Can You Fly Anywhere, Anytime? Myth Busting, planning and soaring above Joburg!

[@SibongileMaake-s1r]

Thanks for sharing this information with me god bless you all

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you for your comment and thank you for taking the time to write a comment - much appreciated!

[@JostleMedia]

Thank you Danie I enjoy watching your video. keep those videos coming.

[@FlyingFA]

Thank you very much!

[@jerry24675]

It is like a car. You get in and go. No flight plans or any communication to controllers are required.

[@FlyingFA]

It depends on the airspace though and where / how far you're flying. For me planning is a critical aspect of safety to make sure you don't infringe airspaces, or know how to fly in them, weather and Notams can also be critical.

[@jasonMB999]

😂 Yeah... if you want all the the aviation smartypants to give you a lecture you can do that. There is no profession outside of aviation that possesses such a large number of practitioners who think they know better than the next person and can judge everyone's actions except when convenient to them. However, if you don't want want to end up confused and potentially make poor decisions you have to have a plan, unless it's a frequent route. So it's not at all like a car in that regard.

[@ACombrinck]

Hi there, recently started watching your videos and as a like minded South African this was exactly what I was looking for...first hand experience in SA. Please do a video on what annual costs and experiences with annuals, maintenance, medicals are like etc etc

[@FlyingFA]

Thanks Conrad, great suggestion - will do!

[@jasonMB999]

According to the law, yes you can. So basically, yes, you can fly anywhere outside a far and fad. But I don't know about buffer zones, will you enlighten us on those? In terms of crossing them and at which altitude if applicable?

[@FlyingFA]

Thanks Jason for your comment and question. I agree with you w.r.t. law, but those outside of aviation don't know about the planning, various airspaces, weather, NOTAMs, preflight, etc to make sure it is safe. So the short answer is yes, but the long answer is a bit more complicated. In terms of the buffer zone: Mainly stay clear, but if you have to, you need to get in touch with ATC and typically follow JHB special rules altitudes and seperation instructions. This is an extract from the enroute AIP from www.caa.co.za/industry-information/aeronautical-information-aip/ top of page 244: All aircraft wishing to enter the Buffer Zone must communicate with Johannesburg Information on 119.5MHz between the hours of 0430 - 1600 UTC and between the hours of 1600 - 0430 UTC must communicate with Johannesburg Area on 126.7MHz Pilots are advised to communicate with Johannesburg Information on 127.4MHz should they have no reply on 119.5MHz when trying to establish contact with them during their stipulated HOD as mentioned. Thanks again!

[@jasonMB999]

@@FlyingFA Such valuable information! It makes me feel like a dangerous armed man. Thank you, I'm sticking this onto my notepad 👏😁.

[@dieterlubbe4670]

Pity the closed Aviators Paradise and sold it to a mining company. Bokfontein is now an option.

[@FlyingFA]

Indeed a pity. What I find strange is that there is no NOTAM on this. Last year (before closure) I couldn't find FAAP official aerodrome data on the SACAA AIP either when I did the blog post.

[@ThibushiSimon]

Where is rand airport

[@FlyingFA]

It is in Germiston, just east of the Johannesburg CBD in South Africa.

[@ThibushiSimon]

@@FlyingFA ok

[@Tsh336e]

What would your advice be for someone who is interested in doing a private pilot license? It honestly looks like fun to fly a plane

[@FlyingFA]

Thanks for your question, perhaps this is a great idea for a future video! But meanwhile, what I suggest is to go for an intro flight. Most flight schools will do them, but it will probably cost about R 2 000 for the intro. To find a flight school Google for flight schools at your closest airport, they are quite wide spread all over the country. I always wanted to do it since I was a child. I got the opportunity just before I turned 40! I went to Grand Central airport (actually for lunch at the restuarant) and then popped into two flight schools and asked them to explain the costs. Both provided me with costing and I decided to go with an intro flight with the one that resonated more with me. I guess there is more to choosing a flight school, especially reputation, fleet and getting along with the instructor(s). So if your local have more than one option be sure to evaluate at least 2 would be my suggestion.

[@Tsh336e]

@@FlyingFA Thank you for your response! I live about 60 min drive away from Wonderboom Airport and I've heard of some schools operating from there, I will definitely start there.

[@FlyingFA]

What is your closest town, there could be something closer than Wonderboom, although Wonderboom would be ideal in terms of options. If you do pursue, the issue is that one ends up traveling to the airport frequently, and sometimes without being able to fly. So ending up 2 hours of travel for a session can be a lot.