THE KNYSNA TRIANGLE

THE FIRST ONE WAS PAT McClure's golf course, right outside his hotel on Leisure Isle. Pat had a Comanche, which lived on the grass in front of the hotel. The Leisure Isle Hotel was a wonderful party venue for visiting pilots as well as those who lived in the area. The place was crawling with retired SAA and SAAF pilots, and why not? It has to be one of the most beautiful spots in the world.
Pat was an ex-SAAF pilot who played by the wartime rules about drinking and flying - it was desirable, but not compulsory.
This naturally resulted in incidents which the DCA never got to hear about. Like a wheels-up he did in his Comanche - it was flying again the next day. It says much for the strength of the aeroplane and Pat's determination to put the matter behind him as quickly as possible. The prop was the only noticeably damaged component. Pat took it off and had it straightened by the local blacksmith.
Then Pat bought a small three seat helicopter, a Bell 47, which he crashed one night while taking his wife, also Pat, and my mate Bob Emmet for a joy ride in between drinks at a party at Bob's place on the hill.
Pat eventually died under interesting circumstances. He had always been worried about having a heart attack while flying, particularly with pax. As Mrs Pat often flew with him, he asked me to teach her the basics of flying, and at least how to land the aircraft should his tubing get blocked at a bad time.
Well exactly that happened. They were on their way back from Johannesburg when Pat announced he was feeling valetudinarian. They landed on a farm strip in the Free State where the farmer put them up for the night - well, not exactly, because Pat died at the dinner table.
So that introduces Pat McClure's golf course airfield. I will come back to it later.
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av SA Flyer Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av SA Flyer Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

PIPISTREL'S ELECTRO VELIS
THE FUTURE IS HERE!

LIVING THE DREAM-HEADING OFFSHORE
I dearly miss the mountains of the Western Cape, but I'm soon reminded that my \"office\" offers one of the best views, regardless of where I happen to be located on this planet. Today is no different, as ocean, clouds, and sunrise all conspire to produce a breathtaking vista while we settle down in the rhythmic gallop of the big Sikorsky.

CANADIAN C152 spin
Jim’s Note: The SACAA seem to have lost all but the newest and oldest accident reports. This is not a bad thing because I have found Canadian reports are excellent and have selected this one, because it deals with issues very relevant to South Africa – particularly density altitude, spinning, and post maintenance test flight

SPECIAL RULES AREA CHARTS
Imagine a chart that doesn’t rely on batteries that unexpectedly let you down. Imagine one that covers a large area in detail, yet that weighs a few grams.

FLIES ON THE CEILING
Allow me for a moment to explore one of the great mysteries of aviation with a subject that has been around ever since Immelman rolled his Fokker rightway up at the top of a loop over the shell-holed killing fields of World War 1.

INTERESTING AVIATORS I HAVE MET
I remember back in 1960 being in Nairobi West (where Wilson Airport is situated) standing with my mother watching a train pass by, filled with refugees from the Belgian Congo. The train was full, with many of the people dressed in pyjamas, or whatever they could find to wear in their haste to leave.

EVACUATOR
I have had a lot of fun during this past few years of flying. I have sneaked a Twin Otter out of Algeria, over Libya, to Tripoli and thence, across the Mediterranean, to the historic twinkling jewel box of Malta, at night.

WHY AIR POWER IS KEY in the Ukraine War
There is evidence that with 'borrowed' F-16s and the recent arrival of French Mirage 2000s, improved Ukrainian air superiority may be the deciding factor that brings the Russians to the peace talks table.

JANUARY 2025
The new year is off to a good start with 15 aircraft having been registered.

FLYING AROUND THE KZN AIRFIELDS
In less time than it takes to drive from one side of Johannesburg to the other, you can fly to beautiful KZN to experience amazing scenery and some fantastic airfields and hospitality.