My Flying

Rather miserable weather.

METAR
FAPE 071030Z 23019KT 9999 FEW012 SCT020 BKN060 15/09 Q1012 RERA TEMPO 5000 -SHRA=

FC TAF
FAPE 070900Z 071021 24025G35KT 9999 BKN015 BKN040 BECMG 1921 24015G25KT TEMPO 4000 -SHRA BKN010 TX15/12ZTN13/21Z=

The day started off late with a small number of members. I was on winch duty and launched the Blanik twice before its skid was broken off during ground handling and flying ceased prematurely for the day.

We were however treated to three very fast and even lower high speed flypasts by a local L39.

The day started with a rather poor looking weather report. However the weather was not so bad at the airfield with a 20 knot South Westerly blowing. The instructor arrived at about 10:30, but elected not to fly.

I could also not fly the Falke due it being propless.

METAR
FAPE 230530Z 24016KT 9999 FEW013 BKN100 14/11 Q1014 NOSIG=

FC TAF
FAPE 230300Z 230415 24018G30KT 9999 BKN015 TEMPO 0815 4000 RA BKN008 TX16/12TN12/04Z=

We were pre-informed that flying would start late so I arrived at the airfield at about 1:30.

The news was not good, in fact it sucked. Earlier the morning there had been a prop strike with the Falke during a cross wind landing. Man this really blows. How many weeks am I going to need to wait before I can fly solo again! I am not a happy camper.

Anyways I did get two nice circuits in with the Blanik in a fresh 15-25 knot wind. I thoroughly enjoyed the flights and managed to do the circuit planning and landings pretty much unassisted as I'm now getting the hang of using the flaps. Cost = 90ZAR.