Nestled near Clocolan in the Eastern Freestate, well known for some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable, this was the third year that Zuikerkop Country Game Lodge hosted the Orion Aircraft Fly In. Visitors were guaranteed a wonderful weekend made even more special by the gorgeous natural backdrop to the lodge and the exceptional service that it has become famous for.
This year almost twenty-three aircraft flew in with most of the visitors staying over at the lodge. The highlight of the Fly In was without a doubt the arrival of two of the fifteen Orion Cubs that have now been completed and sold by the Krugersdorp based company.
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of ZU-ZUI, one of the two Orion's that was exhibited at NAMPO was Zuikerkop's Eduard Scholtz who is the latest owner of the Orion Cub an aircraft on a mission to redefine backcountry flying.
On hand was Kevin Hopper the designer and whose brainchild the Orion is. Kevin stood ready to hand the keys to Eddie.
Designed with a 4130 chromoly fuselage the Orion Cub is longer, wider and taller than most in its class. Using a modern Riblett air foil, the wings utilize an aluminium monocoque structure, incorporating slotted flaps and FRISE aileron designs. Offering a large envelope from safe slow flight to a decent cruise speed with harmonized handling throughout, while optimizing the advances of modern lightweight aircraft engines to carry 400kg useful load.
The first Orion Cub flew in 30 August 2022 with great success and has clocked hundreds of flying hours and completed countless demo flights with almost no modifications needed. The prototype has since won various EAA prizes, STOL competitions and even came 3rd in the world rally championship.
Today Orion Aircraft is a fully-fledged aircraft manufacturing company with a well-developed manufacturing facility and more than 12 permanent staff members and as many aircraft in various stages of manufacturing at any time. Orion offers a builders assist programs from its premises at Jack Taylors Airfield in Krugersdorp for Kit & Aircraft Assembly.
The company has sold 15 aircraft 5 of which are flying. One has been exported to Australia while a second one going to their recently appointed dealer in Australia. The one in Australia recently came second in the OZ-STOL competition.
Three are almost ready for export to America to the companies build centre.
During the day both aircraft flew a number of demo flights while later in the evening both flew a sortie for the photographers.
However, one must not forget those that flew, some a considerable distance, to attend the fly in that in my opinion has the potential to become a sought after and regular event on the aviation calendar.
ZUIKERKOP Runway Details:
900m x 15m hard gravel runway
Elevation: 5340 feet
Runway headings: 28/10
Coordinates: S 29 00' 05” E 27 35' 37”
10km South of Clocolan, FS
Frequency: 124,80 - Unmanned
Obstacles to clear: 30ft Power line 350m east of runway, 3ft fence on each end of the runway.
Right-hand circuit for 28 and Left-hand circuit for 10
Prior permission required
Eddie: 0823887640
