Rand Airshow 2017
Aviation Central team members Flippie Van Emmenis, Trevor Viljoen and Jarryd Sinovich visited the Rand Air Show 2017 the past weekend – Review by Flippie.
The The Rand Airshow 2017, or known as “The Grand Rand Airshow” by the older generation was held the 20th August at the Rand Airport – FAGM in Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa.
Hundreds of warmly dressed spectator donned the chilly sunny August morning in anticipation of the show and the icy wind kept the coffee vendors in high demand.
The crowd line filled up rapidity after the gates opened with Joburgers eager for a good show, and they were not disappointed by the show organizers. The show box was maned by Rickus Erasmus and (Col.) Francois Hanekom (Hosepipe)
The show was stared of with Harley Davidson motorcycles and a Ford Mustang parade that was a break from the normal emergencies services, a good change guys!
The show was opened with the beautiful Aeronca C-3, the oldest flying aircraft in South Africa!
This was then followed by the radial flypast consisting of ten Harvards, a Springbok Classic Air’s DC3 and a Beech 18.
The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team
was up next with an amazing display as always, one of my, [Flippie’s] favorite of all time display teams!
Next up was HENLEY AIR rotor wing display of four Bell 222’s one AS365 Dauphin (Airbus Helicopters)
Menno Parsons, owner of Master Power Technologies in his P51 Mustang, “Mustang Sally”, was up next for the first of two displays for the day. The whistling mustang is always a crowd favorite. Sadly the aircraft will be grounded due to a major scheduled maintenance and is estimated to be out of action for about 6 months.
Menno was joined by Sir Bacon Van Der Hoof on his display! Photo Jeanne-Michéle White.
Slowing the show down with the de Havilland Dragon Rapide from Queenstown, Eastern Cape flown by Flippie Vermeulen and Chipmunk with Jason Beamish.
Barrie Eeles and Elton Bondi in a two-ship formation with a difference with a 90° display made possible by Rand Airshow unique display line.
Goodyear Eagles – Aerobatics Unlimited with Glen Warden (leader), Nigel Hopkins Aerobatics and Johan von Solms.
Then Little Annie took to the skies flown by Mark Hill and son Jon-Mark. She will be celebrating her 30th birthday on the 2-3rd September. Check out Annie Hill for more details.
Capt Flippie Vermeulen in the Douglas DC-3
Another dual Chopper display by Menno Parsons and Alister Brown in the Tiger Huey and a Bell 430, a airshow 1st in SA for the Bell 340.
Next up was the L39 Albatross flown by Pierre Gouws and Larry Beamish!
Nigel Hopkins Aerobatics national unlimited aerobatic champion thrilled the crowd in his Extra 330sc, Nigel will be competing in the world championship to be held in Malelane next month. Go to WAC 2017 for more information of the championships and local and international competitors.
Glen Warden and the Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin, ZU-AUX
Scully, Arnie, Ellis and Sean with The Torre Pitts Special team.
Neville Ferreira Airshows in his Slick 540! What a nice guy he is. Neville is also part of team SA for the World Championship next month! WAC 2017
The prefect team Nigel Hopkins Aerobatics and Menno.
Two RV7’s and MX2 and Extra 300, perfectly flown by Mark Hensman and Pierre Gouws joined by the father and son duo of Larry and Jason Beamish.
Team Extreme, Nigel, Mark and Jason!
Previously known as the Zoom-Zoom’s, the Extra 300’s are back with Ellis Levin and Arnie Meneghelli, definitely one of our favorites!
Larry Beamish in an Embraer EMB 120 closed the 2017 show.
In conclusion, We loved the Rand 2017 Airshow, and are looking very much forward to Rand 2018
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