SAMAA has formally received delegated authority to control ALL model flying activities in the Country from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and we have to protect our allotted airspace. This is a very good development.
Your committee has been very busy for the past few months. The height restrictions for Model Aircraft have been changed to 500 metres in general and 850 metres for glider sites (to be specified) above our registered flying fields and the CAA now formally recognizes SAMAA to be the responsible body, accountable to the CAA for the control and regulation of all model flying activities, including areas/fields. This is very good news for us all.
In order to protect our 'cylinders' we now have available to us from the Confidential Aviation Hazard Reporting System (CAHRS), forms that we must complete every time their is an incursion into our airspace by general aviation, this is regarded as a "serious Incident" and the CAA wants to know about it. Confidentiality is assured, they only want to take pro- active action to prevent accidents.
The area that is being allocated to our 'cylinders' is 1 nautical mile (about 3 kilometers) in diameter and to whatever height we have permission to use (glider fields being higher). The reason for the 3 Kms is because this is the smallest size of an area which can be indicated on an aviation map. The process at present is that data pertaining to our flying sites is regularly published in a "Notice to Airmen" which is circulated to general aviation pilots and they are required to take note of the changes that are contained in these notices.
The new process will be that in addition to the Notams, our flying sites will also be marked on aviation maps, so that pilots can plan their trip to fly around the field or well above it, usually at least 150 metres above the 'cylinder'.
Incident Reporting Forms will be available from SAMAA, and all clubs should have them on hand. The CAA now considers a 'near miss" between a model and a general aviation aircraft as a 'serious incident' and they want to know about it.
If we, the modelers don't protect our airspace by reporting these incidents then we are not serious about the protection of our airspace, that we have fought so hard to obtain and we are endangering the lives of those who fly into our airspace even if it is their fault. We need to ensure that everyone knows where we are and what we are doing. Education will save lives, remember SAFE flying is No accident.
The forms are obtainable on our Website, (Not there yet ...Ed), and from the SAMAA office. A power Point presentation is also available by E-mail from the office, should Clubs wish to make use of it.
from management committee
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
What I love about this hobby -- Wessie
I am in Cape Town
Bought a wing from Justin, who is in Pretoria
Justin hand delivered it to Ivan
Ivan took it to the SAMAA meeting and gave it to Ludwig
Ludwig put it on the plane and brought it down to Cape Town for me.
I dont know any of these gentlemen from a bar of soap.
Then I get home, and there's a package waiting for me full of stuff that Rudi has donated to our fledgeling Junior flying club.
Thank you! You all restored my faith in human kind!
Bought a wing from Justin, who is in Pretoria
Justin hand delivered it to Ivan
Ivan took it to the SAMAA meeting and gave it to Ludwig
Ludwig put it on the plane and brought it down to Cape Town for me.
I dont know any of these gentlemen from a bar of soap.
Then I get home, and there's a package waiting for me full of stuff that Rudi has donated to our fledgeling Junior flying club.
Thank you! You all restored my faith in human kind!
Sunday, November 06, 2005
2005 Aero Club Awards Ceremony
On Saturday evening were attended the Aero Club Awards Ceremony. This was an uncompromising affair held at Skyraiders at Rand Airport. Over half the Colours awards went to Aeromodellers - not too bad.
At our table the talk turned towards Aero Club affiliation fees. SAMAA's fees have gone up considerably in the past year.
So; Is this fair? Does SAMAA get value for money? What does the Aero Club do for SAMAA?
In my view, these questions miss the boat.
Our Aero Club affiliation fees are the cost of getting into the Game. The Game of participation in International events; The Game of affiliation to the FAI; the Game of using Aero Club muscle in dealing with the authorities. If we want to play, we must pay.
The published accounts of the Aero Club show that it is run as a tight ship. There is no apparent extravagance in expenditure.
There was also a suggestion at one time that the Aero Club saw SAMAA as a cash cow. However, the same accounts show that SAMAA affiliation fees are only some 8,5% of the total Aero Club income.
I think there are things the Aero Club could do for SAMAA. It could handle membership administration for example. This would give the SAMAA General Manager a lot more time to look after the interests of our members. For good historical reasons there is opposition to this. But we should not be held hostage by the past.
Let's not be victims of the situation. Let's see how we can use the Aero Club to our advantage.
During the evening, to my surprise and delight, I was awarded Hon. Life Membership of SAMAA. Smokin' Joe said some generous and complimentary words. This was all the more surprising, as I had sent him some candid email earlier in the week. Thank you everyone who supported this gesture.
At our table the talk turned towards Aero Club affiliation fees. SAMAA's fees have gone up considerably in the past year.
So; Is this fair? Does SAMAA get value for money? What does the Aero Club do for SAMAA?
In my view, these questions miss the boat.
Our Aero Club affiliation fees are the cost of getting into the Game. The Game of participation in International events; The Game of affiliation to the FAI; the Game of using Aero Club muscle in dealing with the authorities. If we want to play, we must pay.
The published accounts of the Aero Club show that it is run as a tight ship. There is no apparent extravagance in expenditure.
There was also a suggestion at one time that the Aero Club saw SAMAA as a cash cow. However, the same accounts show that SAMAA affiliation fees are only some 8,5% of the total Aero Club income.
I think there are things the Aero Club could do for SAMAA. It could handle membership administration for example. This would give the SAMAA General Manager a lot more time to look after the interests of our members. For good historical reasons there is opposition to this. But we should not be held hostage by the past.
Let's not be victims of the situation. Let's see how we can use the Aero Club to our advantage.
During the evening, to my surprise and delight, I was awarded Hon. Life Membership of SAMAA. Smokin' Joe said some generous and complimentary words. This was all the more surprising, as I had sent him some candid email earlier in the week. Thank you everyone who supported this gesture.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Gliding -- update on Vaal Triathlon from Gert Nieuwoudt
VAAL THERMAL SOARING TRIATHLON
DATE: Sunday 20th November 2005
You are invited to participate in the final HTL event for this year. The event will be hosted at a new field (see directions below). Pilots briefing will be 9H30 to start at 10H00 sharp. This event is not to be missed. If you do not have a team, please let us know and we will slot you in. Entries close on Friday 18th November 16H00. Enter via MGASA database or e-mail to gnieuwoudt@telkomsa.net or Telephone 0824610027 Provide the following info: Team name, Pilot name, class, frequency, (Alt. frequency), SAMAA Nr. If you have a Gazebo I would advise you to bring it along as we usually have some rain showers this time of year. Also bring some anti-mozzie/bug dope.
Rules
1. Only pilots with valid SAMAA membership cards presented at the event may enter.
2. The Triathlon Rules and MGA Rule book apply.
3. Teams competition: Best 3 out of 4 team member’s scores per round will count towards team total.
4. Individual classes: Open, Low tech (last time!) and 2m.
5. All Pilots will fly team competition and will automatically compete for individual class. Pilots may enter for one additional individual class.
6. Four slot, 5 round event and NO throw-away. Fixed slots, no matrixing.
7. 12 minute working time 10 minute max for all classes scored according to the attached saw tooth scale.
8. 3-minute prep time.
9. Max landing points is 200.
10. Full second completed will count.
11. Competitors to record times after each round on central timesheet in middle of launching area.
12. No landing points if the pilot’s aircraft flies into the pilot or his helper.
13. No landing points for landing after working time has run out.
14. Timing stops when working time run out.
15. The competitors must supply their own winches.
16. No re-launches unless line break or pop and re-launch called before chute lands.
17. We are flying on a farm with very dry grass. No fires are permitted.
18. Transmitter control is the “peg on the transmitter” system with any unresolved frequency clashing pilots bein introduced to one another after the pilots briefing.
19. Entry fee is R50 per class entered on arrival (no entry fee no scores!) This includes a cold drink and cold meat roll or two.
20. The prizes will be for first team of four members, first Open, first Low-Tech, first 2m and first Junior.
Cool drinks and some refreshments will be available at the field.
Directions
From the Johannesburg take the N1 in Parys direction. Take the Vanderbijlpark turnoff (close to Iscor factory). Keep going straight through all the stops and robots until you cross the Vaal river (You are entering the Freestate!), past the Sasol factory on the R57 until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back. From the east of Jhb/Alberton take R59 and drive past Vereeniging over the Vaal river, past Vaalpark on your left and take the R57 Sasolburg/Heilbron turn off to the left. Keep on the R57 in Heilbron direction. Drive past the Sasol factory until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back From Parys/Kroonstad take the Sasolburg road R59 later on. Turn righ on to the R57 to Heilbron as you past Sasolburg. Drive past the Sasol factory until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back If you get lost phone me on 0824610027
Cheers
Gert
DATE: Sunday 20th November 2005
You are invited to participate in the final HTL event for this year. The event will be hosted at a new field (see directions below). Pilots briefing will be 9H30 to start at 10H00 sharp. This event is not to be missed. If you do not have a team, please let us know and we will slot you in. Entries close on Friday 18th November 16H00. Enter via MGASA database or e-mail to gnieuwoudt@telkomsa.net or Telephone 0824610027 Provide the following info: Team name, Pilot name, class, frequency, (Alt. frequency), SAMAA Nr. If you have a Gazebo I would advise you to bring it along as we usually have some rain showers this time of year. Also bring some anti-mozzie/bug dope.
Rules
1. Only pilots with valid SAMAA membership cards presented at the event may enter.
2. The Triathlon Rules and MGA Rule book apply.
3. Teams competition: Best 3 out of 4 team member’s scores per round will count towards team total.
4. Individual classes: Open, Low tech (last time!) and 2m.
5. All Pilots will fly team competition and will automatically compete for individual class. Pilots may enter for one additional individual class.
6. Four slot, 5 round event and NO throw-away. Fixed slots, no matrixing.
7. 12 minute working time 10 minute max for all classes scored according to the attached saw tooth scale.
8. 3-minute prep time.
9. Max landing points is 200.
10. Full second completed will count.
11. Competitors to record times after each round on central timesheet in middle of launching area.
12. No landing points if the pilot’s aircraft flies into the pilot or his helper.
13. No landing points for landing after working time has run out.
14. Timing stops when working time run out.
15. The competitors must supply their own winches.
16. No re-launches unless line break or pop and re-launch called before chute lands.
17. We are flying on a farm with very dry grass. No fires are permitted.
18. Transmitter control is the “peg on the transmitter” system with any unresolved frequency clashing pilots bein introduced to one another after the pilots briefing.
19. Entry fee is R50 per class entered on arrival (no entry fee no scores!) This includes a cold drink and cold meat roll or two.
20. The prizes will be for first team of four members, first Open, first Low-Tech, first 2m and first Junior.
Cool drinks and some refreshments will be available at the field.
Directions
From the Johannesburg take the N1 in Parys direction. Take the Vanderbijlpark turnoff (close to Iscor factory). Keep going straight through all the stops and robots until you cross the Vaal river (You are entering the Freestate!), past the Sasol factory on the R57 until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back. From the east of Jhb/Alberton take R59 and drive past Vereeniging over the Vaal river, past Vaalpark on your left and take the R57 Sasolburg/Heilbron turn off to the left. Keep on the R57 in Heilbron direction. Drive past the Sasol factory until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back From Parys/Kroonstad take the Sasolburg road R59 later on. Turn righ on to the R57 to Heilbron as you past Sasolburg. Drive past the Sasol factory until you get to a 4 way stop. Turn right on the Koppies road. 5km from the stop you will see a farm entrance on your left with sign BELTRIM. Turn RIGHT into an open piece of field. Follow the farm road for 800m in the direction where all the action is (it is open so you will see us, except for Hugh who normally arrives at 5H00). If you see the farm house turn back to main road and read the instructions. If you see a sign for Kragbron left, you went past the turn-off 400m back If you get lost phone me on 0824610027
Cheers
Gert
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
