Stellenbosch to Brakpan in an Aviatika MAI 890 Single Seater
Neil de Lange and Marius Dreyer - two of the enthusiastic Brakkies Trike City flyers
27.04.2025
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Leaving Brakpan by car on Tuesday and arriving in the evening in Stellenbosch full of excitement and anticipation. The mission: to fly the microlight aircraft all the way to Brakpan following the N1 Highway, well for the most part.
Tablet with good nav programme This followed a few months of prepping at both ends, and visiting Stellenbosch 3 times since the start of the year to carefully check temperatures and systems.
If not for the friendship of Tessa and Thys providing accommodation, food, logistics and care, this would have been close to impossible.
Getting to know EasyCocpit on the tablet, and trapping this to a kneeboard, with an old-fashioned map of the route as backup, we were ready to rock and roll, literally…
Having a small group of friends involved checking weather and giving 10 times as much advise on routes and where to cross the majestic mountains of the Western Cape, and Robert insisting on using a satellite driven tracker app which everyone can track in real time, we were pretty much ready to depart Stellenbosch around 12:30, local time.
arriving at stop 1 - Worcester with Tripacer ZU-ITO crew Franklin and Thys
First stretch to Worcester was magical, and Franklin and Thys flew along with ZU-ITO, a beautifully cared for Tripacer. Well, they tried to fly slow enough, but had to circle along to make us feel better about what we are about to attempt. We refueled.
Daunting cape mountains - Day 1
Exiting the valley at De Doorns A
At Worcester, Marius took the controls and followed the road through the Hex Mountain valley to Laingsburg. We inspected this runway on the trip down by car, and thought that it may just have enough smooth, rock and brick-free area to land this little aerie.
Welcoming committee at Laingsburg
Seconds after his landing, Marius was greeted by dozens of the local kids, all wanting to know what was going on. There is no fence, and the runway has marks of cars making doughnuts by enthusiastic wannabe race drivers.
Ready for Day 2 - Leeugamka after refuel
Properly moored in 25Kt wind
After refueling, I took the aerie to Leeugamka, more specifically, a private strip about 5 miles north of the village and was quite happy to find the strip exactly where the map showed. In the late afternoon light, the pebble runway is the same colour as the earth, but is (mostly) shrub-free.
Found the farm foreman, who found the farmer, and opened four gates so Marius could get the car there so we can refuel and get to the hotel… Accommodation was arranged by Madelyn, one of the angels, following the tracking. The Leeugamka hotel may not be what you imagine when you think about HOTEL - but they were friendly, helpful and safe - just make sure you are all settled before dark.
Michelin chefs and fine cuisine are not in abundance in Leeugamka - after garage pies (the only option, and we bought the last two at the filling station), we were done for day 1.
Next day, Marius took off early, heading to Karoo Gariep - FAHolme in one flight. But this was not to be.
Misty morning from FAHolme to Gariep
We were using more fuel than planned, and an additional landing was necessary in the interest of safety after an hour and half to refuel at Rondawel Gastehuis. I took it from there to FAHolme - Karoo Gariep guest farm.
It is worth mentioning that good map route planning and being armed with a tablet installed with a good navigation system is of great value when one navigates a terrain with limited distinguishable landmarks.
We have done about 150 miles for the day, and did not want to chance the daylight due to the unplanned stop. That's it for day 2
Day three brought 25 to 30 knot headwinds, about half our airspeed, so we decided to wait it out. It was a comfortable guesthouse with great food and friendly owners, again offering any support we may need. We also needed the rest, as we could hardly get past 8:30 pm following a fabulous dinner.
Start of the Karoo landscape
Day four, and we were ready to go, but got misted in and had to wait a bit for it to lift. Marius got the aerie to Gariep dam's well-maintained runways, and we were greeted by the caretaker who brought us coffee after the chilly morning's flight!
Refueling in style at Gariep
After refueling, I headed to Edenburg for a refuel and then onto Tempe. Another refuel and Marius set sail for Welkom. Now we were in business with a slight tailwind, bringing the ground speed up to 73 Mph.
Nobody home at Welkom
Welkom airport is horribly neglected, there are still signs of a once grand establishment during the heydays of the gold era in the rich goldfields of the Free State. Who knows, one day there may be demand again, and the airport will be restored to its former glory.
Safely in Kroonstad
I took over, after refueling (obviously), and landed Kroonstad 40 mins later. Again, Madelyn sorted the accommodation, and we felt on top of the world. Only a short distance to go…
Approaching Wingfield at Lochvaal for a typical Marius RWY inspection
Day 5, we were up early and ready to fly! But we were again put on pause by mist that allowed Marius to get airborne at 9:30, heading for Roodia just next to the Vaal River at Vanderbijl. We changed pilots for the last time, and I got to fly the little aerie to its new home at FABB.
Home sweet home at Trike City - FABB
The timing could not have been more perfect, as I switched the mag switches off, Marius parked next to the plane. We were welcomed by friends and spoiled with Billy's fine culinary skills at the clubhouse.
Gifts from the support team.... Whaoooo
We have many thoughts, and have learned a lot. We enjoyed it tremendously and are grateful that we made it safely.
Would we recommend it to anyone toying with the idea? ABSOLUTELY!!
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