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SAPFA Springs Speed Rally #1
Event: Springs Speed Rally #1
Where: Springs Airfield
Dates: Fri 22 Nov – Sat 23 Nov 2019
Organisers – Jonty Esser
e-mail: jonty@promptroofing.co.za
cell: 082 855 9435
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EAA Vryheid Convention 2018 Adventure Rally
EAA Vryheid Convention 2018 Adventure Rally
By Rob Jonkers
The EAA convention this year was held at Vryheid, which is situated close to the escarpment and in the heart of the Anglo Boer & Zulu war zones. It was decided to hold an adventure format rally which is becoming a signature EAA event in conjunction with SAPFA, which is a format that EAA'ers enjoy, as a more relaxed fun kind of event mostly involving observation out of the window recognition of ground features and learning about the area being flown over. The Vryheid area is rich in history especially in the war times at the turn of the 20th century. The Vryheid club were new to this type of event and a few members took part, as well as members from other local clubs and of course a number of EAA members.
The Competitors
The Competitors
Plotting the route
As part of this rally, it was decided that to add some spice as well, to track everybody with loggers to check how accurately they fly to keep within a 1 km corridor, which should have been easy given that one is allowed to fly with GPS. The map and task booklet were provided 20 minutes prior the take-off for everybody to either plan their route with traditional map plotting tools or to program their GPS's - if they were more at home following the magenta line.
Each route's leg had turning point photographs to be recognised (either being correct or incorrect), then a few questions had to be answered on ground features or sites that were historic or scenic, mostly cryptic in nature.
An example out of the task booklet for one of the turning points....The tracks of some of the competitors - the blue one flown the most accurately and the yellow track of a competitor that got lost
The booklet contained a section of wiki notes that would enable the crews to answer all the questions - with a warning - "Don't read at your peril….", and guess what…., most forgot to find the answers in the most obvious place…. Some crews of course were googling for answers on their cell phones - because they can - somewhat inefficient given everything was right in front of them.
There were 14 crews who registered by briefing time, with a broad spectrum of aircraft participating, from a fast Cessna 210 to slow open cockpit Bat Hawks.
Alan Lorimer assisting with getting the task booklets and loggers ready for the competitors
With everybody successfully home, it was time for marking the exam papers which was left to Clive King to do, and Rob downloading loggers, and then printing the results.
When all was tallied up, two crews tied for first place, Carl Visagie with Navigator Mike Terreblanche in their Ikarus ZU-EOV and Shane Brits with Navigator Karen Stroud in their Jabiru ZU-FEP. Greg Clegg and Keaton Perkins in a Jodel ZU-UEK attained 2nd place, with third place going to Wayne Giles and Mark Clulow in their Bearhawk LSA ZU-IKO. In the spot landing that everybody carried out after the rally, the winner was Mike Ehrich flying a Bantam ZU-ADW.
Thus came to the end of a hopefully enjoyable day for everybody who took part, and given the interest in the event, should bode well for future rallies of this type and also gain an expression of interest in the more formal and timed rallies.
The Overall Results
Rand Airport and SAPFA - Fly-in and Adventure Fun Rally
By Rob Jonkers
With the success of last year's event, another Adventure Rally was planned in the style of the EAA Sun & Fun rally events, which of course is all about answering clues and finding Easter Eggs.
It is important to have a good crew cooperation on roles and responsibilities, and given the comments heard from the participants after the flight, it seems some cockpits had some hilarious moments.
For this year, for some added spice, the competitors were also tasked to fly within a defined corridor, being 1 km wide like an ANR, just a little wider, with time penalties for excursions outside the corridor
.
The route essentially started out south-west of the silver ball, at the Glenvista Country Club at a small pan at the 12th hole, complementary to the original start point Wemmer Pan, from there further south to the Rand Water Zwartkopjes pumping station which also has an associated Recreation Centre, from there westwards to the Olifantsvlei Nature Reserve with a sharp turn southwards towards Three Rivers and the confluence of the Vaal and Suikerbosrand river.
From the Vaal river the route went up north skirting past the Suikerbosrand nature reserve and then crossing the two airfields Circus and Kliprivier, the photos having been swopped around to confuse everybody. From Kliprivier up to the finish point Romeo Delta past the Heinken Brewery and Panorama Airfield.
The weather was mostly good with some rain showers predicted and at one point at around 11 ATC was about to declare IMC with weather moving from the west, which thankfully stayed away.
Ian and Adrienne Saunders Plotting.
After the 8h30 briefing, and with 20 minutes prior take-off of handing out papers, the first competitors took to the skies at 10.15, with the last off at 11.20.
So, what were those gems the competitors struggled with….. the N1 being part of the Cape to Cairo road…., that Boswell Wilkie have / had their home base at Circus Airfield, then of course getting wrong the airfield pictures that showed Kliprivier instead of Circus, and what beer the brewery made…. All of them….
With everybody successfully home, it was time for marking the exam papers which was left to Invigilator Martin Meyer, between the clues and photo recognition, a total of 39 points could be scored. In the interim, I got to download the loggers to mark up the corridor excursions, which counted time penalties.
Third Placed Eugene Schneider and Mark Clulow
Second Placed Shane Brits and Karen Stroud
First Placed Frank and Cally Eckard
When all was tallied up, there was an outright winner with Frank & Cally Eckard, and it was Cally's excellent quiz answering skills that brought home the prize, with Frank's flying accuracy even with the flying corridor cut in half for being a Protea, having registered as Xtra-Fun.
Many thanks are extended to Carolle Olivier assisting with the administration of the event, Stuart Coetzee the Rand Airport Manager for all the arrangements .The prize-giving resulted in the top 3 places winning stunning laser cut aircraft and Easter hampers, the winner also winning 100 l of fuel, many thanks to Rand Airport management for the generous prizes on offer.
Rand Airport Management Stuart Coetzee and Carolle Olivier with Rob Jonkers
SAPFA Fun Rally Virginia 3 March 2018
SAPFA Fun Rally Virginia 3 March 2018
By Brian Spurr
with permission from Pilot's Post.
The SAPFA Fun Rally team hit Virginia on Friday 2 March 2018 for another of the series of rally events that are held throughout South Africa. As usual Mary de Klerk was the driving force and she spearheaded the organisation of the rally. As happened last year, the afternoon was used to introduce new pilots to the concept of rally flying and equip them with the tools to successfully complete the event. More experienced pilots, used the session to refresh their skills. These events are a unique way for upcoming pilots to mix with some of the best and most experienced in the country. The training and plotting session was once again held in the DAC (Durban Aviation Centre) training room.
Durban Wings Club's committee member responsible for flying events, Brendan Adams, welcomed the pilots and outlined the housekeeping and advised that the club would sponsor two rounds of drinks and boerewors rolls on Friday night, breakfast on Saturday and student subsidies for half of their event entry fees. Cost of entry was R200 per person. In addition, the DWC put up R1000 in prize money and Mike Wright also donated flying magazines and annuals as prizes.
This year a pleasing total of fifteen crews entered and if this growth continues at other SAPFA rallies at Virginia, a larger training room will need to be found. For this round it was pleasing to see many entries from Gauteng pilots as well as crews from Scottburgh and Ballito. Several aircraft made the trip down from the reef including the tiny Ikarus of Marie Reddy. It is hoped that this outside participation will inspire more locally based pilots to take part next time around.
Mary also explained the different classifications in rally flying. The advanced section is restricted to pilots who have been given Protea colours and who have competed in a Word Championship competition. The sportsman class is where either the pilot or the navigator is a Protea who has competed in a world competition event. They fly with a new rally pilot with the aim of grooming them and bringing them up to the level of a Protea, to maintain continuity of the high standards South Africans have previously attained. The fun section is for all where the aim is to give them exposure to this type of flying, to have fun but also to provide candidates who could represent the country in the future.
Mary took the participants through the various procedures that the crews would need to follow and advised them how to plot their tracks and add minute markers etc. She also explained many of the tips and tricks that would enable them to do well. After this, time was allocated for the teams to begin plotting their routes. Thereafter there was a flurry of concentrated activity, with maps, markers, rulers, dividers, minute marker sheets (among other tools) being used to mark their maps. On completion Mary took everyone through part of the course using Google Maps, so that they could see a preview of what to expect the following day.
Mary de Klerk…..Fergus Snow, last year's winner in the fun section.
Chareen Shillaw and Brian Laurean.
Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann.
Enthusiastic as ever Mary encouraged everyone to raise their sights and to try and win a coveted green Protea blazer prior the World Rally Championships which are to be held in South Africa in 2020. After the session ended and entry forms and indemnities had been completed and signed and entry fees had been paid, all involved headed for the Durban Wings Club for well-earned refreshments. There was much teasing and psyching out of the opposition teams. All in jest of course and a fun time was had by all. While the entrants relaxed and discussed the day ahead Mary and her helpers were busy at the computer entering the entry data and the elected speeds. In her normal unflappable way, amidst a sea of people in the club (regulars and visitors), she managed to produce and print the lists of the competitors start and finish times. These were handed to the teams.
Steve McCurrach and Mark Warren in the Wings Club,
Mary de Klerk and Frank Eckard at work in the pub, helped by Chareen Shillaw and Thys van der Merwe.
DWC manager Dave Harrington was once again assisted by his wife Alwina. They ensured the pub ran efficiently and organised the pool and braai area and food on behalf of the Durban Wings Club.
When crews gathered in the pool area on Saturday morning the weather was glorious with a little wind and bright sunshine. As the morning progressed the wind became stronger from the north east and there were some overcast patches before the sun was out in force again.
Andrew Lane and Chareen Shillaw relax before the start.
Crews were treated to breakfast courtesy of the DWC and many could be seen making hurried final preparations for their flights. A couple of people had to find last minute crew replacements due to illness and unavailability. Start times and sector times were confirmed and Mary briefed everyone on the rally format for the day and explained the spot landing scoring.
Mary explains the spot landing scoring.
John Neilon then advised on the safety aspects and the frequencies to be used. All watches were synchronised with the event's official clock and the event started with the first aircraft airborne at 09:30. This was the Van's RV-4 of Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann. Their elected speed was 100 knots.
John Neilon.
The following aircraft took part in the rally: There was a Chipmunk, a Cessna 182, a Cessna 172, a Van's RV-4, a Sling 4, a Sling 2, two Jabirus, a Sportsman, a Harmony, a C42 Ikarus and three Cessna 152s (one of which flew twice.) The crews nominated their cruise speeds, varying from 100 knots for the RV-4 to 65 knots for the little Ikarus flown solo by Marie Reddy.
All the participants prior to the start.
Winners Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach with their Harmony just prior to the start.
Andrew Lane checks his Sling 4 prior to departure.
Aircraft departed Virginia at 5-minute intervals. The course commenced on the coast to the south of Durban and then followed varied sectors inland before returning to the coast to cross the finish line. The only small irritation on the day were a couple of crews saying that they had been sent off too early and this had meant them having to circle for a while just prior to crossing the start line. This was a minor factor in a very successful day. The teams then spent just over an hour finding their way around the KZN inland area.
Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182.
Jica Coelho and Fergus Snow - ZU-FDZ - Jabiru.
Bennie du Plessis and Franz Smit - ZS-OHM - C152.
Thys van der Merwe and Leon Boutell - ZS-ETO - C172.
Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach - ZU-TRG - Evektor Harmony.
Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann - ZU-CDK - Van's RV-4.
Andrew Lane and Chareen Shillaw - ZU-IBM - Sling 4 (Chareen photographing the photographers!).
Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe - ZU-FWY - Sling 2.
Les Rhind and Lance Poynter - ZS-OWJ - Chipmunk.
Malcolm Mercer and Murray Nel - ZU-FEZ - Sportsman.
Alistair Matthews and Brian Laurean - ZS-PLS - C152.
Taylan Ayliffe and Chris Gillespie - ZS-PLH - C152.
Shane Britz and Mark Clulow - ZU-FEP - Jabiru.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi - ZS-OHM - C152.
Marie Reddy - ZU-EEE - Ikarus.
After crossing the finish line aircraft returned to Virginia perform a spot landing and this score formed part of the overall classification. As has become an institution now, safety officer John Neilon manned the spot landing cones, doing an admirable job in the unpleasant heat and humidity.
John Neilon manning the spot landing line.
At the end of the rally, crews got together and braaied and discussed the exploits of the day. There were tales of missed and wrong tracks and other deviations. Everyone spoken to said they had a lot of fun and at the end of the day, this is what it is all about. As Mary said earlier, it was not about winners and losers it was more about learning and experience. All participants brave enough to put their skills on the line would go away with that little bit of extra knowledge that would make them better pilots.
Waiting for the results.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi putting in the finishing touches.
Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi
Before Mary presented prizes and certificates to the pilots, she reminded everyone that they had a spot landing world champion in their midst, namely Frank Eckard. She praised those who had taken part and trusted that they had all enjoyed the experience.
The overall results including the spot landings were as follows: -
Advanced Class
1st Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182
Sportsman's Class
1st Thys van der Merwe and Leon Boutell - ZS-ETO - C172
Fun Class
1st Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach - ZU-TRG - Harmony
(with their wives).
2nd Shane Britz and Mark Clulow - ZU-FEP - Jabiru57
3rd Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann - ZU-CDK - Van's RV-4
- Dirk Grobler and his children (Russell Mann had left).
The spot landing competition (on its own) was won by: -
1st Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182 - 10 points.
2nd (tie) Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe - ZU-FWY - Sling 2 - 20 points.
2nd (tie) Taylan Ayliffe and Chris Gillespie - ZS-PLH - C152- 20 points.
2nd (tie) Malcolm Mercer and Murray Nel had left.- ZU-FEZ - Sportsman - 20 points.
All in all, a very successful air rally. Entries were up from the last event at Virginia and it is hoped that the upward trend will continue in future SAPFA rallies at this venue. It was fantastic to see the visiting Gauteng crews and their aircraft. Coastal flying is spectacular so it is hoped that more out of province competitors will be encouraged to take part. Also of course more KZN pilots need to enter and encourage their friends as well.
This year a pleasing total of fifteen crews entered and if this growth continues at other SAPFA rallies at Virginia, a larger training room will need to be found. For this round it was pleasing to see many entries from Gauteng pilots as well as crews from Scottburgh and Ballito. Several aircraft made the trip down from the reef including the tiny Ikarus of Marie Reddy. It is hoped that this outside participation will inspire more locally based pilots to take part next time around.
Mary also explained the different classifications in rally flying. The advanced section is restricted to pilots who have been given Protea colours and who have competed in a Word Championship competition. The sportsman class is where either the pilot or the navigator is a Protea who has competed in a world competition event. They fly with a new rally pilot with the aim of grooming them and bringing them up to the level of a Protea, to maintain continuity of the high standards South Africans have previously attained. The fun section is for all where the aim is to give them exposure to this type of flying, to have fun but also to provide candidates who could represent the country in the future.
Mary took the participants through the various procedures that the crews would need to follow and advised them how to plot their tracks and add minute markers etc. She also explained many of the tips and tricks that would enable them to do well. After this, time was allocated for the teams to begin plotting their routes. Thereafter there was a flurry of concentrated activity, with maps, markers, rulers, dividers, minute marker sheets (among other tools) being used to mark their maps. On completion Mary took everyone through part of the course using Google Maps, so that they could see a preview of what to expect the following day.
Mary de Klerk…..Fergus Snow, last year's winner in the fun section.
Chareen Shillaw and Brian Laurean.
Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann.
Enthusiastic as ever Mary encouraged everyone to raise their sights and to try and win a coveted green Protea blazer prior the World Rally Championships which are to be held in South Africa in 2020. After the session ended and entry forms and indemnities had been completed and signed and entry fees had been paid, all involved headed for the Durban Wings Club for well-earned refreshments. There was much teasing and psyching out of the opposition teams. All in jest of course and a fun time was had by all. While the entrants relaxed and discussed the day ahead Mary and her helpers were busy at the computer entering the entry data and the elected speeds. In her normal unflappable way, amidst a sea of people in the club (regulars and visitors), she managed to produce and print the lists of the competitors start and finish times. These were handed to the teams.
Steve McCurrach and Mark Warren in the Wings Club,
Mary de Klerk and Frank Eckard at work in the pub, helped by Chareen Shillaw and Thys van der Merwe.
DWC manager Dave Harrington was once again assisted by his wife Alwina. They ensured the pub ran efficiently and organised the pool and braai area and food on behalf of the Durban Wings Club.
When crews gathered in the pool area on Saturday morning the weather was glorious with a little wind and bright sunshine. As the morning progressed the wind became stronger from the north east and there were some overcast patches before the sun was out in force again.
Andrew Lane and Chareen Shillaw relax before the start.
Crews were treated to breakfast courtesy of the DWC and many could be seen making hurried final preparations for their flights. A couple of people had to find last minute crew replacements due to illness and unavailability. Start times and sector times were confirmed and Mary briefed everyone on the rally format for the day and explained the spot landing scoring.
Mary explains the spot landing scoring.
John Neilon then advised on the safety aspects and the frequencies to be used. All watches were synchronised with the event's official clock and the event started with the first aircraft airborne at 09:30. This was the Van's RV-4 of Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann. Their elected speed was 100 knots.
John Neilon.
The following aircraft took part in the rally: There was a Chipmunk, a Cessna 182, a Cessna 172, a Van's RV-4, a Sling 4, a Sling 2, two Jabirus, a Sportsman, a Harmony, a C42 Ikarus and three Cessna 152s (one of which flew twice.) The crews nominated their cruise speeds, varying from 100 knots for the RV-4 to 65 knots for the little Ikarus flown solo by Marie Reddy.
All the participants prior to the start.
Winners Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach with their Harmony just prior to the start.
Andrew Lane checks his Sling 4 prior to departure.
Aircraft departed Virginia at 5-minute intervals. The course commenced on the coast to the south of Durban and then followed varied sectors inland before returning to the coast to cross the finish line. The only small irritation on the day were a couple of crews saying that they had been sent off too early and this had meant them having to circle for a while just prior to crossing the start line. This was a minor factor in a very successful day. The teams then spent just over an hour finding their way around the KZN inland area.
Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182.
Jica Coelho and Fergus Snow - ZU-FDZ - Jabiru.
Bennie du Plessis and Franz Smit - ZS-OHM - C152.
Thys van der Merwe and Leon Boutell - ZS-ETO - C172.
Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach - ZU-TRG - Evektor Harmony.
Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann - ZU-CDK - Van's RV-4.
Andrew Lane and Chareen Shillaw - ZU-IBM - Sling 4 (Chareen photographing the photographers!).
Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe - ZU-FWY - Sling 2.
Les Rhind and Lance Poynter - ZS-OWJ - Chipmunk.
Malcolm Mercer and Murray Nel - ZU-FEZ - Sportsman.
Alistair Matthews and Brian Laurean - ZS-PLS - C152.
Taylan Ayliffe and Chris Gillespie - ZS-PLH - C152.
Shane Britz and Mark Clulow - ZU-FEP - Jabiru.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi - ZS-OHM - C152.
Marie Reddy - ZU-EEE - Ikarus.
After crossing the finish line aircraft returned to Virginia perform a spot landing and this score formed part of the overall classification. As has become an institution now, safety officer John Neilon manned the spot landing cones, doing an admirable job in the unpleasant heat and humidity.
John Neilon manning the spot landing line.
At the end of the rally, crews got together and braaied and discussed the exploits of the day. There were tales of missed and wrong tracks and other deviations. Everyone spoken to said they had a lot of fun and at the end of the day, this is what it is all about. As Mary said earlier, it was not about winners and losers it was more about learning and experience. All participants brave enough to put their skills on the line would go away with that little bit of extra knowledge that would make them better pilots.
Waiting for the results.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi putting in the finishing touches.
Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe.
Fergus Snow and Nishon Thulsi
Before Mary presented prizes and certificates to the pilots, she reminded everyone that they had a spot landing world champion in their midst, namely Frank Eckard. She praised those who had taken part and trusted that they had all enjoyed the experience.
The overall results including the spot landings were as follows: -
1st Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182
Sportsman's Class
1st Thys van der Merwe and Leon Boutell - ZS-ETO - C172
Fun Class
1st Mark Warren and Steve McCurrach - ZU-TRG - Harmony
(with their wives).
2nd Shane Britz and Mark Clulow - ZU-FEP - Jabiru57
3rd Dirk Grobler and Russell Mann - ZU-CDK - Van's RV-4
- Dirk Grobler and his children (Russell Mann had left).
1st Frank Eckard and Cally Eckard - ZS-DOS - C182 - 10 points.
2nd (tie) Pierre van der Merwe and Sandy van der Merwe - ZU-FWY - Sling 2 - 20 points.
2nd (tie) Taylan Ayliffe and Chris Gillespie - ZS-PLH - C152- 20 points.
2nd (tie) Malcolm Mercer and Murray Nel had left.- ZU-FEZ - Sportsman - 20 points.
All in all, a very successful air rally. Entries were up from the last event at Virginia and it is hoped that the upward trend will continue in future SAPFA rallies at this venue. It was fantastic to see the visiting Gauteng crews and their aircraft. Coastal flying is spectacular so it is hoped that more out of province competitors will be encouraged to take part. Also of course more KZN pilots need to enter and encourage their friends as well.
Dare to Excite-the SAPFA Rally at Rand Airport 2018
Dare to Excite-the SAPFA Rally at Rand Airport 2018
By Cally Eckard , Rob Jonkers, Cheryl Smit and Willie Bodenstein
with permission from Pilot's Post.
Saturday was organiser Frank Eckard's 14th Rand Airport Challenge. Reminiscing that when he first starting organising these events only 14 years ago, Frank used to have to bring along his desktop computer with a 386 processor, and a cathode-ray monitor, and photos of turn-points and enroute were taking with an SLR camera with a roll of film, and each competitor received an envelope with actual photos inside. Needless to say, that was a costly exercise, and took a great deal of time to organise. Nowadays a laptop and Google Earth are his tools of trade.
The participants and organisers of the Rand Rally.
Competitors listening attentively to Frank during the briefing.
Rand Airport waived landing fees for all the aircraft that took part, and ATC made a safe, smooth and efficient start possible.
Some of the competing aircraft.
Twelve teams participated, in three categories - Fun, Advanced Fun, and Advanced. Besides the usual selection of Cessna's, there was also a Piper 28B, four Slings, and a Robinson 44, to provide variety. The helicopter incurred penalties when it moved backwards when it arrived too early for a turn point, something which one doesn't normally see when only fixed wing aircraft take part!
The only helicopter entry crewed by Marc Krauss and Taryn Pucjlowski.
Teams consisting of pilots and navigators who both have their colours flew in the Advanced Class,
Protea pilots Ron Stirk and Thys van der Merwe decided to give Pilots Post photographers Cheryl Smit and Willie Bodenstein a taste of rally by roping them in as navigators for their respective teams. They therefore made up the "Advanced Fun" Class. Cheryl pronounced that she is now "hooked" on the sport and now understands the attraction pilots feel towards it.
Cheryl's and Thys's zero penalty points logger route superimposed on the actual track.
"Arriving at Rand at SAPFA to photograph and report on the event, I never imagined I could have been roped in to navigate in the advanced fun section with the extremely experienced retired SAA captain Thys van der Merwe." Cheryl said. "Fifty one minutes in the air surrounded in the cockpit with maps and photographs identifying turning points and pre-photographed landmarks, the 51 minutes felt like five minutes in the air. Much respect to the rally pilots and navigators for their skill required during the rally. Thank you Thys for allowing me the opportunity to participate and although a flawless route flown with zero penalties we were penalised for failing to identify two of the leg photographs. But I will gladly accept second place in the class."
The course and path map navigated by Cheryl Smit and Willie Bodenstein in the Advanced Fun Class.
"When I was told that I was to crew as navigator for the legendary Ron Stirk, a previous world precision flying champion, I was apprehensive but at the same time excited. Having reported on rallies for the last eight years I have never had the opportunity to share the cockpit during a competition and I was amazed at the workload required to fly and navigate the course. Firstly one has to nominate a flying speed and plan the route on the map issued before the flight but one must make sure that one will be able to arrive at the various turn points on the time. To complicate things even more there are a number of photos of landmarks, sourced from Google maps, between turn points that must also be identified and marked on the maps at the exact position spotted. We found all the turn points and only missed one photo, all thanks to Ron's amazing skill as a pilot."
Pierre and Francois van der Merwe finished 4th in the Fun Rally Class.
Colin de Paiva and Sean Russel were placed 5th in the Fun Rally Class.
Fist timers Rhys Joseph and Andrew Segeren finished 6th place in the Fun Rally Class.
Caroline Koll and Milan Daniz were placed 7th in the Fun Rally Class.
An in-flight perspective by Rob Jonkers
This year's Rand Navigation Challenge was the first fixture where the new international standard FAI rules were tested for the experienced crews. Our own Frank Eckard was tasked by the FAI to redesign a common set of rules for world competitions, with three guinea pig teams to try it out on. Thus the advanced class had a totally different set of rules to fly than the fun teams, although the route was the same for both. In the advanced class we had 20 leg photos to identify along the route, provided in a jumbled order, and turning point photos that could be correct or incorrect, and orientated in any direction.
Martin Plotting the route.
The map provided was blank and coupled with a task sheet, the plot had to be done in the aircraft with a 40 minute time period prior take-off, and between Martin and myself we could complete 2 maps with the route information before getting airborne and prepare the cockpit with the photos, although did not have sufficient time to study the photos and their likely map locations.
The Cockpit prepared with the turning point and 1st set of 10 leg photos.
The start point was an easy interchange next to South gate, and the first turning point was the unmissable Orlando cooling towers, from there the route became tricky, with the first incorrect turning point photos becoming evident, then a real curved ball at turning point 4, which was an easy to follow leg along the R28 where the photo provided was in fact an intersection before the real turning point, where I wondered how did we arrive at this point so early, and was fooled into believing the photo was correct, where it in fact was not, and only realizing the mistake when nothing much lined up on the next leg, and of course got to the next turning point too late. Thus, a very simple mistake cost us dearly in the navigation points, and I guess we would have missed some leg photos too. At least after this we recovered well, but the leg photos remained elusive only finding 6 out of the 20 in the end; at least we identified the turning point photos correctly after realizing the TP4 mistake.
Somewhere along the route.
A lot of hard work in the cockpit for this format of rally, keeping heading and speed as well as trying to make out leg photo features, and as always a lot of fun.
Conspicuous by their absence were members and students of the large number of flying schools resident at Rand. In contrast, the annual fun rally hosted by Grand Central airport is well supported by especially one of the much smaller number of the flight schools based at the airport.
The placing's in the various classes are:
Leon Bouttel and Mary de Klerk won the Advanced Class.
Rob Jonkers and Martin Meyer finished in 2nd place.
Mauritz du Plessis and Andre Kluyts was placed 3rd.
Ron Stirk and Pilot's Posts Willie Bodenstein won the Advanced Fun Class.
Thys van der Merwe and Pilot's Posts Cheryl Smith finished 2nd in the Advanced Fun Class.
Shane Britz and Karen Stroude won the Fun Rally Class.
Tarryn Pucjlowski and Marc Krauss finished 2ne in the Fun Rally Class.
Husband and wife team Edzad and Cecile Verseput was placed 3rd in the Fun Rally Class.
If you haven't as yet entered a SAPFA rally you honestly should. Not only is it a lot of fun but you will also spend the day surrounded by people that are truly enthusiastic about flying and probably the friendliest people in aviation. Flying the rally will contribute immensely to improving your navigation and flying skills.
The next SAPFA Rally will be the held as part of the Rand Airport Easter Festival on 31 March 2018. For more information contact Rob at E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Competitors listening attentively to Frank during the briefing.
Rand Airport waived landing fees for all the aircraft that took part, and ATC made a safe, smooth and efficient start possible.
Some of the competing aircraft.
Twelve teams participated, in three categories - Fun, Advanced Fun, and Advanced. Besides the usual selection of Cessna's, there was also a Piper 28B, four Slings, and a Robinson 44, to provide variety. The helicopter incurred penalties when it moved backwards when it arrived too early for a turn point, something which one doesn't normally see when only fixed wing aircraft take part!
The only helicopter entry crewed by Marc Krauss and Taryn Pucjlowski.
Teams consisting of pilots and navigators who both have their colours flew in the Advanced Class,
Protea pilots Ron Stirk and Thys van der Merwe decided to give Pilots Post photographers Cheryl Smit and Willie Bodenstein a taste of rally by roping them in as navigators for their respective teams. They therefore made up the "Advanced Fun" Class. Cheryl pronounced that she is now "hooked" on the sport and now understands the attraction pilots feel towards it.
Cheryl's and Thys's zero penalty points logger route superimposed on the actual track.
"Arriving at Rand at SAPFA to photograph and report on the event, I never imagined I could have been roped in to navigate in the advanced fun section with the extremely experienced retired SAA captain Thys van der Merwe." Cheryl said. "Fifty one minutes in the air surrounded in the cockpit with maps and photographs identifying turning points and pre-photographed landmarks, the 51 minutes felt like five minutes in the air. Much respect to the rally pilots and navigators for their skill required during the rally. Thank you Thys for allowing me the opportunity to participate and although a flawless route flown with zero penalties we were penalised for failing to identify two of the leg photographs. But I will gladly accept second place in the class."
The course and path map navigated by Cheryl Smit and Willie Bodenstein in the Advanced Fun Class.
"When I was told that I was to crew as navigator for the legendary Ron Stirk, a previous world precision flying champion, I was apprehensive but at the same time excited. Having reported on rallies for the last eight years I have never had the opportunity to share the cockpit during a competition and I was amazed at the workload required to fly and navigate the course. Firstly one has to nominate a flying speed and plan the route on the map issued before the flight but one must make sure that one will be able to arrive at the various turn points on the time. To complicate things even more there are a number of photos of landmarks, sourced from Google maps, between turn points that must also be identified and marked on the maps at the exact position spotted. We found all the turn points and only missed one photo, all thanks to Ron's amazing skill as a pilot."
Pierre and Francois van der Merwe finished 4th in the Fun Rally Class.
Colin de Paiva and Sean Russel were placed 5th in the Fun Rally Class.
Fist timers Rhys Joseph and Andrew Segeren finished 6th place in the Fun Rally Class.
Caroline Koll and Milan Daniz were placed 7th in the Fun Rally Class.
An in-flight perspective by Rob Jonkers
This year's Rand Navigation Challenge was the first fixture where the new international standard FAI rules were tested for the experienced crews. Our own Frank Eckard was tasked by the FAI to redesign a common set of rules for world competitions, with three guinea pig teams to try it out on. Thus the advanced class had a totally different set of rules to fly than the fun teams, although the route was the same for both. In the advanced class we had 20 leg photos to identify along the route, provided in a jumbled order, and turning point photos that could be correct or incorrect, and orientated in any direction.
Martin Plotting the route.
The map provided was blank and coupled with a task sheet, the plot had to be done in the aircraft with a 40 minute time period prior take-off, and between Martin and myself we could complete 2 maps with the route information before getting airborne and prepare the cockpit with the photos, although did not have sufficient time to study the photos and their likely map locations.
The Cockpit prepared with the turning point and 1st set of 10 leg photos.
The start point was an easy interchange next to South gate, and the first turning point was the unmissable Orlando cooling towers, from there the route became tricky, with the first incorrect turning point photos becoming evident, then a real curved ball at turning point 4, which was an easy to follow leg along the R28 where the photo provided was in fact an intersection before the real turning point, where I wondered how did we arrive at this point so early, and was fooled into believing the photo was correct, where it in fact was not, and only realizing the mistake when nothing much lined up on the next leg, and of course got to the next turning point too late. Thus, a very simple mistake cost us dearly in the navigation points, and I guess we would have missed some leg photos too. At least after this we recovered well, but the leg photos remained elusive only finding 6 out of the 20 in the end; at least we identified the turning point photos correctly after realizing the TP4 mistake.
Somewhere along the route.
A lot of hard work in the cockpit for this format of rally, keeping heading and speed as well as trying to make out leg photo features, and as always a lot of fun.
Conspicuous by their absence were members and students of the large number of flying schools resident at Rand. In contrast, the annual fun rally hosted by Grand Central airport is well supported by especially one of the much smaller number of the flight schools based at the airport.
The placing's in the various classes are:
Leon Bouttel and Mary de Klerk won the Advanced Class.
Rob Jonkers and Martin Meyer finished in 2nd place.
Mauritz du Plessis and Andre Kluyts was placed 3rd.
Ron Stirk and Pilot's Posts Willie Bodenstein won the Advanced Fun Class.
Thys van der Merwe and Pilot's Posts Cheryl Smith finished 2nd in the Advanced Fun Class.
Shane Britz and Karen Stroude won the Fun Rally Class.
Tarryn Pucjlowski and Marc Krauss finished 2ne in the Fun Rally Class.
Husband and wife team Edzad and Cecile Verseput was placed 3rd in the Fun Rally Class.
If you haven't as yet entered a SAPFA rally you honestly should. Not only is it a lot of fun but you will also spend the day surrounded by people that are truly enthusiastic about flying and probably the friendliest people in aviation. Flying the rally will contribute immensely to improving your navigation and flying skills.
Kitty Hawk ANR Rally Results
Kitty Hawk ANR (Air Navigation race) Rally – 27 January 2018 by Rob Jonkers
The South African Power Flying Association (SAPFA) held a very successful ANR (Air Navigation Race) at Kittyhawk Airfield on Saturday 27 January 2018. The weather outlook during the week showed promise to be good and then not, and eventually when Saturday morning dawned the expected early morning rain appeared later than expected and a wall of showers descended over Johannesburg, trapping those competitors at their resident fields. Arriving at Kitty Hawk after 7 still had clear skies and most of the northern based aircraft arrived.
Route 1 - An Anti-Clockwise Route