Member Projects

Gordon's SA Kit Planes Explorer Project

Dec

Gordon Pickles is a surgeon by day, and on weekends can be found propelling himself around hills and valleys on a mountain bike, or working on his Explorer project in the hangar at Grass Roots.
He had the assistance of a merry bunch of guys so he did a trial fitment of the wings to ensure that the butt ribs lined up perfectly. The photo shows him proudly taking a photo of his creation. He is meticulous in his work and it is lovely and inspiring to watch the progress on the aeroplane.

Posted By Gerald Maddams read more

Ch322 Project Visit - SF260 Simulator

Dec

On Saturday 05 December a project visit was held at the home of Rob & Vera Jonkers to view and fly the Siai Marchetti SF260 Simulator – a two-year scratch built project planned to be used as a training device for aspirant ab-initio military pilots.

Posted By Rob Jonkers read more

Alan's Piper PA17 Vagabond ZS-VLN

Nov

Alan Lorimer is busy restoring a Piper PA17 Vagabond, which was the love of our dear departed Bob Illsley. Bob had begun the restoration before his passing, and he sold the unfinished project to Alan. ZS-VLN was registered in the LS1 category and will continue with that registration into the new Light Sport category when complete. This aeroplane began life as a PA15, and still has the data-plate attached to one of the fuselage frames. It was later modified with dual controls, two doors and bungee suspension and brought up towards PA17 status.

Posted By Gerald Maddams read more

Zak's Taylorcraft ZS-VHL

Nov

My 5-month old boy (at the time the pic was taken in July) keeping an eye on the work being performed.
Taylorcraft ZS-VHL in the background.
- Zak Kotze, Chapter 575 East Rand

Posted By CONTACT read more

The Flying Flea Saga Continues

Oct

- Roy de Stadler, EAA Chapter 973 Krugersdorp

“The best-laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft a-gley” - Robert Burns

Posted By CONTACT read more

A Comper Swift Project

Aug

Nick Comper was an RAF officer who went on design a series of light aircraft and set up the Comper Aircraft Company. Of his designs (Kite, Mouse, Streak, Swift) only the CLA-7 Swift (first flown in 1930) went into production and 34 were built between 1930 and 1933 before the company went into insolvency. By the standards of the time, this made the Swift one of the more successful British light aircraft of the period...

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Chapter 322 Teddy Build : 6 June 2015

Jun

After ending off for the year in 2014 on the landing gear, we returned to this today. A quick coffee and a chat to figure out where we ended off last year started the morning off. We were able to get through a few small finicky tasks that had been put off for some time to make way for more exciting build days in 2015. Thanks Kevin, Derek, Dylan, and Richard for the work achieved on the Teddy landing gear today. Also thanks to Larry, Urie, Willie, Nico, Steve and Mike Spence for visiting. Your support is always appreciated.

Posted By Marie read more