Orient fly-in

Sep 25, 2017

2 min read

Updated: Aug 15

By Jarryd Sinovich

On September 23, 2017, The Maglies Gliding Club organized the Orient fly-in, attracting various aircraft from airfields around the Gauteng region. The event featured a range of aircraft, from a trike to a Boeing Stearman piloted by Adam Pucjlowski and Daniel Perry.

Another rare bi-plane that attended the event was a classic Waco, which is based at the nearby Hekpoort Airfield. Continuing with radial aircraft, Jonty Esser made a brief appearance in his Yak 52, which is based at Kitty Hawk.

Visiting pilots were greeted with a complimentary delicious breakfast at the local clubhouse, along with coffee and fruit juice, highlighting the excellent hospitality extended to both pilots and the general public.

Regrettably, the day began with a significant incident where a microlight collided with a hangar close to the active runway. The pilot was fortunate to survive, albeit with serious injuries, and was airlifted to the hospital. Special gratitude goes to the paramedics and everyone who helped at the scene, as well as to Santjie White for promptly offering assistance when needed. We wish Etienne a complete and swift recovery.

Magalies Gliding Club is located about 50 km west-northwest of central Johannesburg and 65 km southwest of central Pretoria. (Radio frequency: 123.4 MHz). The club has approximately 200 members, and during a summer weekend, it typically conducts between 100 and 150 launches.

Regularly, flights of 300 km are accomplished, and some of our competition pilots have managed to achieve flights of 500, 750, and even 1000 km from Orient. Orient is privileged to experience some of the finest thermal soaring conditions globally, with most flying days offering strong thermals that provide climbs of one to five meters per second, reaching altitudes as high as 18,000 feet AMSL.

Orient airfield is situated at an elevation of 5100 feet above mean sea level, featuring two parallel grass strips, each 1500 meters long, oriented 18-36. It also includes a cross runway measuring 700 meters (11-29) and an emergency strip of 500 meters.

A short strip, located parallel and to the east of the two main 18-36 runways (36RR), is designated solely for winch launching. All glider circuits are carried out to the west of the field, while powered aircraft circuits should be conducted to the east.

The club's fleet includes 3 Grob G103 Twin Astirs, 1 ASK7, 3 Grob G102 Astir CSs, 1 Jeans Astir, 1 SF25 MotorFalke Motor Glider, 1 Piper Super Cub (180 hp), and a Cessna 182 tow plane.