I need Information: Please

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Greetings Caller,

Speaking to JetRanger today and he made the suggestion that I read up on everything I can about ML flight. I am also interested in fixed wing Bantam type aircraft (Don't laugh about my descriptions, I'm new for heaven's sake). Have picture on my 'Vision of Africa Board' of Thunderbird Mk II that Eagle was selling. What a stunning aircraft oh yeeeeeeeeeesssssss

Long, long time ago when I was young I passed solo in Glider (Aircraft without engine my friend) and the passion to fly never left me. No funds, little brain, lack of ability to make money and then the responsibility of a Family flattened the dream, but I could and I did fly (Another Story).

Now I am soon to leave my country and come to live in yours where I can follow my dream. All preflight checks are complete, just need someone to buy the house. I have expandable baton (Six actually - plummy). Have completed self defence course. Can break arm in two moves, neck takes a little longer. Also have long knobkerrie to hang in kitchen and working now on Colt 45 for bedroom intruders .

Now then, if you kind sir's can point me in the right direction I would like to read as much as I can about your most incredible pastime and one that I will one day be part of, says one. The aircraft, the flying skills needed, identifying part names, safety rules, engine makes etc etc anything at all that will give me some idea of what I am doing when I finally walk into Leading Edge Flight School - Hoedspruit. Thank you.

Now on a more serious note

I have been reading of the various incidents in Microlight and other types of flying pastimes and it saddens me that these good people have been hurt, some seriously (Ranger, Andre) and one fatally, the young lady who was paragliding. 26yrs old, what a sad loss to her Family and friends. I am sure that you must have some sort of charitable fund where you help other flyer's (All Types) in need, even if the only option you have is to send a wreath of condolence. I am a stranger and a Brit (Eish, what a combo) with a South African Son-in-Law and a Grandson whom the softness and I love dearly. Please give me the honour of enabling me to make a contribution and do whatever I can to help. JetRanger said to me "We do what we can to help others and expect nothing in return". I will uphold that philosophy in South Africa because it is my own - RAR. Recognition, Appreciation, Respect to all.

Alles van die beste

[kraaines]

Thumbs - UP!! Noble

[Morph]

The bantam aircraft is a very credible flying machine limited to Australian made Jabiru in 2 flavours, 80hp 4 cyl 4stroke and 120hp 6cyl 4-stroke. these have proven to be reliable but older version can only run on Aviation fuel (AVGAS) which is significantly more expensive than normal petrol (MOGAS) Later models of the engine can run on mogas

There are locally built aircraft very similar to the Bantam called the Thunderbird. These have a very similar layout, and are usually powered by the Rotax range of engines (generally 2 stroke, and runs on both mogas and avgas)

Licence wise at the moment you would need to fly a minimum of 25 hours. You pass the class 4 medical, get your radio exams done and then apply for your student pilots licence. In the meantime you can start flying dual with the instructor, however you cannot go solo until you have your SPL. Once solo, you will need to fly 15 hours, of which there will be one dual cross country and one solo cross country. Once these hours are up, and the instructor is satisfied with your abilities, you will do a flight test with another instructor. If you pass you get your licence. Cost wise around R25K. (Check out the Training Talk for more details regarding medicals etc.)

have fun and welcome to Sunny South Africa

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

The bantam aircraft is a very credible flying machine limited to Australian made Jabiru in 2 flavours, 80hp 4 cyl 4stroke and 120hp 6cyl 4-stroke. these have proven to be reliable but older version can only run on Aviation fuel (AVGAS) which is significantly more expensive than normal petrol (MOGAS) Later models of the engine can run on mogas

There are locally built aircraft very similar to the Bantam called the Thunderbird. These have a very similar layout, and are usually powered by the Rotax range of engines (generally 2 stroke, and runs on both mogas and avgas)

Licence wise at the moment you would need to fly a minimum of 25 hours. You pass the class 4 medical, get your radio exams done and then apply for your student pilots licence. In the meantime you can start flying dual with the instructor, however you cannot go solo until you have your SPL. Once solo, you will need to fly 15 hours, of which there will be one dual cross country and one solo cross country. Once these hours are up, and the instructor is satisfied with your abilities, you will do a flight test with another instructor. If you pass you get your licence. Cost wise around R25K. (Check out the Training Talk for more details regarding medicals etc.)

have fun and welcome to Sunny South Africa

Thanx a lot Morph,

Info much appreciated, printed and filed. JetRanger said to read everything I can. Are there any other sites on the internet that I can log into? Have tried surfing for info but unsuccessfully.

Once again thank you

Alles van die beste

[ICEMAN]

Uncle Spud

www.tde.co.za

regards

[KFA]

www.saplanes.co.za

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Thank you Iceman / KFA

Good web site's, very informative. Thunderbird flying really appeals to me. Don't even mind sharing the expenses of owning one. Anyone in Phalaborwa (Hot) interested? Anyone who has a passion to fly but would find it difficult to cover the cost's on their own? Mail me please. spud@jerrymurphy1627.wanadoo.co.uk

Alles van die beste

[Axl]

Hi Uncle,

You could also check out the Cheetah-XLS aircraft.
http://aerotrike.co.za/cheetah/
Designed and manufatured in South Africa, at Springs Airfield, by Rainbow Aircraft.

Cheers,

Axl

[Trikenut]

Hey Uncle Spuddy!
Just a suggestion (its completley off topic) but if you are ever looking for a good read here in SA get Spud and Spud - The madness continues By John Van de Ruit, it is excelent!
(Sorry, looked at you screen name and thought about it).
Check out http://www.microaviationsa.co.za and http://www.aerotrike.co.za
Aerotrike is a site of the company selling the Cheetah 3 axis and Cobra and Scout trikes.
Regards
Ross

[grostek]

Hi Jerry,

Have a look at this link . It has a wealth of information.

http://www.microlighting.com/

Then here

http://www.start-flying.com/Microlights.htm

http://www.ultralightmarket.com/results ... &Gruppe=14

Have fun reading

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.

[John Boucher]

Axl... welcome - good to see you here!

Uncle Spud

I have a Cheetah and enjoy the aircraft thoroughly. It has 1035 hours on it. Been pranged by a student in its life and it just keeps on going. The only item I would not consider putting in is a Rotax 582. Rather opt for the 912/912s or even the Jab85 version.

Speak to Axl about this.

[skydancer]

Hi there uncle spud murphy,nice to hear your training at Leading edge flying school,great place,use to train there in 2001,but sadly we had to move,and was unable to complete my MPL in Hoedspruit.PS. take good care of Deon if your flying with him.lol nah im kidding,his an excellent pilot,flew with him alot.Nice peaceful area,well I guess its still is,and a beautiful area as well.Enjoy and wish you all the best

[Uncle Spud Murphy]

Vriendelik Groet to you all and AXL, Young Ross, Gunter, BadNav and Skydancer. Top Guns all yeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa

AXL: The Cheeter website was brillient. Well impressed so I was. What a lovely aircraft she is but just a tad over budget for me at R215000. My opinion as a complete novice in the sport is that this is excellent value for money and I will certainly be aiming to fly one at some time in the future. Printed out a picture so I have and is now on my dream for life board along with many other pics from the forum. Maybe a second hand Cheeter in the future, who knows what will happen when you turn the next page

Young Rossy: Yep another good website and Dankie

Gunter: Aaaaaaahhhhhh Gunter my friend (Mfwetu) always there for others so you are. Bloody good websites mate and a damn good read. Mucho informitivo and yes. I did enjoy. Baie Dankie and the house selling is making progress. Will be posting an update soon

BadNav you bugger. You have a Cheeter so you do and pleased for you I am, very. If the lawyers try to grab it, sell it to me for R100 and I will sell it back to you for R1 (ONE) when it is safe to do so. On my honour my son, on my honour.

Skydancer: Baie Dankie young man for your post. Good of you to give me your time and appreciated. Looking forward soooooooo much to beginning my flight training. Without reilizing it I have been waiting for this moment for many years and soon the waiting will be a reality. I will give your regards to Deon, so I will.

Alles van die beste gentlemen. Live long and prosper

[AndyG]

Spud,

Your afrikaans is better than many South Africans I know. Your Zulu is coming along nicely as well. You just need to start learning the other 8 official South African languages now!!! They test you at the airport and if you don't know them they will send you back to the UK

Cheers Mate, speak to you soon.

Andy

[kraaines]

lets nor forget the other official language almost all on this site is fluent in:

k@k praat!