Tag Archives: aviationFriends

American Flying Classic’s Cherokee 235

One of many light aircraft come to mind that teaches a student to fly, but Piper itself brought out one of the many of its aircraft types, that being the  Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger. The first flight for this type of Cherokee was 14 January 1960 and over 32,778+ built.

For some years the aircraft was hangered at Rand Airport for some some years and eventually was brought back to live and put into the right hands of having this aircraft gracing South African skies once again!

The only Cherokee 235 based at Brakpan airfield East of Johannesburg, owned by the American Flying Classics Van der Schaar Family. The van der Schaar’s who are well known in the airshow circuit flying the Randolph sponsored Boeing Stearman. They also have a Pitts Special S2A and a couple of other flying toys in their inventory.

Ivan today is flying with Comair Limited as Captain on the Boeing 737-400 and 800 series aircraft, operating local British Airways and Kulula routes.

Ivan van der Schaar
Jeandre van der Schaar
Sonica van der Schaar
Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger
Brakpan Airfield

 In 1963, the company introduced the even more powerful Cherokee 235 (PA-28-235), which competed favorably with the Cessna C182 for load-carrying capability. The Cherokee 235 featured a Lycoming O-540 engine de-rated to 235 horsepower (175 kW) and a longer wing which would eventually be used for the Cherokee Six. It included tip tanks of 17-gallon capacity each, bringing the total fuel capacity of the Cherokee 235 to 84 gallons. The aircraft had its fuselage stretched in 1973, giving much more leg room in the rear.

Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger

The stabilator area was increased, as well. In 1973, the marketing name was changed from “235” to “Charger”. In 1974, it was changed again to “Pathfinder”. Production of the Pathfinder continued until 1977. No 1978 models were built. In 1979, the aircraft was given the Piper tapered wing and the name was changed again, this time to Dakota.

The Cherokee featured a Lycoming O-540 engine de-rated to 235 horsepower (175 kW) and a longer wing which would eventually be used for the Cherokee Six. It included tip tanks of 17-gallon capacity each, bringing the total fuel capacity of the Cherokee 235 to 84 gallons.

Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Charger
O Incrível Show Aéreo de Maputo
Boeing Stearman during a display in Maputo Mozambique Airshow in 2019
O Incrível Show Aéreo de Maputo
Boeing Stearman ZU-IES

For more information contact: Ivan van der Schaar: 082 375 9180 or Sonica van der Schaar: 082 682 2825

Little Annie Needs Your Help

“My name is Little Annie. I am an orphan who was donated from Russia and flown all the way to South Africa. I attend most of the air shows throughout Southern Africa . On the day before the air show I take the orphaned and underprivileged children from the area who have never had the opportunity to experience the joy of flight, to give them hope, encouragement and to share my true life story with them. My hope is to inspire them to achieve the seemingly impossible in attaining their dream commensurate with their natural talent. I have flown more than 3000 children since I was adopted by Mark Hill and his family who founded the Just Love Mission Charity. 

I was invited to the Newcastle Air Show on the 1st June for the very first time. This was our first airshow in Kwa-Zulu Natal.My bags were packed, and I was on my way. While flying, I started coughing up oil and my engine made a big bang sound! Fortunately my father and brother were able to land me safely at the Newcastle airport. I was unable to fly in the air show and am too sick to fly back home. The Flying Doctors who work on me and who can get me flying again will need to spend a bit of time and will need to replace a part in my engine.  I am invited to the Mozambique air show in Maputo on the 14th and 15th June, where I will be taking the children from the area flying.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend if my Doctors cannot come and fix me. I’d like to ask if there is anyone who will be able to donate towards the medical bills in order to get me up and “running”/flying again.

I will be over the moon if a few ‘Little Annie’ fans can possibly assist me in raising the funds. The good News is that because I  am a regustered NPC and PBO that is B-BBEE rated as well as article 18A registered, it can benefit those with corporate social investment responsibilities and you can also claim a sizable percentage of your contribution back from tax. If you would rather not claim from tax, I will be very excited to give you recognition and exposure for your charitable donations! Please contact my family should you be able to assist: 0817770444 or email on info@littleannie.co.za You can also have a look at my website for more info www.littleannie.co.zaI am excited to possibly hearing from you and hoping that this challenge of me being sick, will be able to be sorted out in order for me to carry on with my passion of sharing flight with the children!

Thank you Kindly!

Contact Details for Donations

081 777 0444 or email on info@littleannie.co.za

Read the story of ‘Little Annie’

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