1000 Hour Sapphire Pacific Ultralights July 1994......

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Sapphire 25-0057 was delivered to it's original owner, Mr Jim Fordyce in April 1988. Jim flew many trips from his home base, the Central Coast of New South Wales. In less than a year 130 hours accrued. It was a great disappointment when he had to curtail his flying activities. Ultimately the aircraft was advertised for sale in the April 1990 issue of Australian Ultralights (AU).

I commenced my flight training with Austflight in October 1989, a Pilot's Certificate was awarded in March the following year. I attended a variety of Fly-Ins and Competitions, became familiar with the personalities and hooked on recreational aviation. By July it was obvious that the outlay for cross hire would be better directed toward an aircraft of one's own. Family Executive approval was sought and gained, the Bank was prepared to finance a Patio, little did they know! I saw Jim's advert, arrangements were made. I arrived at Wyong at 4:30AM the following Saturday.

When I first met 0057 it looked pretty sad and sorry. The airplane was on it's trailer and parked at the back of Dean Winton's workshop, alone and unflown for a year or so. Grass grew in the cockpit, insects and birds made it their home. However: The engine started readily and ran well. A little care and attention could soon reinstate the finish and air-worthiness. When I sat in it for the first time it felt "just right", my aeroplane. The deal was done. Two frustrating months followed, waiting for Rotax spares to arrive from Austria.

Finally on the 25th September I taxied the Boonah airstrip twice, lined up and pushed the throttle full forward. Sapphire 0057 was eager to fly again, it literally leapt off the ground. Climb was maintained straight ahead to 3,000 feet. Reduce power and lower the nose. I pulled -1.5G entering a dive. This was no Drifter, neutral stick forces require delicate inputs! During the next hour handling was explored. Exhilarating! Culminating in one of the best landings I've ever done. Like first solo all over again.

Learn to fly the aeroplane. Countless hours of upper airwork, circuits and landings. To this day it is still an ongoing learning and perfecting process. One thing was immediately obvious though. The Sapphire is a very clean aircraft. A little hot over the fence and the runway disappears at an alarming rate!

How can you get lost Stradbroke Island to Boonah? I managed just that and resolved to learn accurate pilot navigation techniques. In the process I discovered what is to me the most enjoyable aspect of recreational aviation. Long distance cross country. The little Sapp and I have spent many hours together in this way. The first Fly-In attended was the Grafton Muster '90. The finer points of beach landings were discovered on the homeward journey, much to the other's amusement. During the next 18 months 0057 flew more than 300 hours. We went back to Grafton, appeared at the Indy Grand Prix, the Warwick Air Show and other such adventures. In January '92 I entered the QUA flying competitions and was fortunate enough to be awarded several trophies and 2nd Overall. The first occasion I had ever won anything!
 

Easter 1992. A group of 8 Ultralights from SE Qld and Northern NSW trekked northward to Townsville to attend the FNQUA Fly-In and Competitions. We stole all the trophies. Unfortunately 0057 did not complete the return journey. During the take-off run at Calliope an Incident with a tree occurred. I received a quick education in decision making. Bill Knight's Drifter got me home and the following weekend he and I recovered the wounded Sapphire. Seven days later Dean's craftsmanship had the broken wing all fixed. The tow vehicle had an engine failure returning from Newcastle, you can't help bad luck!. A month later and I was in the air again after a complete overhaul and clean up. Solo Nav suits the Sapphire. An 80 Knot TAS unencumbered by "keeping up" with slower aircraft. For Example: Roma Fast. 240 NM in 185 Mins, no landings, just go. Most enjoyable. I planned to travel to Atherton solo to get "The Come and Get Trophy". Ultimately in March '93 three aircraft flew 10 hours in a day, covering the 800 NM to Atherton, tailwind assist. Two days and 14 hours later we were back in Boonah. The Logbook is littered with similar tales, too numerous to mention.
 

Due to the smooth aerodynamics and high Aspect Ratio wing 25-0057 loves to go soaring. At engine idle the Glide Ratio is 12:1 demonstrated. Slightly better if the motor should happen to fail. Many hours have been spent sitting on top of thermals and sniffing out ridge lift, the most memorable being 3 hours aloft above Mt French for a total fuel burn of just over 10 litres. It doesn't seem like it but my little Sapp and I have been flying together for almost 4 years now. And it has reached an aviation milestone. 1000 Flight Hours, with the original engine and no failures. It should be good for another 1000. I sure hope so. Everytime I buckle up and commit aviation the Sapphire is a pleasure to fly. The performance, feel and flying qualities are a lasting testament to the skill and dedication of it's designer Scott Winton and manufacturer Freedom Aerolites. I feel fortunate and privileged to own Sapphire 25-0057.

 
 
See Ya In The Air !!