Having fun at our scholars Pilot Open Day

We had some fun in Durban yesterday with our scholars Pilot Open Day.. introducing our planes, the Flight School and Instructors. Also with my son Mark here from Stellenbosch he came to help and also fly with me in our Sling ZDL.

Dave ready to welcome scholars at Durban Skyye Flight School Open Day

Mark and Dad getting some "airtime"

Durban Skyye Sling ZDL

Mark and I over the Umhlanga beachfront and lighthouse

OurSling ZDL whilst Instructor Brad chats to visitors alongside the Flight School's microlight

More pics on our Flight School blog here.

Instructor's Rating started

I have had my first Instructor's lesson in "patter" - learning how to instruct students once I qualify. This would give me a Grade C National Flight Instructor rating. My instructor of course is my flight school partner, Brad and we flew in our newly approved flight school training aircraft Sling "Yankee" ZU-FYA.

Winter and early evening as the sun sets, a beautiful time to fly. The air was a bit choppy though as a south-wester was coming through with the wind gusting over 20 kts

Dave learning to fly from the right seat while Brad, an A Grade Instructor gives him "patter"

Durban Skyye Flight School Open Day Sat 28 June

It's our Flight School Open Day this Sat and a chance to see that the skyy's no limit when you come start your training with us. Come and meet our highly experienced instructors and take the opportunity of an Intro Flight in our microlight or fixed wing aircraft for only R600 or R850 - come and experience the freedom of flight and the thrill of starting your Pilot's licence! Bookings on 083-7033329 or online through Durban Skyye Flight School's website.

FYA gets it's Flying School ATF

I had to fly to Johannesburg this morning and back again at sunset to get the Authority to Fly for our Flight School Sling. It needed an inspection check and a personal visit to the CAA to present the original documents, issued in time for me to drive back to Tedderfield (bakkie courtesy of Andrew) and get back to Durban as the sun was setting.

Unfortunately the plane wouldn't start as I was trying to get going as it seems the Master switch was left on while the guys were tinkering on the plane and the battery ran flat. Anyway, it was quickly tested and "jump-started" and was charging ok, so I was soon on my way. Thanks guys for sorting today. We now are able to offer training on FYA in the Flight School.

Routing to Tedderfield, home of the Airplane Factory just North of the Vaal Dam

Beautiful Slings lined up at the Factory

A new Sling 4

 The Civil Aviation Authority on Midrand controls aviation in South Africa and looks after Part 61 pilot training and Aviation Training Organsations.

At the same time as I collected the new ATF for FYA I also delivered the over 1000 pages of Manuals for approval of our proposed extension of flight school training to include Part 61, or PPL training in addition to the microlight and light sport aircraft training we offer.

Jean and Daniel check my plane's battery

The magnificent mountains around the Harrismith area on the way home.

Preparation

I'm flying our Sling FYA to Johannesburg and back tomorrow to get the Authority to Fly issued by the CAA. The red-tape is quite hectic and I had to get a Special Flight Permit issued for the flight then have the annual inspection done by the Airplane Factory before I can get the Authority to Fly to use the plane in our Flight School. So it's going to be 6 hours in the air tomorrow and I will get off to an early start. I checked the plane out today, uploaded new map raster files for the EFIS (on board flight computer or Electronic Flight Information System) as well as my route files to Tedderfield and back.

It was a beautiful weekend for flying and our Flight School handled those wanting to fly - here's our Chief Flying Instructor Brad (front) with John who already has 30 hours flying experience but never finished his licence a few years ago and is thinking of completing it now. (Photo by Trevor Viljoen)

Have you joined Durban Skyye Flight School Facebook group? Click here.

My FAA licence issued

The mail today brought my United States Pilot's Licence, issued for both land and sea operations after completing my Sea Rating there last month. "Whist Airman Certificates in the United States have been printed on paper since 1926, the century of extraordinary accomplishments in powered flight is now represented by a bold new look printed on composite plastic" smart cards, according to the accompanying letter. "The front of the card depicts the qualities of the human spirit that made the first controlled powered flight, in the 1903 Wright Flyer, a reality. The back of the card depicts Wilbur and Orville Wright and the 1902 Wright Glider. The hologram of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seal, coloured graphics and other features make this certificate worthy of the Civil Aviation Registry's efforts to celebrate aviation and help chart the next century of flight."

"We hope you will carry your certificate with pride as it represents your accomplishments and privileges and our commitment to the aviation community", the letter concludes.

Woo hoo!! Thanks guys, really appreciated and I am very proud of the card and everything it represents.

Sling Madagascar Tour 2015

The Civil Aviation Authority of Madagascar has advised that Toliara International Airport in Madagascar would be the suitable airport for landing after crossing the Mozambique Channel from Mozambique for next year's tour to Madagascar with The Airplane Factory.

Join us on the Tour - email slingfans@gmail.com

Cruising at Night

The air was quite warm tonight with what appeared to be an inversion.. many fires and lots of smoke being capped in and hanging over the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban where the Spingboks took on Wales defeating them in an international rugby match. Taking off from Durban we could see the huge traffic jam of fans getting to the Stadium and on our return in the dark we were in time for the closing minutes of the game and defeat for the Welsh team. Go Bokke Go!

To keep current with my night rating I need at least 3 take-offs and landings every 90 days, so I did some circuits in Pietermaritzburg, each landing becoming darker as the sun had set on our way there. Llewellyn waited for me on the ground whilst I perfected my landings, then joined me for the flight home in the darkness. The lights of the homes are amazing, but the darkness is crazy.. not even Alverstone tower in the dark of the mountain could be seen. Stunning evening to be out and the full moon was rising as we landed. 

Sunset as we fly from Durban to Pietermaritzburg

Ready to practice some landings in the gathering dark at Pietermaritzburg

The computer EFIS and GPS in the dimmed night mode is still quite bright

Durban Harbour and the Bluff as we fly over Cooper's Lighthouse

Llewellyn (left) and Dave fly to Virginia

The red cabin and headlamp lighting is optimal for night vision

Pietermaritzburg Airport

PLB for Mozambique Channel

We got our personal locator beacons (PLBs) today for our crossing over the Mozambique Channel ahead of our 2015 Sling Madagascar Tour.

The PLB floats and sends out a signal for 35 hours and is registered with the South African Maritime and Safety Authority. They launch search and rescue operations in the event of the signal being activated.

The GPS based system locks onto a satellite and one's location can be pinpointed within a metre. The battery last for 5 years if unactivated.

If you'd like to join us on the Tour, please email me and I will keep you in the loop as planning progresses.

ZDL taking off

The aviation photographers are sharp with their lens and Brian caught us making our journey home from the airshow yesterday on the take-off from Pietermaritzburg airport. Awesome pic thanks Brian.

Fun day in Pietermaritzburg

What a stunning day to be in the air. We were up by 7.20am on a flight plan to Pietermaritzburg for the airshow there today. Crystal clear air and sky and temps cool but warmed up beautifully during the day.

Dave shows ZDL in the Durban Skyye branding with The Airplane Factory, both represented at the Pietermaritzburg Airshow

The prestige Silver Falcons

Formation flying by the Silver Falcons

Pietermaritzburg Airport, one of the venues for the KZN Winter AirShow tour

Putting on a good dislpay at the Pietermaritzburg Airshow

Durban Skyye and the Sling Airplane Factory represented at the airshow

Llew and I waiting for a departure slot towards the end of the Airshow

The Eagle bi-planes - the same type as I flew over Long Beach earlier last month

The view over Durban this morning at 7.30am - lovely clear sky and smooth air