he would extend his base leg.

Too much about nothing.

[Grumpy]

Too much about nothing.

Agreed, just like the original squeeler.

[D2O]

I'm sure at most airfields if a blik aerrie called on downwind, partilarly a full stop, there would be more than ample time for the ground aerries to either backtrack and vacate.

As he called base and would see the ground movements clearing he could simply advise that he would extend his base leg.

Too much about nothing.

I did my training at Rhino and even when things were busy, it was easy to backtrack to holding point when there was a blik on downwind. Just check where he is before proceeding, and make sure you make the call. Never was a problem either, and they never had to do a go around. It was either that, or stay holding at the intersection forever!

Also, airmanship works both ways. Whenever I was on downwind leg and noticed planes at the intersection, I would let them know I would be extending my downwind to accommodate.
Storm in a teacup methinks

[Tinkerbell]

Anyone who refers to trikes as samoosas don't deserve this attention. Forget him, hopefully he will never come around again.

[Gyronaut]

It will be another sad day if Frans leaves microlighters.co.za

I was under the impression that this minor issue at Rhino had been resolved between the 'squeeler' and the responsible Instructors etc at Rhino. Leave it at that and let it be.

True Airmanship is about being courteous, polite and trying to do the right thing right. Everyone makes mistakes or we wouldn't be human. A go-round or additional circuit is no big deal. If lives were endangered it would be another story but in this event it was not the case. Although the landing aircraft has right of way, I have OFTEN heard offers of 'go ahead, I will do an orbit to the left while you take-off' at unmanned circuits between pilots with the right attitude. I have never heard any one of them bitch about it afterwards.

Frans ou pel, ignoreer die klein-sinnige mense, vlieg veilig en lekker en onthou dat jy reeds baie diep spore in baie van ons harte getrap het. Ons wil jou nie verloor as vriend en bydraaer hier nie.

Len

[old no 7]

Hey Francois, from what I can gather the sh1t and mudslinging started on Avcom.
Typical. That is why I left Avcom after Oshkosh 2011.

Don't take your justified irritation out on your maatjies and leave the ML forum. Rather boycott Avcom.

[old no 7]

Hey Francois, from what I can gather the sh1t and mudslinging started on Avcom.
Typical. That is why I left Avcom after Oshkosh 2011.

Don't take your justified irritation out on your maatjies and leave the ML forum. Rather boycott Avcom.

[Alkemac]

It works both ways...

I was outside at 6:40 last night, street lights already on, and I could hear an aero engine somewhere.. After searching the skies for a while, the sound got louder and a fixed wing came directly over my house, routing south, WITH NO NAV LIGHTS ON... sorry, did I mention that there was no visible sunlight ?

I just think that this was so wrong... maybe I am wrong.

[vernon11]

When I read of incidents like the one mentioned, I feel very happy to fly from a place where we only have three planes. I hope it all gets sorted out. Please don't leave the forum.
Vernon.