GA aircraft in South Africa

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I will be doing flying instruction from time to time at this airfield, FASI otherwise known as Springs airfield to the east of Johannesburg. It has an asphalt runway of around 1600 meters for takeoff and 1375 meters for landing due to the displaced thresholds. The airfield is near to the city but out of the main air corridors and is home to some magnificent old airplanes (see the pictures). As I spot them I will post pictures. The geo-location is at -26.249101° 28.399170° so pop that into your favorite earth-viewer and Bob's your uncle. Because of the favorable GBP-ZAR exchange rate, I paid about £90/hr dual to renew my instructor rating, I'm not sure what the going rate for a Cherokee 140 is in the UK at the moment but I think this is a good price. The weather is good more than it is bad but complacency or "confidence exceeding ability" in this area has sent "too many pilots to fly in heaven". As the elevation is nearly 5,500 feet one gets good "hot n high" experience in the summer,something that can be a killer for someone who has only operated from near sea level at low ambient temperatures. Bold pilots, note what is in the background of the first picture!

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0244_zps60770f8d.jpg

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0246_zps648ef415.jpg

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0247_zpsa928658f.jpg

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http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0252_zps89233cb4.jpg

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0255_zpsa91a774a.jpg

The flying school's Cherokee 140

http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u375/Raffles-/Various%20aviation/IMG_0249_zps97cd4d2d.jpg

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Great photos Ralph! Reminds me of our approach at EGHI (Eastleigh, Southampton) over the cemetery. Best wishes for your 'second string'!

Michael, I see you travel a lot, when are you going to come down south?

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Would be great to cross the Equator................... we won't be in OR next winter for sure!

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

27vet

Is that a Zenair 701 ? If so, which engine ? How does it cope with 'hot and high' ? Does it use the leading edge slots ?

Photos convey a good impression of the field.

The register gives it as a ICP MXP-740 V SAVANNAH serial 06-08-51-519

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICP_Savannah

The South African register can be found here, you have to sign up to use it.

Hot n high is taught at all flying schools on the highveld as there have been many accidents as a result of it. So if an aircraft has poor hot n high capabilities, those doing a conversion will be made well aware of it. Of course there are still accidents caused by negligence.

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

Thanks for the info and clarification. Yes, the Savannah, the look alike 701 copy that caused Chris Heintz so much angst.