The usual checking and range checks were done and then with Piet at the controls and Evan doing the launching it was given a test glide to see if the incidence was more or less okay. 
After some adjustment to the elevator setting it was committed to the winch for it's maiden flight. Straight up the line she went without a glitch. 
After the initial trimming, Crow break was deployed and she pitched her nose up, so more down elevator compensation was required and the dive test reveled that she needed a little less nose weight. So Piet brought her down and the necessary adjustments were done and then she was launched on flight #2. Crow was tried again and she still pitched up so more down compensation was required. The one flap jammed down when the knuckle hooked the top skin, but Piet turned her down wind, opened and closed crow again and the flap closed. Crises over he landed her and further adjustments were done to rectify the sticking flap and down compensation in Crow mode.Now the moment of truth had arrived. It was Tony's chance to fly his own plane. Piet flew her up the line and handed Tony the transmitter. 
He was understandably nervous, but flew her like a champ and only handed the transmitter back to Piet for the final approach and landing. 
After a bit more tweaking of the settings it was up the line again with Piet's assistance and soon Tony was trying his hand at thermalling.
Even managing to catch a little bubble and extend the flight a little. This time it was his turn to land which he managed quite okay. Unfortunately the silicone hinge let go when the aileron caught the grass on landing. Luckily no damage to the model, but it does go to show that ordinary bath silicone is not the stuff to use for hinging.
He was understandably nervous, but flew her like a champ and only handed the transmitter back to Piet for the final approach and landing. After a bit more tweaking of the settings it was up the line again with Piet's assistance and soon Tony was trying his hand at thermalling.Even managing to catch a little bubble and extend the flight a little. This time it was his turn to land which he managed quite okay. Unfortunately the silicone hinge let go when the aileron caught the grass on landing. Luckily no damage to the model, but it does go to show that ordinary bath silicone is not the stuff to use for hinging. 
Once all the excitement was over it was down to some celebrating and Tony soon had the Champagne flowing. It was a very memorable days and the late afternoon drink after flying to celebration Tony's new Shongololo was much enjoyed by those present. 
Well done Tony She looks lovely and may she always fly in Green Air and all the landing be smooth and gentle. 
A special thanks must go to Craig and Rodney for this wonderful model and the permission they have given us to use their design in the building group. I'm am forever grateful for all the advice and assistance that they have given me. Thank you!
Just for the record there are already 4 Shonglololo's that are complete, Tony #1, Hannes #2, Gordon #3, Heinrich #4 and we are currently busy with #5 for Henk. There are another 8 people lined up in the building group, Mark, Robert, Len, Trevor, Rudi, Peter, Derek & Etienne. The turn around time is 3 week per model so by the end of the year we should see quite a few more Shongololo's flying. At this rate we could soon start a Clubman class in the HTL just for all these Shongololo's. If anyone else is interested in joining the group please contact me evanevshaw@gmail.com We build once a week on a Wednesday evening at my place in Krugersdorp.
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