Hi Folks just thought I would warn you all to keep a lookout whilest flying in the Bapsfontein / Kitty hawk area.
One of the Trikes at Skyriders (microland ) had an incident with a bullet hole through the wing .
It seems as if a shot was taken at the engine, it missed and went through the wing cover . No one was aware of the shot or injured !
The times we live in !!
CAA Have been informed and want to open an attempt to murder docket ???
PS dont upset the ground bound folks
Leprachaun
Shooting incident this weekend
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Leprachaun
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Shooting incident this weekend
A pilot lives by perfection , or not at all!
Hells Bells,
Glad no more damage was done.
Thinking aloud here.
Go flying with 20 or so "goene out of a big ball bearing" in a lapsack.
Drop a couple after such an incident
If they hit anything the damage will be massive.
If they dont hit anything the skrik factor on the ground will be impressive.
End of thinking aloud.
Naaah lets forget that line of thinking aloud.
Gunter Rostek
Glad no more damage was done.
Thinking aloud here.
Go flying with 20 or so "goene out of a big ball bearing" in a lapsack.
Drop a couple after such an incident
If they hit anything the damage will be massive.
If they dont hit anything the skrik factor on the ground will be impressive.
End of thinking aloud.
Naaah lets forget that line of thinking aloud.
Gunter Rostek
How does one identify the hole specifically as a "bullet hole" (was the head found, or did it leave a lead/copper smear or go through a part of the aluminium frame.).......
Could it not just perhaps be a nut (or similiar), come loose off the motor (or perhaps been left in a pocket or on the seat), fallen off in flight and been "shot" up by the prop causing the "hole" (i have heard of airfilters coming loose in flight and going right through the wing fabric above........)
Dont get me wrong, im not downplaying the seriousness of the event- im just trying to consider all options here.
Could it not just perhaps be a nut (or similiar), come loose off the motor (or perhaps been left in a pocket or on the seat), fallen off in flight and been "shot" up by the prop causing the "hole" (i have heard of airfilters coming loose in flight and going right through the wing fabric above........)
Dont get me wrong, im not downplaying the seriousness of the event- im just trying to consider all options here.
ZU-CPW..... t/bird mk2
Hoedspruit Civil Airfield
Hangar 8
Hoedspruit Civil Airfield
Hangar 8
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Leprachaun
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CAA and airwing of the SAP visited Microland yesterday to verify the incident.
Fanie Deysel was the pilot of his own plane and according to the balistics dude , it was a high powered hunting rifle , - aimed for the engine, missed and went through the fabric , - unfortunately area covered was to big , but the SAPs will follow up with the ground bound guys in the area as somone must have heard the shot , in the meantime FLY high, , moerse high and fast very fast and live life to the fullest , Leprachaun
Fanie Deysel was the pilot of his own plane and according to the balistics dude , it was a high powered hunting rifle , - aimed for the engine, missed and went through the fabric , - unfortunately area covered was to big , but the SAPs will follow up with the ground bound guys in the area as somone must have heard the shot , in the meantime FLY high, , moerse high and fast very fast and live life to the fullest , Leprachaun
A pilot lives by perfection , or not at all!
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Leprachaun
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The route that the plane was flying is as follows , from 06hoo to 08h30 , microland circuit , training . From 09h00 kittyHawk and back twice - 10 H30 to 11h30 microland to Bapsfontein tower and back
- demo / introductory flights .
At the same time there were 3 other trikes flying the same route , mine included with no incidents . Leprachaun
- demo / introductory flights .
At the same time there were 3 other trikes flying the same route , mine included with no incidents . Leprachaun
A pilot lives by perfection , or not at all!
You must have bird droppings for a brain to take a shot like that.
What if the projectile went through the pilot or pax and not the wing?
What if the pilot was fatally hit and the pax was a non-pilot?
What if the engine was hit and the plane crashed?
I can only hope that this was somehow a freak accident.
What if the projectile went through the pilot or pax and not the wing?
What if the pilot was fatally hit and the pax was a non-pilot?
What if the engine was hit and the plane crashed?
I can only hope that this was somehow a freak accident.
North west of Baps tower there is an informal settlement (I have not seen it but this is how it was described to me) - I know they have shot at Philip van Niekerk there one night while he was driving his car - HE lives closeby.
Wonder if this was not perhaps the same bastards doing the shooting
D
Wonder if this was not perhaps the same bastards doing the shooting
D
Big D
Just a thought...
A small pebble meeting a stainless steel leading edge on a prop at the right moment during take-off revs makes a pretty neat hole in the umbrella. How do you distinguish between that and one caused by a bullet? Elementary calculations will confirm that projectile speeds are compatible. Evidence of this type of prop-strike is also easily overlooked. I have seen this phenomenon confirmed on a new trike doing ground runs.
A small pebble meeting a stainless steel leading edge on a prop at the right moment during take-off revs makes a pretty neat hole in the umbrella. How do you distinguish between that and one caused by a bullet? Elementary calculations will confirm that projectile speeds are compatible. Evidence of this type of prop-strike is also easily overlooked. I have seen this phenomenon confirmed on a new trike doing ground runs.
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Wargames
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You are probably right, but I can tell you one thing, If you have seen a bullet hole once, you'll know the second one.
I have been shooting a lot for a long time. Part of my hunting ritual is shooting a shot or two on a target. Now depending on the caliber, you will always be able to specifically match the calibre to the target. Second variable will be weather the bullet was packed new by denel or musgrave or who ever, but not reloaded. Reloaded bullets normally have a oil residue that they leave on the target, leave a definate blackish ring on the insides of the shot. This will also be visible, though not that definate if a "new" bullet was shot through a gun that was not cleaned lately. Then there will be a residue from gunpowder as well.
The other part to take into account, is not the velocity, but shape and spin. A bebble will be shot at approx the same velocity, but due to the type of spin on bebble, it will not make a neat looking hole through the wing sail, where a bullet will cut a neat hole through it.
Police do have test that they can use to test whether there is gunpowder residue left behind on the wing from the bullet, this is if there is any doubt.
If they say he tried to shoot the engine, that is bull. If the shot is in line with the engine, he tried a shot at the pilot. But due to the forward movement of the plane, the aircraft is always moving away from the shot, and mostly the shot will be missed behind the target, unless you know what you are doing, and is trying to over compensate by aiming a long way in front of the target, so that the bullet will meet the target at a specific point. Hence trying to guess the distance for the bullet to travel, as well as the speed of the plane.
Based on my knowledge, this was a shoot to hurt insident. Luckily for pilot, marksman was a rookie by missing by that margin. He probably got rifle illegally and was trying a soft target.
Lastly, we should hope the police find this guy. We normally fly with trust in your own ability and trust the aircraft, we do not need this type of threat trying to knock us down as well.
My 1 Zim $!
I have been shooting a lot for a long time. Part of my hunting ritual is shooting a shot or two on a target. Now depending on the caliber, you will always be able to specifically match the calibre to the target. Second variable will be weather the bullet was packed new by denel or musgrave or who ever, but not reloaded. Reloaded bullets normally have a oil residue that they leave on the target, leave a definate blackish ring on the insides of the shot. This will also be visible, though not that definate if a "new" bullet was shot through a gun that was not cleaned lately. Then there will be a residue from gunpowder as well.
The other part to take into account, is not the velocity, but shape and spin. A bebble will be shot at approx the same velocity, but due to the type of spin on bebble, it will not make a neat looking hole through the wing sail, where a bullet will cut a neat hole through it.
Police do have test that they can use to test whether there is gunpowder residue left behind on the wing from the bullet, this is if there is any doubt.
If they say he tried to shoot the engine, that is bull. If the shot is in line with the engine, he tried a shot at the pilot. But due to the forward movement of the plane, the aircraft is always moving away from the shot, and mostly the shot will be missed behind the target, unless you know what you are doing, and is trying to over compensate by aiming a long way in front of the target, so that the bullet will meet the target at a specific point. Hence trying to guess the distance for the bullet to travel, as well as the speed of the plane.
Based on my knowledge, this was a shoot to hurt insident. Luckily for pilot, marksman was a rookie by missing by that margin. He probably got rifle illegally and was trying a soft target.
Lastly, we should hope the police find this guy. We normally fly with trust in your own ability and trust the aircraft, we do not need this type of threat trying to knock us down as well.
My 1 Zim $!
The Naked Trike
ZU-AVL
"I hate CIRCLIPS!!"
ZU-AVL
"I hate CIRCLIPS!!"
Thanks Wargames, a very informative reply. As a matter of interest, the result of the pebble strike that I mentioned is a hole as neat and perfect as if made by a paper punch, about .22 calibre size, still there to this day.
Shooting at trikes, however, is a reality. Some months ago I flew over a spot in the bush NW of ODI airstrip and saw some objects under the shrubs that appeared to be out of place. I did a teardrop and dropped low-level to see what it was. Turned out, as far as I could convince myself, that a stash of stolen goods, including microwaves and television sets, had been parked there. Luckily for me I overshot the spot quite fast but in time to see a couple of figures trying to conceal themselves, with one standing and openly pointing a handgun at me. Suffice it to say, I pulled the bar right into my kidneys and got out of there real pronto.
Take heed, the threat is where you least expect it!
Shooting at trikes, however, is a reality. Some months ago I flew over a spot in the bush NW of ODI airstrip and saw some objects under the shrubs that appeared to be out of place. I did a teardrop and dropped low-level to see what it was. Turned out, as far as I could convince myself, that a stash of stolen goods, including microwaves and television sets, had been parked there. Luckily for me I overshot the spot quite fast but in time to see a couple of figures trying to conceal themselves, with one standing and openly pointing a handgun at me. Suffice it to say, I pulled the bar right into my kidneys and got out of there real pronto.
Take heed, the threat is where you least expect it!
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Wargames
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Yes Bacardi,
Reality it sure is. I've heard a couple of stories like this. Including one where one trike was missing a rear wheel after the incident. Like they say, jealosy makes you nasty.
My experience with small pebbles is not that perfect as yours though, and that is what I based my theory on, but each situation is different.
I think is time to arm our trikes. Fit a rifle to it, .243 at most. The recoil is not that bad. You only have to shoot 1 shot. Just think of the reaction. I was thinking out loud.
Reality it sure is. I've heard a couple of stories like this. Including one where one trike was missing a rear wheel after the incident. Like they say, jealosy makes you nasty.
My experience with small pebbles is not that perfect as yours though, and that is what I based my theory on, but each situation is different.
I think is time to arm our trikes. Fit a rifle to it, .243 at most. The recoil is not that bad. You only have to shoot 1 shot. Just think of the reaction. I was thinking out loud.
The Naked Trike
ZU-AVL
"I hate CIRCLIPS!!"
ZU-AVL
"I hate CIRCLIPS!!"
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