Skip to content
Menu
Flying Gas
  • Home
  • Airport Map
    • Competition flying again
  • About
  • Contact
  • ZU-IBM
Flying Gas

Breakfast in Parys

Posted on February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 by Mike Blackburn

To say that the year thus far has not been great for flying is no understatement. As soon as MGL Avionics opened this year I sent my EFiS in for hardware upgrade and that took 2 weeks – where I (obviously couldn’t fly). As that came back and it was re-installed, the wet season arrived with a bang. We’ve been laboring under a ridge of high pressure which has been driving warm moist air from the Mozambique Channel down over Gauteng with resultant overcast and showers. In fact we had about 3 weeks of continual 7/8 to OVC (mostly on the weekends). However, the first signs of the late summer/early autumn period are starting and we’ve had a week or so of fantastic flying weather.

We thought we’d take advantage of this and do the “Sunday fly out to breakfast” thing. This was to be the first time we’d all gone flying as a family and would be a good test of IBM’s load carrying capacity. It should be noted that she’s no Cherokee 235 but with a useful load of 465kg four up is definitely a viable option.

Sunday dawned clear despite the forecast high overcast, so we loaded up and set off for the airfield. The preflight was accomplished fairly quickly thanks to my two helpers who are getting quite good at removing the plugs, covers and the 40kg of water ballast I keep in the rear when flying solo. After the obligatory fiddle with the goPro’s we were able to start up.

PreFlight assistance?
DateAircraftRoute of FlightHoursTotal Hours
24 Feb 2019ZU-IBMFASY(Baragwanath) – GAV –
FAPY(Parys, FS) GAV – FASY
1.4126.4

There was a fair amount of activity on the field as we taxied out – someone was preflighting a Samba XL, my neighbor across the taxiway was (still) fighting with the autopilot in his Jabiru and someone was doing circuits in a Robin. For only the second time since I moved to BaraG winds were favoring runway 13 and we launched without issue. I expected a significantly longer takeoff roll being four up but it wasn’t a big issue – what did get my attention was the slower climb performance – my usual stick deflection produced a Vx climb at 65KIAS as opposed to the more routine 75KIAS but there is a ridge to the south of the airfield which needs to be crossed….

Hard to get this one wrong – straight lines for the win!
4 up in the Sling

Having negotiated the ridge we made a leisurely climb to 7000ft, progressed through the surprisingly quiet GF and made our way to Parys. There are only about 20nm between the edge of the Special Rules Area (7000ft southbound) and Parys, but we needed an even flight level – and for reasons best known to myself, I asked Info South for FL85 which meant that 2min after reaching, I was asking for descent. (It would have been more clever to ask for FL065

Crossing the Vaal into the Free State – FL085

Parys was busy with a Baron back taxiing and two gyros inbound. I performed a textbook unmanned join, with an extended downwind to allow the Baron to depart and landed with the two gyrocopters hot on my heels. Then we had a humorous moment where the only taxiway off the runway was blocked by an aircraft taxiing out – this required some negotiation but fortunately we are all nice folks…

Miss Daisy resting at temporary parking
Montgolfier’s Restaurant – Parys Airfield (FAPY)
There is always time for more photos….

The restaurant at Parys has recently been put under new management and is now called Montgolfier’s. It’s very relaxed, cool and comfortable with a great view of the temporary parking and runway. Food is reasonably priced and tasty, service is as quick as you’d expect for a leisurely Sunday breakfast – all in all a great experience.

Cessna C185 ZS-PHT
PA28-235 (Cherokee) – ZS-DVG

As we started up to head home, the gliders were being pulled out, so we weren’t too surprised that it was a little bumpy – nothing unmanageable of course, but the thermals were starting up. Back at BaraG we landed uneventfully again on RWY 13 (The Sling LOVES a rear CG for landing – #Wheeliesfordays!).

For a first time family trip, it was great – and the rear seat passengers remarked that they’d be prepared to spend more time back there..

Family, flying

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Places I’ve Landed

blackburnmike

First “carol” service of the season. @stjohns_ First “carol” service of the season. @stjohns_college
Cheeky little flight to Airspan Airfield for brekk Cheeky little flight to Airspan Airfield for brekkie today. 1000m tar, lights, good food, good coffee and only about 50nm from Rand. #flying #missdaisy #zuibm #slingtakingyouplaces #sling4 #flyrotax #flygarmin
Lekker to meet François (soaringsessions) today a Lekker to meet François (soaringsessions) today at Brits. One of these vehicles has an engine bigger than the other. I’ll let you guess which one….#bmwmotorrad 
#soaringsessions #flying #brits #aviation #orioncub
@lets_go_aviate arriving at FABS for the National @lets_go_aviate arriving at FABS for the National Landing Champs. #flying #aviation #kfa #generalaviation
Happy #worldatcday @rand_airport! You guys rock! Happy #worldatcday @rand_airport! You guys rock!

#fagm #flying #zuibm #slingtakingyouplaces #mikemoment #sapilots
Final war cries. #classof2023 #sjc @stjohns_colleg Final war cries. #classof2023 #sjc @stjohns_college @college_army #valedictory
Hello Tedderfield. #sling @sling_aircraft #flying Hello Tedderfield. #sling @sling_aircraft #flying #generalaviation #specialrules #slingtakingyouplaces #zuibm
Lekker little flight down the Vaal River to Vaal R Lekker little flight down the Vaal River to Vaal Reefs GC near Orkney yesterday. Some of the worst turbulence I’ve ever experienced in a GA aircraft coming back. #flying #zuibm #missdaisy #randairport #fagm #southafricanaviators #slingtakingyouplaces #sling4 #flyrotax #flygarmin
This cat is called Lyco. He would lyco to tell you This cat is called Lyco. He would lyco to tell you that you may not take his photo and he’ll turn his back on you if you do. 
#airportcats #randairport #chipmunk #pitts
“Impromptu” performance at the end of the Matr “Impromptu” performance at the end of the Matric Music Recital.
When people stop screaming long enough to smile… When people stop screaming long enough to smile….. 
#flying #zuibm #missdaisy #flygarmin #flyrotax #slingaircraft #aviation #generalaviation
Some say that a Sling 4 is not a fast aeroplane. T Some say that a Sling 4 is not a fast aeroplane. To those people I present evidence of speed. #flying #sapfaspeedrally #fagl #sling
Groblersdal flight line. SAPFA #speedrally incomin Groblersdal flight line. SAPFA #speedrally incoming. #sapfa #zuibm #slingtakingyouplaces #slingaircraftsling4
Being left in the dust by the Arrow. Again…. #fl Being left in the dust by the Arrow. Again…. #flying #missdaisy #zskfm #zuibm #gneeralaviation
yellow planes man…… @morningstar_flight_acade yellow planes man…… 
@morningstar_flight_academy a long way from home…
They call it a Gazelle. But from this angle it loo They call it a Gazelle. But from this angle it looks a lot like a dragonfly. #gazelle #aerosptatiale #flingwings #1millionpartsaroundanoilleak 
#falo
Makhado… one is in you. #speedrally #falo Makhado… one is in you. #speedrally #falo
Hey @sapfaspeedrally - we are coming for you… #s Hey @sapfaspeedrally - we are coming for you…
#speedrally #sportflying #FAGM #FALO #Slingtakingyouplaces #sling4 #flyrotax
It happens occasionally It happens occasionally
Something something yellow planes #sling4 #fagm # Something something yellow planes 
#sling4 #fagm #randairport #sling #flying #preflight
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Archives

  • July 2021 (1)
  • June 2021 (1)
  • April 2021 (1)
  • March 2021 (2)
  • February 2021 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • September 2020 (3)
  • August 2020 (3)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (2)
  • January 2020 (1)
  • December 2019 (2)
  • November 2019 (2)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • July 2019 (3)
  • June 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (3)
  • April 2019 (2)
  • March 2019 (2)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (1)
  • November 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • July 2018 (3)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (2)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • February 2018 (1)
  • January 2018 (2)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (4)
  • August 2017 (3)
  • July 2017 (6)
  • June 2017 (4)
©2023 Flying Gas | Powered by WordPress & Superb Themes