The joy of flying in Cape Town - G Pinnock, Pictures Ilze Kretzen.


When the weather gods co-operate, they really co-operate!I had the pleasure of taking some friends up the West Coast to go see how many whales we could spot (and to build cross country hours).

The whales were out in force, as was everything with wings. Even the beaches were crazy (unless you were unlucky enough to be a kite surfer, then your options were limited).

Hopefully, a lot more nice summer days are on the way!

Club end of year function (11 November) --> V Vossloo

The club will be having its first end of year bash on the 11 of November (not 18 November as stated last week). It will be a spit braai, with a fully stocked bar!

Vossie is still looking for more volunteers to help with the organising and setting up, so if you can help, please contact him through the club.

Night Circuits at FAWC on Saturday 7 October --> L Hodgkinson

It's time for night circuits again, and this time we have been invited to fly them at FAWC.

As usual, we have tried to negotiate good accommodation deals for those who wish to stay over and fly back the next day. There are two main options: Guesthouse or a shared room at the airfield. Contact me for a list of other (more expensive)guesthouses if you like, but the best deal is available from De Doorns Tel 023 342 1402 at R150.00 per person excluding breakfast or R180 including breakfast but there is a possibility that breakfast will be provided at the flying club on Sunday morning. To be confirmed closer to the date.

Accommodation is limited at De Doorns so make your booking as soon as you can or miss out. Please mention that you are with the CTFC group as this is a special rate for us. If you prefer to stay at the airfield in a 4-bed room (note: one room with 4 beds in it so you'll have to share) at R77 per person per night, please contact Gerrie Kachelhoffer on 082 808 1176. There are full ablution facilities available at the airfield including hot water showers at an additional R50 pppn (owned by the gliding club hence the fee). Ok, so there's a third option for you nature types - bring your tent and camp at the airfield.

Meal arrangements: dinner to be served at the airfield on Saturday evening, cost to be announced, breakfast probably to be served at the airfield on Sunday morning, cost to be announced.

Landing fees: waived by FAWC - many thanks!
Fuel: available
Other info: sunset on 7 Oct 18h53. Full moon

Book your aircraft and accommodation right away - you snooze you lose. Feel free to drive up if you don't get a plane and make arrangements to "borrow" one for your circuits with the person who will be flying it up. Bring your family and friends and let's make this another memorable CTFC event (Ed: I'll bring the hats...).

Plan B: if the weather fairy prevents us from flying on the 7th, all arrangements automatically move on to the 14th.
Contact Linda through the club (934 0257) for more info.

Virtual Dogfights --> G Pinnock





Last weekend, an idea put forward by Frank "MosFear" Moody finally saw the light of day. Unable to arm the Tomahawks and 150's, we did the next best thing and created a virtual battlefield, using Ubisoft's IL-2 and a lot of cables.

Needless to say, neither the Luftwaffe, nor the Red Air Force would have been lining up for our skills (besides a certain MosFear who killed some of us 5 times...).
It was a real challenge to go from a real +- 180hp aircraft, to a virtual 2000hp aircraft, and even some last minute dual instruction failed to ensure that every take off run actually ended in a take off.

If you are interested in joining us (we welcome fresh meat..or new players), contact Frank, or keep checking here, it is planned that a seperate page will be created soon.

In the meantime...watch your six...