Sortie away from the cabbage patch

Tomorrow is a public holiday in South Africa - Heritage Day - and everyone will be having a braai. Anyways, many took today (Monday) off to make it a long-weekend, and as it appears to be one of the few days this week that is going to be cloudless and dry I did a little sortie to Pietrmaritzburg and Light Flight and back, doing a few touch-and-gos and my first aileron roll solo. WooHoo!! Did it!

 

Stopping at my training school Light Flight to meet up with my mates Marc and Ian in Sling SAA

In the air shortly after take-off from Pmb

PPl Conversion

Back to Light Flight Cato Ridge to set Red Rocket's idling

On my way to my PPL with Ayre Aviation Centre at Virginia... I had to fly up to Light Flight today to advance the idling on the plane; then flew to Pietermaritzburg for breakfast and spend lunch-time looking for an airfield in the Hammarsdale area to build a hangar. Returning back to Virginia I was in time to refuel for Llewellyn's first PPL lesson with Warren from Ayre. This will get Llewellyn his student licence then we will do a heap of flying for our trip to Johanesburg next month and Cape Town in April. Much better way to spend a Tueday with blue skies!!

Red Rocket looking glorious at Virginia

Llewellyn has his first PPL lesson with Warren from Ayre

First day with my licence

 Today was a great day as I took to the air solo for the first time as a licenced NPL pilot. I took it easy with a short trip to Light Flight to welcome Ivor and Jack's new Sling to Durban. In the photos the new owners show off their respective planes and the silver bullet and red rocket nose each other.

Gorillas/helicopters in the mist?

Getting up at the crack of dawn usually ensures smooth air, but also an early morning mist/fog blanket that takes an hour or two to clear. I taxied out to the holding point, waited a bit, taxied back and had some more coffee and eventually decided it was ok to take off from 01 as it progressively cleared. The airfields surrounding us were clear and we even had a bit of excitement as a military Puma helicopter paid a visit with a fly past and I was able to capture an action shot as we hurried up abeam while it slowed for us.

My landings are coming along beutifully and I expect to do some more solo in the morning. I have also booked my first PPL exam for next Wednesday and write my Restricted Radio Licence on Monday night. So busy few days ahead.

A morning at Light Flight

Dave takes off at Light Flight

Dave and Kate-Lynn check out the instruments on the Foxbat

Kate-Lynn visits Light Flight

My daughter Kate-Lynn came to watch me flying last Saturday and the top photo is the first of me up in the sky taken from the outside.