Pilot's Response

Albert Schoonaad

As student pilots from Orient, going to Gariep was a great experience for all of us. Everything was just as described by other pilots, who have previously experienced the great weather and the hospitality.

Flying at Gariep was a world away from Orient. The strong thermals and constantly great flying weather made the trip worth while. Flights were long and highly educational, learning a lot about cross country flying and the gliders abilities. Staying aloft for not just minutes, but for hours on end. Ranging from between 2-5 hours and covering more than 400 km in one flight. Gariep gave us great opportunities to practice thermaling and flying the Macready ring.

Thanks to the highly experience John Colban and the very cunning Martin Lessle that made our training possible. Giving us essential information and cross country training. We learned how to fly set courses and I even got my first rope break exercise. Due to heavy wind, witch could be the only bad things about the weather, helped us get crosswind landings perfect.

Other pilots staying in Gariep gave us opportunities of a lifetime. Offering free flights in their gliders. Like the amazing slick DG-1000 of Dawie Olivier and syndicates and DG -505 of Peter How. We in turn helped rig and de-rigged their gliders. Learning about different gliders, from DG to ASW-20's and a nimbus 4DM.

We learned how to do fiberglass repairs and install a self-launching motor on the DG-5O5 and repairing landing gears. Even the excruciating heat could not repress our positive spirit. One very unfortunate incident was when John Colban was caught by the cross wind on landing the Samba, ending up getting a lift on the Wings of Life, to X-rays in Bloemfontein. The Samba was scraped but John, not even rattled. It would also have been better to have a second Twin Astir, to keep us from bothering the flag poles.

This camp was the best one ever, and I know I am not alone. We are certainly looking forward to the next one.

Albatross