Wow what an Easter weekend.

Sounds like a lot of flying took place around the country when it was not raining. I had to postpone the Long flight that was going to take place on Monday for Saturday coming. Lets see if the weather gives us a gap. The forecast wind is looking strong  for Saturday so will be the right time to do this long haul flight.
On most of you got the mail that we sent out regarding the Wireless Throttle. I have to say it was rather exciting having it in a flying state now. What was not exciting was actually flying it. It felt normal. Not funnies just worked. The fact that it has a speed control that does not get affected by your hand placement was a welcome addition. Normally the cable would pull a little on the carb as you move your hand from flying to position to hand off on your lap but obviously this was not the case. I even flew with the throttle dangling from the string on my arm and could use my hands totally free in the brakes. The battery life still needs to be worked out accurately but in the tests so far we have had it running for 19hours and it was still able to function without any issues. Only used 500 of the 950 mAH.
We are now going to setup a new rig for the Instinct so I can really do some big distance flights using this system. Once all our beta testing is done it will become available for purchase. Of the pilots who have had the pleasure to see it and or to fly this system all the comments, have been complimentary. Firstly the throttle is comfortable to fly with, secondly it looks good and is available in a few colours, thirdly it is working like a charm.

Back to the flying
Friday was a wash out. But Saturday morning was a no go due to the water logged field and low cloud that hampered everything. Saturday afternoon we had fantastic conditions and most of the pilots had great afternoon flying. Peter Currie did his second flight and Martin Cameron (the chap who builds and repairs you PPG’s at DMB) started his first ground training session. Riaan Stander from DMB Signs is  almost ready for his first flight but still working on getting used to the power of his Black Mamba Sky 100.
Sunday morning was a picture perfect morning for PPG. Mat and I took off and headed North to the Red and white radio mast from the field. The flight had to be low level to stay under the upper wind coming in from the NW. Mat was about 6km ahead of me as I entered the Magalies Valley. Wow what a sight. All around the valley it was clear skies, but the entire valley was misted in. I stayed above the mist that carpeted the valley.  The mountains I the north stood proud and looked like those fairytale pictures with the range of the mountain resting on the clouds. I managed to maintain about 56km/h  to the base of the mountain and then had to climb up and over the ridge. One level with the top my speed was down to 40km/h. This gave me a really warm feeling knowing I can get some good speed in the low level stuff under the wind and then climb for some fast upper air down wind flying later. I pushed on to Brits Airfield. Still maintaining 53km/h I was happy. By this time I had passed Mat as the towers and he headed off in the direction of the Hartebeesport DAM using the ridge as a means of saving fuel. Mat commented afterwards saying he was trying to beat me to the towers but lost even though is was so far behind him. Thanks' Dudek for the Plasma, it kicks but for sure. Al my flying was done only on trims open up to this point and beyond. Flying low into no-man's-land was eerie and uncomfortable. Due to all the rain the day before the grassland below me looked like a swamp and was really going to be difficult to carry out my kit if I was to land in this. Fortune favored me and delivered me back over damp ground but manageable after a few minutes. At this point I noticed two radio masts towering out in the distance and on my GPS they showed that they are over 1000ft tall. Wow I made sure I missed them and the stay wires that held them up. The Garankuwa hills were just after the towers and my track took me directly trough between two of them so no fuel wastage and speed loss trying to negotiate the climb. Again good luck on my side. Just as I was passing throught the gap I saw what must have been a very old Grave yard. Not a house in sight for at least 3km and this lonely grave site with a fence around it and what looks like really old forgotten headstones. I started thinking I wonder if anyone has seen this in years. Then thinking about my flying in the LSA aircraft and when  flew as a PPL I would never have noticed this type of thing. I know why I love flying PPG’s you get to sit and look around and take in so much more than other do. You fly in a different world. Low and slow and on your own. This give one so much time to reflect and enjoy your surrounds. I just love flying my PPG. Oh sorry back to the flight. Brits airfield was now 7 miles out so I changed to 122,4mHz and called in and announced my intention to over fly the field and head of to the Hartebeesport dam. No answer so I fly right on in. I turned once I was sure I was over the main tower and then started to climb to 7000ft from my 4300ft I approached from. I set the throttle to a slow climb of 200ft/min to save fuel and make sure I would have the endurance to race the last bit directly down wind. As I climbed my airspeed dropped off to 44km/h but I knew I was going to get stronger wind. Once over the outskirts of Brits town I was back into the mid 50’s and then over HBV (VOR) I was at 6500 ft doing almost 70km/h. Then on over the Hartebeesport Dam wall and crossed the mountains at 6800ft now I was over 70km/h and zooting. I crossed the next turn point (peecanwood) at 7000ftand turned to the SE for the trip home. But I had a dilemma. The FAD of Phelendaba was directly between me and my home point. I know I can over fly it at my altitude but this would put me into Lanseria’s TMA. After a little contemplation I decided to fly through the TMA and called Lanseria for clearance to fly through there airspace. This was done and after a little confirmation Lanseria realized I was not a motorized Glider but a Powered Paraglider. The clearance was given and by this time I was just entering the area at 3/4 speed bar. My speed was now 83km/h and holding. Not once on this flight did I encounter any turbulence and I could clearly see why. The cloud base was at about 8000ft above me and out in the west as low and 6500ft . I was heading SE now and was nicely clear all the way home. I thanked Laseria and then was back on track for home. Arriving over the field was fine and the landing was ridiculously fast. I must have skidded for about 20m before coming to a stop. I think that was my longest skid to landing yet. Any how all was well and this flight turned out to be the fasted time to date for 101km at an average speed of 60km/h. This in fact if it was able to be claimed for a world record would have beaten the current speed by 8.1km/h. So now I know I have the correct kit to do this flight and be up there with the rest.

Sunday afternoon we flew again and three pilots managed to fly. Peter again on his 3rd flight, Barry managed to get into the sky after months of not launching successfully and Andre. The strange thing was the only wings on the field this afternoon were Ozone Roadsters. How strange was that.

Monday was a total wash out and this was a welcome relaxed day for my family. Seeing that it was family day.

Tony