CTFC News 31 July
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From the CFI's Desk
Club Social

Fly Ins

Women's Day Fly In

Aviation News
Win a flight in a fighter jet

Out of Africa

Humour

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Dates to diarise

3 August - Party at CTFC

11-12 August - Woman's Day Fly in at FAWC

24-25 August- Vredendal Fly In

20 October - Aerobatic Nationals, Oudtshoorn

9-11 November - TFDC Fly-In, AFB Overberg www.flyin.org.za

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From the CFI's desk --> Jaco van Zyl

Minimum Equipment List

· Please take note that as from 01/08/2007 each member will have to comply with the minimum equipment list (MEL) supplied for each aircraft.

· The MEL for each aircraft can be found in the documents folder inside the aircraft bag and the following lists is in place:

o PA38 – VFR day, VFR night.

o P28A – VFR day, VFR night, IF

o C172 – VFR day, VFR night, IF

o C72R – VFR day, VFR night, IF

· No pilot shall operate a club aircraft if any of the equipment mentioned in the MEL for that aircraft is not working.

· In the event of an emergency, or if an aircraft is stuck at an airfield other than Cape Town, the requirements of the MEL may be waived by the CFI of the club only, and only by prior arrangement with the CFI.

· Nb: The MEL is not an exhaustive list and contains items that have to be in working order before a flight may be undertaken. It is still the responsibility of the pilot in command to make sure that the aircraft is airworthy and safe to fly.

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Club Social - Friday 3 August 18:00

Come join fellow pilots and aviation nuts at CTFC on Friday. Fellow pilots will be recognized for their flying achievements.

Food and drinks will be on sale.
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Women's Day Fly in at FAWC 11/12 August

If you are still debating whether to do, and there is no plane available, contact Linda Hodgkinson to see if there is a spare seat available in one of the aircraft.
email: lindahodgkinson@absamail.co.za

For those already organised, what follows is to wet the taste buds! (maybe the men won't have to cook after all!!)

The cost estimate for both dinner and brekkie the next morning is R80.00. Half price for kids.

Dinner:
Chicken with herbs and sauce
Pasta Salad
Green salad
Madiera cake and custard

Breakfast:
Yoghurt
Fruit
Fruit Juice (Passion fruit)
Toast
Croqu Messieur (ie: french for toasted egg/ham/cheese on homemade bread)
Coffee/Tea
Rusks/Muffins

Pilots wishing to attend are asked to please RSVP to Ursula Venter so she can organise the food!
email: shebear@acenet.co.za]
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Aviation News this week --> Gareth Pinnock/Danny Buitendag

Pilots killed at 2 airshows (Oshkosh and Dayton)
Denel Optronics
Authentic Flight Simulator
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Pilots killed at two airshows --> CNN.com (pictures Associated Press, on cnn.com)

(AP) -- A biplane stunt pilot died after he crashed in front of thousands of spectators during a Dayton, Ohio, air show Saturday, a day after another pilot was killed during an air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

WHIO-TV reported pilot Jim LeRoy of Billings, Montana, died on the way to the hospital after his S2S Bulldog biplane crashed at the end of a runway at Dayton International Airport in Ohio.

The plane was one of two making loop-the-loops with smoke trailing as part of Dayton's annual air show. It slammed into the runway across a field from spectators and caught fire.

"It came down and didn't have enough room," said Aaron Smith, who was watching with his 5-year-old son. "I could hear it crunch, hard. Some pieces came off."

The plane struck the ground at an angle and slid about 300 yards, bursting into flames and spewing smoke, said Airport fire chief Mark Carpenter. It took less than a minute for firetrucks to arrive and start putting out the fire.

"We cut Mr. LeRoy out of the aircraft," Carpenter said.

LeRoy died en route to Miami Valley Hospital aboard a Blackhawk helicopter that was already at the airport, Carpenter said. The crash's cause was being investigated.

LeRoy, a Marine veteran who had a degree in aeronautical engineering, was a design engineer with GE Aircraft Engines until he became a full-time stunt pilot in 1997.

He won the Art Scholl Award for showmanship in 2002, presented by the International Council of Air Shows, and the Bill Barber Award for showmanship in 2003, presented by the World Airshow News.

A performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds was canceled. Some people with ticket stubs from Saturday will be admitted to Sunday's scheduled performance, officials said.

In Wisconsin on Friday, two single-engine war planes at an experimental air show collided while landing, killing one of the pilots and injuring the other, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the two P-51 Mustangs collided after finishing a performance at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture show.

P-51 Mustangs are single-seat fighters that were used in World War II.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz said Gerald S. Beck, 58, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, died and the other pilot, 24-year-old Casey Odegaard of Kindred, North Dakota, suffered minor injuries when the planes clipped wings on landing.

On Monday, a veteran pilot trying to break a speed record en route to Oshkosh was killed when his small, experimental plane crashed into an apartment building and playground in Switzerland.

The pilot, identified as Hans Georg Schmid, a former Swissair pilot, had been trying to break a world record for a solo single-engine flight. He had planned to fly more than 4,970 miles with a C1-D class of plane, aiming to reach his destination in 30 hours.

The annual convention is considered one of the world's largest gatherings of recreational aviators. It draws more than 600,000 people and 10,000 planes from around the world. The weeklong event ends Sunday.



View a video of the P-51 crash here:
http://www.aero-tv.net/index.cfm?do=app.bestView&videoid=00b0d640-e714-4b79-b17b-6f3b0f149c4d

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Denel Optronics:

BAE Systems, the global defence and aerospace group, has awarded Denel Optronics a production order for optical helmet tracker systems (HTS) for the Eurofighter-Typhoon fighter aircraft. This R200 million contract is the latest South African investment by BAE Systems through its Defence Industrial Participation programme arising from South Africa's decision to modernise and right-size its air force with 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 27 Gripen fighters. It will see Denel Optronics manufacture 450 high-technology pilot helmet tracking systems over the next four to five years. These will be installed on the Eurofighter Typhoon, NATO's newest jet fighter.

"We are particularly pleased with this large contract from BAE Systems, as it confirms Denel Optronics' position as a world leader in helmet tracking systems for pilots," said Shaun Liebenberg, Group CEO of Denel (Pty) Ltd. "Importantly, it sets Denel Optronics on a firm footing within the global defence environment as part of Carl Zeiss Optronics. This is exactly what we'd hoped to achieve with Denel's turnaround strategy and are grateful our partnerships are benefiting all those involved. As design authority of the HTS, Denel Optronics is also playing an important role in supporting the high technology supplier base in South Africa including such strategic suppliers as Parsec and Ansys."

German company Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH signed an agreement with Denel in March 2007 to acquire a majority stake in Denel Optronics as part of the Denel's restructuring process. Final competition authority and PFMA approval of the Zeiss transaction is imminent.

The unique Denel designed optical HTS continuously monitors the position of the pilot's head and where he is looking. In this manner it is able to aim the aircraft's weapons, reconnaissance and self-protection systems towards 'points of interest' at which the pilot is looking.

"Eurofighter-Typhoon pilots will appreciate the design ingenuity and reliability of the Denel Optronics head-tracker system. It is a testament to the valuable engineering skills that reside within South Africa's defence and aerospace industry. BAE Systems is delivering US$8,7 billion of benefits to South Africa's economy and we are committed to supporting South Africa in growing its high-technology industry," explained Mr Jonathan Walton, Executive Vice President, South Africa for BAE Systems."

In February this year, BAE Systems placed a US$3.4 million (approximately R24 million) order on Denel Optronics to complete the industrialisation of the optical head tracker system. Evaluations have shown the system to be superior to any similar available in the world.

(www.aviationnews.us)

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The Authentic Flight Simulator

This is a game for all of you who love to fly or dream of being in control of your own plane.

The flight simulator that turns your PC into the most advanced aviation simulator available using Hands on Throttle and Stick technology, the same Human Machine Interface used in fighter aircraft cockpits. Got to the following link for more...
http://www.product-reviews.net/2007/06/07/the-authentic-flight-simulator/

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Win a flight in a fighter jet --> Chay White

The raffle is being held to raise funds for Dave Lentle. Visit http://www.flyingmad.co.za for more details.

The student, instructor, Co-pilot, Captain, test pilot, radio controlled pilot, Springbok glider pilot and friend. I met Dave four years ago when we were both working for NAC Durban. Having recently returned from Eastern Europe where he represented SA in the World Glider Championships, Dave was flying the Premier 1 and shortly thereafter, was sent to Nigeria to fly a Hawker 800 between Africa, Europe and the East. Dave returned to SA 18 months later to pursue his career in an airline (Airlink) for which he achieved an unofficial posting. Dave was set to fly the Embraer from July ’06.

Only 15 days prior to him signing up with Airlink, Dave was flying an experimental aircraft down to East London. Little did he know that his worst nightmare was about to become a reality. While enroute, just outside of Durban and without warning, the engine exploded as the conrod went through the crank case. The canopy was instantly covered in oil and engine coolant while the cockpit filled with white smoke. Dave was left flying blind as he plunged towards the ground. The only link Dave had with the rest of the world was via his HF to an SAA Captain who was inbound for Durban International. Dave was able to give his position from Durban using a small handheld GPS he had borrowed that morning and momentarily was able to see what was happening outside of the cockpit. The aircraft initially imprinted in an open cane field and bounced another 1000 meters before colliding with a hill.

The result - Dave shattered both of his wrists, elbow and ankles, suffering massive bruising to his abdomen and lower spine and lacerations to most of his face and head. Looking at the ‘after photo’ again I just can’t believe that Dave is still with us. From the get go – Dave put on a brave face and sought no pity. Now, over 1 year later, Dave is slowly walking and still has no feeling in his lower abdomen. He is in much pain and has metal pins in his wrists, ankles and right elbow.
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Out of Africa --> Sean O'Connor

Suena Chimpanzee Sanctuary is run by a South African family here in Goma, DRC. They fund the entire operation themselves and are really struggling at the moment. Their international wildlife organization registrations and recognition are being processed, but may still take a while. If you would like to help, or have any contacts that might help, get in touch with:

Sumarita Boshoff
Cell: +243817009166
Email: sumarita@gmail.com
Website (under construction – they need help with this too!): www.suenasanctuary.org

The family presently cares for five chimps (two adults and three young) at the sanctuary, all rescued from near death. There is an international market for chimps and gorillas from this region, apparently mostly perpetuated by Europeans and Americans, who will pay $500 for a baby chimp and $10000 for a baby gorilla! So as not to create a market for them, Suena sanctuary refuses to buy chimps. When a chimp becomes so malnourished or sick that it’s no longer worth anything to its captors, it’s usually abandoned. A lucky few get taken to Suena and other sanctuaries for rehabilitation. The sanctuaries often have to pay many thousands of dollars for transport and medical attention.

The two adults, Suena and Poplap are always caged when I visit. They’re really friendly, but apparently unpredictably moody, very strong and have occasional carnivorous tendencies. The young chimps play free in the gardens of the sanctuary all day. I visit them to play two or three times each week and have become very attached to them.

Padda has a toe fetish.












Biati closing in for a kiss.












Atanga the comic.











Padda is the smallest; he’s like a pre-teen human. He’s really mischievous and sneaky, with a stocky body and a wrinkled little face – he looks like a baby gorilla. He gets my attention by biting my ankles or chewing on my toes. When I can catch him, I pin him to the ground, hold his arms above his head and blow raspberries on his tummy, under his arms and in his neck. He goes lame with laughter and tries to bite me on my nose, which is still tender from being broken a few weeks ago! He loves climbing into the trees and dropping onto me as I walk past. Then he stands on my shoulders and beats a jungle rhythm on my head!

Padda having a rare pensive moment.






















L-R: Padda, me, Atanga, Biati






















Biati is the “teenage” girl of the group. She’s gentle, affectionate, moody and flirty. She has a dark face and gentle eyes and in my opinion, a bit too much facial hair for a girl. She thinks she’s my girlfriend and whenever I arrive, the first thing she does is lift my shirt, stick an index finger in my belly button, twist the finger around a bit and then she sniffs the finger – it’s very tickly! She’s checking to see if I’ve been with another woman I think. Then, satisfied that I’ve been faithful, she lifts her arms into the air for me to pick her up for kisses, which always start gently, but when I don’t let her stick her tongue in my mouth, she gets insistent and tries to pry my lips and jaws apart with fingers and foot digits (are they called toes?). She’s caught me with the tongue a couple of times, but mostly not any more. Disappointed, she slides down my legs onto the grass and sits with her back to me, in a huff.

The Goma Swinger’s Club.
























Biati trying to get some tongue action.

















Atanga is the oldest of the “kids”, the equivalent of a youth in his late teens. He’s strong and acrobatic with a sad looking face that hides his wicked sense of humour. On a couple of occasions, he’s run at me without me seeing him coming – he launches himself onto my neck in one jump and knocks me right over onto my back! Then when I’m down, he bares his teeth to display his impressive canines and buries his open mouth in my neck, giving me a gentle but firm bite. The first couple of times were pretty scary! After that, he sits on my torso and beasts his chest with his fists and screeches in victory! He’s the most communicative and inquisitive. He’s always pointing at things and then he looks at me questioningly. When I do something he thinks is funny (it’s really easy to make him laugh), he throws his arms into the air, falls over backwards onto the grass with his legs in the air and shakes with mirth!

Atanga & I are starting to look alike
























OK dude! Guys don’t look at each other this way!


















There is so much hardship here for humans, that the welfare of animals is low priority. Chimp adults are just meat and the babies are just currency, nothing more.

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Humour

Sky Pirate and fun things to do at 20 000'! --> Sean O'Connor