Free flying in South Africa
Lets take a look how the system works.
This is the anchor vehicle
used to hold the pulley.
used to hold the pulley.
Here a student is doing the
final pre flight checks, before
he is towed up.
final pre flight checks, before
he is towed up.
The line from the Scooter tow
winch is routed from the winch
to the turn around pulley which
is connected to an anchor
vehicle 1000 meters away. The
line is then taken back to the
Winch where the student will
be right next to the instructor
on their first few tows into
the air.
winch is routed from the winch
to the turn around pulley which
is connected to an anchor
vehicle 1000 meters away. The
line is then taken back to the
Winch where the student will
be right next to the instructor
on their first few tows into
the air.
Our student is standing ready
for take off.
for take off.
The instructor will do a count
down of 3 2 1 and then
start the tow. The student
will resist at first but after
the line pulls tight from the
winch he will take a few
running strides and become
airborne. Our student will
remain a meter or so off the
ground and travel between
600 to 800 meters down the
field.
down of 3 2 1 and then
start the tow. The student
will resist at first but after
the line pulls tight from the
winch he will take a few
running strides and become
airborne. Our student will
remain a meter or so off the
ground and travel between
600 to 800 meters down the
field.
This is our retrieval vehicle
and trailer. Once our student
has flown all the way across
the field we collect them
and bring them back to the
take off area where they
can do another training flight.
and trailer. Once our student
has flown all the way across
the field we collect them
and bring them back to the
take off area where they
can do another training flight.
Here we are busy with a
retrieval of a student after a
flight down the field.
retrieval of a student after a
flight down the field.
Once the student has
returned to the launch area
the Instructor will chat with
them, explaining what they
did right or wrong and brief
them for their next attempt.
returned to the launch area
the Instructor will chat with
them, explaining what they
did right or wrong and brief
them for their next attempt.
We make use of tension
meter on the Scooter towing
winch, this helps the tow
operator, to maintain the
correct towing pressure,
and not to over tension on
the tow. Over tensioning on
the tow could put unnecessary
forces on the pilot and the
equipment.
meter on the Scooter towing
winch, this helps the tow
operator, to maintain the
correct towing pressure,
and not to over tension on
the tow. Over tensioning on
the tow could put unnecessary
forces on the pilot and the
equipment.
Training Location
The field used for training our students is probably the best one can ask for. The owners of
GroenGoud instant lawn farm have unconditionally given us the use of their farm to train our
students. The property is 150 Hectors of instant lawn without any obstacles other than the
odd sprinkler on the field at the time. We don't only fly HG’s, PPG’s and PPC’s there.
Occasionally microlights join us as they are passing by for a quick chat and the odd toy might
be seen flying around when we are packing up to leave.
We DO NOT drive over the farmers lawn or our runway with our vehicles as common courtesy
as there is a road to follow to the bottom of the field.
To get to Flying Unlimited
Follow the N14 from in a westerly direction from Menlyn to the Sandton/Pretoria West off
ramp (R55).Turn North and drive towards Pretoria.
Go straight at the traffic lights for a few km’s to the next set of traffic lights. Left into
Ellman road into Sunderland Ridge Industrial Area. Follow this road to the end into the dead
end, the name of the road has becomes Sesmylspriut street. In front of you is our New sign
board 'Grasslands Sports Facility'.
In front of you is the entrance to the farm. Follow the dirt road past the sign boards in
front of you to the field. Please stay on the roads and don't drive on the grass fields or the
runway.
GPS : 25°49'59.21"S 28° 5'59.01"E
Cost of the training course.
Course fee: The price of the course is R12 000.00 per student. This entitles you to a
full hang gliding training course, using all the schools equipment.
Fee structure:
Before training can take place you will need to become a temporary member of the
South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. This will cost you R400.00
and lasts 6 months, this entitles you to be trained as a student under my school
"Free Flying Adventures".
The course will be carried out over a three week period at a cost of R12 000.00.
The course has been set up in the following manner:
Week 1 - Monday to Saturday (training)
Week 2 - Rest and Lectures on 1 day (carry on with your normal day to day activities)
Week 3 - Monday to Saturday (training)
I have found that a weeks rest during the training program is extremely beneficial.
A compulsory, 'non refundable amount' of R6000 for Week 1, thereafter a R1000 per day
for the next 6 days of training. If you go over the 12 lesson period you will be charged
R1000 per lesson there after until you complete the course.
When joining under my school, you will be issued with a Hang Gliding training manual,
a DVD/Book set on Launching techniques and a log book to start logging your flights.
Times: Training will take place every day from Monday to Saturday starting at
06h00 till 11h00 during the summer season and 07h30 to 12h30 during the winter
season. This means for those who work, it is half-day work leave per day training.
License: after completion of the course you will be issued with a novice license on tow
Only. This includes aerotowing. For those who want to go and fly from
Mountains, will have to go and do a Mountain Launching Conversion.
To book on a training course call Mike Spike on 082 892 3664
Or email michael.iwannafly@gmail.com
The field used for training our students is probably the best one can ask for. The owners of
GroenGoud instant lawn farm have unconditionally given us the use of their farm to train our
students. The property is 150 Hectors of instant lawn without any obstacles other than the
odd sprinkler on the field at the time. We don't only fly HG’s, PPG’s and PPC’s there.
Occasionally microlights join us as they are passing by for a quick chat and the odd toy might
be seen flying around when we are packing up to leave.
We DO NOT drive over the farmers lawn or our runway with our vehicles as common courtesy
as there is a road to follow to the bottom of the field.
To get to Flying Unlimited
Follow the N14 from in a westerly direction from Menlyn to the Sandton/Pretoria West off
ramp (R55).Turn North and drive towards Pretoria.
Go straight at the traffic lights for a few km’s to the next set of traffic lights. Left into
Ellman road into Sunderland Ridge Industrial Area. Follow this road to the end into the dead
end, the name of the road has becomes Sesmylspriut street. In front of you is our New sign
board 'Grasslands Sports Facility'.
In front of you is the entrance to the farm. Follow the dirt road past the sign boards in
front of you to the field. Please stay on the roads and don't drive on the grass fields or the
runway.
GPS : 25°49'59.21"S 28° 5'59.01"E
Cost of the training course.
Course fee: The price of the course is R12 000.00 per student. This entitles you to a
full hang gliding training course, using all the schools equipment.
Fee structure:
Before training can take place you will need to become a temporary member of the
South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. This will cost you R400.00
and lasts 6 months, this entitles you to be trained as a student under my school
"Free Flying Adventures".
The course will be carried out over a three week period at a cost of R12 000.00.
The course has been set up in the following manner:
Week 1 -
A compulsory, 'non refundable amount' of R6000 for Week 1, thereafter a R1000 per day
for the next 6 days of training. If you go over the 12 lesson period you will be charged
R1000 per lesson there after until you complete the course.
When joining under my school, you will be issued with a Hang Gliding training manual,
a DVD/Book set on Launching techniques and a log book to start logging your flights.
Times: Training will take place every day from Monday to Saturday starting at
06h00 till 11h00 during the summer season and 07h30 to 12h30 during the winter
season. This means for those who work, it is half-
License: after completion of the course you will be issued with a novice license on tow
Only. This includes aerotowing. For those who want to go and fly from
Mountains, will have to go and do a Mountain Launching Conversion.
To book on a training course call Mike Spike on 082 892 3664
Or email michael.iwannafly@gmail.com
A new student will be connected to the tow line by means of a quick release mechanism, after
a short but comprehensive explanation on how to become airborne by the instructor, the
student is ready to be towed up into the air. On first time flights students will only be
pulled up a about a meter or so high, once the instructor is happy that the student is capable
of handling the glider at this height, he will start taking the student higher and higher.
The training glider is fitted with wheels, so in the event of a botched flight or landing the
instructor will drop the power of the tow and the glider will simply land on the training
wheels.
a short but comprehensive explanation on how to become airborne by the instructor, the
student is ready to be towed up into the air. On first time flights students will only be
pulled up a about a meter or so high, once the instructor is happy that the student is capable
of handling the glider at this height, he will start taking the student higher and higher.
The training glider is fitted with wheels, so in the event of a botched flight or landing the
instructor will drop the power of the tow and the glider will simply land on the training
wheels.
Students will work themselves gradually up the training levels until they are at a point where
they will be towed up high enough, release from the line, glide back to the winch area and try
land on a spot which is placed in the field.
This will continue for around 10 lessons, after which if the student and the instructor is
satisfied, will start with Aero Towing.
they will be towed up high enough, release from the line, glide back to the winch area and try
land on a spot which is placed in the field.
This will continue for around 10 lessons, after which if the student and the instructor is
satisfied, will start with Aero Towing.
learning to fly has never been easier, we make use of some of the
best training equipment in the world. When a new student signs up on
a course, they will be instructed in the following way.
Students will be introduced to the training team, the equipment, the
training area and fill out all the necessary paperwork.
They will then learn how to transport a hang glider on a vehicle, then
the correct setting up of the glider. They will learn how to hold,
walk with and eventually run with the glider, at this stage some very
basic meteorology will be introduced by the instructor to
familiarize the students with basic air behaviour. Students will then
be placed on a flight simulator to get used to the basic control of the
hang glider.
Once the instructor is satisfied that the new student has met all the
above criteria, he will start with the Scooter Towing Training.
best training equipment in the world. When a new student signs up on
a course, they will be instructed in the following way.
Students will be introduced to the training team, the equipment, the
training area and fill out all the necessary paperwork.
They will then learn how to transport a hang glider on a vehicle, then
the correct setting up of the glider. They will learn how to hold,
walk with and eventually run with the glider, at this stage some very
basic meteorology will be introduced by the instructor to
familiarize the students with basic air behaviour. Students will then
be placed on a flight simulator to get used to the basic control of the
hang glider.
Once the instructor is satisfied that the new student has met all the
above criteria, he will start with the Scooter Towing Training.