Andre & Michelle Bezuidenhout
André Bezuidenhoudt – first MT-03 owner in SA – I have enjoyed flying gyroplanes for the past 7 years and had been researching various models with a mind to acquire a new machine when I was presented with data sheets of the MT-03. I was invited to Kitty Hawk and at first glance I knew that my search was over. >> more
André Bezuidenhoudt - first MT-03 owner in SA
I have enjoyed flying Gyroplanes for the past 7 years and had been researching various models with a mind to acquire a new machine when I was presented with data sheets of the “Autogyro Europe MT03”.
My interest was immediately heightened. When I saw the statistics and in particular the empty weight. All aviators know that weight to power ratio is the key to success. The only other important factor for me was the build quality.
Being associated with the European (German) standards in the engineering and allied fields my expectations were high and I gave an undertaking that I would purchase one of the first batch if these expectations were met. Upon arrival I was invited to Kitty Hawk and at first glance I knew that my search was over.
1. a light weight machine (best power to weight)
2. absolutely clean lines
3. uncluttered propeller giving unhindered air flow due to well organised radiators and equipment
4. aluminium extruded rotor
5. high build quality on all components
6. pneumatic pre-rotator and rotor brake systems
7. rotor bearing temperature gauge
8. highly efficient thrust line
9. nose cone luggage compartment
10. a well designed autogyro cover for all weather.
After all the legal requirements we had to accumulate the necessary hours and then…
Michelle and myself, warmly clad and with more than sufficient clothing packed in small bags together with additional fuel set off from Krugersdorp on a bleak, cold and windy Sunday morning to meet other gyronauts in Delareyville from where we flew on to Kareeputs, Kuruman, Upington, Kleinbegin, Keetmanshoop, a private strip near Maltahohe, Maltahohe, Solitaire, Swakopmund, Karibib, Twyfelfontein, Johan se Plaas, Karibib, Danie se Plaas, Gys se Plaas, Gochas, Keetmanshoop, Kleinbegin, Upington, Kareeputs, Delareyville, Krugersdorp.
André Venter - 3 owner of an AutoGyro
André Venter – I have done extensive research on the various available gyroplanes before deciding on the MT-03. After having flown close to fifty hours with the gyro, I can report that the gyro has lived up to my expectances. The hours flown include a 35 hour trip to Namibia
Glenn Poley – Strapping myself into an Airbus A340 as a co-pilot for SAA, and flying 15 hours from Washington to Johannesburg was what I was used to, and though I have owned 4 gyro’s to date, I had never flown anywhere far before
Willi Ewig - FAI World Records for Class E (Rotorcraft)
FAI World Records for Class E (Rotorcraft):
Pilot: Willi Ewig (Australia)
Distance without landing: 1 268 km
Speed over a recognised course: 156.5 km/h
San Badenhorst – Wel soos ‘n vet gesmeerde blits vlieg ons weg en sommer woep-wap en ons is in die lug. Ek was darem al meer as honderd uur in een of ander vliegtuig, die lug gewees, maar man die coptertjies vlieg sagter as ‘n Oryx. Nie eers ‘n stampie gevoel nie! >> more
Hou vas... Ek Vlieg
Hou vas... Ek Vlieg!
************My “handsak”, ‘n Mazda Drifter, is gepak. Daarin is van Detol tot Petrol en ek en my liefie, Hennie, val in die pad na Hoedspruit vir die Gyrocopter Kongres en “Fly-out”. SAGPA het ons genooi, sodat ek vir hulle ‘n lesing kon gee in noodhulp, benodighede, behandeling en oorlewing, sou hulle ‘n noodlanding in die wildernis moes doen. Gelukkig is die internet daar, om darem vooraf te weet hoe die airoplaintjies werk! Wou darem verstaan hoe hul bo bly en wat gebeur as jy afkom!
Ons reis deur die ou Trans-VAAL en sien plekke wat ons lanklaas was. Die een bordjie langs die pad sê “Pasop Moerse Gate!” Duidelike Afrikaans
vir ons nie alledaagse reisigers op die paaie nie. Deur die Abel Erasmus pas en die mooie Laeveld lê voor ons uitgestrek. Net voor ons seer gery
is stop ons by die Wildlife Estates. Vriendelike vlieëniers en familie laat ons sommer tuis voel! Moet gou in ons huisie gaan intrek, met kniëlende
vlakvarke, wat digby wei. Daarna die innige versterk met ‘n heerlike aandete. Later sit ons voor ons Bosveld grasdak huisie en bewonder die
omgewing en naggeluide. Diè nag was Hennie drie maal helder wakker ……. van die stilte!
Seweuur en ons sit aan ‘n baie opgewonde ontbyttafel. Die mense is hier om te vlieg en al die ‘side-shows’ moet kortgeknip word. Na ‘n rit
deur die wildkamp is ons by die vliegveld. Gyrocopters word sommer so met die hand uitgestoot en vol brandstof gegooi. ‘n Pap wiel word net
daar en dan herstel. Toe is dit, op julle merke…. gereed ….. gaan! Die eerste coptertjies lig sommer vinnig hul stertjies en los ons in ‘n bol
Hoedspruit-stof en weg is hulle!
Hennie is die ou wat nie altyd so vars voel op bote en in vliegtuie nie en hy gee my eerste die voorreg om saam met Theuns in te klim. Toe die
man my ingordel sê vir hom, ek is ‘n gewigtige meisie, hy sal moet kole gooi! …. “Nou hoe dink jy gaan ons daar bo kom?” ……. vra hy, my??
Sarel Pretorious (MT-Sport x2)
Xander du Preez
Marchel van der Merwe
Walti van der Walt
Villa van Niekerk Jnr
Villa van Niekerk Snr
Jannie van der Heever
Theuns Eloff (Calidus 09)
Sarel Pretorius (Calidus 09)
Cliffie du Preez
Lodewyk van Schalkwyk
Andre Bezuidenhout (Calidus 09)
Denis Mavros (Calidus 09)
Hennie de Klerk (Calidus 09)