CTFC enews 2 July
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Ever since I have served on the Committee of the Cape Town Flying Club, (and previously on the Committee of the Good Hope Flying Club), I have begun to realise that operating a Flying Club is a lot like farming. Not unlike farming, flying is cyclical, seasonal and is dependant upon well-maintained implements and people. It might sound corny, but the saying “make hay while the sun shines” sums up the successful operation of a flight training centre.
New Tomahawk
If I may say so, our Club has come a very long way since the pre-amalgamation days. We have a fantastic group of dedicated instructors, to the extent that we have been unable to keep up with the demand on our aircraft. In order to meet this present demand, the Club purchased another Piper Tomahawk, ZS-PIA which we collected in George on Saturday, 16 June 2007.
Although not all of you may be Tomahawk fans, as far as Tomahawks go, PIA is probably the best that you will see. I have no doubt that countless aspirant pilots enjoy flying this aircraft for years to come.
You will recall that in one of my reports several months ago, I made the point that as soon as the Committee had attended to the amalgamation, the next order of business was the aircraft. Although another Tomahawk in our fleet meets the urgent demand of our members and instructors alike, we must do well to remember that our Tomahawks are old aeroplanes.
The Committee has been carefully analyzing suitable training aircraft for our Club which are reasonably priced and will not demand a high cost in maintenance.
Although we haven’t made any firm decision yet, it seems to us that the Vans RV 9A would be ideal for our purpose.
We need decent ab initio trainers that are new, rugged and will not break the bank when it comes to maintenance.
Of course all of this comes at a price. Aviation is a very very expensive enterprise. Although our Club is financially strong, the cost of aircraft maintenance is frightening. We will continue to refurbish and look after our Tomahawks but unfortunately, we cannot put Humpty Dumpy together forever.
The Piper Tomahawk has a fixed longevity of ten thousand hours as far as the wings are concerned. We are investigating an approved product on the market in the USA that will extend the life of the wings.
The bottom line is that we must buy new, fresh and exciting aircraft as ab initio trainers for the future of our Club.
An RV has a lead time of about six to eight months to build, so if we move on this we will hopefully have at least one new aircraft early next year. However, (yes, there always is an “however”) the reality of the situation is that, as a Club providing and maintaining aircraft is expensive. In order to achieve this and other goals, the cost will be spread amongst all our members by way of a modest increase in membership fees. Presently our membership fees are R1 100,00 per year with an additional amount of R350,00 per year being a contribution towards the excess fund. A decision has been taken by the Committee to increase membership fees by R400,00 to a total sum of R1 500,00 per year (excluding excess fund contribution). This increase will take effect from the 1st July 2007 being the first month of the 2007/2008 financial year.
If one looks at the increase on a monthly basis it amounts to an extra R33,33 per month, which is about the cost of a Spur Burger and Coke.
The plain facts are that if we want decent facilities and well maintained modern aircraft, then we need to pay for that privilege. The Committee and Trustees, as custodians of the Club, have a fiduciary duty to grow the Club and to equip it with proper facilities.
As far as utilisation of our aircraft is concerned, it has become abundantly clear that, although we have some 450 members now, there are very few members who fly our aircraft recreationally.
It appears to me that the vast majority of our members are students undergoing ab initio and comm training. Then there is a group of die-hard Club enthusiasts who maintain the currency of their licenses and simply fly for fun. I am excluding the temporary members from this category since they are essentially visitors who join the Club on a temporary basis, fly our aircraft at a slightly higher rate and then leave us until next time. Then there is a category of membership who are members of the Club who retain their membership and fly the Club aircraft for a couple of hours a year simply to remain current and to pass their renewal.
Of course it doesn’t matter, since as long as a member pays his membership fees, he is welcome to use the benefits of the Club as and when he wishes even if it is just to rock up and have a cup of coffee and skinner about the instructors and/or slag off the Committee etc.
What is a pity however, is that the Club member who flies our aircraft for recreation has all but disappeared. Where are these members? They have not vanished into the Bermuda triangle or the Twilight Zone. They are out there somewhere. Quite a few of them you will find listed in the booking sheets of Robin Coss Aviation – RV7A.
Well, having flown the RV7A I can fully understand their enthusiasm. Our recreational pilots (wherever they are out there) want to fly for fun.
Flying a Tomahawk is not that much fun since the recreational pilot has “been there – done that” and in any event it’s almost impossible to get a booking. When it comes to the four seaters KBK often has maintenance issues and in any event, you can forget about getting a booking as well.
The Cutlasses are perceived to be too expensive and to complicated to fly, so who needs that, unless one is looking for a couple of hours of compulsory comm training on a retractable.
In my opinion the recreational pilot just wants to get in the air at low cost and have fun, which will explain the migration to the RV7A.
Now don’t get me wrong – I am no expert on aircraft, but so far I have kicked a few tyres of training aircraft and the only one that appeals to me is the Vans RV (in 7A or 9A form).
Whilst the Committee is undergoing it’s investigations in regard to the purchase of aircraft for the Club, I call on all members who wish to make their contribution to do so by e-mailing the Club with positive suggestions. (yes, I know a Cirrus with a glass cockpit would be perfect, but then expect membership fees to increase to R15 000,00 per annum).
This is your Club and your input will be most welcome.
Financial year end
The Club’s financial year end is 30 June 2007. Hilda is working feverishly to prepare our year end accounts which will in due course be submitted to our auditors for the preparation of our Financial Statements. Once the Financial Statements are prepared, members will be notified of the Annual General Meeting of the Cape Town Flying Club. We anticipate that the AGM will take place some time around September this year. All members will receive at least three weeks notice in advance of the AGM and will be provided with Financial Statements and other interesting stuff to read.
See you around
PS. A thought for the AGM - A committee is like a nappy. It needs to be changed regularly and for the same reason. 
Teens point lasers at aircraft: 
The nosewheel of this Piper Lance (ZS-IDY) failed to extend so the pilot had to perform an emergency landing. Picture copyright Gary Shephard. 
=====================
From the Front Desk
From the Chair
Air Scouts at CTFC
General
- Shackelton Documentary
Aviation news this week
Incidents and accidents
Out and about
Humour
----------------
Humour
----------------
Dates to diarise
14 July - Wings Club Airshow, Virginia Airport, Durban
28 July - South African landing Championship, Bloemfontein
28 July - South African landing Championship, Bloemfontein
24-25 August- Vredendal Fly In
20 October - Aerobatic Nationals, Oudtshoorn
9-11 November - TFDC Fly-In, AFB Overberg www.flyin.org.za
20 October - Aerobatic Nationals, Oudtshoorn
9-11 November - TFDC Fly-In, AFB Overberg www.flyin.org.za
=================
From the front desk
Thieves have unfortunatly stolen the GA area's telephone cables, so you might experience a bit of difficulty in phoning the club. As of this weekend, the phones were up and running, although the quality of the line leaves something to be desired.
If there are any emergencies, Beverly can be contacted on her cellphone - 082 821 9013
=================
Report from the Chair--> Rafi Weiner and Alexia Michaelides
Ever since I have served on the Committee of the Cape Town Flying Club, (and previously on the Committee of the Good Hope Flying Club), I have begun to realise that operating a Flying Club is a lot like farming. Not unlike farming, flying is cyclical, seasonal and is dependant upon well-maintained implements and people. It might sound corny, but the saying “make hay while the sun shines” sums up the successful operation of a flight training centre.
The Club’s flying hours were very high in the summer months but we lost a lot of hours as a result of maintenance issues. This is not only frustrating for the Club from a financial point of view since we can never recover those lost hours but it is equally frustrating for the students and instructors, all of whom depend on reliable aircraft. Now that winter is upon us, we must make every flying hour count!
New Tomahawk
If I may say so, our Club has come a very long way since the pre-amalgamation days. We have a fantastic group of dedicated instructors, to the extent that we have been unable to keep up with the demand on our aircraft. In order to meet this present demand, the Club purchased another Piper Tomahawk, ZS-PIA which we collected in George on Saturday, 16 June 2007.
Although not all of you may be Tomahawk fans, as far as Tomahawks go, PIA is probably the best that you will see. I have no doubt that countless aspirant pilots enjoy flying this aircraft for years to come.
You will recall that in one of my reports several months ago, I made the point that as soon as the Committee had attended to the amalgamation, the next order of business was the aircraft. Although another Tomahawk in our fleet meets the urgent demand of our members and instructors alike, we must do well to remember that our Tomahawks are old aeroplanes.
The Committee recognised along time ago that thirty year old Tomahawks and/or Cessna 150s are not the way to go in ab initio trainers. Most instructors and members will agree that a Tomahawk is a marvelous training aircraft. However it comes at a price. For those of you who were taught that in order for an aircraft to remain airborne it requires thrust, lift and drag, you were only partially right. The reality of the situation is that an aircraft is kept in the air by one thing alone – money. The maintenance cost of a Tomahawk is extremely high, particularly as the aircraft get older. The cost of an overhaul is almost the equivalent cost of the machine itself. It is for this reason that the Committee has to look to the future as we go through the process of moving towards new training aircraft.
Training aircraft
Training aircraft
The Committee has been carefully analyzing suitable training aircraft for our Club which are reasonably priced and will not demand a high cost in maintenance.
Although we haven’t made any firm decision yet, it seems to us that the Vans RV 9A would be ideal for our purpose.
We need decent ab initio trainers that are new, rugged and will not break the bank when it comes to maintenance.
Of course all of this comes at a price. Aviation is a very very expensive enterprise. Although our Club is financially strong, the cost of aircraft maintenance is frightening. We will continue to refurbish and look after our Tomahawks but unfortunately, we cannot put Humpty Dumpy together forever.
The Piper Tomahawk has a fixed longevity of ten thousand hours as far as the wings are concerned. We are investigating an approved product on the market in the USA that will extend the life of the wings.
The bottom line is that we must buy new, fresh and exciting aircraft as ab initio trainers for the future of our Club.
An RV has a lead time of about six to eight months to build, so if we move on this we will hopefully have at least one new aircraft early next year. However, (yes, there always is an “however”) the reality of the situation is that, as a Club providing and maintaining aircraft is expensive. In order to achieve this and other goals, the cost will be spread amongst all our members by way of a modest increase in membership fees. Presently our membership fees are R1 100,00 per year with an additional amount of R350,00 per year being a contribution towards the excess fund. A decision has been taken by the Committee to increase membership fees by R400,00 to a total sum of R1 500,00 per year (excluding excess fund contribution). This increase will take effect from the 1st July 2007 being the first month of the 2007/2008 financial year.
If one looks at the increase on a monthly basis it amounts to an extra R33,33 per month, which is about the cost of a Spur Burger and Coke.
The plain facts are that if we want decent facilities and well maintained modern aircraft, then we need to pay for that privilege. The Committee and Trustees, as custodians of the Club, have a fiduciary duty to grow the Club and to equip it with proper facilities.
Recreational hire and fly
As far as utilisation of our aircraft is concerned, it has become abundantly clear that, although we have some 450 members now, there are very few members who fly our aircraft recreationally.
It appears to me that the vast majority of our members are students undergoing ab initio and comm training. Then there is a group of die-hard Club enthusiasts who maintain the currency of their licenses and simply fly for fun. I am excluding the temporary members from this category since they are essentially visitors who join the Club on a temporary basis, fly our aircraft at a slightly higher rate and then leave us until next time. Then there is a category of membership who are members of the Club who retain their membership and fly the Club aircraft for a couple of hours a year simply to remain current and to pass their renewal.
Of course it doesn’t matter, since as long as a member pays his membership fees, he is welcome to use the benefits of the Club as and when he wishes even if it is just to rock up and have a cup of coffee and skinner about the instructors and/or slag off the Committee etc.
What is a pity however, is that the Club member who flies our aircraft for recreation has all but disappeared. Where are these members? They have not vanished into the Bermuda triangle or the Twilight Zone. They are out there somewhere. Quite a few of them you will find listed in the booking sheets of Robin Coss Aviation – RV7A.
Well, having flown the RV7A I can fully understand their enthusiasm. Our recreational pilots (wherever they are out there) want to fly for fun.
Flying a Tomahawk is not that much fun since the recreational pilot has “been there – done that” and in any event it’s almost impossible to get a booking. When it comes to the four seaters KBK often has maintenance issues and in any event, you can forget about getting a booking as well.
The Cutlasses are perceived to be too expensive and to complicated to fly, so who needs that, unless one is looking for a couple of hours of compulsory comm training on a retractable.
In my opinion the recreational pilot just wants to get in the air at low cost and have fun, which will explain the migration to the RV7A.
Now don’t get me wrong – I am no expert on aircraft, but so far I have kicked a few tyres of training aircraft and the only one that appeals to me is the Vans RV (in 7A or 9A form).
Whilst the Committee is undergoing it’s investigations in regard to the purchase of aircraft for the Club, I call on all members who wish to make their contribution to do so by e-mailing the Club with positive suggestions. (yes, I know a Cirrus with a glass cockpit would be perfect, but then expect membership fees to increase to R15 000,00 per annum).
This is your Club and your input will be most welcome.
Financial year end
The Club’s financial year end is 30 June 2007. Hilda is working feverishly to prepare our year end accounts which will in due course be submitted to our auditors for the preparation of our Financial Statements. Once the Financial Statements are prepared, members will be notified of the Annual General Meeting of the Cape Town Flying Club. We anticipate that the AGM will take place some time around September this year. All members will receive at least three weeks notice in advance of the AGM and will be provided with Financial Statements and other interesting stuff to read.
See you around
Rafi
PS. A thought for the AGM - A committee is like a nappy. It needs to be changed regularly and for the same reason.
================
Air Scouts --> Gareth Pinnock
Last weekend, CTFC presented the navigation badge for the local Air Scouts. The wet and rainy weekend was spent getting to grips with terms such as rhumb line and great circles, as well as understanding the 8th wonder of the modern world: the trusty flight computer. Lodi Cronje, Benedict Poulter, Alexia Michaelides and myself tried (successfully, according to our pupils) to get a 5 day PPL course squashed into 2 days.
The scouts enjoyed it, and want it known that their services are available for anyone wanting a navigator. Thanks to Linda Hodgkinson for the organisation from the club and the scout's side.
If you would like to help with future badges, please email me.
================
General
Shackelton Documentary
Andrew Schofield has filmed and directed a documentary on the last flying Shackleton, no 1722. The 90min DVD is available for a mere R120.00. This offer is valid until Friday 13th July, after which the DVD will be for sale from the South African Air Force Museum at a price of R160.00.
To place an order now, contact him on email andrew@rainbow.co.za or if you prefer to contact him by phone, try 082 560 2793.
The SAAF musuem's website: http://www.saafmuseum.co.za
================
Aviation News this week --> Danny Buitendag/Gareth Pinnock
Snow delays OR Tambo flights --> News24.com (pictures of the snow below, in "Out and About" )
Johannesburg - Flights departing from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg were delayed for up to three hours on Wednesday morning due to layers of ice covering the aircraft following snowfalls in the area, the Airports Company SA said.
The airport emergency services had to use fire trucks to hose down grounded aeroplanes covered with layers of ice and snow, spokesperson Tasniem Patel said.
"This was done to expedite the melting process because when ice forms on an aircraft it affects the lift - the ability of the aircraft to take off and fly normally," added Mango airline spokesperson Hein Kaiser.
Flights arriving in Johannesburg were also delayed by 15 minutes as they had to wait for parking bays to free up.
But Patel said an Air Traffic Navigation Service (ATNS) was being used to increase the frequency of flights taking off in order to reduce congestion at the airport.
She advised passengers to contact the airlines they have booked with to ascertain "the status of the flights".
The delays at the Johannesburg airport also affected operations in Durban.
Acsa spokesperson at the Durban airport, Collen Naidoo, said flights scheduled to depart to and arrive from Johannesburg were delayed following the snowfall.
"Our flights to other areas were not affected but those that had to leave for Johannesburg were delayed to avoid congestion at that airport."
Patel said delays experienced in Durban applied to the Cape Town airport as well.
--------------------------
Teens point lasers at aircraft:
USA - Two Boise teens are in hot water as police say they pointed laser pointers at passing aircraft. One pilot told air traffic controllers the approximate location of the beam. Controllers immediately alerted other aircraft in the area about the incident.
Police say the teens later targeted an Air St. Luke's medical helicopter. The pilot hovered over a home and used a spotlight to identify the exact location of the suspects for police officers on the ground. Police identified two suspects, both age 17, and seized the laser pen pointer. Neither boy was charged.
The teens could face federal charges, and the case was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for follow up. Police say pilots have reported visual impairment in the past after being targeted by laser beams. Both aircraft involved in the incident landed without a problem. It was the third time this year that laser beams have been pointed at aircraft in the Boise area.
--------------------------------
Terrible Landing:
The pilot of a NCA Boeing 747 (see picture) made a terrible mess of his landing at Hong Kong Airport. To counter a strong crosswind, the approach was flown with the nose pointing 30-degrees off the centre line. The outer left engine made contact with the runway, as the picture shows. At the end of the roll out, the captain noticed that the engine oil quantity was decreasing and shut it down. On arrival at the parking bay a visual inspection of the engine revealed significant scrapping of the fan cowls at the 6 o'clock position, deformation of the fan case at and damage to the thrust reverser cowls. Upon opening the reverser cowls the bottom of the main gearbox was found severely cracked, explaining the oil loss. The Captain was quite surprised at the extent of the damage, as he thought the landing was reasonably normal!
------------------------------
Terrible Landing:
The pilot of a NCA Boeing 747 (see picture) made a terrible mess of his landing at Hong Kong Airport. To counter a strong crosswind, the approach was flown with the nose pointing 30-degrees off the centre line. The outer left engine made contact with the runway, as the picture shows. At the end of the roll out, the captain noticed that the engine oil quantity was decreasing and shut it down. On arrival at the parking bay a visual inspection of the engine revealed significant scrapping of the fan cowls at the 6 o'clock position, deformation of the fan case at and damage to the thrust reverser cowls. Upon opening the reverser cowls the bottom of the main gearbox was found severely cracked, explaining the oil loss. The Captain was quite surprised at the extent of the damage, as he thought the landing was reasonably normal!
================
Incidents and Accidents 19 of 20: No nosewheel--> Danny Buitendag
Incidents and Accidents 19 of 20: No nosewheel--> Danny Buitendag
The nosewheel of this Piper Lance (ZS-IDY) failed to extend so the pilot had to perform an emergency landing. Picture copyright Gary Shephard.
Perfectly down with no injuries, only the pilot on board. This incident happened on January 5, 2007 at Virginia Airport north of Durban. The Lance has been repaired and is back flying safely.
It is not known what caused the nose wheel failure.
Members who fly the Cutlasses are reminded to review their gear failure procedures with an instructor if they have forgotten or are unclear on the concept.
================
Out and About
Bradley Gargan, a member of CTFC who is now flying in Namibia, sent these pics of his baby (V5-JAG) in flight, taken by his collegue.
Snow at ORTIA airport - submitted by Alexia Michaelides
================
Humour
From the airwaves
(PMY, just landed on 19)
TWR: PMY vacate right on charlie, contact ground 121.9
PMY: Will plan vacation on charlie, PMY
(If I was planning a vacation on any taxiway, it would at least be Hotel! )
From avweb.com
Overheard at the Shreveport Downtown (KDTN) Airport, from a student pilot still very green on the radio.
N3AB: Uh, Downtown Ground, this is Cessna Three Alpha Bravo, will be taxiing to the north practice area, negative radar.
Downtown Ground [amused]: Cessna Three Alpha Bravo, I guess that would be quite a long taxi, wouldn’t it?
N3AB [after a short pause]: Uh, Downtown Ground, Cessna Three Alpha Bravo, uh, say again?
Ground [chuckling]: Cessna Three Alpha Bravo, never mind, taxi to runway one four.
posted by Cape Town Flying Club at 10:55 PM
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