Yearly Archives: 2017
Langebaanweg Airshow Program 09 Dec 2017
Langebaanweg Airshow Program 09 Dec 2017
The most anticipated Airshow for the year 2017!
For the past 50 years, the South African Air Force Silver Falcons have been dazzling crowds all over the country. Now, for the first time, we have an opportunity to celebrate their 50th Birthday at their Home Base at AFB Langebaanweg with an all-out Air Show in their honour. With a full complement of Air Force Aircraft and numerous Civilian Display Teams joining together to make this an Air Show you won`t forget and don`t want to miss.
Due to the unique location for the Air Show, that lends itself to experience the South African Air Force and its power to the max.
Official show hashtag #seeithearitfeelit
Did you get your tickets yet, if not then click here!
Remember to bring along Camping Chairs, Hats, Sunblock and keep Hydrated!
You are welcome to bring your own picnic basket, but no alcohol is allowed to be brought in, a Beer Garden is available at the show with reasonable prices! Wright your phone number on a card and hang it around your kids neck or as an armband, it’s not uncommon for kids to lose sense of direction at a big event like this.
For more information on what to expect please go to this page.
The Langbaanweg Airshow team made the Programe available to us.
Please note this can change at any time!
Please note this can change at any time!
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SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-12-02
SAAF Museum Flying Day 2017-12-02
The South African Air Force Memorial is located at Swartkop. It contains a roll of honour of SAAF personnel who have been killed on duty as well as a memorial to personnel of all nations that died during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in South Africa. Airforce base Zwartkop hosted its final flying day for the year,which saw most of the flying exhibits flying on the day.The base is located in Pretoria and its South Africa’s oldest airforce base in the country and second oldest operational base in the world.
Apon arrival on Saturday the 2nd December,condtions were overcast with a slight breeze, the cloud base was high enough for flying to take place.The flying procceding started with a para drop with various members of the SANDF from the Museums C.4M Kudu.
Many pilots gave some of the public flights in the museums Alouette and Puma helicopters.While the Harvard club gave flights to customer’s who wanted a bucket list flight in a Harvard. The windsock café treated the public to some delicious and reasonable meals they have to offer.
The friends of the Museum had the Spitfire Restoration project gazebo up and the public had the opportunity to buy some memorabilia,where all thr funds raised go towards rebuilding the Museums Spitfire.
It was also a sad day for Gen Hugh Paine who was retiring from flying at the SAAF Museum,During his career in the SAAF, the General flew many types of aircraft including Harvards, Impalas, and many helicopters such as Alouettes, Pumas, MBB BK117s, Gazelles and more, whilst holding the positions of Officer Commanding 87 Heli-copter Flying School, Chief Project Officer Rooivalk Helicopter Project, Chief Director Force Preparation, Director Air Capability Plan and Director Helicopter Systems just to name a few.
A special tribute was put together with a 5ship helicopter formation and a 4ship Harvard formation, as soon as Gen Paine landed in front of the bright yellow tower which is common sight at Museum Airshows.,2 Air force fire engines sprayed water as a final salute over the Alouette two he was flying.
We like to wish Gen Paine all the best for the future and look forward to the next flying Day in the new year.
Keep them up where they belong!
Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie
Just Love Mission by Jarryd
Just Love Mission The Journey of Little Annie
The Antonov An-2 ,Russian nickname: “Annushka” or “Annie”; “kukuruznik” – corn crop duster; USAF/DoD reporting name Type 22 NATO reporting name Colt,is a Soviet mass-produced single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed and manufactured by the Antonov Design Bureau beginning in 1946. Its remarkable durability, high lifting power, and ability to take off and land from poor runways have given it a long service life. The An-2 was produced up to 2001 and remains in service with military and civilian operators around the world. The AN2 is the worlds largest single engine bi-plane.
The Just Love Mission is a charity non profit organization aimed at aviation fraternity, The Hill family who reside in the east of Pretoria South Africa, have a very special family member. This family member never moans or fights with her sister, brother or parents. Her name is Little Annie she recently just turned 30 years old a couple of months ago and each day she gets stronger and stronger.
Mark Hill an ex SAAF Chopper and Fixed wing pilot who went solo in a Harvard 7673 on the 19th November 1981 at the then AFB Dunnottar who he spent with many other delightful pupes known as the Central Flying School.aviation
enthusiast Gary Price suggested the AN-2 as the ideal aircraft type to reach rural areas with
unconventional landing space,especially some of the rugged terrain in Southern Africa.when a personal friend, Mr. Niall Olver, CEO of Execujet Global, he then discussed the idea
with his friend and business associate Mr. Andrei Martirosov, CEO of UTair in Russia ,
that this dream was realized and ratified on condition that “Little Annie” was to
be flown from Siberia to Cape Town as part of the ocean to ocean theme.
The An2 flew all the way from Tyumen (Siberia) to Cape Town and then back to Pretoria, where she now lives at Wonderboom National Airport in Pretoria. Using 19 500 liters and 470 liters of oil on the whole trip, Little Annie got to see some of the most beautiful countries on the trip down to South Africa.
The An2 is used on an outreach program to communities who are not able to get up close and personal with aviation. They give communities hope that they too may achieve their respective dreams in flying in an aircraft and influencing youngsters to become pilots in the near future, by doing this many communities have made Little Annie a great mentor and still follow her on her African Journey and meeting great people along the way.
Little Annie has become a very fond participant both at Airshows and Air Races around South Africa. She performs very gentle Maneuvers and is a great asset to the Skydivers and their jump ship at airshows. She has preformed at the smaller airshows and to the international airshow including AAD at AFB Waterkloof ,both Botswana airshows and Race for Rhinos. Jon Marc Hill who is Mark Hill son,recently obtained his Display rating at the Polokwane Airshow in October.
If you would like to contact Little Annie on their website www.littleannie.co.za and find them on Facebook at Annie Hill.
More Photos , Click to enlarge
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Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect!
Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect!
Langebaanweg Airshow, what to expect!
With just over a week to go till what is to be the most awaited airshow of 2017.
It’s the last Airshow for the Year 2017, the 2nd SAAF hosted airshow for the year, the other being SAAF Museum airshow that was held in May earlier this year and then the 1st Airshow in the Western Cape since 2015 that was at Stellenbosch. The last open day for the public at AFB Langebaanweg was in 1995 during the 75th anniversary of the South African Air force. The Silver Falcons have had the opportunity to dazzle crowds all over the country, but rarely the opportunity to showcase its Pride, Passion and Precision at their home base. Due to the unique location of this Air Show, it allows for certain unique displays that would not necessarily feature at other Air Shows around the country. This makes it one show not to miss.
This Air show would allow the SAAF to celebrate a significant milestone with Pride. An Air show planned and executed by the AFB Langebaanweg entirely to allow the greater public the experience the professionalism and pride that we have for the SAAF. It would allow the public to experience the Passion that we have for our Air Force and serving our Country, and through this Air show inspire confidence in our Air Force and provide a platform for the youth to commit to serving their Country as well. This Air show will provide a platform to showcase our Precision. Showcasing our Aircraft operated in a professional manner and in such ways as to highlight our exemplary training and professional members.
Ample Parking is available and Disabled parking with Golf Cart Shuttle available to the display area for those in need.
The Gates open at 07:00 and show starts at 09:00 and is expected to come to an end with the Gripen Breaking the Sound barrier at about 17:00. Read more…
What to bring along, Sunscreen and a Hat, camping chair or a blanket to sit on and Picnic baskets are welcome, however many Food and soft drink vendors will be onsite! A Beer garden will also be onsite for those a bit thirstier! ATM facilities will be available. We do recommend to bring cash, as at an Airshow cash is always King and to avoid long lines at the ATM’s.
Silver Falcons Team 81 for this 50th Anniversary show is:
Major Wendy ‘Electra’ Badenhorst
Major Corné ‘Stilbo’ van Deventer
Major Mark ‘Katana’ Gentles
Major Sivu ‘Sivuple’ Tangana
Major Omphile ‘Biggy’ Mutloane
Major Bheki ‘Swaziboy’ Shabangu
Read more on the Silver Falcons
View full Airshow Program here
The following is a list of the various aircraft that are confirmed to take part in this Air Show:
SAAF Aircraft:
3 X Oryx (Static, Flying and Backup)
1 X Lynx
4X Hawk (Static, Flying and Backup)
7X Gripen (Static, Flying and Backup)
2 X C208/1 X C212
2 X C47TP
1 X C130BZ
6 X Silver Falcons
18 X Astra’s (PC7’s)
2X Rooivalk(Static, Flying and Backup)
Civilian Aircraft:
Puma Flying Lions – 4 X Harvard
Raptors 4 X RV 7/8/9
Nashua Extra 300LP
Mango B737-800
Neville Ferreira Slick 540
Impala ZU-IMP Impala
Mother City Skydiving Jump Platform Required
AMSRCC 7 x RC Aircraft
Team Extreme 4 x Cirrus/Extra 300
Little Annie AN-2
CTFC TBC Static
Working on Fire AT802/C206/Huey
Robin Cross 6 X Static Display
CTFTC DV20 Static + Air
SFC (C152+C172) 2 X Static Display
AMScor EC145 Static + Air
Below is a photos of all the Aircraft to fly at this wonderful Langebaan Airshow 2017!
Photo’s from various photographers with the SAAFMPC group and Team Aviation Central members!
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Swartkop Warbirds fly-in
Swartkop Warbirds fly-in
25 and 26 November saw the Military Radio Control club annual Warbirds fly-in at Swartkop Air Force base. Warbirds was to be on Saturday and Civilian Aircraft on Sunday, However the much needed rain prevented any flying on the Saturday. Sunday was a perfect weather day for any sort of flying, including Radio Control. Not many aircraft turnout for the fly in, most likely due to pilots thinking the entire event was cancelled due to Saturday’s heavy rain. The show organized by Lieutenant Colonel Gert de Klerk and the Military Radio Control flying club
First in the air was Wesie with Lockheed P-38 Lightning twin, what an amazing aircraft this is.
Next was Local boy Pierre Le Roux with his Bell JetRanger III, Pierre put this Jetranger thru its paces with almost perfect flying.
Pierre was followed by Arno Janz in his Red Bull Yak 55, Not his is an powerful Airplane, powered by a 210cc four stroke engine!
This was followed by Arno with his RV4 and Wesie with P38, spoiling us with two aircraft in the sky!
This was followed by the ‘Red Baron’ a Super Stearman powered by a Laser 360 build and flown by Humphrey Le Grice, Now she is a Beaut!
Next up, BAE hawk flown by Dirk Visser.
Direct after the BAE Hawk it was once a gain Dirk Visser with a Playboy F14 Tomcat, Twin turbine and sweepback wings! After struggling to get the right-hand engine going all systems was go for this amazing Radio Control airplane to fly.
Next up was the Star of the day with young, 8 year old Ger-Drie de Beer with his Extra 330LP powered by a 60cc Twin Engine, Can this youngster fly! Take-off was immediately followed by a 1/4 Rolling circle, some stunning aerobatics and low-level flying. Die Seun mag maar vlieg!
Young Ger-Drie was followed by with his American levy Yak 55, once again some excellent flying routine.
Lastly we saw Dirk Visser in is Airwolf like chopper, what a lovely Chopper this is!
Click to view large photo!
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The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
3rd June 2017, It’s the Newcastle Airshow KZN 2017 and Ivan Van Der Schaar gets into his Boeing Stearman as his slot in the show get close. The Stearman does not want to start and on investigating Ivan found out that the Starter motor of the Stearman had packed up. They start phoning around and then Riaan Kamffer from Secunda could help him out with a replacement.
Next problem, the starter needs to be fetched from Secunda that is about 190km away. Derek Hopkins volunteered to fly up to go and fetch the starter, but once again, this option was not that simple as Derek had to do the Glider Tug for Gary Whitecross’ display. So, Neville Ferreira Aerobatics then took the Glider Tug job over form Derek. Okay, now that the starter was found, Derek set off
to Secunda while Neville doing the Glider tug. All that was needed was the field technical assistance, although Ivan had the skills, he could do with help on emergency field repairs skills. The Silver Falcons Aerobatic Team support crew saw the need for help and immediately jumped in to assist Ivan with the replacement.
Plz Browse Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going!
So, in the end Ivan got to fly his Boeing stearman at the Newcastle Airshow 2017 as the closing slot and this also being the top slot for any airshow!
This just show how dedicated the South African Airshow pilots and Support crews are to the Airshow industry. Well-done to all that was involved in Helping Ivan on his day in need to let The Show Go On!
Plz Browse Advertisement(s) below to help keep us going!
Advertising opportunity for Aviation Events
Advertising opportunity for Aviation Events
We are excited to announce that we will be making out Facebook cover image space available for organisers to promote their event on Aviation Central.
Aviation Central (AC) is a Facebook page that mainly focus on the promotion of Airshows, Air Races, Fly-ins and Radio Control events in South Africa and some of our neighbouring countries.
We endeavour to bring as much news and updates to our 27 000 and growing supporters, and our page attracts over 19 000 unique Facebook users daily.
AC has the most likes, followers, and page views on Facebook than any other active aviation related Facebook pages (including magazines) in Southern Africa, with the exception of airlines.
Our target audience is mostly the non-aviation professional who don’t always have time to search for events, and who brings their friends or family to airshows for the day and the plane spotters standing behind high airports walls to catch a glimpse of arriving and departing aircraft or just the guy looking up into the sky each time a plane goes by.
Over the years we have also build up relationships with event organisers and the countries display pilots and keep up with their every move.
With our ever-growing audience, we want to keep them informed about events as we receive information, therefore we require show and event organisers to keep up updated with calendars, posters, and any other news and highlights of upcoming events.
In order for us to help you promote and report on your event, we also have costs to cover so we decided to make our Cover image space available at a small cost.
The cover image is a prime spot on any Facebook page and it’s available for rent to organizers of aviation events ONLY.
The rest of our event promoting, all remains as is and FREE.
The cost will be linked to peak airshow season, mid and low seasons.
To see for yourself go to www.facebook.com/AviationSA
Below is an example what the page would like with the Langebaan show poster.
Our Cover image can be yours. Each day is from 7am till the next day 7am and is on a first-come-first-serve base!
Some quick facts form Facebook statistics on Aviation Central – September 2018
- Number of people who saw any of our Page posts (unique users) 289253
- Number of people who saw Page posts in news feed or ticker, or on our Page’s timeline (unique users) 22137
- Number of impressions that came from all of our posts (total count) 2130149
- Number of times users saw posts via stories published by their friends (total count) 2935248
- Daily: Number of people who have seen any content associated with our Page (unique users) 38624
For more information please email Lettie at admin@aviationcentral.co.za
Regards
Flippie van Emmenis
Team Lead and Owner
Aviation Central
0812704430
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