POTTIES WEEKEND FLY-IN

No Sooner had we got airborne out of Kroon Airfield and the radio went crazy with aircraft making the trip up North to join the festivities at Mokopane (Potgietersrus). Limpopo Flying School held their sixth annual Bushveld Fly-in and as in previous years it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Limpopo Flying Club

We landed just before 8 AM no Saturday morning and were immediately invited to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast prepared by the members of Limpopo Flying Club. What makes the Potties Fly-in so special is the mix of Weight-shift Trikes, Gyrocopters, LSA’s and larger Fixed-wing aircraft, everyone with the same mission in mind “have a great time with likeminded people” .

Breakfast

There was a constant stream of aircraft arriving throughout the morning, with up to ten aircraft in the circuit at times. The wind did pose a bit of a problem at times on landings but fortunately with an 1800m runway the affected pilots just took a second bite further down the runway so the need for go-arounds was all but eliminated.

Trike Landing

Jabiru Landing

Limpopo Flight Club/School was established in 2012 and specialise in Weight-shift Trike training at very competitive rates. Trikes can also be hired at a R500ph excluding fuel, so any Trike pilots that find themselves on holiday in the Limpopo Bushveld and start suffering from flight withdrawal symptoms Limpopo flight school have the cure. Introductory and Scenic flights are also offered and are flown with a capable Instructor in a Safety First environment in the beautiful surrounding area these flights can range from 15 minutes to several hours. Between the two Instructors Nico Willemse and Martin van Tonder they have over seventeen years’ experience.

The airspace around the field, at the foothills of the beautiful Waterberg Mountains, wasn’t quiet for a moment throughout the morning as pilots went out for scenic flights in the area. By mid-morning the visitors that were not staying over for the evening started departing, unfortunately I also had to leave, albeit with a very heavy heart as the Guys and Girls from the club were starting to prepare things for the evening festivities and spit braai.

The weekend unfortunately ended on a very sad note as late on Saturday afternoon there was a fatal crash in the mountains, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the pilot and wish the passenger, who was injured, a speedy and full recovery.

I will definitely be back next year and will make a point of making a weekend of it, Thank you to the wonderful Potties family for the amazing hospitality.