Dear Pilots,
The events at the Mont Rochelle (Franschoek) site this past weekend have highlighted a few issues in our local flying community, primarily regarding communication, protocols and site briefings.
It is a longstanding published and taught conduct that pilots visiting a site that they are not familiar with contact the local club or flying community before flying. Despite several instructors present at Franschhoek launch site on Sunday it seems many pilots where unfamiliar or misunderstood the site protocols. If you are unsure about the site protocols please contact Mias de Klerk before flying at Franschhoek.
In an attempt to show accountability to the Franschhoek residents, and specifically the Fransche Hoek estate board, I hereby request that all pilots who landed in the estate on Sunday submit an incident report on the SAHPA website.
The spirit of this exercise is not to indict but rather to identify issues and misunderstandings and educate effectively.
The Kaapse Buitepos Klub(KBK) will publish site protocols and procedures as soon as its approved by the local role players and make arrangements to have the protocols available at the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve entrance, until such time make sure you know what the protocols are or contact me for more information.
Kind regards
Mias de Klerk
+ 27 82 7585845
KBK Safety Officer.