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Category: Airshows

Newcastle Airshow 2024

Now in its 11th year of running the 2024 rendition of the Newcastle airshow was originally scheduled for the 18^th of May but due to national elections was rescheduled to October.  Even with this delay the road to the airshow had some speed bumps in it and the final go-ahead was only given in the week of the airshow. This obviously had a knock-on effect, but Champ Marketing managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

With great support from the Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), Lieutenant-General Wiseman Mbambo, who hails from the region, and the South African Police Services (SAPS), along with a glorious spring day a successful airshow was the result. The Chief hails from the region and has a passion to foster the youth and this result is an extensive display of various career opportunities within the SAAF.

In the lead up to the airshow the SAAF visited many local schools to address the kleaners about various career options, as well as thye required subjects to be able to qualify for these careers. Hundreds of learners were hosted as part of the airshow.

After the traditional emergency vehicle parade the show was on. Graham Field, flying the giant South African flag demonstrated his skill and landed on target. The general then delivered his opening address to the crowd. 

The SAAF’s participation in the flying display was a Hawk, the Siver Falcons two-ship synchro pair and an Augusta A-109. The planned Rooivalk display unfortunately did not happen due to a technical fault. The rest of the flying displays was a demonstration of a Vans RV-10 and a superb display by Grant Timms, flying Richardt Lovett’s L-29.

The highlight of the show had to be the SAPS simulated high jacking and apprehension of the criminals and recovery of they highjacked vehicle. Due to the shorter display area all the action took place in front of the crowd, it was a high energy display consisting of two Airbus H-125 helicopters, a PC-6 Turbo Porter and two highway high-speed patrol cars. Lots of smoke, bangs and action.

Brian Emmenis with his Capital Sounds team kept the spectators constantly informed throughout the day with his enthusiastic and informative commentary.

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Category: Airshows

Potchefstroom Airshow 2024

(first published in African Pilot)

It has been 15 years since the last airshow was held in the Northwest Province city of Potchefstroom.  There was a time when airshows in South Africa visited many of the regional (one could even say rural) areas of our country. For various reasons the remote airshows dwindled with only the “big city” urban shows remaining. And even these have been badly affected. But the hunger for airshows has remained and it is clearly demonstrated by the huge turnout for the 2024 edition of the Potchefstroom airshow. The crowds started arriving from 8am and by the time the airshow started at 10am the tailback at the entrance was long. These were mostly walk-in on the day who had not pre-booked their access causing the delays.

The airshow was a clear late autumn day but rather windy. This wind came to haunt the aerobatic displays throughout the day. The Potch Girls High drum majorettes opened the show with the display routine and Jason Beamish, in his Master Power Extra doing a flypast at the finish. Then the skydivers, who had been taken aloft in the Alouette III helicopter flown by Juba Joubert performed their jump. Jason returned for the opening display in his Extra 330. Unfortunately Menno Parsons, who had suffered an injury was not available to fly his beloved P-51 Mustang in conjunction with Jason’s display. We wish Menno a speedy recovery.

It was a full day’s airshow with airshow stalwarts, Jason Beamish (MasterPower Extra 330), Andrew Blackwood-Murray (Nashua Extra 300), Andre van Zyl (Magni Gyro), Jason and Gareth Gill (Goodyear Pitts Special) Scully Levin, Arnie Meneghelli and Sean Thackwray (Puma Energy Flying Lions Harvard’s), Dr Andre Coetzee (Henley Air Bell 222) and Juba Joubert (Alouette III).

They were ably supported by newcomers to the South African airshow circuit Steve George and Reyno Coetzer (Ryan Navion which has a strong resemblance to the P-51 Mustang in certain angles which is not too surprising as it was originally designed by North American Aviation). Steve George returned for a solo display. Jason Beamish (again) with Richard Nicholson (Savannah LSA formation) and the youngest South African unlimited aerobatic display pilot, Tristan Eales showed his skills in the On-the-Go Extra 330SC.

The show of the day, had to be Captain Flippie Vermeulen in the Beech 18. His spectacular take-off and bank straight into the display sequence was impressive.

Radio Control Mastery

In recent times at the regional airshows the South African Model Aircraft Association (SAMAA) have been displaying at the event. Some of the most realistic scale flying models (and expensive) have been flown by their members. At Potch 2024 had young Joshua Twomey demonstrated his skill flying his Extra Flight Extra 300 Radio Control plane. What Joshua does with this aircraft is absolutely, unbelievable.

Wings on the Wind

Potchefstroom is home to Jonker Sailplanes, an extremely successful family of gliders designed and built in South Africa. It is only fitting that the airshow included a display of this, which many consider the purest form of flying. Oscar Goudriaan, the 2001 open class gliding world champion, displayed his JS-3 glider in a graceful series of sweeps and dives. As he neared the ground, he dumped his water ballast to lighten the glider and then deployed the auxiliary jet engine to continue his display nearer the ground. It is not often that a glider is displayed at an airshow.

Agricultural display.

One of the major attractions that the regional airshows have in comparison to the greater urban events is the proximity of various companies specialising in agricultural aviation, i.e. crop spraying. The Potch airshow was no exception as Sandriver Crop Protection services, a regional crop-spraying business, who were also one of the major sponsors of the airshow had various of their aircraft on display. First and foremost was a Bell 206 LongRanger, fitted with a 600-litre tank performing spray duties. We have seen the smaller Robison R-44 before but obviously horses for courses applies here and the larger load carrying capability of the Bell is useful. The manoeuvrability of a helicopter is most useful in confined areas. Sandriver then had a formation display consisting of their Wasp radial engine powered Airtractor AT301 and turbine powered Airtractor AT502. Then it was the turn of the big powerful Airtractor 802 from Castello Boerdery. Working in tandem with a John Deere ground-based tractor unit the speed advantage that aerial spraying was clearly shown. The other advantage that an aircraft has in comparison to a ground unit is the capability for bulk dumping of the load which is used against fires.

Bad boy

As part of the entertainment the ever popular “novice, first time pilot” who “stole an aircraft” act became almost too real. Jason Beamish, who played the part of the errant novice almost landed up in jail after being handcuffed and taken away by the South African Police Services. The organisers had to come to his rescue and explain that it was all part of the act, and he was authorised to do the flying display.

OFM, a regional radio station had been actively punting the show and had a live broadcast unit at the show. Brian Emmenis, of Capital Sounds had live crossings to the on-air studio of his airshow commentary during the airshow. Brian, and his team, as the consummate professionals they are had to deal with numerous power issues due to overload of circuits causing severe drop in voltage affecting his broadcast, but as they say in show business, the show must go on. This power issue is something that the event organisers must address as it is not the first time that power issues have affected the broadcast centre.

An airshow, due to costs, requires good sponsors to come to the table. In addition to the above-mentioned sponsors, Skeerpoort Verspieders, a fuel distributor, Masterpower Technologies and Aeronautical Aviation were headline sponsors.

The thirst for aviation was filled by Henley Air, with their Bell 206 and eventually assisted by the Bell 222 had a full day flying the enthusiasts around the airfield, in fact they were still flying over an hour after the airshow ended. As usual, Rickus Erasmus, and the ASSA team ensured that airshow ran as clockwork and safely. But guys, let us not wait another 15 years before we return to Potchefstroom.

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Category: Airshows

SACAA 25^th birthday celebration airshow – Wonderboom

(first published in African Pilot)

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) was formed on the 1^st October 1998 as an independent body to oversee aviation in South Africa. As part of their celebrations an airshow was organised and Wonderboom airport in Tswane was the chosen as the venue. Wonderboom has been host to many great airshows over the years although the last was held here in 2017. Although the initial erroneous advert on social media failed to indicate this was a “closed” with a “limited” attendance of around 3000 this was quickly replaced. Saturday dawned as a beautiful late autumn day that turned out to be extremely hot with a very light breeze, perfect weather for flying.

The activities for the day were delayed by an hour before the dignitaries addressed the crowd assembled under a large “Bedouin tent”.  Ms Poppy Khoza spoke about the SACAA before Counceller Cilliers Brink, he executive mayor of Tswane, in his address stressed the importance of Wonderboom airport to the economics of the city. Although Tswane Metro are the licence-holder of the airport the restraints place on the city’s finances for social infrastructure limited the funds available to expand the airport to its full potential. He indicated that the municipality will be consulting with private industry soon. The chairman of the SACAA board then introduced the Minister of Transport, Hon Sindisiwe Chikunga, who in her keynote address highlighted the achievements of SACAA over the past 25 years. Then it was on to the cake cutting, hey one cannot have a birthday celebration without cake.

The distinctive rasp of three Pratt and Whitney radial engines from the Puma energy Flying Lions Harvards signalled that the airshow was about to begin. From here on the crowd was entertained by some of South Africa’s top aerobatic teams and pilots. The displays ranged from the sedate solo and formation displays by the Springs airfield based Classic Flying Collection’s Tiger Moth and its post war successor, The DHC Chipmunk to the high energy formation displays by the Hired Gun and Goodyear Eagles Pitts Special teams. The discipline of precision competition aerobatic flying by Andrew Blackwood Murray in his Nashua sponsored Extra 300 and relative newcomer to the display circuit, Tristan Eeles on his On the Move sponsored Extra 330SC. Tristan represented South Africa at the recent World Aerobatic championships in the USA last year where he finished 25^th in an extremely competitive sport.

General aviation flying was represented by a Ciruss Sr-22 with Cheval as the pilot and Scully Levin mentoring her. Two formation displays were flown, one by the Raptor RV-formation team, who once again showcase the aerobatic capabilities of this very popular family of light aircraft. Jason Beamish and Richard Nicholson (jnr) performed a gentle formation display in their Savannah LSA Aircraft. Airlink provided the heavy metal display with their now very popular Embraer E195, Black One. A long-anticipated display from the Jack Taylor Airfield in Krugersdorp was the Ryan Navion display formation team flown by Reyno Coetzer and Steve George. I have been watching this team polish their act over the past few years and at long last they are here. They have indicated that the display will be expanded to include a 3^rd aircraft.

Rotor wings consisted of Dr Andre Coetzee from Henley Air in the Rocket Bell 222 and Andre van Zyl, who single handedly has raised the image of Gyrocopters and its capabilities. Of course, how can one forget that master of rotor wings, Juba Joubert who does not strap himself into an aircraft, but straps said aircraft to him. His high energy displays of the day, early in an Alouette II and then the afternoon show in a Gazelle ably demonstrates his mastery of rotor wings. Juba has a long and distinguished association with helicopters and has flown many varied types over the years.

The South African Air Force (SAAF) were represented by the SAAF Museum’s Alouette II and Alouette III performing a synchro display as well as individual displays. We will seem them, and other in the forthcoming SAAF Museum Airshow at The Mobility Air Wing Base (Swartkop) on the 4^th of May. The Officer commanding 85 Combat Flying School, based at Air Force Base Makhado displayed the Hawk Mk120. This will also be on show at the Museum’s airshow.

Display of the day must be the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) airwing which started as a gentle formation display of a Pilatus PC-6 Porter in formation with an Airbus H-125 Squirrel helicopter before a simulated high jacking had an action display of car chases, helicopter interception and eventual capture of the bad guys using dogs deployed from the helicopter. The crowd were wowed by the action, and Elvis Manene, who performed the specialist African language broadcasts for Capital Sounds, had the appreciative crowd on their feet.

The airshow was very well run by Rikus Erasmus of ASSA with the superb broadcast by Capital Sounds of Brian Emmenis and his team who kept the crowd informed throughout the day. Here is to the next 25 years of the youthful SACAA, may you continue to “Keep us safe in the Sky.”

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Category: Airshows

Stellenbosch Airshow 2024

(first published in African Pilot)

The Stellenbosch Airfield, home for the Stellenbosch Flying Club (SFC) is widely regarded as one of the best airfields in the country. Located amongst the vineyards of the regions wine lands and having the Hottentots Hollands mountains as a backdrop verifies this view. With this picturesque environment the SFC airshow is also considered as one of the “must attend” airshows. With the staunch support from the SFC membership who display their varied, and seldom seen outside the region, personal aircraft adds to the variety of aircraft adds to this statement.

The SFC airshow, unlike most others, is a two-day event with a late afternoon/early evening airshow on Friday. The Saturday event is the standard 10:00 – 16:00 timeslot. Whilst it is difficult for most enthusiasts to attend both days there are advantages to this. The Friday had three aircraft displays that were not part of the Saturday lineup, whilst the Saturday had an expanded selection.

Friday

Although the day was hot, and generally sunny, there was a haze over the mountains which fortunately, had mostly cleared before the airshow started at 16:00.  The weather forecast was for rain overnight and this was in evidence as heavy clouds covered the mountain tops, with rain, and lightning seen in the distance. The late afternoon sun at this airfield really casts a most favorable light on the displays.

The displays ranged from the sedate Antonov An-2 lumbering through the skies to the high energy Nashua flown by Andrew Blackwood-Murray. Patrick Davidson in his Gamebird and the Marksman formation team led by Mark Hensman. Local club members displayed their Cessna 210, Cessna 180, Atlas Bosbok, KFA Safari and Piper Aerostar. Alewyn Burger’s crazy pilot stunt display in a Piper Cub had my heart in my mouth on several occasions, although I knew full well that the pilot was capable, using the terrain to his advantage. His situational awareness, command and understanding of his aircrafts capabilities is phenomenal. Rotor wings were represented by Andre van Zyl in his Magni Autogyro and the outstanding Juba Joubert who displayed an Alouette III helicopter. His flying capabilities never cease to amaze and wow the crowd. Grant Timms displayed the Warbirds Africa, recently acquired L-29 Delfin jet. Kishugu’s Working on Fire team demonstrated their firefighting capabilities with water drops performed by the Bell Huey helicopters followed by their Air Tractor water bombers. The South African Air Force had a Pilatus PC-7 MkII from the Silver Falcons display team and the team’s number 5, who is the traditional solo display, took it through its paces. The Piaggio P166 DL3 from Orca Aero Solutions performed its display. This aircraft is currently used for whale tracking by various universities. A further three are on order to supplement the current aircraft.

The Puma energy Flying Lions display team, led by Ellis Levine performed their signature sunset show to a live performance of Il Solenzio. Stirring sounds and the addition of the Stellenbosch City Orchestra added a touch of class to the airshow. Once the Harvard’s had shut down, the orchestra, under the baton of Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg III performed many well-known theme tunes with a strong aviation bias to the crowd. A fitting backdrop to this was the Titan T-51D Mustang that was on a static display.

Saturday

The forecast rain arrived during Friday night and Saturday morning dawned misty and dreary. This did not deter the enthusiasts who started arrived well before 7am to book their place in sun. The mist did eventually disperse before the airshow started at 10 am with the traditional emergency vehicle parade whilst the Antonov clawed her way into the sky to discharge her cargo of parachutists. Fortunately the cloud base had lifted sufficiently to allow a safe jump. The cloud cover remained for the day and the displays were adapted to the conditions.

Leading Edge Aviation showcased the security division with a single Bell Huey that brought a response team to the site of a high jacking to illustrate the co-operation between the ground and airborne elements of the team. They later performed a display of their two Bell Huey helicopters in formation with the powerful Sikorsky Blackhawk. This machine is a real powerhouse and is a beast in the air and exudes raw power.

Alewyn Burger, who once again had the heart rates of many in the crowd racing with his crazy antics, performed a more sedate display in his classic Howard DGA. This aircraft is immaculate and is a throwback to the golden years of flying. Once again, the Puma Energy Flying Lions closed the successful show.

For those few diehards who stayed talking to friends Gareth Van Kets, a part owner of that Titan T-51D, fired her up and taxied up and down the taxi way to show off the beautiful lines of this aircraft. The aircraft was not flown as the Authority To Fly is yet to be issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority although Gareth is looking forward to have her airborne for FASH 2025, so am I. Brian Emmenis, of Capitol Sounds provided the entertaining and informative commentary to keep the public up to date with the displays.

From the very first airshow Fiona, and I had attended at this impressive venue, what continues to impress  is the cleanliness of the venue at the completion of the show. The Western Cape crowd, as well as the SFC implemented protocols, ensured that there was extremely little litter evident on the wide green lawn of the crowd area. Well done to the SFC, we are looking forward to the next event at this wonderful airfield.