Spokey

A pic from Jepp Pro on my company iPad. Jepp Pro is really amazing in what it is capable of. I have a tiny GPS receiver that connects to the app via Bluetooth. It works on the flight deck through the side windows. It is a realistic and valid backup to confirm error checks in NAT HLA Airspace. As you are keen to learn to fly, search for Code 7700 online. Lots of incredible gen. The site may seem overwhelming to begin with but Eddie has a lot of useful info. Also check out Everything Explained Pro Pilot by Richie Lengel. Both are something to aspire to.

Jeepers, this is amazing, although I imagine it is more than a wheelbarrow full of dollars!

A bit of a read for those who may be interested. I am a big fan of our new aeroplane and here is a little of what the machine is capable of as achieved on our long sector yesterday. We flew Seattle to Dubai, normally the preserve of long range airliners like the Triple 7ER. It was extraordinarily hot in Seattle for our scheduled take off time of 1630 local on Monday. We managed to load 50500lbs of fuel against a max of 51850 but I was happy as the OAT was 39c. Runway 32L out of KBFI showed a take off run of 6200 ft out of the 10000 ft runway. In any event Rotation started at the 4000 foot marker from a rolling take off. Climb out was at M.83 straight to FL 410 with an average ISA of +14. We were 20 mins early which was a bonus due to the rising temperatures in Seattle which would have left us obstacle restricted on take off just 2 degrees hotter. Updating the winds aloft brought us another 22 mins early which became a problem as the runway at OMDB was only opening at 1800 Local on Tuesday. So our LRC of M.85 was reduced to M.83. We crossed Oceanic at FL410 climbing to FL450 at 30West. Random route north of the Nat Tracks took us to 68North. Monitoring our ETA we were able to accelerate to M.85 and also climb to FL 490 with 5 hours to go. Over all we had a flight time of 14 hours 55 landing with 4600 lbs of fuel from a ground distance of 7145 nm. I am very impressed with the aeroplane and the quietness overall. The pics show a little gen like the low fuel flow at altitude and the low cabin alt which remains lower than Joburgs elevation even at that high Flight Level. If anyone notices the high N2 reading it is not alarming! It is well below the max of 114.9.

It is a joy indeed Mathew, great performance. Good luck with your flying training!

Thanks, yes, it is very long. I did not even notice until the comment was made ????. Does look odd! She is a very fine machine to fly.

Nice one!

Today I flew up to San Francisco for the day from LA. Was overcast at 800 feet on arrival but had cleared really nicely for the departure. Took off from 01L in an enthusiastic crosswind. Left turn out to head south to Van Nuys. Lekker flying. Trip back was over 10 mins longer, NOCAL control had us down to M.72! I have just 6 PF sectors on the beast now, loving it!

Parking up in The Bahamas earlier this week. This is the tail cam pic displayed on the Airshow screen in the cabin. We have multiple cameras. I shall get some pics and share.

A few random pics of my first jaunt on our new G7500. Mid East to Miami at .85 for Long Range Cruise. 14.5 hours flight time. She is quite the machine. The pop up window menus are great. This one showing Equal Time Points. Very easy to use and constantly updated as per the current winds. The machine is very quiet in the cruise compared to my previous Global. Straight to 430 at a 34 degree ( cool night) takeoff with 49800 lbs gas. Max is 51850, was disappointed to not get a bit more but clearly the temperature played a part. Flows are as per Global XRS. Down to 2600lbs per hour at 470 later in the cruise.

Meeting up for a chat, grand idea. I am always up tor a bike ride! Currently this ADV rider is out of country, back at work. Bikes safely stashed away on their umbilical cords to the chargers.

Big Orange enjoyed a magnificent trundle along to Pringle Bay.

Take a ride down to Pringle Bay, of course you know the road living down here but......awesome on the big V Twin. I was recently there and the sound reverberating of the mountains and of course great scenery encouraged me to slow down and enjoy it. Franschoek Pass, beautiful, again a fine ride on my big Katoom but I prefer Outeniqua Pass on my Sports bikes, just me. You will start to pick your parking spots with great care! Gravel, gradient, lean angle on the stand etc. Learn filtering and get confidence in it ( your choice obviously) Makes for much speedier progress in town. In George very few people filter, I know peeps have their own opinions but if a traffic light is red I try and get through to the front as soon as able so as to have the clear road when it turns green. Having recently ridden a few hundred kms in and around Cape Town and especially down the south ........mmmmmm, filtering is almost no option! Man the traffic is crazy! When the open road grabs you for a Garden Route tour, pop by Hoekwil. Congratulations on your bike, enjoy it!

I love that, and entering a motorway on the onramp when you can blitz ahead of almost anything. Assuming no jams of course.

Or perhaps if I am out on the KLR!

Am on my way back to work in Mid East. I managed a quick jaunt around the Oudtshoorn area on Saturday. Took the side road to Oudtshoorn from the Peerdepoort to Dyssellsdorp road............eeiisshhhhh, the sticky mud was a bit challenging for the Rally STR tyres! Managed to stay upright fortunately!

Both Lovely......that little 125 would be welcome in my garage!

Big Zed is happy with the new suspension, Bitubo rears with piggy back reservoirs and Wilbers progressive springs installed in the forks.

Gosh, yes agreed, looks like a complete error in judgement......sad.

Only had this when on my ZRX1200R in George, also a lady in a big SUV, though an older German lady took a shine to the Big Orange 1190 at the Sedgies market this week. Surrounded by 5 spotless GS’s the filthy Katoom stood out.........if you like dirt bikes! Was just back from my 4 day CT trip , lots of dirt in 1450 km round trip

Ha ha, will do!

My little KLR, last week, Heimersrivier to the George/ Oudtshoorn road.

It is a cult motorcycle in US, also a sound following in SA with dedicated enthusiasts. Very agricultural bike but I love it. I my opinion crap when two up for a long trip but that is just me. Other than that it is like my old DC8 aeroplane, just keeps going, fix it with duct tape en bloudraad, with the occasional whack from a hammer ha ha! As mentioned in earlier posts.......I like mine a lot!

Man, CT trip postponed. The Missus has me busy in her restaurant. The 90 is in George at Tex Motorcycles. My CT trip is to purchase a new Spektrum RC transmitter as well as visit my cousin. A few stops at motorcycle shops will be on the cards too. Looking at next week now as the weather is not entirely agreeable for a trip tomorrow. In any event I will need to be back to work Mothers Day at Mrs B’s, we are fully booked and I have staff in training.

Ha ha yeah, GS is a great bike, a wonderful tourer. I truly did not even bother looking at one as every man and his dog rides one in our area. The Katoom was bought on a pretty rash decision by the heart and not the brain. I was actually after a Yammie XT1200 Super Ten which is a perfect bike for me, but no.......the Katoom hooked me the minute I saw it. Till now I have not regretted it. I have been to Josie and back, Scottburgh and back, several times to Aberdeen and several day rides of 400 to 600 kms. Tomorrow or Wednesday I am off to Cape Town. I am after a Beemer for my collection but it would not be a GS. The 90 Racer is it! For me when I open my garage the bikes must all have a meaning and invoke a passion. I fancy a Honda MB50 simply because a black one was my first bike in the 80’s. All of them must put a smile on my face when I ride them. Even my humble KLR is a wonderful machine and truly capable of great adventures. Would be my choice for a solo long distance ride in remote areas before a GS or my Katoom! Cost wise, I have no idea as to how the GS racks up. The Katoom I have serviced at Tex in George. I have a lot of respect for them and trust their knowledge of the bike. It is after all a 2013 model so I do not worry about service plans and factory maintenance. I can say that a GS riding mate is ready to change to the Orange simply because of weight and agility. That is his choice.......there are of course guys who haul the big GS around like an enduro bike!!

Of all my bikes my Katoom 1190 has proven to be the easiest to ride, around town or blitzing the open road. Yeah, she chews back tyres up if a little enthusiastic on the throttle but is a delight. The growl from the pipe is very satisfying either at a slow 60kph with a deep rumble or picking up the pace a bit, howling at a gallop! I am really enjoying this bike. This is one of my go to shots. The Kamanasie Valley, Deyseldorp to Heimiesrivier. Craddock peak in the background.