Hi all

[Guest mikek]

Pleased to join the group; I live in Perth but work in Africa, where there are numerous different ways to get into the air and see some stunning scenery. I did a little gliding in Alice Springs years ago, and am now looking at an Ultralight PL through the Komani UL club in Harare Zimbabwe. Despite the messy politics, there is a diehard group of extremely keen pilots flying a wide assortment of light planes. Currently I'm looking at a Sonex with the Jab 3300 engine, and a South-African built Cheetah, which is a very sweet-handling 3-axis ultralight/Rotax 912 - great STOL bush plane for the remote strips. Also part owner of a Jab 430 which is a great touring aircraft for africa, but it's a work plane and full of aeromagnetic sensors for mineral surveys so not always available for play.

 

If anyone has mineral survey or crop-spray experience, we are looking for a Jab pilot in southern africa to fly aeromagnetic survey; 100 ft terrain clearance, you get to eyeball the elephants! A great way to see Africa.

 

Look forward to any feedback on good bush planes with decent touring range (300-600km legs) - complicated by "hot and high" conditions, we often use strips at 4800 ft asl in say 30 degrees, with density altitudes of 8000ft or so. Don't want gum trees at the end of the strip! Cheers, Mike K

 

 

 

[Guest Decca]

Hello Mike, :welcome:to the forums.

 

You have an interesting time ahead of you, and must do a lot of travelling.

 

Hope you find your pilot/s. There must be a lot of guys looking for an experience like this.

 

Regards, Decca.

 

 

[farri]

G`Day Mik, to the forum,

 

I was realty interested in the job offer as I have plenty of low flying experience,until I read your last bit.thumb_down

 

Just Kidding.

 

Cheers,

 

Frank.

 

 

[mAgNeToDrOp]

Hi Mike

 

Grew up in Harare, now in Perth. Good to see flying still going strong that side, hopefully planning a trip back that way in the next year or so may visit Komani to check it out.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

 

[Guest check-in]

G'day Mike

 

I am currently in Perth, so next time you are over this way, PM me and maybe we can have a beer. I have a Sonex with a Jab 2200 and love it. Sadly it's not here with me, so I only get to fly it once a month when I go to the other side of Oz for my R & R. The Jab 3300 would certainly be my wish for this aeroplane if I could justify it to my financial controller (wife) but she reckons I have enough toys already.

 

As for bush planes - although I have no personal experience of them - by the look of them, some of the Canadian Murphy offerings could be suitable for Africa. Subject to the right engine choice of course.

 

 

[Guest mikek]

Good to hear from you check-in; might take your offer and give you a call when I'm in Perth. Took a Sonex 3300 for a spin last weekend, what a hoot. Still no room for my 120kg mate tho!

 

Have moved to the Sonex forum if u want to continue the thread, Cheers.